Reviews (page 13 of 14)
Whilst listening to this, Rage Against The Machine's debut album, I found myself reading a book investigating the literary efforts by 20th century dictators. So, whilst listening to Zach de la Rocha's furious epizeuxis of "All of which are American dreams!", the dreams being conformity, hypocrisy and brutality amongst others, I coincidentally read of Stalin's muted admiration for the efficiency of American industry. Aside from amusing me, the juxtaposition made me realise that I wasn't taking the message at all seriously, that I wasn't raging against the machine, I was chuckling at the self-righteousness. Don't take that dismissal as intransigence. Rage Against The Machine clearly rage about numerous important subjects, like police brutality and racism. But they don't handle every issue they raise with sufficient sobriety. Take inequality. Within political philosophy, a genuinely brief consideration of equality leads to various nuances. Plenty of conservatives would say they're some breed of egalitarian, in that they're anti-elite and wholly in favour of equality of opportunity, that everyone has the right to stay at the Ritz if they can afford it. I remember studying a paper at university by the philosopher Elizabeth S. Anderson entitled What is the Point of Equality?, where she criticises the notion of equality as a compensation for undeserved bad luck, and instead conceives of equality as a prophylatic against oppressive social relations. Would Rage Against The Machine be aware of even such a reductive elaboration of equality as I just gave? I'm guessing no. They're under no obligation to, but likewise I can still admonish them on those grounds. I suppose what I'm concluding is that Rage Against The Machine tend to left-wing platitude, in a similar way to the strains of right-wing country musician growling that if you don't like Confederate statues you can git out or the centrist popstar warbling that they believe children are the future. The indignation of the delivery doesn't compensate for the reality that this is music for 15-year-olds, and 15-year-olds don't have the vote. Indeed, the vehemence and savagery of the music only underscores the juvenility of the message. Just because it's passionate doesn't mean it's insightful. Actually, the admittedly corking Killing in the Name did become the anthem for a successful protest movement. The protest movement was to reclaim the UK Christmas number 1 away from the tyranny of Simon Cowell's talent shows. Victorious acts from The X Factor had attained the UK Christmas number 1 for four years in a row, with the show having the ambition of a fifth. Understand that this was an utterly repugnant state of affairs for everyone involved: the acts would have a solitary hit of a cover version then get tossed back into the local club circuits with all the dignity of a used condom, the music itself would be so trite and unadventurous that many forgot good Christmas singles could exist, and the ones who remembered the existence of good Christmas singles would just feel older, sadder and so much more tired. So, a Facebook group started campaigning to get Killing in the Name to the 2009 UK Christmas number 1. When cultural pollutant Simon Cowell called the campaign stupid and cynical (yes, he had the gall to criticise something as cynical), Killing in the Name flew to the top of the charts and all the children in the land danced a merry dance, chanting that fuck you, they wouldn't do what you told them. Regardless of your political stance, that's clearly cocklewarming.
like Evil Empire more
Rage Against the Machine or RATM is a rock band from L.A., USA. This was their 1st Studio Release. Genre: Rap Metal, Funk Metal Initial Impression: Hard, Loud, Kick Ass Singles: ---------------------------------- Killing in the Name (UK #1, US ALT #25, #8 NZ, #7 AUS) Bullet in the Head (UK #16, #19 NZ) Bombtrack (UK #37, NL #8, NZ #11) Freedom (#17 NZ) Standouts: Killing in the Name (Fuck You I Won't Do What You Tell Me), Bombtrack Others: Take The Power Back, Bullet in the Head I don't usually listen to Rap Metal, but when I do I listen to Rage Against the Machine. I have to be in the right mood, to enjoy this kind of music. It isn't something I'd put on playlist with other songs that I would listen to during a normal day. But, I would definitely put it on a playlist of songs that really fucking rock! For the Genre is is outstanding. For me, overall, I think it is pretty damn good and overall I'd give it a 3.5
Was good, not the biggest fan of just screaming and yelling, but overall pretty good. Obvi killing in the Name if is a boo
Test
Begon lekker, eindigde kut
I like the lyrics and the angsty-ness but it got a bit grating after about 5 songs. I can see why it's on the list as it's genre defining and was of a time
gg
popular? interesting? radical? sure. there aren't many rock groups singing against racism and other abuses of power. but it's so lightweight. does it rally more than it catalyzes? de la rocha's life adjacent to his music gives weight
Znowu cos debiutanckiego, tym razem cos blizszego czarnemu graniu, bo jedna z najbardziej popularnych politycznie aktywnie niepoprawnych band muzyki popularnej, czyli Rage Against The Machine z swoim debiutanckim krazkiem z 92, dodatkowo wydanego dokladnie w dniu wyborow prezydenckich, czego to sie nie robi zeby pokazac o czym ma byc plyta sama data wydania, promocja sie udala, bo jest to ponadczasowy klasyk gatunku rap metalowego, dosc mlodego gatunku w tamtych czasach, zespol czteroosobowy dosc standardowo, gitarka, bas i drumy, no i wokal pana Zacka de la Rocha, ktory jest tym elementem z ktorym kojarzy sie caly zespol lub przynajmniej ten krazek, chociaz tutaj w pamiec zapada rowniez mocna okladka z calopaleniem w sajgonie, wiec jak najbardziej na temat na albumie utrzymany rowniez w tym aspekcie, bo przewrotowe tresci sa tutaj podane z wyjatkowo silnym przekonaniem, ktore jest chyba rzecza najbardziej przyciagajaca ucho sluchacza, czuc ze osoba krzyczaco rymujaca robi to z przekonaniem, instrumentale sa jedynie dla niej tlem na ktorym wyrzuca z siebie jad w strone prawej strony mocy, co do samych instrumentali, to najbardziej rzuca sie w oczy mocne haratanie w gitarke, nie tylko na najbardziej znanym hicie bandy czyli killing in the name of, ale na calej plycie jest ona wyjatkowo slyszalna, stoi za nia Tom Morello, bas operowany przez Timmiego C., drumy natomiast gra pan o polsko brzmiacym nazwisku Brad Wilk, liryka jest creditowana do calej bandy, tak samo jak i produkcja, w czym moze cos byc, bo przeciez jest to rewydanie demka wczesniejszego, na 52 minutach zmiescilo sie 10 utworow, wiec raczej dluzsze granie z licznymi momentami zmian tempa, czy zmian energii, bo w jednym momencie normalny wokal rymowany, dalej chantowanie przechodzace w wyjcowanie, wiec prawdziwa synteza rapu i metalu, material stary, ale jary, wiec dobrze przypomniec sobie takie klasyki, na plejke rokowa dodam settle for nothing now, jeden z raczej sleeperowych utworow krazka wedlug spotifaja, ale ciekawa w swojej prostocie linia melodyczna grana przez gitarke mnie tutaj wciagnela, rapowa plejka juz miala kiedys dodane killing in the name, wiec nic wiecej nie dodaje, z ideologicznymi teksami jest zazwyczaj tak, ze albo sie jest za nimi lub przeciwko, ale jakos nie potrafie sie az tak wciagnac do zadnego z obu szancow tej wojny
Boring
Protest
Wird nach den ersten paar Tracks wirklich schwach, war eigentlich guten Willens.
