Editing Rage Against the Machine (section)

== History ==
=== 1991–1992: Early years ===
[[File:Rage Against the Machine (Logo).png|alt=Typset logo|thumb|left|Logo from the band's first album]]
In 1991, following the break-up of guitarist Tom Morello's former band [[Lock Up (U.S. band)|Lock Up]], former Lock Up drummer [[Jon Knox]] encouraged Tim Commerford and Zack de&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha to jam with Morello as he was looking to start a new group.<ref name="Myers"/> Morello soon contacted Brad Wilk, who had unsuccessfully auditioned for both Lock Up<ref name="Myers"/> and the band that would later become [[Pearl Jam]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/brad-wilk-pearl-jam-audition/|title=Why Brad Wilk Failed Pearl Jam Audition|last=Kielty|first=Martin|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=May 4, 2018 |language=en|access-date=November 3, 2019|archive-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504163145/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/brad-wilk-pearl-jam-audition/|url-status=live}}</ref> This lineup named themselves Rage Against the Machine, after a song De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha had written for his former underground [[hardcore punk]] band [[Inside Out (band)|Inside Out]] (also to be the title of the unrecorded ''Inside Out'' full-length album).<ref name="Myers"/> Record label owner and zine publisher [[Kent McClard]], with whom Inside Out was associated, coined the phrase "rage against the machine" in a 1989 article in his [[zine]] ''[[No Answers]]''.<ref name=McClard/>

The blueprint for the group's major-label debut album and [[demo tape]] ''[[Rage Against the Machine (demo album)|Rage Against the Machine]]'' was laid on a twelve-song self-released cassette, the cover image of which featured newspaper clippings of the stock market section with a single match taped to the inlay card. Not all 12 songs made it onto the final album—two were eventually included as [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]], while three others never saw an official release.<ref name="Woodlief"/> Several record labels expressed interest, and the band eventually signed with [[Epic Records]]. Morello said, "Epic agreed to everything we asked—and they've followed through&nbsp;... We never saw a[n] [ideological] conflict as long as we maintained creative control."<ref name="officialfaq"/>

=== 1992–1994: ''Rage Against the Machine'' ===
{{Listen|filename=Know Your Enemy.ogg|title="Know Your Enemy"|description=Sample of "[[Know Your Enemy (Rage Against the Machine song)|Know Your Enemy]]" from the band's debut album (1992)|format=[[Ogg]]}}
The band's debut album, ''[[Rage Against the Machine (album)|Rage Against the Machine]]'', was released in November 1992. The cover featured [[Malcolm Browne]]'s [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning photograph of [[Thích Quảng Đức]], a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, [[self-immolation|burning himself to death]] in [[Saigon]] in 1963 in protest of the shooting of Buddhists by the regime of U.S.-backed prime minister [[Ngô Đình Diệm]]. The album was produced by Canadian record producer and music engineer [[Garth Richardson]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |title=Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rage-against-the-machine-r56555/review |access-date=April 12, 2011 |website=[[AllMusic]] |archive-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111053549/https://www.allmusic.com/album/rage-against-the-machine-r56555/review |url-status=live }}</ref>

While sales were initially slow,<ref name="LATimes0496">{{Cite web |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |date=1996-04-14 |title=Up Against the Wall: You want raw, unfiltered extremism? You got it. Rage Against the Machine is back, with all pistons firing. The band members once thought they'd be too political for anyone to care. They were wrong. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-14-ca-58271-story.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205134649/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-14-ca-58271-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the album became a critical and commercial success, driven by heavy radio airplay of the song "[[Killing in the Name]]", a heavy, driving track featuring only eight lines of lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Rage+Against+the+Machine&ti=Rage+Against+the+Machine#search_section|title=Rage Against the Machine Gold and Platinum|publisher=RIAA|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020029/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Rage+Against+the+Machine&ti=Rage+Against+the+Machine#search_section|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last = Buckley | first = Peter | title = The rough guide to rock | publisher = Rough Guides | year = 2003 | pages = 844 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=haEfq-nKqjgC | isbn = 978-1-84353-105-0 | access-date = September 23, 2019 | archive-date = April 27, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024031/https://books.google.com/books?id=haEfq-nKqjgC | url-status = live }}</ref> The "Fuck You" version, which contains 17 instances of the word ''[[fuck]]'', was once accidentally played on the [[BBC Radio 1]] [[UK Singles Chart|Top 40 singles]] show on February 21, 1993.<ref name="Robinson" /><ref>{{cite web | date = July 27, 2007 | title = The History Of: Rage Against The Machine | url = http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/the_history_of/the_history_of_rage_against_the_machine.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118124446/http://ultimate-guitar.com/columns/the_history_of/the_history_of_rage_against_the_machine.html | archive-date = January 18, 2008 | publisher = Ultimate Guitar | access-date = January 15, 2010}}</ref> The band's profile soared following a performance at the [[Lollapalooza]] festival in mid-1993 tour; sales of ''Rage Against the Machine'' in the United States increased from 75,000 before Lollapalooza, to 400,000 by the end of the year.<ref name="LATimes0496" /> The band also toured with [[Suicidal Tendencies]] in Europe, and [[House of Pain]].<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-devon/plain/A730883 |title=h2g2 - Rage Against The Machine - the Band - A730883 |publisher=BBC |access-date=February 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924211523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-devon/plain/A730883 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> By April 1996, the album had sold over 1 million copies in the United States and 3 million copies worldwide.<ref name="LATimes0496" /> It was certified [[Music recording certification|triple platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) in May 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rage Against the Machine {{!}} Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=rage+against+the+machine#search_section |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=RIAA |language=en-US |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020029/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=rage+against+the+machine#search_section }}</ref>

