Released in November of 1992, their self titled album, Rage Against the Machine, was the band’s debut studio release. The album crosses over a few sub genres, some of which are funk metal, nu metal, and rap rock. Having done their first live performance in 1991 in somebody’s Orange County living room, the album’s massive success upon release was a huge surprise. Featuring songs like, Take the Power Back, and, Wake Up, speaking to the band’s outspoken politics and desire for change. Vocalist t Zack de la Rocha and guitarist Tom Morello are both activists using their growing popularity to educate the public and advocate for change. The self titled debut album earned a number 24 ranking on the Rolling Stones list of “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time”. The album also gained notoriety from the Rage Against the Machine tour that started in January of 1993 in Chicago, just a few months after the album’s release. On their tour the band was accompanied by Cypress Hill, a West coast hardcore hip hop group founded in South Gate California. In 2000, the band broke up for the first time to creative differences and what front man Zack de la Rocha called, a failure to meet their collective aspirations. They had a reunion in 2007, which was followed by yet another break up four years later in 2011 that was once again met with a reunion in 2022, only to result in yet another break up in 2024. Rage against the machine has released several albums, most notably their self titled piece, followed by Evil Empire in 1996, The Battle of Los Angeles in 1998, and Renegades in 2000.