Surprisingly liked a few songs. It still stands the test of time. Still a little too metal for my taste at times but there are songs I'll revisit.
Nice
It's all in the name isn't it
another boy task, but better than motörhead
I'm surprised that I didn't hate this. It's probably one of the best examples of nu-metal but it's still nu-metal and thus sounds quite dated. What not dated is the social commentary however
This is me and my mates drinking beers underage and acting silly.
What a debut album from Rage! They are sometimes credited with developing the metal-rap genre. If that's not true, they certainly were paramount in perfecting it. The fact that they already have the formula down so well on their debut album is incredibly telling. The group shows a lot of energy on this album in both the metal and rap areas, and they clearly have a handle on what it takes to make these genres successful independently and together. They also find a common ground for metal and rap in the topic of politics; the lyrics and imagery on this album are incredibly motivated by political themes. An enjoyable listen from such a unique band!
This takes me back too.
Nu metal
This album makes me want to RAAAGE... against the machine. I envision some gnarly workouts to this album in my near future.
This is an album I have to be in the right mood to appreciate. It is obviously a classic but not something I want to listen to every day. 3.5/5
Don't mind the rock.
I really enjoyed listening to this album-very familiar yet just before my time.
I really appreciated the themes, the sound isn’t quite for me though.
6/10
But 5 for the album title song!
Nostalgia bias heavy with this album for me, but definitely feel like it front loads it's gems and falls short a little after that.
I think rap metal just isn't my thing, but it's refreshing to see that songs that just repeat the same lyrics over and over aren't a new fad.
Not exactly my favorite. There is a reason this is so well known, but it doesn’t really blow me away.
I think I like the idea of RATM more than I enjoy how that idea is executed. Another one that isn't ancient but sounds more dated than albums twice as old. Still fun, though, and righteous.
Really enjoyed this although I would have liked a second listen. High 3*
Some great tracks, but find it hard to really enjoy it as an album at times.
Another in the long list of well-known bands I managed to miss entirely when they were popular. I heard their name a lot in the 90s, but somehow just never heard their music. Anyway, I've listened to them a little bit in the past year or so because I stumbled upon a recent video of Tom Morello playing guitar and it was really interesting. Listening to this album fully for the first time (I've heard two or three of the tracks before, but not the whole album), I can hear why it appeals to so many, especially when I drop it in the early 90s and play it back in my mind that way. Musically, I think these guys play incredibly well. I know as an amateur musician that why I'm hearing is not easy to do. Much as I appreciate this band in a few ways -- e.g., music (as mentioned), hard-hitting political messages (most of which resonate with my views), no sampling or heavy production, etc. -- I still haven't turned into a major fan. I don't dislike the album or the band, not at all, and there are moments and tracks on this album I like. It's fun and compelling in some spots. I think I might find it a bit "much" at times, mostly due to the music getting pretty frenetic and the lead vocalist screaming (I know that's intentional for effect, but it's usually not something I like to hear) so I don't think I'd listen to them for a great length of time, but there's some real good stuff going on here.
A little repetitive, and probably too angry for normal listening, but still kinda fun. Now let's go destroy something.
Noisy. Good.
October 1, 2021 Angry, but not bad.
do what they told ya
A mensagem e a revolta marcam este álbum, todo ele é movimentado por este sentimento. Mas o gênero não vai muito com o meu gosto. As músicas parecem muitas vezes muito semelhante, sendo que os vocais mais se assemelham entre si. O killing in the name of é uma obra prima. Nota: 5/10
Not my favourite kind of music though a geniality
3.5
Yes Debt to Public Enemy very evident. Bit more metal with funky moments particularly the bass, really tight drumming
Good but lyrics can be overly repetitive at times.
3,2 Zeker albumke dat ik ooit nog is opnieuw zou opzetten. Artist had zelf een bepaalde swag dat me wel verraste. Album cover goes hard thooo! (verhaal erachter is wel sad maar wel respect voor die Buddhist!)
Glad we listened to it, wouldn’t listen to it again. What was here was great, just very repetitive and about twenty minutes too long.
Rage Against the Machine's debut album was controversial, because of the album artwork and the politically themed lyrics in all of its songs. Aside from these things, the metal/rock music was produced well and the album instantly made this band famous.
not my type of music
It's like listening to the same song ten times in a row. The first one or two tracks were good, but very boring toward the end.
Good baselines but too much screaming rather than singing.
finally did it! lyrics are the essential part, i got bored of the guitar stuff which i found a bit samey (all in same key as far as i could hear) but the words were great and important
The energy level is impressive. Their sound is like the heavier songs the Red Hot Chili Peppers' did but with more piss and vinegar. I did find it a little tough to handle the full speed right at you onslaught for the first 15 minutes. My kingdom for a ballad. Settle for Nothing was a change of pace but it wasn't a strong song. Bullet in the Head folded Hip Hop into metal very effectively. That was a good tune but then they returned to the full out pace they started with.
Muy cañero!!! Disco para el dia que te quieres cargar al sistema por completo. Lo mejor sin duda es el nombre del grupo !!!
It was ok, just wasn't for me I think I need to listen to it in another headspace. Very in your face, tear down the establishment type beat. I listen to it a couple of days ago so don't remember notable favorite tracks but I liked the start of it
I feel kinda wrong, because I know how many people loves RATM and I also enjoyed this album, but it doesn’t feels like more then 3 for me :/
If the Red hot chili peppers and the Beastie Boys got amped up with some coke at a backyard bbq... I listen to most of my music while at my desk working and this was a bit too angry for me to focus on spreadsheets
Very good messages. Applicable at any time. Kinda like a 1984 meets Eckhart Tolle. I can appreciate it for it’s lyricism but most of the music and melodies sounded the same. Only a few songs stood out as replayable for a casual listen. Mostly enjoyable just for the experience. A bit anxiety inducing just in my current frame of mind. It felt like platitudes were being angrily yelled at me and I was being punished. 3.5/5
Some bangers and definitely appropriate for the end of 2020 beginning of 2021
13/01/21 I guess you have to be in the right mood for RATM, and today I wasn’t quite in the right mood (driving soundtrack?)
This seems pretty juvenile now but then these dudes were in their early 20s. It also is still very rousing and bad-ass
Creative
My first real listen to Rage. Guitar magic.
I know this is a legendary protest album, but I don't love the sound - a bit yell-y
if angry people were put into a sound this was it but if you know killing in the name its all the same
3.5 for now but once I really have a chance to examine the lyrics that could change
A little samey but some great tracks
Lots of anger
Not for me but I’m sure there’s some middle school kid who needs to hear this dn
Really not my thing.
The kind of music Little Timmy listens to when his mum doesn't let him have ice cream for breakfast
Not my cup of tea. Bullet in the head was a fav
just not as good as evil empire
I appreciate this album I can definitely see why it would be considered a classic I just thought it was repetitive Not a huge rap rock fan I liked Bullet in the Head though Bombtrack intro was cool
Fine for what it was and the time of its release. Doesn't hold up.
Sorry not my genre….love the album cover though. What an incredible moment in history
Alright… has a handful of good ones.
Not impressed liked most of the guitar entrance and feels like there's more story to the album and more meaning for its time but I don't vibe with it that much generous 3.1/10
Favorite track(s): Killing in the Name Wasn't impressed by this. de la Rocha's whiny vocals go a bit over the top and adds to the reputation that RATM fell out of touch with "the kids". Morello does pretty good, though. Also his uncle invented Kenya or some shit?
Suboptimal
Not my thing.
Album #93: Rage Against the Machine Genre (W): Rap metal, funk metal, alternative metal, rap rock Singles: Killing in the Name, Bullet in the Head, Bombtrack, Freedom I have not listened to this album before. Thoughts?: I love the instrumentals and how heavy they are, and Zach’s passionate vocals. However, I can’t get into the rest of the album, only a few songs. I have nothing but respect for RATM, but I had to force myself to listen to the album. Maybe I’m too sensitive to it, but it’s how I feel. Favorite songs: Killing in the Name*, Settle for Nothing, Wake Up*
Ist zwar Crossover, aber die Nachfolger
too rock for me but interesting
Is he okay? It's not all bad, but a little too agnsty for me. Didn't listen to all of it.
I mean, I know that the way that they mixed rap with metal is *super* influential on all sorts of bands that followed. Unfortunately, nearly all those bands kinda suck. I'm obviously familiar with "Killing in the Name", and it always brings the house down when the guy at my karaoke night does it, but honestly it kinda felt tame here compared to the guy jumping around so much it shakes the stage?
one time a friend of mine played and sang this song in a club, i can only think about the image of him shirtless singing FUCK YOU I WONT DO WHAT YOU TELL ME
Tom Morello brings the musicality up to a good level but I'm not a fan of Zack's vocals. Wake Up is great, but the songs seem to fall into the trap of all sounding the same.
Sweet instrumentation, easy to headbob to, real political messaging, but man i CANNOT STAND these hardcore style vocals, for me its actual nails on a chalkboard and will tank the rating a fair bit just cause its a central part of RATM’s identity. I guess the first two tracks are the standouts but i’m still not totally into them.
I don't like heavy metal.
In terms of political commentary, this would rank very highly. In terms of my desire to actually just listen to the music, well let's just say that I think other groups have achieved the same level of commentary with music I enjoy far more.
Nein.
Hip hop with a message
Too manic
Doing too much
Keep this guy away from Florence!
Just shouty. To me, lacks melody and any real difference between the tracks. I get the idea of a protest album but I’m not a fan of 50 minutes of complaining.