Rage Against the Machine appeared on the soundtrack for the 1995 film ''[[Higher Learning]]'' with the song "[[Year of tha Boomerang]]". An early version of "[[Tire Me]]" also appeared in the movie. Subsequently, they re-recorded the song "Darkness" from their original demo for the soundtrack of ''[[The Crow (1994 film)|The Crow]]'' (1994), while "[[No Shelter]]" appeared on the ''[[Godzilla: The Album|Godzilla]]'' soundtrack in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-devon/plain/A730883 |title=h2g2 - Rage Against The Machine - the Band - A730883 |publisher=BBC |access-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820115131/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-devon/plain/A730883 |archive-date=August 20, 2016}}</ref>

=== 1995–2000: Mainstream success ===
{{Quote box
| quote = "Different band members have their different interests that they've been pursuing. But principally, the main reason for the delay between records was trying to find the right combination of our very diverse influences that would make a record that we were all happy with and that was great. That was a long process."
| source = [[Tom Morello]] speaking to ''[[Kerrang!]]'' in 1996 about the delays between ''Rage Against the Machine'' and its follow-up, ''[[Evil Empire (album)|Evil Empire]]''.<ref name="MTVNews012296" />
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In late 1994, Rage Against the Machine took a hiatus from touring, sparking rumors that they had broken up.<ref name="MTVNews012296">{{Cite web |last=MTV News Staff |date=January 22, 1996 |title=Evil Empire Due From Rage Against The Machine |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/0lm4en/evil-empire-due-from-rage-against-the-machine |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=MTV |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818151141/https://www.mtv.com/news/0lm4en/evil-empire-due-from-rage-against-the-machine |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to an anonymous source reporting to ''[[MTV News]]'', Rage Against the Machine had recorded 23 tracks with producer [[Brendan O'Brien (record producer)|Brendan O'Brien]] in [[Atlanta]] starting in November 1994, and briefly broke up due to violent infighting in the band, before regrouping for the [[KROQ Weenie Roast]] in June 1995.<ref name="MTVNews012296" /> Morello later said there had been conflicts over their musical direction, which were reconciled.<ref name="MTVNews012296" /><ref name="DeseretNews1996">{{Cite news |last=Vice |first=Jeff |date=September 6, 1996 |title=Rage still likes to use music in struggle for social change |page=W5 |work=[[The Deseret News]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s-wjAAAAIBAJ&dq=rage+against+the+machine+1996&pg=PA39&article_id=6668,3198270 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215170044/https://books.google.com/books?id=s-wjAAAAIBAJ&dq=rage+against+the+machine+1996&pg=PA39&article_id=6668,3198270 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The band eventually recorded their long-awaited follow-up album, ''[[Evil Empire (album)|Evil Empire]]'', with O'Brien in November and December 1995.<ref name="MTVNews012296" /> Morello said that, as a result of the band's musical tensions, the album incorporated greater [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] influences, describing its sound as a "middle ground between [[Public Enemy]] and [[the Clash]]".<ref name="DeseretNews1996" />

''Evil Empire'' was released on April 16, 1996, and entered the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart at number one, selling 249,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mayfield |first=Geoff |date=November 20, 1999 |title=Between the Bulletins |page=134 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=rage+against+the+machine+evil+empire+first+week+sales&pg=PA134 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215170115/https://books.google.com/books?id=fwgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=rage+against+the+machine+evil+empire+first+week+sales&pg=PA134 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MTV News Staff |date=May 3, 1996 |title=Rage Builds "Evil Empire" |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/hlvq56/rage-builds-evil-empire |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722113816/https://www.mtv.com/news/hlvq56/rage-builds-evil-empire |url-status=dead }}</ref> It later rose to triple platinum status.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Rage Against the Machine performed "[[Bulls on Parade]]" on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in April 1996. Their planned two-song performance was cut to one song when the band attempted to hang inverted American flags from their amplifiers ("a sign of distress or great danger"),<ref name="SNL" /> in protest of the program's guest host, [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] presidential candidate [[Steve Forbes]].<ref name="SNL" />

