Rage Against The Machine Evil Empire CD

Rage Against The Machine: Zack De La Rocha (vocals); Tom Morello (guitar); Tim Bob (bass); Brad Wilk (drums).
Recorded at Cole Rehearsal Studios, Hollywood, California.
"Tire Me" won a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. "Bulls On Parade" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. "People Of The Sun" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Lyricist: Zack de la Rocha.
Personnel: Zack de la Rocha (vocals); Tom Morello (guitar); Tim Commerford (bass guitar); Brad Wilk (drums).
Audio Mixer: Andy Wallace.
Recording information: Cole Rehearsal Studios, Hollywood, CA; Kiss Music Recording Studios, Melbourne, Australia.
Photographers: Lisa Johnson ; Lisa Johnson.
Rage Against the Machine spent four years making its second album, Evil Empire. As the title suggests, their rage and contempt for the "fascist" capitalist system in America hadn't declined in the nearly half-decade they were away. Their musical approach didn't change, either. Lead vocalist Zack de la Rocha is caught halfway between the militant raps of Chuck D and the fanatical ravings of a street preacher, shouting out his libertarian slogans over the sonically dense assault of the band. Guitarist Tom Morello demonstrates an impressive palette of sound, creating new textures in heavy metal, which is quite difficult, and de la Rocha's dedication to decidedly left-wing politics is admirable, simply because few other performers of the '90s had made any sort of political stance. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Rage Against the Machine spent four years making their second album, Evil Empire. As the title suggests, their rage and contempt for the "fascist" capitalist system in America hadn't declined in the nearly half-decade they were away. Their musical approach didn't change, either. Lead vocalist Zack de la Rocha is caught halfway between the militant raps of Chuck D and the fanatical ravings of a street preacher, shouting out his simplistic, libertarian slogans over the sonically dense assault of the band. Since the band didn't perform together much after 1993, there isn't a collective advance in their musicianship. Nevertheless, guitarist Tom Morello demonstrates an impressive palette of sound, creating new textures in heavy metal, which is quite difficult. Even with Morello's studied virtuosity, the band sounds leaden, lacking the dexterity to fully execute their metal/hip-hop fusion -- they don't get into a groove; they simply pound. But that happens to fit the hysterical ravings of de la Rocha. Though his dedication to decidedly left-wing politics is admirable, his arhythmic phrasing and grating shouting cancel out any message he is trying to make. And that means Evil Empire succeeds only on the level of a sonic assault. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
This long-awaited sophomore release from Rage Against The Machine does not disappoint. Its grinding, ferocious guitar twists Public Enemy-like riffs in and out of the rhythm section's metallic pummeling. But as usual, while Tom Morello's guitar sets the pace, Zach De La Rocha's lyrical attack steals the show.
It is, after all, the EVIL EMPIRE they're raging against. De La Rocha goes for the jugular with barbed lyircs, claiming in "Bulls On Parade" that "this microphone explodes, shattering the molds" in a world where "people ain't seen a brown-skinned man since their grandparents bought one." The group's rap-like rhythmic savvy and hard-rock edge bring them to a new plane. In "Snake Charmer," De La Rocha speaks of "greed" with a delirious excitement. Evidently, Rage Against The Machine will continue to rebel against the EVIL EMPIRE.Rolling Stone (4/18/96, p.67) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...inflammatory blend of roaring guitars, barked raps and political activism..."
Spin (1/97, p.58) - Ranked #7 on Spin's list of the "20 Best Albums of '96."
Spin (5/96, p.103) - 8 (out of 10) - "...a redefined post-Sab groove that, to use a term that seems almost to have gone out of favor...rocks."
Entertainment Weekly (4/19/96, p.77) - "...Even if it's not always clear just what de la Rocha is so upset about, the power and the fury of the music comes through louder than bombs." - Rating: A-
Q (11/00, p.130) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Tilts at the standard windmills of global capitalism, racism, homophobia and what have you, sounding like an adrenalised hybrid of Jello Biafra, Crass and Motorhead..."
Vibe (6/96, p.143) - "...the siren howls and DJ-type scratches guitarist Tom Morello grinds on his ax would make the Bomb Squad jealous."
Village Voice (2/25/97) - Ranked #29 in the Village Voice's 1996 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll.