Showing posts with label Prophets Of Rage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prophets Of Rage. Show all posts

Thursday 12 October 2017

Prophets Of Rage "Prophets Of Rage" (2017)


Rage Against The Machine are back! This time under the guise of Prophets Of Rage, with Zack De La Rocha sidelined and replaced by Hip Hop legends Chuck D and B Real. Ive been excited for this record ever since Download Festival where I saw them rock the stage playing plenty of Rage classics between a couple of original songs. Their debut EP "The Party's Over" released last year was not to much to rave about but enough to get the hype going and introduce to the new line up to Rage fans.

This record isn't here to throw creative surprises our way, the five are here to give us another dose of that fantastic politically charged sound Rage unleashed back in the nineties. Tom Morello's guitar work has been frozen on ice, unleashing riff after riff of those classic overdriven tones that rock hard grooves to move a crowd and plenty of his fantastic noise driven aesthetics, sounding like a scratching DJ on the decks during his solo's and fleshing out the tracks with flavorful flashy sounds.

The chemistry of the three is essential and they have no problems making it work. The bassist steps up with bright thumping grooves when Morello takes to noise, example "Fired The Shot", amazing duality at work. The loud, thudding drumming is there to turn up the intensity when the big riffs drop in and keeps things lively and moving inbetween. Chuck D is a commanding presence as the front man, his vocal style a perfect fit for the politically minded stance of the band. Alongside him B Real, as much as I love him and Cypress Hill, does sound a little off on a few tracks although he does provide a favorite moment as he lifts LL Cool J's classic flow for an anti-cop statement on "Take Me Higher". That song and "Legalize" do mark a weaker vibe on the record when toning down the traditional sound for something with a more laid back flavor, the instrumentals just don't quite excite the same way.

Its not a consistent record, you can enjoy it immensely from front to back but when it bangs its worthy of Rage's classics. "Hail To The Chief" and "Unfuck The World" simply set the bar to high for other songs on the record, the result is peaks and valleys. The political topics are as to be expected, plenty of food for thought to mull over but the real winner is in the fantastic hooks a couple of tracks drop in the choruses, packing the point into great lines to sing along to at the live shows. Classic Rage is present on this record in full force but only for a few songs.

Favorite Tracks: Unfuck The World, Living On The 110, Hail To The Cheif, Fired A Shot, Who Owns Who
Rating: 7/10

Monday 12 June 2017

Prophets Of Rage "The Party's Over" (2016)


Id been listening to this EP on repeat all last week! Two introductory, original tracks and three live covers warmed me up for their live show at Download Festival which mainly consisted of Rage Against The Machine covers. The Prophets are a super group consisting of three fourths of RATM, B-Real of Cypress Hill and Chuck D, DJ Lord of Public Enemy. An extremely exciting line up however the two original tracks here really feel like a change of voice on a very familiar sound. 

With Rage essentially on hold for seventeen years and a new record severely unlikely, the trio have moved forward taking their sound and style practically untouched to this project which is only distinguishable by the two new voices replacing Zach. Tom Morello's guitar style dominates the groove, unchanged, held on ice with that same blooming tone and bouncing rhythm. These songs could so easily slip into one of their 90s records. B-Real and Chuck D continue the leftist, revolutionary lyrical stance. Taking on social political issues with a keen tongue to point out corruption and hypocrisy in the system. The first self titled track is a statement of intent, coupled with introductory verses for the new front men.

The live songs beef up the playlist with signs of a good show but the two new songs alone are not terribly exciting, yet they are very enjoyable. A lack of evolution in the Rage sound takes any surprises away and most riffs and song structures are quickly predictable. With a full album on the horizon I hope the group spice things up fresh ideas because otherwise they are pedaling a nostalgic sound I've personally listened to exhaustion.

Rating: 4/10

Saturday 10 June 2017

My Day At Friday Download Festival 2017

As I write this now I realize the second day of music has just begun and Ive got to admit I'm both gutted to be missing more music and a little relived to have the comforts of my home. This year I decided to go alone just for the Friday to catch the legendary SOAD who I'm yet to see live. It wasn't my favorite day of the lineup but I needed to cross them off my list and it turned out there was actually a great lineup of acts to see.

