I only became aware of Rage because of Tom Morello’s involvement. I was a fan of his funk metal band, Lock Up, whose album, Something Bitchin’ This Way Comes, was a good record but a million miles away from this.
Now music and protest has gone hand-in-hand forever, but nothing with the anger and angst shown on this record. Even the album cover was controversial – showing a Vietnamese monk setting fire to himself as the ultimate figure of protest.
We kick things off with Bombtrack with the rap lyrics of Za De La Roche about social inequality. Track 2 was the one that got everybody listening, Killing In The Name, with the chorus of “Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me” had every kid jumping to the cause. The funky grooves are still here, except now mixed with the hard edged vocals and lyrics, it seems to be the perfect mix. The other notable track on Side 1, and probably the heaviest on the whole album, is Bullet In The Head – about how the government controls the media to control the masses. Again, Side 2 has its moments but doesn’t have the musical power of Side 1.
It’s quite hard to listen to this just as a musical piece as the themes are so strong and the angst takes over. So definitely not album to relax to. Favourite track is Bullet In The Head.
7/10 from The Grooveman.