In 1997, the band opened for [[U2]] on the [[PopMart Tour]]. Their profits went to organizations<ref name="BBC" /> such as the [[Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees]], Women Alive and the [[Zapatista Army of National Liberation|Zapatista Front for National Liberation]].<ref name="The State" /> Rage began an abortive headlining U.S. tour with [[Wu-Tang Clan]]. Police in several jurisdictions unsuccessfully attempted to have the concerts cancelled, citing amongst, other reasons, the bands' "violent and anti-law enforcement philosophies".<ref name="Cooper" /> After Wu-Tang Clan failed to appear during a concert at Riverport, they were removed from the lineup and replaced with [[the Roots]]. [[Sony Records]] released ''[[Live & Rare (Rage Against the Machine album)|Live & Rare]]'', compiling [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]] and live performances, in Japan in June 1998. A live video, ''[[Rage Against the Machine (video)|Rage Against the Machine]]'', was released later the same year.<ref name="bbc.co.uk" />

In 1999, Rage Against the Machine played at the [[Woodstock 1999|Woodstock '99]] concert. Their third album, ''[[The Battle of Los Angeles (album)|The Battle of Los Angeles]]'', debuted at number one in 1999, selling 450,000 copies in the first week and was certified [[RIAA certification|double-platinum]].<ref name="allmusic" /> That year, the song "[[Wake Up (Rage Against the Machine song)|Wake Up]]" was featured on the soundtrack of the film ''[[The Matrix]]''. The track "[[Calm Like a Bomb]]" was used in the sequel, ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' (2003). In 2000, the band planned to support the [[Beastie Boys]] on the "Rhyme and Reason" tour, but the tour was cancelled when the Beastie Boys drummer, [[Mike D]], suffered a serious injury.<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> In 2003, ''The Battle of Los Angeles'' was ranked number 426 on [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|''Rolling Stone''<nowiki/>'s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Rolling-stone-the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-2003-lyrics|title=Rolling Stone – The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2003)|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923080427/https://genius.com/Rolling-stone-the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-2003-lyrics|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2000–2001: ''Renegades'' and breakup ===
On January 26, 2000, during filming of the video for "[[Sleep Now in the Fire]]", directed by [[Michael Moore]], an altercation caused the doors of the [[New York Stock Exchange]] to be closed and the band to be escorted from the site by security<ref name="greenleft">{{cite web|date=March 15, 2000 |title=Rage against Wall Street |work=[[Green Left Weekly]] #397 |url=http://www.greenleft.org.au/2000/397/24186 |access-date=October 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012080309/http://www.greenleft.org.au/2000/397/24186 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref> after band members attempted to gain entry into the exchange.<ref>{{cite web | last=Basham | first=David | date=January 28, 2000 | title=Rage Against the Machine Shoots New Video With Michael Moore | work=[[MTV News]] | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433553/20000128/rage_against_the_machine.jhtml | access-date=February 17, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313230512/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433553/20000128/rage_against_the_machine.jhtml | archive-date=March 13, 2007 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The video shoot had attracted several hundred people, according to a representative for the city's Deputy Commissioner for Public Information.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1433553/rage-against-the-machine-shoots-new-video-with-michael-moore/ |title=Rage Against The Machine Shoots New Video With Michael Moore |work=[[MTV News]] |date=January 28, 2000 |access-date=September 28, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009193258/http://www.mtv.com/news/1433553/rage-against-the-machine-shoots-new-video-with-michael-moore/ |archive-date=October 9, 2015}}</ref> New York City's film office does not allow weekday film shoots on Wall Street. Moore had permission to use the steps of [[Federal Hall National Memorial]] but did not have a permit to shoot on the sidewalk or the street, nor did he have a loud-noise permit or the proper parking permits.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shone |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lupf_ZdXF98C&pg=PA56 |title=Bullsh*t on Parade: Rage Against The Machine and Michael Moore Battle New York Cops |work=SPIN |date=May 1, 2000 |access-date=September 28, 2015 |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024036/https://books.google.com/books?id=Lupf_ZdXF98C&pg=PA56 |url-status=live }}</ref> "Michael basically gave us one directorial instruction, 'No matter what happens, don't stop playing'", [[Tom Morello]] recalls. When the band left the steps, police officers apprehended Moore and led him away. Moore yelled to the band, "Take the New York Stock Exchange!"<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lynskey |first1=Dorian |title=33 Revolutions Per Minute |title-link=33 Revolutions per Minute (book) |publisher=Faber & Faber |date=2011 }}</ref> In an interview with the ''[[Socialist Worker]]'', Morello said he and scores of others ran into the Stock Exchange. "About two hundred of us got through the first set of doors, but our charge was stopped when the Stock Exchange's titanium riot doors came crashing down."<ref name="Devenish 2001 p. 105">{{cite book | last=Devenish | first=C. | title=Rage Against The Machine | publisher=St. Martin's Press | year=2001 | isbn=978-1-4299-2514-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNuuHkTrrGoC&pg=PT105 | access-date=January 18, 2019 | page=105 | archive-date=April 27, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024033/https://books.google.com/books?id=PNuuHkTrrGoC&pg=PT105 | url-status=live }}</ref> Moore said: "For a few minutes, Rage Against the Machine was able to shut down American capitalism, an act that I am sure tens of thousands of downsized citizens would cheer."<ref name="greenleft" />

