Description:As the vitriol spewed from Evil Empire, Rage Against the Machine's long-awaited follow up to their 1993 debut owes much to Chuck D.'s polemic fury and rapid-fire urgency--though as always the band rages without hip-hop machinery in favor of the heavy-duty power tools of rock. But no matter if Rage against the Machine amounts to revoluAs the vitriol spewed from Evil Empire, Rage Against the Machine's long-awaited follow up to their 1993 debut owes much to Chuck D.'s polemic fury and rapid-fire urgency--though as always the band rages without hip-hop machinery in favor of the heavy-duty power tools of rock. But no matter if Rage against the Machine amounts to revolutionary rap, protest metal, or a combination of the two, the band's command of sonic rage makes Evil Empire a powerful assault in any musical language.
But wait, there's more to the name. Raging against the machine, like yelling at the TV, is woefully misdirected. Lyricist Zack de la Rocha is clearly someone with strong political views--particularly when it comes to the plight of fellow Mexicans on both sides of the border. He vents his indignation sharply at times ("Vietnow," "Without a Face"), rather clumsily and artlessly most others. Music this angry should be aimed at something more specific than an entire race or nation or government, or else it risks sounding like the empty rants of confused postpubescent rebellion. If only Rage against the Machine's raw musical muscles were grinding over a focused message, lord knows how potent they could be. --Roni Sarig
"This album grew on me over time to become one of my favorites. It's also got special meaning to me for being the album that played while I got my first tattoo.
Favorite song: "Vietnow"
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Ryan P. added this to a list 10 months, 2 weeks ago
"I liked most of the songs on Evil Empire from the start, but 4 out of the 11 failed to impress me when I listened to it. Then I saw Rage in concert when they toured behind this album, and their live performances of the songs I wasn't crazy about changed my mind.
Now when I listen to this album I have no idea why I didn't enjoy those 4 songs."
the giraffe added this to a list 2 years, 3 months ago
"Evil Empire tour summer 1996
Of the 3 times I saw Rage, the first remains the best. As the show approached, I found myself without a ticket & discovered the show was sold-out. So I headed downtown the night before the show to hang out with some friends, and told everyone I talked to that I was looking for a Rage ticket. Finally I found someone with 2 tickets he had to get rid of, so a friend & I talked him into selling them to us. They were seats on the upper level, but I figured they were bett"
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