She Must Burn
My plans to start with Northlane on the main stage were foiled by ques and so the day kicked off with a small crowd In the forth stage tent. The crowd lights were left on which seemed to make the band a little tense in front of such a small turnout however they rocked hard for those of us who dropped by. Their blend of Deathcore and Symphonic Black Metal was right up my ally and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of their set. Will be picking up their debut EP for sure!


Holding Absence
Following them on the same stage, a young, energetic and thirsty band from Cardiff with a talented front man brought a sizeable amount of fans to fill the tent. Mixing ethereal shoegazing guitars with Deftones inspired metallic tones would of made for an indulgent experience however technical issues rendered the distortion guitars inaudible and unfortunately left a lively, enthusiastic performance a little on its heels, no fault of the band of course.

Sabaton
Grabbing a bite to eat and catching Sabaton from a distance grew my appreciation for the war themed metallers. Their stage theatrics and a tank on stage for the drummer to play from made for a great live show that was sure to win them over more fans.

Code Orange
I may of missed a song or two from this four piece, super heavy Hardcore group. The third stage had moved location from last year and in the rush to find it I didn't get a great spot in the crowd but could enjoy the most wildly energetic and brutal performance of the day. Took me a while to realize all four were trading vocal duties in the absence of a visible front man. They commanded the stage with a ton of movement as they pummeled us with their Post-Deathcore brutality.


Mastodon
I was keen to catch Mastodon who Ive seen quite a few times before. I thoroughly enjoyed their Emperor Of Sand record this year but live it didn't resonate the same way. The crowd didn't seem all that into it and the lack of movement on stage had it feeling a little subdued and routine.


Suicidal Tendencies
Teaming up with the legendary Dave Lombardo, formally of Slayer, these veterans put on yet another cracking show. Their new song Clap Like Ozzy sounded fantastic live and an army of enthusiastic fans ensured it would be a memorable show with mosh pits and plenty of noise.


Baroness
The Grammy nominated outfit, for their "Purple" record, had the most surprising show of all, a small turnout on a big performance slot had me walking all the way to the very front center of the crowd. The group rocked their songs flawlessly and really gave a stellar, inspired performance that sounded sublime. As the set drew on they had the small turnout of fans screaming and cheering their lungs out in appreciation of such an indulgent rocking performance. Almost the days best.


Prophets Of Rage
The days best show goes to the super group of Tom Morello, Chuck D, and B-Real. Essentially Rage Against The Machine with Zach replaced by the Public Enemy and Cypress Hill front men. Their couldn't be a voice more iconic than Chuck D's to replace him and with one of the best rappers alive alongside him the slew of RATM songs had a real kick about them. A few covers and the groups own tracks spiced up the show which commanded the crowd to move from the main stage.


Krokodil
Ive caught them a few times before and not looking for a front crowd spot for SOAD I decided to watch this brutal outfit command a punishing show on the forth stage. They were tight, lean and on point, rocking a handful of songs in their distinct style of heavy.


System Of A Down
Watching videos of them play recently on youtube had really wound down my hype for seeing one of Metal's biggest names. Over ten years since they last wrote new material, System have managed to keep their massive fan base together landing them a headline spot. It was a great show but purely on the merit of hearing so many songs of my youth live for the first time. It was a passable performance, their bassist brought movement and energy to the stage but Serj and Daron stood static like ghosts with a lack of enthusiasm in their facial expression and body language. Serj commented on the condition of his voice has he struggled to sing, finish sentences and replacing his thick, dense scream with quirky voices. It was a tough show for them and really made me feel like their moment as a band has passed. I enjoyed hearing their arsenal of classic songs but Its not something Id seek out again until they sort out their stage presences which was underwhelming.

A fantastic day out. Dead tempted to grab a Sunday ticket and drive back to Donnington but alas I must resume with my day to day.