On September 7, 2000, the band performed "[[Testify (Rage Against the Machine song)|Testify]]" at the [[2000 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref name="billboard1">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/513488/mtv-vmas-top-10-crazy-moments-of-all-time |title=MTV Loves MTV: A Bad Romance |last1=Mapes |first1=Jillian |last2=Letkemann |first2=Jessica |date=September 9, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 20, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213055039/http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/513488/mtv-vmas-top-10-crazy-moments-of-all-time |archive-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name="limp">{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/09/03/rage-against-the-machine-2000-vmas/|title=The 2010 VMA Countdown: Rage Against The Machine Bassist Gets A Better Look At The Action|author=MTV news|date=September 3, 2010|work=MTV.com|publisher=[[MTV Networks]]|access-date=September 20, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911220337/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/09/03/rage-against-the-machine-2000-vmas|archive-date=September 11, 2010}}</ref> After the Best Rock Video award was given to [[Limp Bizkit]], Commerford climbed onto the scaffolding of the set.<ref name="billboard1" /><ref name="limp" /> He and his bodyguard were sentenced to a night in jail and De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha reportedly left the awards after the stunt.<ref name="billboard1" /><ref name="limp" /> Morello recalled that Commerford relayed his plan to the rest of the band before the show, and that both De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha and Morello advised him against it immediately after Bizkit was presented the award.<ref name="billboard1" /><ref name="limp" />

On October 18, 2000, De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha announced that he had left the band.<ref name="zackquit" /> He said, "I feel that it is now necessary to leave Rage because our decision-making process has completely failed. It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band, and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal."<ref name="zackquit" /> Morello said, "There was so much squabbling over everything, "and I mean ''everything''. We would even have fist fights over whether our T-shirts should be mauve or camouflaged! It was ridiculous. We were patently political, internally combustible. It was ugly for a long time."<ref name="ReferenceA">''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', May 2003, p60</ref> De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha's departure was voted the "shittiest thing" of 2000 in the ''[[Kerrang!]]'' readers' poll of that year.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 13, 2001 |editor-last=Rees |editor-first=Paul |title=Readers' Poll 2000 |journal=[[Kerrang!]] |publisher=[[EMAP]] |issue=835 |pages=29–36}}</ref>

The band's next album, ''[[Renegades (Rage Against the Machine album)|Renegades]]'', was a collection of [[cover version|covers]] of artists as diverse as [[Devo]], [[EPMD]], [[Minor Threat]], [[Cypress Hill]], [[the MC5]], [[Afrika Bambaataa]], [[the Rolling Stones]], [[Eric B. & Rakim]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[the Stooges]], and [[Bob Dylan]].<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Rock & Roll: The Last Days of Rage? - With No Lead Singer, Rage Consider Their Next Move|id = {{ProQuest|1193001}}}}</ref> It achieved platinum status a month later.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The following year saw the release of another live video, ''[[The Battle of Mexico City]]'', while 2003 brought the live album ''[[Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium]]'', an edited recording of the band's final concerts on September 12 and 13, 2000, at the [[Grand Olympic Auditorium]] in Los Angeles.<ref name="Bush"/> It was accompanied by an expanded DVD release of the last show, which included a previously unreleased video for "[[Bombtrack (song)|Bombtrack]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Doyle |first=Patrick |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/rage-against-the-machine-blast-through-bombtrack-in-1992-premiere-20121121 |title=Rage Against the Machine Blast Through 'Bombtrack' in 1992 - Premiere |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 21, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227015605/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/rage-against-the-machine-blast-through-bombtrack-in-1992-premiere-20121121 |archive-date=December 27, 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Audioslave 2005.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Wilk, Commerford, and Morello performing with [[Chris Cornell]] as [[Audioslave]] at the [[Montreux Jazz Festival]] in 2005]] In the wake of the [[September 11 attacks]], the controversial [[2001 Clear Channel memorandum]] contained a long list of what the memo termed "lyrically questionable" songs for the radio, uniquely listing ''all'' of Rage Against the Machine's songs.<ref>{{cite web | last = Bertin | first = Michael | title = Imagine: The music business in a post-911 world | work = [[The Austin Chronicle]] | date = November 30, 2001 | url = http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2001-11-30/83800/ | access-date = April 17, 2011 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120622031730/http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2001-11-30/83800/ | archive-date = June 22, 2012 | df = mdy-all}}</ref>

