Fans will know the album Evil Empire as the highly-anticipated follow-up to may have waited four years for a follow-up to Rage Against The Machine’s self-titled debut. Twenty-five years on, let’s take a look back at the revolutionary rap-rock record.
It was this month in 1996 that Rage Against The Machine’s sophomore record, Evil Empire, was released into the world debuting at #1.
Their 1992 self-titled breakthrough debut LP exploded with the politically charged singles, Killing in the Name and Freedom, making huge waves on commercial radio. It was clear that this was a band that had a clear message to share with the world.
After three years of relentless touring this successful release, the band hit the studio determined to record a worthy follow-up.
Upon completion of the album, guitarist, Tom Morello would tell MTV: "I'd say that this record, like the last one, is a real testament to the band's chemistry. It's just the way the four of us play together that makes it pretty seamless, and that's where we're lucky."
Perhaps what made that chemistry so potent was their commitment to the message beyond the song; the Evil Empire album even came with its own reading list in the liner notes – featuring authors like George Orwell, Abbie Hoffman, Toni Morrison, William Powell and Norman Mailer among others – which singer Zack de la Rocha reminded fans that “direct participation in events right now can affect history."
The iconic first single released from the album, Bulls on Parade made you feel like doing just that.
Rage Against the Machine - Bulls on Parade
Both Bulls on Parade and third single, People of the Sun earned Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance, while second single Tire Me took home a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
Rage Against the Machine - People of the Sun
With Tom Morello’s masterful wah-scratch wizardry and de la Rocha’s razor-sharp words, Rage Against The Machine’s revolutionary rap-metal LP Evil Empire cemented their place as one of the most important bands of the era.
If this 90s throwback has you feeling nostalgic for some RATM merchandise from Evil Empire era and more, check out all the classic styles available to pre-order now at the Maniacs Store via the link below.
GET RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE EVIL EMPIRE MERCH HERE
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