Rage Against the Machine has never topped my list of favorite bands. I owned The Battle of Los Angeles and liked it well enough, but never listened to their other stuff more than once or twice apiece. I'm tempted to give this one a 2, but I can't really decide. It's not actually bad, but it's really repetitive and it all blends together. I hate to say it, but it's basically The Beastie Boys if they only screamed and never had fun. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I think I'm giving it a 2(.5)?
It’s not my style
Limp Bizkit with a social conscience..?
Rock muy pesado para mi. Grandes solos de guitarra tho Next one
I remember this being a lot more fun when I was a teenager...
Not for me. Sound was basic and the vocalist was just screaming the same line on repeat in entire songs. Didn't finish the album. I get the anti establishment and anti war view and why they made the songs that way, but I couldn't make it sound nice to me.
cool beats! i don’t love this kind of heavy heavy rock though, it hurts my ears.
es que mi problema es la voz del loco y se me hace repetitivo :(
Mas o menos, muy heavy o pesado para mi gusto, aunque tampoco está mal
Love the message, hate the music
Pure Rock is not for me. Got until about half way through "Killing in the name" and just gave up because I wasn't enjoy the album. Glad that other ppl rave about this project though. Maybe in another life...
Not my vibe
3-26-26 Listening before school and thinking about how this would be an album my brother would listen to in high school. This has been a long week and I feel like this album kind of reflects how I'm feeling inside. Tomorrow is Friday!
Couldn't care.
Like one song but it reminds me of being a teenager. Bit too hard core
I get it but not a fan
Strong 2 stars. Had a couple of songs which I quite enjoyed but overall this wasn't really my style.
Not my tipe
Tom Morello: plays downtuned pentatonic riff Zach de la Roca: yells "politicians are lying" over and over That's it, that's the album. I'm sympathetic to their politics, but this album doesn't really give you much to think about. At least it's better than most of the music that it influenced.
Мой вкус. Но не все песни зашли.понравилась всего одна песня killing in the name. Остальные показались однотипные.
- very VERY fiery - heavy guitar, grunge fuzz tone - catchy riffs (bombtrack) - bass is literally amazing - political af - kind of jazzy solos when they feel like it?? - hard to listen to ngl - reminds me of nine inch nails
They picked a good band title. A couple decent songs some interesting drum n guitar work. Lead singer has some potential to be a real rock singer.
Rage Against the Machine, 1992. Despite acknowledging its importance, I can’t get past the fact that it’s trying to shove a revolution down my throat. It leaves me thinking: “If this is what the revolution looks like, I don't think I want any part of it.” I was already familiar with Morello’s style (pushing those humbuckers to 110%) but the biggest surprise was Tim Commerford… I’m properly impressed by his groove. Still, for an album that fuses so many genres, why does the end result feel so one-dimensional? Highlights: “Township Rebellion”- Fabulous bassline. “Freedom”- Best track in the album, finally some texture and space exploration.
It just becomes too much noise after a while. Don't need that much rage in my life.
classic album but it didn't get me as much as it should, i dont dislike it, it's just not my type of music
Instrumentally very strong. I love Tom Morello’s guitar work. Drums were great. Base on track 3 was exceptional. I find I’m in a stage of my life where lyrically this album doesn’t resonate at all anymore although I certainly see the appeal to its target demographic.
A bit loud but good
They seem a little angry! I want to give them a hug.
I knew Killing in the Name. Many of the songs sound the same. It wasn’t terrible, but I didn’t like it.
i am not a big fan of hard rock
Reddit’s favorite album
i listened to a little bit of it and it wasn’t quite my style
RAtM is loud, angry, repetitive, and not particularly talented.
RAtM has confused and juvenile politics. I've always kind of hated that about them, but I let it go because I liked the music. The older I get the less I am able to let it slide. The cover with monk Thích Quảng Đức feels wrong and cheap on the band's part to use.
4/10
don’t like it too much, a little boring
you know what hell yea
Fav: know your enemy 1.5/5 ( rounded )
Asså ändå en vibe men inte riktigt min typ av rock
ok starting strong the second song is getting on my nerves like why u repeating the same thing the whole time currently on the last track and i got so sick of it too many screams and repetitive riffs
I like the message, this genre just isn't my cup of tea
It’s so heavy
Not my style😭not super bad though
The sound is punk / anarchy but the lyrics don’t walk the talk for me.
vabbè non nelle mie corde quindi non sono andata oltre l’ascolto del primo pezzo sorry
Non fa per me
no me gustó ;(
3.1/5 Very much garage rock.
prob not the best thing to listen to when i was battling to make my coach against train delays and tourists in london. didn’t make my coach and the music just pmo and hurt my head. might have some good songs but i wouldnt know atp
Not really my style, too hard rock for me
Gives the vibe of an angry teenager mad at the world, fuck the system, etc. Not my speed but see why it’s hits for some people.
This band is not reaaally my thing, being a rap-metal(?) fusion, but they kinda remind me of System of a Down, mainly because of the lyrics, so I actually don't hate them that much. Even though their sound is in reality more like the Beastie Boys. But they don't use any slurs! So this is one of those rare cases where I like the band, it's just not a genre I like (i.e. very loud). I only listen to Slow Melodic Complaints Against the Machine, thanks. Highlights: 'Killing in the Name' (gets stuck in my head a lot), the part MJK sings on 'Know Your Enemy' (Machine Jun Kelly? is that anything? haha no, but seriously, I really hope Tool or APC are on this list) Lowlights: 'Settle for Nothing' (extra screamy), 'Fistful of Steel' (extra noisy) More logic problems: "If ignorance is bliss / Then knock the smile off my face!"
Au biz Gamer Nostalgie wieni de Papi bi Need for Speed hot Pursuit II uf de Playstation 2 schlimm usenandgnoh han und Killing in the Name im Hintergrund gloffe isch. Aber abgseh vo dem nüd meh für mich. 2 Mal Rage Against Rage Against The Maschine
Heilandsack, woni s erst mal driglosst han heds mi fast vum stüehli grüehrt. Au ez na kei nerve gha. 2 rage quits vu mir = 2 sternli
It’s ok
Apart from one well-known song, I am very disappointed with this album.
Yeah i can't get with this album. I don't know i understand the reasoning why this album was even made i do agree with the message i just can;t stand the repeating of words, sounds of repeating, some song are okay but thats it.
Meh
The record that made teenage white boys everywhere angry although I’m not sure they knew what they were angry about. I must admit I was one of them although I cannot listen to this album at all anymore.
Like the rock part, not the hiphop part so Much
While I like the sentiment and what seems to be the attitude there’s only so much “hurr”, “Yeah”, “c’mon” over sludgy funk metal that I can cope with.
cringe against the machine
rage, rage against the machine. Tracks to Track: Know Your Enemy
Well…not my kinda music, but they definitely landed a hit with killing in the name back in the days…
Liked some of the music, interesting and some familiar riffs. Found the overall sound too much by the end of the album.
A little too discordant and shouty for my taste.
Shite
Me recuerda a Matrix (que no es desacertado porque estoy segura de que están en alguna de las BSO). He tenido que parar en la tercera canción, demasiado estimulo auditivo, demasiado rage, demasiado ruido. Es música que me suena para entrar en un estado de disociación, casi exorcitario. Le podnré un 2.5 o 3 porque sin que sea mala música, no es para mí.
Not really my type of music
The instrumentation is fine, but I'm really not into the vocals. It's just not my style at all.
Unconvinced that this really has a place ; might be one of 1001 albums but if so you definitely don't need to listen to 1001 albums before you die. Not very pointed and not very effective. Sounds more like part of the machinery tbh.
I understand that people like this - it’s the same sound over and over, and if that sound doesn’t connect with you, it’s just not something you’ll ever put on. A couple palatable tracks even though this isn’t really for me, but that may just be because I’ve heard it so many times before.
Holy god this gets tiring early on
I'm more of a conform to the machine kind of guy, not that I believe in a machine anyway. Mostly I just feel these people would be insufferable to be around. Sound is a bit like B grade early RHCP, which would have been preferable. Still, some nice bass, drum & guitar riffing.
Мені не подобається подібна музика 2 з 5
A little too hardcore for my taste
I respect this album more than I actually like it. The message and intent behind it are great, but the music itself is not for me. Favorite Songs: Fistfull of Steel, Freedom
I recognize it’s a good album but did not personally enjoy
Raging against everything on sight is only fine for teenagers.
This album is not very good
Lil too dark n ragey for my casual listening. Fuck the system tho
#670. This is the second time I've had to unblock a song on Spotify to listen to an album for this list. The other time was Muse. Not that there aren't artists I hate more than this [there definitely are], it's just that Spotify doesn't recommend those ones to me. Now don't get me wrong, I *love* the political violence message that all of Rage Against the Machine's albums preach, I just think all of their music is annoying as shit. 2/5: dumb
Ah, is this the original rap rock? I liked the funky bass parts and some of it was very boppable. But it did get repetitive and I won't come back to it.
Look, very exciting when it came out but it’s lost a lot of its punch over the years
I'd probably like it more if i was following the lyrics
Cool politics, embarrassing music
Mid Very of its time DNF
The one I knew was alright. The rest caused me rage.
Not for me 🤷🏼♀️
The Machine is actually good so instead of raging against it, they should find something more productive to do.
Few really good songs. Starts running together a little
Can’t deny Zack’s impassioned lyrics, but the queasy rap-rocky-ness is too much to ignore. Killing in the Name remains cool, and one of the most covered songs in crappy high school band history.
All the songs were very similar, found it a bit repetitive after a while. Not my usual taste
I listened to this album a lot when it came out. Listening now I am fine just having a track or two from them show up on a playlist. Not an album worth of enjoyment for me on this record.
We're going purely by personal ratings here right? The whole rap rock thing just never clicked for me. Plus lots of cusses (jk).
Day541 - i’m a big fan of tom morello for his musicianship and his political views but rage is a band that i couldn’t/can’t get into
Politics and music not my shit. Cool cover though
Loud and angry. There are some interesting tracks but it all blended together for me.
Band name aptly matches musical style
Good listen, inspirational but in today's world it kind of loses its impact.
Rap AND hard rock? I’m so sorry
So the crux of RATM's whole... thing is that they are very political. The words "revolutionary" and "radical" are often thrown around when discussing their music. But if one peels back the posturing and leftist braggadocio and stops to listen to or read their lyrics, it's pretty clear that there isn't any coherent ideology deep enough to stand in and get your ankles wet. Their world view can basically be summed up as "fuck you I won't do what you tell me" and "fight the war, fuck the norm", which are actual lyrics taken from this album. The track "Wake Up" is lyrically somewhat more interesting than the rest of the album, and "some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses" is admittedly a very hard line from the most famous song from this album, "Killing In the Name". But overall, it's easy to understand why the biggest appeal of RATM seems to be to angsty and angry teenagers who are grasping to form their own beliefs. That's basically what this album sounds like. Like Limp Bizkit and the Red Hot Chili Peppers had a kid and that kid is always wearing that one Che Guevara t-shirt.
catártico, claramente. (porém não é pra mim.)
Ok
I wish I discovered this at more angsty teen age when I could have appreciated it. Now it just feels far too angry.