=== 2002—2006: Side projects ===
After the breakup, Morello, Wilk, and Commerford decided to stay together and find a new vocalist.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> "There was talk for a while of us becoming [[Ozzy Osbourne]]'s backing band, and even [[Macy Gray]]'s," said Morello. "We informed {{Bracket|[[Epic Records]]}} that losing our singer was actually a blessing in disguise, and that we had bigger ambitions than being somebody's hired musicians."<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Their friend, the producer [[Rick Rubin]], suggested they play with [[Chris Cornell]] of [[Soundgarden]]. Along with Cornell, they formed [[Audioslave]].<ref name="AudioslaveAM">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/audioslave-mw0000229110|title=Audioslave - Audioslave|website=[[AllMusic]]|first=Stephen|last=Erlewine|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=June 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608054234/https://www.allmusic.com/album/audioslave-mw0000229110|url-status=live}}</ref> Their first single, "[[Cochise (song)|Cochise]]", was released in November 2002, and their [[Audioslave (album)|self-titled debut album]] followed to mainly positive reviews. In contrast to Rage Against the Machine, most of Audioslave's music was apolitical, although some songs touched on political issues. Their second album, ''[[Out of Exile]]'' debuted at the number one position on the Billboard charts in 2005.<ref name="outofexcilenumberone" /> Audioslave released its third album ''[[Revelations (Audioslave album)|Revelations]]'' on September 4, 2006, but did not tour as Cornell and Morello were working on solo albums. After months of inactivity and rumors of a breakup, Audioslave disbanded on February 15, 2007, after Cornell announced he was leaving the band "due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences".<ref name="cornellquit" />

In 2003, Morello began playing acoustic [[folk music]] at [[open mike|open-mic nights]] and clubs under the alias [[the Nightwatchman]], which he formed as an outlet for his political views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He participated in [[Billy Bragg]]'s Tell Us the Truth tour<ref name="Wiederhorn" /> with no plans to record,<ref name="Moss" /> but recorded a song for ''[[Songs and Artists that Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11]]'', "No One Left". In April 2007, he released an album, ''[[One Man Revolution]],''<ref name="firedup" /> followed by ''The Fabled City'' on September 30, 2008. Morello and the rapper [[Boots Riley]] formed the [[rap rock]] group [[Street Sweeper Social Club]], and released their [[Street Sweeper Social Club (album)|debut self-titled album]] in June 2009.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha had been working on an album with [[DJ Shadow]], [[Company Flow]], [[Roni Size]] and [[Questlove]],<ref name="zackquit" /> but dropped the project in favor of working with [[Trent Reznor]] of [[Nine Inch Nails]].<ref name="reznor" /> The album was not released.<ref name="Gargano" /> A collaboration between De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha and DJ Shadow, the song "March of Death" was released free online in 2003 in protest of the imminent [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]].<ref name="March of Death" /> The 2004 soundtrack ''Songs and Artists that Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11'' included one of the collaborations with Reznor, "[[We Want It All]]".<ref name="reznor" /> In late 2005, De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha performed with the [[son jarocho]] band [[Son de Madera]], singing and playing the [[jarana huasteca]].<ref name="Spin" />

The band refused large sums of money to reunite for concerts and tours.<ref name="MTV News" /> Rumors of tension between De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha and the others circulated. Commerford said that he and De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha saw each other often and went surfing together. Morello said he and De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha communicated by phone, and had met at a 2005 protest in support of the [[South Central Farm]].<ref name="Rockline" />

=== 2007–2008: First reunion and tours ===
{{Main|Rage Against the Machine reunion tour}}
On April 14, 2007, Morello and De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha reunited to perform a brief acoustic set at a [[Coalition of Immokalee Workers]] rally in downtown Chicago. Morello described the event as "very exciting for everybody in the room, myself included".<ref name="Launch Radio Networks" /> Rage Against the Machine reunited to headline the final day of the 2007 [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] on April 29, in front of an [[Zapatista Army of National Liberation|EZLN]] backdrop to the largest crowds of the festival.<ref name="reunionnme" /><ref name="reunionyahoo" /><ref name="reunionmtv" /> Morello said they reunited to voice their opposition to the "right-wing purgatory" the United States had "slid into" under the [[George W. Bush administration]] since their dissolution.<ref name="NME"/>

[[File:Rage Against The Machine at Vegoose 2007 11.jpg|thumb|Rage Against the Machine performing in 2007]]
Rage Against the Machine continued to tour in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.<ref name="Cecbuzz"/> They played a series of shows in Europe in 2008, including [[Rock am Ring and Rock im Park]], [[Pinkpop Festival]], [[T in the Park]] in Scotland, the [[Hultsfred Festival]] in Sweden, the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]] in England and the [[Oxegen]] Festival in Ireland. They also performed on August 2 in Chicago at the 2008 [[Lollapalooza]] festival.

