ALBUM REVIEW: "Prophets of Rage" by Prophets of Rage

Rage Against The Machine they are not. While the classic rhythm section remains, there is something hollow about this first full length from supergroup Prophets of Rage. The first and biggest major let down for me is in the vocal department. I'm all for rap rock, but this just doesn't work. Part of what makes Rage Against The Machine so timeless is Zac de la Rocha's fury that he spews spectacularly - this kind of conviction is nowhere to be heard. Instead we have some occasionally rousing but mostly mundane performances from Public Enemy's Chuck D and Cypress Hill's B-Real. Also a disappointment is the severe underutilisation of such an iconic rhythm section. The guitar solo in Unfuck the World is a glimpse at the sheer insanity and groove Tom Morello is known for, but there is a serious lack of banging tracks, the likes of which make up the entirety of the first Rage Against The Machine album. When there is a ripper of an instrumental track it just screams for a vocalist with a serious set of pipes. I don't really want to comment on the political content of the lyrics because that would warrant an entire piece, but in short I was pretty underwhelmed in that department too. Disappointing.

Favourite Track: Unfuck the World and Strength In Numbers

Least Favourite Tracks: Legalise Me, Take Me Higher and Who Owns Who

Rating: D

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