The Battle of Los Angeles

by Rage Against the Machine

Overview

Rage Against the Machine isn't really the only metal band that matters, but their aggressive social and political activism is refreshing, especially in an age of blind (or usually self-directed) rage due to groups like Limp Bizkit, Bush, or Nine Inch Nails. Recorded in less than a month, The Battle of Los Angeles is the most focused album of the band's career, exploding from the gate and rarely letting go the whole way through. Like a few other famous revolution-in-the-head bands (most notably Minor Threat), Rage Against the Machine has always been blessed by the fact that the band is spewing just as much vitriol as its frontman. Any potential problems created here by Zack de la Rocha's one-note delivery and extremist polemics are smoothed over by songs and grooves that make it sound like the revolution really is here, from the single "Guerrilla Radio" to album highlights like "Mic Check," "Calm Like a Bomb," and "Born of a Broken Man." As on the previous two Rage Against the Machine albums, Tom Morello's roster of guitar effects and vicious riffs are nigh overpowering, and are as contagious as the band has ever been since their debut. De la Rocha is best when he has specific targets (like the government or the case against Mumia Abu Jamal), but when he attempts to cover more general societal problems, he falters. If anything less than one of the most talented and fiery bands in the music world were backing him, The Battle of Los Angeles wouldn't be nearly as high-rated as it is. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	11/02/1999
Label:	Epic
UPC:	0074646963029

Tracks

1. Testify
2. Guerrilla Radio
3. Calm Like a Bomb
4. Mic Check
5. Sleep Now in the Fire
6. Born of a Broken Man
7. Born as Ghosts
8. Maria
9. Voice of the Voiceless
10. New Millennium Homes
11. Ashes in the Fall
12. War Within a Breath

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rage Against the Machine   Primary Artist
Brad Wilk   Drums
Tom Morello   Guitar
Zack de la Rocha   Vocals
Y.tim K   Bass

Technical Credits

Kevin Dean   Assistant Engineer,Assistant
Roger Sommers   Assistant Engineer,Assistant
Ryan Williams   Engineer
Nick DiDia   Engineer
Danny Clinch   Photography
Michael Parnin   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Brendan O'Brien   Mixing,Producer
Tim Commerford   Composer
Brad Wilk   Arranger,Composer,Group Member
Tom Morello   Arranger,Composer,Group Member
German Villacorta   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Russ Fowler   Engineer
Karl Egsieker   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Rage Against the Machine   Producer,Art Direction
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Tim Harkins   Assistant Engineer
Zack de la Rocha   Arranger,Composer,Group Member
Steven Tirona   Photography
Monique Mizrahi   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Erin Haley   Production Coordination
Joey Krebs   Artwork
Aimee MacAuley   Art Direction
Andrew Garver   Digital Editing
Sugar D   Engineer
Cheryl Mondello   Production Coordination
Kevin Lively   Assistant,Assistant Engineer