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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
As the vitriol spewed from Evil Empire, Rage Against the Machine's long-awaited follow up to their 1993 debut owes much to Chuck D.'s polemic fury and rapid-fire urgency--though as always the band rages without hip-hop machinery in favour of the heavy-duty power tools of rock. But no matter if Rage against the Machine amounts to revolutionary rap, protest metal, or a combination of the two, the band's command of sonic rage makes Evil Empire a powerful assault in any musical language.
But wait, there's more to the name. Raging against the machine, like yelling at the TV, is woefully misdirected. Lyricist Zack de la Rocha is clearly someone with strong political views--particularly when it comes to the plight of fellow Mexicans on both sides of the border. He vents his indignation sharply at times ("Vietnow", "Without a Face"), rather clumsily and artlessly most others. Music this angry should be aimed at something more specific than an entire race or nation or government, or else it risks sounding like the empty rants of confused post-pubescent rebellion. If only Rage against the Machine's raw musical muscles were grinding over a focused message, lord knows how potent they could be. --Roni Sarig
Product Description
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Evil Empire (Original 1996 UK issue 11-track CD album including the singles Year Of Tha Boomerang Bulls On Parade People Of The Sun Down Rodeo & Vietnow with fold-out lyric sleeve)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Evil Empire has been criticised by many as poor when compared with the supremely awesome debut album "Rage Against the Machine".I can see where these criticisms come from as EE is a totally different kettle of fish. Gone are the roars and power that formed the foundations of early rage music. Instead, Zack De La Rocha has gone back to his hip/hop roots mixing the rock/rap and funk into one unique sound. Okay, a lot of RATM fans don't want to hear this but a major part of Rages opinions and ideals is to accept your roots and be proud of them. In this album, Rage have produced a passionate, powerful and even more political record that boasts amazing songs such as "Bulls On Parade" and "Revolver". I saw Rage live at Reading this weekend and until you've seen the emotions and influences that drive this bands music forwards, you cannot appreciate this record as much as the guys wanted you to. On a musical level, I think this album is fantastic but the lyrical messages are a virtual smack in the face for the US government and other commitees that stand in the way of Rages quest for equality, liberty and freedom. Music brings people together and helps them fight for one cause.This album is capable of doing more than that.Brilliant!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Being the follow up to the amazing Rage Against The Machine self titled, it was bound to be not as good. The first one was simply amazing, and this one could not live up to it. Besides those points, Evil Empire is still an album worth 5 stars, it has a mix of rock and Hip Hop to drool over. And De La Rocha's vocals and Morello's Guitar again hit heights. The thing I would say sets them apart is the fact that rage selftitled seems to be more flowing and almost perfect, where as Evil Empire is much more eratic and voletile. Still, a follow up well worth your money, may not apeal as widely as the first, but an absolute must for all Rage fans. Well worth a try for others too.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
To my mind this was a very clever move by Zack and co.; they knew that even they could not recreate the absolute genius of their self-titled debut, and so tried something subtly different with the clichédly "difficult" second album. Unfortunately this led to a less accessible record than its predecessor, and as such a less popular one. For this reason, Evil Empire is one of the most underrated albums of the 90s; its comercial success was nowhere near that of RATM, but it contains many great songs, some of which are now hailed as being among their best work; People of the Sun, Bulls on Parade, Vietnow and Revolver most prominently. However, I am also extremely keen on Snakecharmer and Down Rodeo. One way in which this album does actually outdo its illustrious predecessor is in terms of baselines; Timmy C's bass seems much more independant to the songs than it did before, and all in all the rhythm section as a whole is highly accomplished on the record. My only qualm on here is that sometimes you need to block out the almost embarrassing lyrics in order to enjoy the music fully; Zack is more focussed than the average punk-band vocalist, but is therefore cruder with it. This album is not the masterpiece the first album was, but then nothing in the genre ever will be, and as such this is a must have for any Rage fan - just get their self-titled one first.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Evil Empire
Many people don't rate evil empire highly when compared to the rage against the machine's other albums, but as a big rage against the machine fan i feel it it's a excellent album... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2009 by S. Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars
More relevant than they ever were...
Rage have had a lot of influence (musically) on my life. I was introduced to them via MTV of all places where I witnessed People of the Sun maybe 10 years ago. What a song! Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2008 by Amplified Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flippin' excellent
I can't believe it's taken me 12 years write this review but I'm glad I didn't write it sooner. When "Evil Empire" came out in '96, I - like many - was expecting a bombastic array... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2008 by LM BUTCHER
5.0 out of 5 stars
one of my top 5 albums ever!!!
i really cant believe anybody could give this album a negative review, by that i mean anything 3 stars and below. Read more
Published on 3 May 2008 by xsilverbackx (psn - fighting--talk)
3.0 out of 5 stars
not quite the album we expected
I remember getting this on cassette all the way back in 1996,it was four years after the aural onslaught that was the self titled debut,so the gap between them was considerable so... Read more
Published on 26 July 2006 by sean paul mccann
5.0 out of 5 stars
another amazing piece of work
Rage have done it again, another brilliant album from the amazing 4som. nerly all the songs are masterpieces. Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best rage album, better than the debut.
Rage against the machine's second album is differnt to the first. The first words zack spits on the album is "better turn the bass up on this one", and he aint wrong, the bass is... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars
a great album
after picking up rages deubt album I quickly bougth this as well. Initial I was a little disapointed, the band sound changed a it for this album. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very under-rated
Although not as good as the self titled... this is still amazing music. Despite what has been said, it is no less "rage" than their self titled. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2003 by "thelethaldose"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Raw 2nd helping
Evil Empire had so much to live up to after the great success and sheer brilliance of the self titled first album. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2002
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