from "The Advertiser", Thursday November 4, 1999
The Rage Intensifies
Rage is still very much a part of fierce American rock band Rage Against The Machine, as MATTHEW BOWMAN reports.
Transcribed by Jarrad Roberts ([email protected])

After almost a decade of success including millions of album sales and countless live performances, angry American outfit Rage Against The Machine could be forgiven for losing some of its fire. But if the band�s new album The Battle Of Los Angeles is any guide, not only is the anger and uncompromising style still there, it may have intensified.

From first track Testify to Guerrilla Radio and Calm Like A Bomb, Rage Against The Machine has kept its traditionally tough political content while introducing electronica and hip-hop to build its sound musically.

Drummer Brad Wilk says the band�s music will never lose its political focus.

"Political views and issues go hand in hand with our music the two propel each other. We tackle issues that are important to us, and we�ve done that on this record," he says

"Our issues and our music propel each other - one wouldn�t exist without the other in this band."

The Battle Of Los Angeles is an extremely intense album. The loud and heavy beats of Sleep Now In The Fire, Born Of A Broken Man and War Within A Breath are typical of Rage Against The Machine, and prove the band has not deserted its traditionally fierce meld of punk-inspired hard rock and politically inspired rap.

The band, also including Zach de la Rocha (vocals), Tom Morello (guitar), and the mysterious Timmy C. (bass), burst onto the world music stage with a self-titled album in 1992. This album went platinum around the world, as did the band�s second album, Evil Empire.

"We�re upping the ante on this new record. It�s more diverse. It came from the four of us wanting to make another record, rather than record company pressure or management pressure," says Wilk.

"On this record we wanted to show musical growth, as well as make a rocking record. The dynamics are much stronger, and it�s more intense. It captures the essence of our live show."

Although no tour dates have been finalised as yet, the band hopes to get to Australia sometime next year.

"We�ve never done a proper tour in Australia, and we�re really excited about doing something sometime in 2000."