Far too angry. Once upon a time perhaps we could have danced but that ship has sailed
Sometimes you need to encounter music at a specific time in your life to truly appreciate the artistry. If only I had encountered Rage Against the Machine as a sweaty eighteen year old in my dorm room instead of many years later as a suburbanite with a mortgage who likes fussing in the yard. We could have had a fling once upon a time, Rage, but when you own land you are the Machine. EDIT: Listening to this later in light of the onslaught of outrages coming down from our present day wannabe fascist regime is definitely an experience. I appreciate the lyrics much more now but I don't think I'll ever be able to get over the metal-rap thing. But I have more respect for the band and its fans.
I like their politics; I hate rap rock 99% of the time and Zach’s voice in particular is grating. This just isn’t for me. Again, I’m as anti-authoritarian as they come. Defund the police, abolish ICE, launch the billionaires on a one-way trip to Mars, I’m down with it. Just not with this music.
Yeah, not a rap fan at all. I can recognize and acknowledge why it's good though. Would I revisit this: nah.
Cool aber ich konnte noch damit was anfagen
I really enjoyed the guitar and instrumentals of all songs but the vocals just ruined it .( as per usual for metal)
An interesting album for the current era. "Killing in the Name Of" will always be a great song. I despise La Rocha's voice and the repetitive lyrics. It could do with more verses. "Self-Titled" would've been an incredible album if it didn't have those two things. 2 stars for "Self-Titled".
This album was ok.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. Just a little too much screaming vs singing and the repetition of the lyrics was a bit irritating. I thought some of the music was pretty good and Tom Morello for sure is talented but this just wasn't for me.
All a bit childish. Same anger as the rap groups of the era but without direction or coolness
Baixo absurdamente saboroso, que tom tesudo que o baixista usou nesse disco PQP Musicalmente eu curti, mas liricamente e tematicamente eu acho meio vergonhoso kkkkkkk. Pra epoca, ok, mas hoje em dia até o nome da banda eu acho tosco. Importante mencionar que não gosto de Metal, e passei da minha fase de Rap, então um album de Rap Metal dificilmente me agradaria mas... Gostei de varios grooves (que nem eu disse no começo, o baixo é esplendido) e gostei de varios riffs e solos também. Não mudaram minha vida, mas são agradaveis o suficiente pra mim. E que porra é essa duração? Sinceramente, o album poderia terminar em Wake Up, as faixas que vêm depois dela são entediantes e até mesmo irritantes. 2.5/5
I've heard a lot about the album. It's a bit too hard for me to really like it. Overall, it reminds me too much of white rap. 2/3
Too rough for me
What if mediocre rock but we slapped on terrible rapping on top of it? Hmmm.
Bored, all same style, big metal fans but not like this, 2/10
Rage Against The Machine carries this album here. That song fucks, the rest of it is quesitonable. 3/10
A lot of shouting, a lot of repetition. Too long, loud and aggressive for me. Some of the guitar melodies are cool though.
Okay … respect for the political positioning, sound production and some of the guitar work, but vocals are (to put it politely) not to my taste, tracks are repetitive and the album is too long. Also, as mentioned by another reviewer, just because the lyrics are not sung doesn’t make it rap!
Not for me
- it just doesn't hold up ..... -
Der Hard Rock Charakter, die Lyrics und die nicht singenden sondern sprechenden oder schreienden Singstimmen sprechen mich nicht so an (no pun intended). Bezüglich Rhythmus passieren allerdings interessante Dinge. Auch bei Instrumentierung, Dynamik und Harmonien sind teilweise wirklich schöne Ideen dabei. Bei allen Songs würde ich aber kritisieren, dass sie diese nicht weiterentwickeln. Darum werden die Songs mit der Zeit voraussagbar und das gesamte Album etwas invariabel.
I never enjoyed this type of music.
I get that people really love these guys, they've got a message, it's political, they're rock 'n' roll hall of famers etc. and maybe it's just I need to listen to this album a bunch more than I already did but... nope.
I know these guys have progressive politics, but I didn't love it for 2 reasons: 1) the songs were a little too repetitive/anthemic. If I'd been 16 when this came out instead of entering grad school, maybe it would move me more. 2) I can't help but feel like these guys might be somewhat responsible for Nu Metal.
uuuuuhhh
The only kinda good song is the mainstream one.
Heavy metal, screechy, burn the whole world down - Guitar is strong albeit overpowering at times - Not my cup of tea
Nice hearing Killing in the name of outside of guitar hero. Knew know your enemy before still good 👍
Not a fan
I thought I would really despise this and while it wasn’t my favorite, I didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would! 2.5 rounded down to 2
Reminds me of Beastie Boys but I like this a bit better. Not my cup of tea, but I can imagine as a live act they’d be decent and popular.
Expected this one to be more hardcore than it wound up being. All of the songs blend together and lack the kick that I was expecting them to have. There's no irony lost on me that the anti-establishment, countercultural band would end up being both part of the establishment and part of the culture
El guitarrista es realmente increíble, pero después no es la gran cosa. Muy ruidoso y monótono.
Elke keer dat ik het probeer vind ik het gewoon niks, ik weet niet waarom
entendo a pegada do álbum, acho interessante os aspectos políticos, mas rap rock é uma merda
Defininitely has the vibe but kinda funny how it doesn't sound that "heavy" today. Really weird noodley solos that remind me of being in middle school and "knowing jazz"
At some points throughout the album it felt like I'd just kicked Agent Smith's head in. At other points I felt like I'd been left at home again with another frozen TV dinner, with only the teleshopping channel and my prozac to keep me company.. because Dads always home late and Moms at the bingo hall seemingly 24 hours a day. Luckily Dad always leaves his rifle in an unlocked cabinet, so when I finally snap I can head down to the nearest campus and let off some steam. 2 stars because some of the guitar playing was great.. and the TV dinner was chicken parmesan, which actually isn't THAT bad.
