Rage Against The Machine HHV Records 26 Items

How everything began

Rage Against the Machine, the legendary American rock band known for its socially and politically engaged music, had humble beginnings. The band was formed in 1991 in Los Angeles and consisted of singer Zack de la Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk. Zack De la Rocha had grown up in Irvine, California, the son of a Chilean father and an American mother. He was exposed to political activism at a young age and began writing poetry and lyrics about social injustice in high school. When de la Rocha teamed up with Morello, Commerford and Wilk, their unique blend of rap, metal and political activism took shape. They performed at local clubs and festivals and released a self-produced cassette in 1992. The cassette caught the attention of record companies, and the band signed with Epic Records in 1992.

Activists and musicians

Their self-titled debut album Rage Against the Machine (1992) set the tone with tracks like Killing in the Name and Bullet in the Head, combining de la Rocha’s fiery lyrics with Morello’s innovative guitar sound. Their second album, Evil Empire, released in 1996, was even more successful, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 and winning the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock performance for the single Bulls on Parade. This vinyl solidified their reputation as activists and musicians unafraid to directly address political issues. The band’s third studio album, The Battle of Los Angeles (1999), continued their acoustic assault with tracks like Guerilla Radio and Sleep Now in the Fire, solidifying their status as one of the most influential bands of the ’90s. After a brief hiatus, they returned in 2000 with Renegades, a covers album featuring songs by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. The band reunited in 2007 and has been touring and recording sporadically ever since.

Innovative fusion

Zack de la Rocha’s raw and evocative lyrics, which addressed issues of inequality and injustice, resonated with a generation rebelling against the establishment. Rage Against the Machine quickly became one of the most popular and influential bands of the 1990s. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1992, sold over 13 million copies in the United States alone. They were one of the first bands to successfully blend the genres of rock, rap, and metal. In addition to their musical influence, Rage Against the Machine also had a significant impact on social and political movements. Their music inspired activists around the world to fight for justice and equality. The band also bluntly criticized the Iraq War and the Bush administration. They also paved the way for other politically conscious bands like System of a Down:https://www.hhv.de/shop/en/system-of-a-down-hhv-records/i:A7763D2N2S6 and Linkin Park:https://www.hhv.de/shop/en/linkin-park-hhv-records/i:A1981D2N2S6.