Morello said they had no plans to record a new album, and said: "Writing and recording albums is a whole different thing than getting back on the bike ... But I think that the one thing about the Rage catalog is that to me none of it feels dated. You know, it doesn't feel at all like a nostalgia show. It feels like these are songs that were born and bred to be played now."<ref name="futurealbum-bm" /> De la Rocha said, "As far as us recording music in the future, I don't know where we all fit with that. We've all embraced each other's projects and support them, and that's great."<ref name="futurealbum" />

In July 2008, De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha and the drummer [[Jon Theodore]], formerly of [[the Mars Volta]], released an EP as  [[One Day as a Lion]].<ref name="Tao" /> In August 2008, during the [[Democratic National Convention]] in Denver, Rage headlined the free ''Tent State Music Festival to End the War''. They were supported by [[Flobots]], [[State Radio]], [[Jello Biafra]], and [[Wayne Kramer]].<ref name="Jefferson" /> Following the concert, the band, following uniformed veterans from the advocacy group [[Iraq Veterans Against the War]], led the 8,000 attendees to the Denver Coliseum on a six-mile march to Invesco Field, host of the DNC. After a four-hour stand-off with police, the [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|Obama campaign]] agreed to meet with members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and hear their demands.<ref name="Los Angeles Times" />

In September 2008, Rage performed at the [[Target Center]] in [[Minneapolis]] during the [[Republican National Convention]]. The previous day, they attempted to play a surprise set at a free anti-RNC concert at the Minnesota Capitol in [[St. Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]], but were prevented by the police. Instead, De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha and Morello rapped and sang through a megaphone. Later that evening, Morello and Boots Reilly joined the songwriter [[Billy Bragg]] and the politician [[Jim Walsh (Washington politician)|Jim Walsh]] for a three-hour jam session at Pepitos Parkway theater in south Minneapolis.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} In December 2008, Morello said his Nightwatchman project would be his "principal musical focus, as I see it, for the remainder of my life".<ref name="Graff" /> He repeated this point in an interview with the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref name="Martens" />

=== 2009–2015: UK "Killing in the Name" Christmas campaign, European tour, and L.A. Rising ===
[[File:Rage Against The Machine 11.jpg|alt=The band onstage|thumb|Performing in 2010]]

In December 2009, a campaign was launched on Facebook by [[Jon Morter]] and his wife Tracy, in order to stop, most notably, ''The X Factor'' hits from becoming almost automatic Christmas number ones on the UK Singles Chart. It generated nationwide publicity and took the track "[[Killing in the Name]]" to the coveted [[List of UK Singles Chart Christmas number ones|Christmas number one]] slot in the [[UK Singles Chart]], which had been dominated for four consecutive years from 2005 by winners from the popular TV show ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]''.<ref name="New Musical Express"/> Before the chart was announced on December 20, 2009, the Facebook group membership stood at over 950,000, and was acknowledged (and supported) by [[Tom Morello]],<ref name="Twitter"/> [[Dave Grohl]],<ref name="Gigwise"/> [[Paul McCartney]],<ref name="Rolling Stone 2009"/> [[Muse (band)|Muse]], [[Fightstar]],<ref name="Official Fightstar Facebook"/> ''[[NME]]'', [[John Lydon]],<ref name="NME"/> [[Bill Bailey]],<ref name="NME"/> [[Lenny Henry]],<ref name="NME"/> [[BBC Radio 1]],<ref name="YouTube"/> [[Hadouken! (band)|Hadouken!]],<ref name="Twitter 2009"/> [[the Prodigy]],<ref name="Chartattack"/> [[Stereophonics]],<ref name="Chartattack"/> [[BBC Radio 5 Live]],<ref name="Rage Against 5 Live"/> and even the 2004 ''X Factor'' winner [[Steve Brookstein]],<ref name="test"/> amongst numerous others. On the morning of December 17, Rage Against the Machine played a slightly censored version of "Killing in the Name" live on [[Radio 5 Live]], but four repeats of 'Fuck you I won't do what you tell me' were aired before the song was pulled.<ref name="BBC Radio 5 Live"/> During the interview before the song they reiterated their support for the campaign and their intentions to support charity with the proceeds. The campaign was ultimately successful, and "Killing in the Name" became the number-one single in the UK for Christmas 2009.<ref name="The Official Charts"/><ref name="BBC news"/> [[Zack de&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha]] spoke to BBC One upon hearing the news, stating that:

{{Blockquote|We're very very ecstatic and excited about the song reaching the number one spot. We want to thank everyone that participated in this incredible, organic, grass-roots campaign. It says more about the spontaneous action taken by young people throughout the UK to topple this very sterile pop monopoly. When young people decide to take action they can make what's seemingly impossible, possible.<ref name="BBC news"/>}}

The band also set a new record, achieving the biggest download sales total in a first week ever in the UK charts.<ref name="BBC news"/> De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha also promised the band would perform a free concert in the UK sometime in 2010 to celebrate the achievement.<ref name="BBC news"/> True to their word, the band announced that they would be performing a free concert at Finsbury Park, London, on June 6, 2010.<ref name="Blabbermouth"/> The concert, dubbed "The Rage Factor", gave away all the tickets by free photo registration to prevent touting over the weekend of the February 13–14, followed by an online lottery on February 17. This proved to be popular, with many users facing connection issues. The tickets were all allocated by 13:30 that same day.<ref name="NME 2010"/> After allowing ticket holders to vote for who they wanted to be the support acts for "The Rage Factor", it was announced that [[Gogol Bordello]], [[Gallows (band)|Gallows]] and [[Roots Manuva]] would support Rage Against the Machine at the concert.<ref name="Gigwise 2010"/>

In addition to the free gig at Finsbury Park, the band headlined European festivals in June 2010 including the [[Download Festival]] at [[Donington Park]], England, [[Rock am Ring and Rock im Park]] in Germany and [[Rock in Rio]] Madrid in Spain.<ref name="Download Festival 2010"/> They also performed in Ireland on June 8 and the Netherlands on June 9. Zack de&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha had stated that it was a definite possibility that the band would record a new album, the first time since 2000's ''Renegades''.<ref name="O'Neal"/> Morter confirmed this, stating the discussions he and the band had backstage before the Finsbury Park gig saying the band did write new material, but they had no motivation to release them until now. De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha mentioned the very strong reaction from the [[Download Festival]] 2010 audience as an incentive for releasing new material.<ref name="Rock Radio"/> In addition, the band returned to Los Angeles on July 23, 2010, for their first U.S. show in two years and their first hometown show in 10 years.<ref name="Soundstrike"/> The concert benefited Arizona organizations that are fighting the [[SB1070]] immigration law. On the night of the show, a spokesperson announced to the crowd that ticket sales—all of which are non-profit to the bands—had raised $300,000. The band has been confirmed to do a short South American tour in October, performing at venues such as the SWU Festival in Brazil, the Maquinaria Festival in Chile, and Pepsi Music Festival in Argentina. It was the first time the band played in those countries.

After the "Rage Factor" celebratory show in [[Finsbury Park]] in London on June 6, 2010, after the campaign to get "Killing in the Name" to the No. 1 spot at Christmas, Zack de&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha stated that it was a "genuine possibility". Stating that they may use the momentum from the campaign to get back into the studio and write a follow-up record to 2000's ''Renegades'' after 10 years. When talking to NME, Zack de&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha said: "I think it's a genuine possibility, We have to get our heads around what we're going to do towards the end of the year and finish up on some other projects and we'll take it from there."<ref>{{cite news |last=Slater |first=Luke |date=June 7, 2010 |title=New Rage Against The Machine record "a possibility" / Music News // Drowned In Sound |url=http://drownedinsound.com/news/4140196-new-rage-against-the-machine-record-a-possibility |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109081949/http://drownedinsound.com/news/4140196-new-rage-against-the-machine-record-a-possibility |archive-date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |newspaper=Drownedinsound}}</ref>

During an interview with the Chilean newspaper ''[[La Tercera]]'' in October 2010, De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha allegedly confirmed that a new album was in the works, with a possibility of a 2011 release. De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha is reported as saying, "We are all bigger and more mature and we do not fall into the problems we faced 10 or 15 years ago. This is different and we project a lot: we are working on a new album due out next year, perhaps summer for the northern hemisphere".<ref name="La Tercera"/> However, in early May 2011, guitarist Tom Morello said that the band was not working on a new album, but would not rule out the possibility of future studio work. "The band is not writing songs, the band is not in the studio", Morello told ''The Pulse of Radio''. "We get along famously and we all, you know, intend to do more Rage Against the Machine stuff in the future, but beyond sort of working out a concert this year, there's nothing else on the schedule (for 2011)".<ref name="Blabbermouth"/> The band created its own festival, the L.A. Rising. As Morello stated, the only Rage Against the Machine appearance for 2011 was a performance on July 30 at the L.A. Rising festival with [[El Gran Silencio]], [[Immortal Technique]], [[Lauryn Hill]], [[Rise Against]] and [[Muse (band)|Muse]].<ref name="Blabbermouth"/> During an interview on July 30, 2011, Commerford seemingly contradicted Morello's comments, stating that new material was being written, and specific plans for the next two years were in place.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vadala |first=Nick |url=http://www.mxdwn.com/2011/08/02/news/rage-against-the-machine-bassist-tim-commerford-says-new-material-in-the-works-next-two-years-planned-out/ |title=Rage Against The Machine Bassist Tim Commerford Says New Material in the Works, Next Two Years Planned Out &#124; mxdwn.com News |publisher=Mxdwn.com |date=August 2, 2011 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915134338/http://www.mxdwn.com/2011/08/02/news/rage-against-the-machine-bassist-tim-commerford-says-new-material-in-the-works-next-two-years-planned-out/ |archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref>