Y u so mad? I can smell the B.O and roll ups at their gigs through the speakers. That being said, I’d be interested to understand the landscape of the world when they made this and what they’re so mad at. I listened to the first half in the gym, and the second half in the bath. So I enjoyed the first half more, perhaps because I didn’t have to think about it. Taking nothing away from the bands ability to make good rock sounds, just not for me. Not in the bath anyway.
I hate Tom Morello's dentist drill guitar solos. I had to take 3 Ibuprofen after this album. I have similar feelings about the slap bass. Unless it's Soul or Funk, leave slap bass alone, especially you Rap Metal. I think Rage fans romanticise this album being powerful. Musically it's just hectic, and lyrically it's not as clever as people go on about. I can see why Killing In The Name was popular, at least it's anthemic. Bullet In The Head was probably my favourite, started with a good hook, interesting sections, and then that solo! Just a smorgasbord of abnormal stool samples. By Wake Up, I couldn't believe there was still so much album left. I'll give Rage their flowers in the form of a 2, and that's just for actually following through with their activism, something that is often lamented by those with no real intention to fight for anything. If they pop up again in this list, my rating won't be so kind. Doubt they will though, seen as they really didn't do much else, and this is considered their best effort.
While I like the message of the album, I've never been able to warm to the music itself. The instrumentals are easier on the ear than the vocals: I've never liked that vocal style. 2 starts cos I don't like the vocals.
meh
Nix für mich
I like some nu-metal songs, but something in RATM is out of my taste, maybe it's the way the vocalist is rapping. Maybe it's gonna be loved by me if I'd listen to this more.
Finally, a voice more annoying than Bob Dylan 🤩🤩 Settle for Nothing gave me hope for the album but after two more songs I couldn’t take it anymore and had to pull the plug. Never returning to this headache
you should not be using this vocal style to deliver political manifestos you should be using it to say shit like “i’m in a lava lamp” and making references to the flintstones. cool bass lines but just impossible to take seriously. in the eternal words of laura shrago, “i liked it until the guy started singing.”
I honestly didn't hate that. But I also didn't like it. I thought some of the music was catchy and kind of groovy even (Take the Power Back) but unfortunately the lyric delivery is a bit too silly sounding for me to take it seriously. It's like the silliness of beastie boys’ delivery but with the self seriousness of metal. I understand metal as a vehicle for political music because they want the energy and abrasiveness of the music to match their rage (ha ha...) expressed in the lyrics. Personally that isn't a necessity for me to connect with political music but I get the instinct. Unfortunately I think their style of singing/rapping feels too goofy and only works in a context where they aren't taking themselves so seriously which is not what's happening here.
Just not my thing
Sick riffs, shit vocals.
Good for when ur angry
Perhaps this is another artist that I will revisit down the line and change my mind on. But upon my first two listens, I just really wasn’t in the headspace to fully appreciate this album. The influence of the beastie boys and other hip hop/rock artists of its time are heard throughout the duration of the album, but it just feels too bland for my liking. Honestly I’m getting Kid Rock vibes and cringing out
I’m not quite sure how something so enthusiastic can also be so dull. Quite the achievement.
:/
Hm.. Ik ben niet zo fan van het scream zingen van RATM. Killing in the name is een klassieker, sure, maar een heel album met eigenlijk precies hetzelfde recept vind ik vrij vermoeiend. Elk nummer is precies hetzelfde: rustig intro -> gitaargetokkel -> zacht zingende frontman -> langzaam opbouwen -> SCHREEUWEN WE HATEN DE WERELD FUCK HET SYSTEEM -> MUZIEK GAAT HARD MEE -> SCHREEUWENDE GITAREN OOK -> zacht gitaargetokkel weer, tot we bij het volgende refrein zijn, dan beginnen we weer opnieuw. Nee dit album is dodelijk saai. Prima boodschap en teksten, sta ik volledig achter, maar muzikaal is dit echt geestdodend, als ik nog 1 gitaarsolo moet horen ga ik VVD stemmen. FAVO: Killing in the name, Know your name
I thought I would like this more but the only song I liked was “Killing In the Name”, especially the bit where it goes wee woo wee woo wee. The guitar was cool throughout the album though 👍🏻
A few good lyrics but it’s too staccato to be enjoyable.
Angry rock-metal. I might have liked this more if it was 1999 and I had just seen The Matrix for the first time at the age of 13, but it's good that an anti-capitalist (although unusefully general) message still has a mass appeal. I approve the message, the music not so much.
Wore this out back in the day, don’t like them as much anymore
No. 249/1001 Bombtrack 3/5 Killing In The Name 3/5 Take the Power Back 2/5 Settle For Nothing 2/5 Bullet In The Head 2/5 Know Your Enemy 2/5 Wake Up 2/5 Fistful of Steel 1/5 Township Rebellion 2/5 Freedom 2/5 Average: 2,1 Did not enjoy this at all. Every song sounds similar.
Pretty sure I’d never listened to this album before. I was familiar with Killing In The Name but that’s about it. Not sure it’s weathered well, although it probably has for those who were teenagers at the time. Too much anger & yelling for me & I wonder if this was the template for so many horrible bands that followed in the nineties.
Not the kind of music I like to listen to. This moved me in the wrong direction.
Good music but, I'm not too fond of the symbiosis of Rock/Metal and Rap.
He’s a very angry and repetitive young man. Needs help
This album is what it says it is. I am too old to be that angry so 2 stars or D+.
