There are few releases these days that can stir up
feelings of excitement and hope for the future of music or the music industry.
There are even fewer new releases that I consider exceptional and will find
myself listening to multiple times over. With music being so much more
accessible thanks to streaming services and the internet, it’s rare to lock
into one release and spend an amount of quality time that ingrains the music
into the listener until it becomes part of their DNA. Prophets Of Rage is a repudiation to that new trend of listen twice
and move on. This album will continue to receive multiple plays for the
foreseeable future and beyond.
Prophets of Rage is a supergroup blending Hip Hop and
nu-metal that is changing the world of music by revisiting the past and
injecting new rhythms into classic sounds. Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage
Against The Machine), Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine), Chuck D and DJ Lord
(Public Enemy), and B-Real (Cypress Hill) have formed an incredible rap metal
group that mixes both genres in a new and refreshing way while still remaining
true to both styles of music. The band takes the best elements of both genres
and blends them into a beautiful harmony of earful bliss.
Prophets Of Rage
is the best mix of rap and rock since Anthrax and Public Enemy recorded “Bring
The Noise.” Tom Morello’s guitar is front and center in the music. His unique style
of guitar playing, which can’t be duplicated, sounds crisp and viable on Prophets Of Rage. His ability mixed with
exceptional beats by Brad Wilk, amazing samples from DJ Lord, and powerful
vocals from Chuck D alongside B-real makes for outstanding music. And while I
feel the project might have been even more enjoyable with Flavor Flav in the
mix, the message that is being delivered throughout these songs is done by the
appropriate musicians. I love Flavor Flav, but he probably wasn’t right for
this project.
The music is as hard and heavy as the message it
delivers. “Unfuck The World” is a prime example. No hatred, fuck racists, blank
faces, time’s changing, one nation, unification, the vibration, unfuck the
world. A serious political statement that’s filled with hope, which is a rare accomplishment
for any band. Most musicians who decide to infect their music with political
statements miss the mark and try to sway the listener to their one-dimensional beliefs.
Prophets of Rage is better than that. As heard on “Unfuck The World” the goal
is unification. Can’t we find a way to unite the people once again? It’s a
daring thought and in this modern age, it’s a welcome one.
Political statements are highlighted throughout the entire
record. In most cases, I feel that musicians should never cross politics and
music, they should entertain and enlighten but there is no need for a blatant
placement of their political views inside of their music. There are rare exceptions
that can pull this off without feeling preachy. U2 is one example. Rage Against
The Machine and Public Enemy are two other examples. Both of those bands would
create music that really made the listener think and wonder and understand the
state of our nation with their music. Prophets of Rage understandably takes
that ability and injects it into their self-titled debut release.
It’s great to have music that makes you feel alive return
to the forefront. Expectations were high for this record but Prophets of Rage
delivers and exceeds. And that’s understandable when there is such mega-talent
as Chuck D and Tom Morello at the forefront of the album. Prophets Of Rage takes me back to a time in my life when the music
just felt invigorating. As each song played out it was a joyous new discovery
that couldn’t be compared with any other feeling. Prophets Of Rage brings that similar style of joy with each song unfolds.
There is no filler on this record. This self-titled debut
from these masterminds of talent is a superb record that is worthy of multiple
listens. Prophets Of Rage is
available this Friday, September 15th. It would be in your best
interest to pick up a copy of this album and let it wash all over you. I don’t know
if there is going to be a better release this year.
Ryo’s Rating: 9 (out of 10)
Track Listing
Radical Eyes
Unfuck The World
Legalize Me
Living on the 110
The Counteroffensive
Hail To The Chief
Take Me Higher
Strength In Numbers
Fired A Shot
Who Owns Who
Hands Up
Smashit
Prophets Of
Rage
Tom Morello – Guitar
Brad Wilk – Beats
Chuck D – Vocals
B-Real – Vocals
DJ Lord – turntables
