Prophets of Rage

'Prophets of Rage’ is the debut album from the supergroup, following on from their 2016 EP ‘The Party’s Over’. The band contains the musical powerhouse from Rage Against the Machine (Tom Morello guitar, Timmy C bass, Brad Wilk drums) as well as the legendary B-Real from Cypress Hill and the revolutionary Chuck D & DJ Lord from Public Enemy. The album opens with track ‘Radical Eyes’. Chuck D explained the song’s meaning: “the Western world has created biased structures and stereotypes. Opposing viewpoints and movements are seen as radical rather than diversity,” he said. “‘Radical Eyes’ is the lens everything is viewed through, any life movement in opposition is considered radicalized.” Then we have lead single ‘Unf**k the World’, a heavy and direct anthem which touches on subjects of current affairs. A track similar in the vein to RATM’s ‘Killing in the Name’. The third track has quite a poppy-funk sound to it, which talks about legalising a certain substance. No guesses as to who took lead in writing that one Dr. Greenthumb. ‘Living on the 110’ is a track that confronts economic inequality in America. Tom Morello explained: “The 110 is a freeway in Los Angeles and living beneath it are thousands of homeless people. Bentleys and Rolls Royces roaring by are literally driving on top of the poor and their makeshift homes, a picture-perfect analogy for the grotesque economic inequality that plagues our times.” It also contains the chorus being played with a bow on the guitar. ‘Hail to the Chief’ is another standout track, which features a guitar-DJ battle between Morello & Lord. B-Real’s flow on this track is very reminiscent of Jay-Z. ‘Strength in Numbers’ has a feel of ‘Bulls on Parade’ to it, with a ferocious opening guitar riff. Guitarist Tom Morello described this track as a call for unity in troubled times. He explained: “we stand together or we fall apart. The world is in chaos, but if we’re gonna go down we’re gonna go down together… and we’re gonna go down swinging. The question remains: can we be as united in the streets as we are in the mosh pit? Let’s find out.” ‘Who Owns Who’ sounds like it could’ve been on Rage Against the Machine’s 1996 sophomore album ‘Evil Empire’, with flashbacks to their instrumental style at the time. You cannot help but think what this track would sound like with RATM vocalist Zack de la Rocha on it. Overall this album is a solid effort, the instrumental’s are on par with RATM’s previous efforts, with Morello still busting out unique sounds that have not been heard before. The vocal delivery between Chuck & B-Real is tight, with some amazing flow at parts. Lyrically it’s on point, albeit being a lot more direct than the music of RATM. Subtlety is not a strong point with the lyrics, going for a more direct approach as apposed to hiding behind clever metaphors. A must listen for any fans of RATM, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill or rap-metal.

If you are a fan of Rage Against the machine then this album is 100% for you. Tom Morello's riffs are top notch. On first listen the riffs are catchy and memorable. Great album. I hope it's not a one off and Prophets will continue to write albums and tour.

I wasn't a big RATM fan but I saw these guys at Download festival and was impressed. Their statements are punched into your ears with huge in-your-face riffs and with track 2 entitled "Unf---k the world" - it's harder to think of three words that can be more inappropriately appropriate. If it doesn't get your foot tapping, try Joe McElderry instead.

Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill members join to release the quickness in the 21st Century! This was such a good idea, that it's a shame it took close to 30 years for it to happen since these musicians started their professional musical careers. It fits so well, Chuck D's unique voice and political astuteness gels so well on paper with Rage's activism and music and it definitely works in practice too. Not being overly familiar with Cypress Hill, I wasn't sure how, or if they'd fit in or would it be a case of too many chefs in the kitchen, but a few listens to 'Take Me Higher' quelled any of my doubts. Musically, it's exactly as you'd expect from the trio of Morello, Wilk and Timmy C. It's good, it's solid, it's laden with Morello's unique and otherworldly, dextrous guitar work and trademark blues-based, metallic riffs...therein lies probably my only problem with this album : musically, it's very familiar. Even when they formed Audioslave, the RATM members's signature sound was plain for all to hear and some of the riffs on this album sound, just a tad 'stock' Rage Against The Machine for me. This will make or break your opinion of the album, you'll either be somewhat tired of it, if you're a longtime Rage fan like me and wished to hear something new (from them), or you could argue they have such a unique style and sound, that not really anyone can emulate that it's so amazing we should just enjoy it, then you're free to do so. Saying that, Tom Morello really outdoes himself with his Whammy lines and weird noises this time however... All in all, an excellent debut, but hopefully there'll be a little more evolution and stray a little off the beaten RATM sound track next time. It's a great road to revisit though, and who'd have thought we'd still have what is essentially the fourth original Rage album released in 2017! Hail to the Chief!

When Rage Against The Machine lose Zack for a bit they team up with Legends and produce amazing meaningful music! When Audio slave ended and Chris reformed with Soundgarden we got an amazing few albums in that time from Audio slave utilising Chris's harmonies with the talents of the Rage musicians This is no different and having these guys work with another super group and churn out that angry 90s Rap rock cross over once again producing meaningful lyrical catchy songs I'm glad to have these bands doing what they do.

❤️ excellent 👌

I like Rage against the Machine and I like Cypress Hill. I liked Cypress Hills mentally 'Bones'. I'm not so familiar with Public Enemy. I think that's the bit that's missing a little for me with this. If it had been more Cypress Hill in production etc. I'd have 'got it' more. Still a decent enough record though - worth getting

As a recent Audioslave fan, I was very excited when I found out there was going to be a supergroup of Audioslave/Rage Against The Machine with Public Enemy and Cypress Hill. Best songs - 'Unfuck The World', 'Fired A Shot', 'Living On The 110'. Not any songs I dislike just 'The Counteroffensive' which isn't really a song more of a skit. Listen to regularly enjoying the album wish the was more stuff like this on the radio, none of that Little Mix/Justin Bieber garbage on fire.

Espectacular disco, muy recomendable. VENDEDOR TOP!!

Sensacional

Rage Against The Machineの トム、ティム、ブラッドの3人による 3つ目のプロジェクトとでも 呼べばいいだろうか。 サウンドは完全にRATM！ Audioslaveにはなかったサウンドが 回帰してます。 だからRATMからザックが抜けずに 続いて4thが出ていたら こんな感じになっていたんじゃないかな。 ニヤリ！と思わずしてしまう トムのギターフレーズもあります。 90年代にRATMにハマった人は 迷わず聴くべき！ 拳を上げる時は今だ！

Album meraviglioso!! Un ricordo nostalgico da lontano di quello che furono i RATM!!

As a long time RATM fan I was skeptical but this turned out to be a great album. Yes Zach is missed but B Real and Chuck D do a comparable job. The music is customized for their deliveries and it actually works. Tom Morello reminds me us that he belongs on the pantheon of the greatest guitarists of all time. He is the highlight of this album, his solo in Hail to the Chief is out of this world. I love this album and it couldn't have come at a better time. Let us Rage once more....