Customer Reviews
No synthesizers keyboards or samples used in the making of this recording 
2008-03-22
Rage against the macine is awsome their music is feirce,and in your face. If you like audioslave thier awsome too dont get me wrong but they are two totaly different bands,Morrelo shreds either way but when he shreds for ratm he shreds with fire and he makes noises come out of a guitar that sound like they shouldn't come out of a guitar.When he shreds with audioslave he shreds like Eddie Van Halen or classic rock. Zack de la rocha is simply destined to do what he does on this record. Morrelo couldn't shred like he does without the ecxellent rythem section he has.Alright heres the rundown.
Bombtrack 10/10 awsome song, the perfect way to start a flawless record,one of the best riffs on the record. Morrelo shreds.
killing in the name 9/10 doesn't let up one bit, the only song explicit enough to not have in the lyrics book.the chorus in the end chants F##K you i won't do what you told me.
Take the power back 9/10 the words seemlesly flow into one another more than the others do. It is not as heavy as the other songs but once again morrelo shreds.
settle for nothing 10/10 this song is simply amazing. u have to here it to beleive what i am telling you. If u have only heard 30 seconds of the song and u think it is terrible no listen 2 the whole thing.
bullet in the head 10/10 awsome it is super funky and original rap mixed with funk and hip hop don't see that every day.
Know your enemy 9/10 this song is almost the same thing as bombtrack and that is why I gave it a 9 instead of a 10.
Wake up 9/10 the title explains itself
Fistfull of steel 10/10 One of the angreist and one of the best.Also a Jimmy Page like riff.
township rebelion 8/10 worst song, it's just nothing new.
Freedom 10/10 flawless song to end a flawless album.
Now if your thinking 10 songs its not worth it, hold up none of these songs are under 4 minuets and most of them are a good while longer.
and if you have heard the song bulls on parade from Guitar hero 3 and now u are thinking of maybe buying evil empire 1996 and calling your selfs a rage against the machine fan no that is not how it works.HOPE you LOVE the reveiw buy rage against te machine TODAY!
Furious! 2008-02-20
Q: What does righteous anger sound like?
A: Rage Against the Machine
In a phenomenally powerful, aggressive, and thought provoking debut, Rage Against the Machine manage to immediately place themselves in the upper echelon of bands/artists who've used music as more than a way to make money. While their career may not be so storied as others (Neil Young comes immediately to mind), their music is equally as important, in that it is the protest music of a new generation that grew up thinking of Vietnam and Watergate as distant memories.
But, of course, good intentions only go so far. The quality of the music is what carries the message, and the quality on this album is of the highest level. While not the first band to combine the lyrical approach of rap with the instrumental approach of metal, Rage is the earliest prominent example of a band to do so across an entire album (rather than the one song approach of the Aerosmith/Run-D.M.C. and Anthrax/Public Enemy pairings), and years before other artists destroyed the genre by spawning nu-metal, which lacked the authenticity of either hardcore rap or metal. As such, the songs on this album sounded brutally fresh when they hit the airwaves, and they still sound so today, as the intensity and honesty of this album hasn't yet been matched in the rap/metal genre. There simply isn't a weak track on this album. Not one. Sure, some songs are more "famous" than the others, but this is a complete album, despite the presence of a few hits scattered throughout. From front to back, it's filled with creative riffs, compelling lyrics and vocals, and a rhythm section that gives the music a lot of its character.
Simply overwhelming!
Years later, still very good, despite a little too political and self important... 
2008-01-25
I bought this album right around when it came out, and I can still listen to it. In fact, it's still pretty good. The energy and dynamism are still there, and the fact that these guys have always been sincere in their politics and music helps immensely. Too often many bands are posers politically, but these guys, whether you agree or disagree with their politics, really believe in what they're singing. This is still a great album, filled with great riffs and song. I really like Bombtrack, Killing in the Name, Bullet in the Head, and Freedom. Eventually, Zack and the boys took themselves a little too seriously (politics always makes artists/performers take themselves too seriously), and Zack ended up splitting the band over "political differences". Despite the self importance, and the fact that much of the lyrical content here isn't as subversive as Rage thinks it is, it's still a pretty damn good album, especially for a debut album.
Great first effort 2008-01-14
Very solid album that I never heard until Guitar Hero II. I bought this album for Killing In The Name Of, but I have since discovered a lot of other good music on this album. RATM was one of my favorites when they were in their prime.
One of a kind 2008-01-09
Never before had a band so successfully meshed metal with hip-hop. Sure, it had been done by others, but nowhere near the level of RATM. When this album was released, there was nothing remotely like it (nor has there been since, with the exception of other RATM albums). Songs like Killing In The Name are so bold and so unique, and sound so good. A kid listening to this album today will probably be inspired to pick up a guitar or drum kit in the same way the Jimmy Page's and Jimi Hendrix's of the rock world inspired kids so many moons ago.
This debut album is undoubtedly one of the best hard rock albums of all time. It just gets better with each listen.
this is where it all began 2008-07-16
This album, like Kongcrete's debut self-titled album, truly defined the whole genre of rap rock or mashups between hip hop and rock. It put hip hop on the rock map and vice versa. The production on this album lacks some of the edge in Rage's albums which followed, but contains much of the seminal anger and defiance which would later be the trademark of Rage as well as other groundbreaking bands which followed such as Kongcrete. Action movies in the year 2008 are still using music from this album.
Rage Against The Machine- One Word, Explosive! 2008-07-15
I have long been a fan of Rage Against The Machine as they are pretty much my favorite rock group ever. Just with the way the mesh hardcore rock with influences of rap pulled me in from the first time I heard one of their records back in the mid 90s. As you look back, you realize they are one of the pioneers in that sort of genre that has led to groups like maybe a Limp Bizkit and most definitely a Linkin Park (who is another one of my favorite groups). And the fact that their anger is built out of frustration and oppression from what they feel comes from the government is another fact that made me fall in love with their music and the group itself. Therefore, I had long been in the looks for the first album which it seemed I could never get my hands on. It had almost become like a white unicorn. Then finally just recently I discovered that we had a couple copies in our stockroom at the job I work out and was like I have to have this. I had heard a few if not half the songs on the album, but the album in its entirety. After playing the CD for days, I have been knocked off my feet and blown away. This whole album is like one big fireball and can't help but want to be standing in the way of it being thrown at you.
The around hour-long CD has intensity that is off the charts, nothing like I have ever heard before. Zack De La Rocha grabs your attention as the frontman with ever-scathing lyrics that locks your ears and hooks in your minds to think. Not only does he have some great lyrical ability in his arsenal that can rival some of these rappers today, he has content that goes has him go out on a plank and dive into an ocean/current that few musical artists back then or today are willing to risk. And that has him and the group fight back against the government. And if his yelling through the mic cannot get through to you, I don't know what can. I don't pretend to be a guitar expert, but the sounds that Tom Morello makes with his are RIDICULOUS!! One minute it sounds like alarms going off, next minute it sounds like he is mixing and scratching like a DJ, then making it sound like some crazy machine (like a computer uploading or something, kind of hard to describe). The riffs and solos are insane! Inventive, innovative and creative. Those are the words that come to mind when you hear Morello's guitar on these songs. And just downright sick! I don't know how most would rank the guitarists from all these different phases and times of rock (with the Jimi Hendrix and all the other various groups over time or even just solo artists), but I would have to think in my view that Tom Morello has to be up in the top eschelon of them all. And cannot forget about Brad Wilk and Tim C on the drums and bass setting the tone and background for these songs. The way they can just belt out hard sounds for that whole raging effect, then go low and quiet/soft only to build it back up like anger boiling to the surface to match Zack's emotions is tremendous! All these guys bring an element that just make this group truly one of a kind.
From the chorus saying, "Burn, burn, yes you're gonna burn," from the opening Bombtrack is like pouring gasoline all over and getting the fuse ready and saying get ready for this. Killing In The Name is one of there more widely-known songs, probably more for the fact that it is one of those rebellious songs aimed at the authority figures of this society in which Zack just puts it plainly, "F you, I won't do what you tell me!" Take The Power Back is telling you how the lies that we have been fed and the structural base of this country has held most of us back for generations and now it is time to rip that power back from them and take control. Which leads into Settle For Nothing, knowing that we (as a whole) deserve much better than what we are getting and not settling for nothing less than that. Bullet In The Head is an extremely powerful track that explains how a lot of us are braindead to the fact that we don't think for ourselves (like we get a bullet in our head). Know Your Enemy is explaining to us to recognize who the true enemy is, not only the government but the American ways/methods that some use to get to the American Dream. Wake Up, self-explanatory track and one you may have heard by now. A song challenging (and from Zack's view, screaming) at you to wake up from sleeping and dreaming the American Dream and realize what is truly going on in how we have been blinded from the fact in how the government is dirtier than anyone and the how they have deflected any responsibility in the deaths of King and Malcolm X (from Zack's perspective). This whole song from the words he speaks to him yelling at you at the end makes you take a step back. Fistful of Steel has become my favorite track off this whole album. Tom's guitars sound creepy, but fun at the same time and Zack is using a mic as a fistful of steel to get through to you using it's power instead of a gun (words have incredible power). Township Rebellion... you think of a township, you think of a quiet part of a neighborhood/city where things seem to be all well and good, all fine and dandy (which equates to this country in some ways). This group is saying definitely not the case and it's time to rebel against it all. When I hear Freedom, all that comes to mind is William Wallace (Mel Gibson) from Braveheart when he yells at the end,"Freeeddooommmmmm!!!" This is one thing we all long for, the freedom for anything in our lives- whether its the choice to be what we want to be, the choice to speak our minds freely or anything of the nature and with it not being restricted or bucked against. I find it fitting that at the end of the song, the group ends it with the instruments making all types of noises like a machine going haywire and overloading. I see as a symbol as us breaking free and putting the country/government (the machine) spiraling out of control and overcoming it. That was an ingenious way to bring the whole album to a close.
This album came out in 1992, and I can feel what they are trying to get through to people back then now in 2008. That is just incredible when you think about it. How what they said 16 years ago can relate to what is going on now (And OH HOW IT CAN!). The whole late 80s-early 90s era brought some incredible music and groups when it came to rock. Guns N Roses, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and most definitely Rage Against The Machine with this time-standing debut. I totally feel like that group came along at the right time with at being at the end of the first Bush era, but was ahead of it's time also with how things are now with this Bush Administration. I'm not real heavy into politics, but it doesn't take a genius to see how screwed-up the economy and this country is all thanks to Bush and his crew. And I do have my views. Rock and all of us needed a group like Rage Against The Machine to say the things most of us may not have the courage to say (a la the movie Talk To Me if I can borrow from that). And they just didn't talk it, they acted and tried to change things. That is major when you talk and do instead of just talk. This group would have a field day with issues to talk about in today's society and you can only wish they were around now. I feel like no one has really filled that void they left behind once they fractured. But I have to thank them for what they gave us through the 90s, including their first piece of work. Rage lives on 4ever!
One of the great debut albums of all-time 2008-05-07
An amazing debut. Rage combined their influences (Public Enemy, Led Zeppelin & the Sex Pistols) into one hell of a brew. It's heavy as hell, it's angry and smart and rabid...and it'll rock your face off.
Believin all the lies that they're tellin ya... 2008-05-07
Just look at the cover photo & the name of the band. One of the best records of all time. Different, inventive, fearless, revolutionary, sincere, solid, art at it's best. This is what rock & roll is supposed to be all about. Tom Morello is the most inventive guitarist since Van Halen. Love this band. Highly recommend all of their stuff.
Rage, Rock & Revolution 2008-04-24
Combining political punk attitude with heavy metal riffs and intelligent rap lyrics, Rage Against The Machine broke the mold. Not since bands like Steppenwolf, the MC5, The Clash and the Sex Pistols has there been a more politically conscious band. And talk about a great debut album.
The lyrics are fiery with passion and conviction and clearly state the band's left-wing, socialist beliefs. But there's more to this music than advertising their political beliefs. They cheer on the every man, condemn bigotry and willful ignorance, support feminism and strongly encourage people to speak their minds (regardless of your political stance). Some have criticized the band, saying that they are hypocritical. And even as a die-hard fan, I admit that there is some credence in these claims. After all, for a band that supposedly despises capitalism their merchandise costs a fortune. But all of that aside, I completely agree with most of what they're saying and I hope that they'll put out another album in the near future, especially considering the current state of our nation. We need more bands that are willing to put it all on the line and not only express their personal beliefs and feelings but share with us their insight into a society whose people are becoming more and more apathetic.
Now to get to the actual details concerning this disc. It contains 10 incendiary tracks that burn into your social awareness. Among them are the modern classics: Bombtrack, Killing in the Name, Know Your Enemy, Wake Up & Freedom. This album was their first major label release and probably their best. It has all that you could want in a band. No boundaries, no borders, no limitations; just a healthy dose of rage, rock and revolution.
Songs include:
1. Bombtrack
2. Killing in the Name
3. Take the Power Back
4. Settle for Nothing
5. Bullet in the Head
6. Know Your Enemy
7. Wake Up
8. Fistful of Steel
9. Township Rebellion
10. Freedom
So turn up the bass and prepare yourself for political punk-funk-rock-rap-metal!