Straight into the same category as RHCP as music you should be embarrassed to listen to.
STANDOUTS: Killing in the Name Bullet in the Head OVERALL: 1.5/5
Rage has always been a band who’s songs where incredibly power but I could only enjoy in small doses. I was a little late to the game with them. I do own this album and like most albums they put out there’s always 3-4 great songs while the rest are mediocre but consistent. Here Killing In Name Of and Wake Up are perfect examples of that. Mixing in their music in a long playlist is never a bad idea, putting on the whole album through may be a bit taxing to most enthusiasts. I’m rating the entire album here, even though some songs are big standouts.
It's not as good as people are saying it is. I've never been a fan of Rage Against The Machine, and I don't really think I'll ever be. At its best, this album is just pretty decent, and at worst, it's kind of mediocre. I've never liked the rapping in this album because I don't think it lines up correctly with the percussion or instrumentation of the album. I don't even see myself enjoying the big tracks like Killing In The Name. Mid. 55/100
A few very powerful tracks, but the overall the album doesn't reach me. Elements from those big tracks get over used on the lesser songs to the point being musical gimmicks.
After revisiting Rage Against the Machine's 1992 self-titled album, I find it to be more reflective of teenage angst than a profound musical statement. While their political stance against authoritarianism is commendable, recent events, such as their militant stance on the Covid pandemic and Tom Morello's Twitter outburst against a Seattle bar, have left me questioning their credibility. The incident at 'The 5 Point Cafe' highlights a disconnect between their advocacy for workers' rights and their expectation of special treatment. This album, once a symbol of rebellion, now feels more like a relic of youthful rage, lacking the depth and maturity I once attributed to it.
Icl pretty mid
im tired of this. im feeling too peaceful for this
I enjoy rap. I like metal. I don’t like rap metal. This felt more like a toddler having a tantrum than anything else and artful lyrics such as “fuck you I wont do what you tell me” and “no more lies ugh” really sold that image to me.
omg its just really really not my thing :( like i get that its cool and they are saying interesting stuff but whoa is it unpleasant to listen to
Very White Suburban Rage, their first album doesn't really hit the same way anymore.
The first two tracks are classics and I love them. The third (Screaming for Nothing) is just that - screaming over a riff for no reason and it does nothing for me - I couldn’t even stick it out for the full song. After that, it’s fine. Know your enemy is background listening. Wake up is iconic. Fistful is pretty solid. Township fine. Freedom is meh tbh. When these guys go more towards the shouty stuff, they lose me.
Very angry bloke yelling for 20 minutes (after which I turned it off).
The defiance is palpable. But I found most of this album to be a bit obnoxious. As a pure listening experience, I didn't think it was very enjoyable (lots of needless grunting, growling, and screaming), though I could see this being a good choice if you're feeling particularly pugnacious.
Not a big metal fan but it did kind of sound like the beastie boys I think. I don't like the beastie boys.
Pretty good but after a few songs they all sound the same. 2
Rage against the machine? Well, these guys are certainly angry. The music isn’t horrible, but the lyrics are repetitive, and what passes for emotion is simply shouting. Did I mention the lyrics are repetitive. Yes, they’re repetitive. A line or phrase repeated over and over. Sometimes a pair of lines repeated, and then repeated again. With the occasional UGH thrown in. Did I mention that the words are repetitive? Maybe if I shouted it? I know a lot of people like this…. But I got not place in my heart for it. I’ll give the music a 3/5, there’s some interesting stuff here. -1 for the lyrics and shouting. 2/5
Very woke... maybe too much so
I wasn't familiar with Rage Against The Machine before I was given this album, although I heard "Killing In The Name." I think they may be the first nu metal band ever. Onto my review, I found the album to be juvenile, as it is very angry and brash w/o real substance. No singing, only shouting, super repetitive riffs. Honestly, listening to the album made me angry because the band feels like a group of posers.
Disappointed. The constant political barrage and very basic, repetitive verse/chorus structure got old really quick.
I appreciate the lyrics and value this group brings to the music scene and I can totally imagine really enjoying them when in an intense/angry mood. I don't get angry often though, so I probably won't listen to this much.
It wasn’t awful, but I probably wouldn’t listen again. I don’t normally love metal.
I recall enjoying Rage when I was younger, but couldn't get into it now. There are many good parts of the album, but are surrounded by too much discord for me to truly enjoy it.
That was a violation of the eighth amendment
This just has no appeal to me. Sorry
Only one good song, “Killing in the Name of.” The rest lacks any catchy riffs and the songs are so so angry.
Very repetitive and not very musically interesting
Angry!
Killing in the name on tosi rock... muut huonoi biisuj.. pliisuja huuto lyriikka juttuja... no emotion behind words meaningless youth ramble...
Sounds funky and angry. Its ok but was not and still isn’t my favorite.
An interesting blend of heavy metal and rap, two genres I don't care for. With all due respect, the album was torture to sit through. That being said, I understand the album's import in the culture of the time, and I respect it as a form of protest art, even if I don't like it.
Violent vocals, but some excellent guitar playing.
I would be deaf not to notice this album's impact. However, it was not my cup of tea, not in the slightest. The lead guy was shouting the entire time, and I understand how poignant this is, so it makes me appreciate it ever so slightly. The rage was definitely there, but my enjoyment was not. Was he trying to be different and quirky? Possibly, but this was not it. It's a big no from me, dawg.
Definitely sensing the rage
Another one that I would say, is not for me. The name of the group, "rage against the machine," I think is an apt description as their style seems to be very angry. Some parts that are just instrumental, I kind of like, but not enough to overcome the vocal style.