As I stare at my music collection, looking for something to play, something catches the corner of my eye. On top of a shelf lies Rage Against The Machine's self titled debut album, staring me in the face, just asking to be played. The huge fire on the front of the album, covering a rather calm looking monk, just intices further. To say this was the best album of the 90's, is no understatement.

Anyway enough rambling and assorted bollocks from me, lets get onto the album itself. The album was first released a whole 10 years ago in the year of 1992. Rage's music has indeed a very hard rock beat, but yet Zack De La Rocha's vocals are hip-hop influenced and its easy to tell. The only recognisable Rock related group he gives thanks to are Pearl Jam, whilst many Hip-Hop figures are recognised.

1. Bombtrack
2. Killing In The Name Of
3. Take The Power Back
4. Settle For Nothing
5. Bullet In The Head
6. Know Your Enemy
7. Wake Up
8. Fistful Of Steel
9. Township Of Rebellion
10. Freedom

1. Bombtrack
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Ahhhh yes one of the all time fave Rage songs out there. This literally does kick the album off to a bang. The song starts with a calm and funky bass line before you hear the trademark De La Rocha "Ugh" and a rip-roaring riff. The chorus is so catchy, you'll find yourself saying to work mates or teachers "burn, burn yes you're gonna burn" which doesn't go down to well, I can tell you. One of the great openers to an album, which you wouldn’t think could get any better......

2. Killing In The Name
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Now! this is the most famous Rage song ever and nobody could disagree. It's also their best in my opinion, even after hearing it about 1000 times I'm still not bored of it. It has such an amazing tune, backed up by the master Zack De La Rocha and his political ramblings. If you were ever fortunate to attend a Rage gig I can only imagine what the atmosphere would be like for this song. 1000's of people shouting "now you do what they told ya" and the most famous Rage lyric in history - "F*ck you I wont do what ya tell me" and at that lyric the song hits its pinnacle, where you can't help nodding your head uncontrollably. Such an angry song, which in all fairness suits their style.

3. Take The Power Back
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One of the less unknown tracks on the album, but yet its still fantastic. De La Rocha actually proves that 'white boys can rap' on this track. You can see why he thanks Chuck-D from Public Enemy, because His lyrical flow is quite amazing on this track and almost demands your respect. Only hits a few heavy bits on the song, so its a quite good one to relax and chill to.

5. Bullet In The Head
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He kicks right back onto his political side on this track. Another funky and calm bassline, just like the one on Bombtrack, can be heard at the start. It doesn't break into heavy terrotory until the chorus. The chorus is fantastic, the tune is quite stunning. The good thing about Rage is they have trademark riffage, people will know them, because no other band sound anything like them. Now just like any other Rage song there's a lyric that can be screamed out in a mental state of mind. This song is no exception, it provides us with Zack De La Rocha calmly saying "a bullet in your head" until he goes absolutely mental and starts shouting it, until he finally reaches the climax and shouts "you've got a f*cking bullet in your head" fabulous song that's down in Rage history.

6. Know Your Enemy
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This by far the funkiest rage song ever. It combines elements of everything in the song. The intro sounds much simular to a Metallica song and not one of their trademark ones. Then you get the Rap influenced bit with the vocals. But yet it doesn’t stop there, the tune varies from usual Rage sounds (and noises!) to what seems like heavy metal influenced sounds, which makes a good mix. You also get the classic lyric "the land of the free, whoever told you that is your enemy" perhaps aimed at the governments approach to Mexican immigrants. Another classic Rage song that can still be heard as a club track alongside Kiling In The Name.

10. Freedom
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Knowing Zack De La Rocha, he probably put this track last on purpose, as its a perfect song to leave the album with. This another one of his slightly angry tracks, which seems him shouting freedom at the top of his lungs. Just as you think the song has stopped half way through, it unleashes itself once again, when your least expecting it. It seems fitting that Rage leave us with a sound similar to an old Commodore 64. It's a fitting end to a quite marvellous album.

Other RATM releases
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Evil Empire (1996)
Battle Of LA (1999)
Renegades (2000)