In an October 2012 interview with [[TMZ (website)|TMZ]], bassist [[Tim Commerford]] was asked if Rage Against the Machine was working on a new album. He simply responded, "maybe".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2012/10/04/rage-against-the-machine-new-album-bassist-tim-commerford|title=Rage Against The Machine -- New Album In The Works ... Maybe|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=October 4, 2012|publisher=[[TMZ (website)|TMZ]]|access-date=October 4, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007022012/http://www.tmz.com/2012/10/04/rage-against-the-machine-new-album-bassist-tim-commerford/|archive-date=October 7, 2012}}</ref> Asked by TMZ again in November 2012 whether a new album was being worked on, Commerford replied "definitely maybe&nbsp;... anything's possible".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/videos/0_c79v2n1a/|title=Rage Against the Machine Bassist -- Paul Ryan's a Dumbass for Liking Our Music|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=November 3, 2012|publisher=[[TMZ (website)|TMZ]]|access-date=November 4, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103143024/http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_c79v2n1a/|archive-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref> Later that month, however, Morello denied that they were working on new material, and stated that Rage Against the Machine had "no plans beyond" the reissue of their self-titled debut album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474150/rage-against-the-machine-no-plans-to-record-new-album|title=Rage Against the Machine: 'No Plans' to Record New Album|author=Graff, Gary|date=November 15, 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 16, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404083420/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474150/rage-against-the-machine-no-plans-to-record-new-album|archive-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> Morello said he would be open to recording new Rage Against the Machine material, but added that it was "not on the table right now".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=182627|title=Tom Morello: Not Everybody In Rage Against the Machine Wants To Make New Album|date=November 22, 2012|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 22, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127182914/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=182627|archive-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref>

The band announced on October 9 via their Facebook page that they would be releasing a special [[Rage Against the Machine (album)#XX 20th anniversary special edition|20th anniversary box set]] to commemorate the group's debut album. The full box set contains never-before-released concert material, including the band's 2010 Finsbury Park show and footage from early in their career, as well as a digitally-remastered version of the album, B-sides and the original demo tape (on disc for the first time).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/RATM?ref=stream |title=Rage Against The Machine |publisher=Facebook |date=January 6, 1983 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510065419/https://www.facebook.com/RATM?ref=stream |archive-date=May 10, 2018}}</ref><ref name="ratm.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ratm.com/ |title=Rage Against The Machine XX 20th Anniversary &#124; Rage Against The Machine Official Site |publisher=Ratm.com |date=July 9, 2012 |access-date=December 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007053601/http://www.ratm.com/ |archive-date=October 7, 2012}}</ref> The band released 3-disc and single-disc versions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Against-The-Machine-Anniversary/dp/B009FHRRAA/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=5174&s=music |title=Rage Against The Machine - XX (20th Anniversary Special Edition)(2 CD/ 1 DVD): Music |website=Amazon |access-date=December 24, 2012 |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312031919/https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Against-The-Machine-Anniversary/dp/B009FHRRAA/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=5174&s=music |url-status=live }}</ref> The collection was released on November 27.<ref name="ratm.com"/>

In an April 2014 interview with The Pulse of Radio, drummer [[Brad Wilk]] indicated that, as far as he knew, Rage Against the Machine's 2011 performance at L.A. Rising was their final show.<ref name="Wilk final">{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rage-against-the-machine-drummer-brad-wilk-says-band-may-have-played-its-last-show/|title=Rage Against The Machine Drummer Brad Wilk Says Band May Have Already Played Its Last Show|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 30, 2014|access-date=April 30, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502021519/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rage-against-the-machine-drummer-brad-wilk-says-band-may-have-played-its-last-show/|archive-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> In February 2015, Tim Commerford said that uncertainty over when they might play again was typical of the band's functioning, speculating: "It could be tomorrow; it could be 10 years from now".<ref name="Timmy C. 2015 interview">{{cite news|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/tim-commerford-talks-electronic-music-and-his-new-band-future-user-616147/4/|title=Timmy C. speaks about Rage's future|publisher=musicradar.com|date=February 9, 2015|access-date=February 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403203420/http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/tim-commerford-talks-electronic-music-and-his-new-band-future-user-616147/4/|archive-date=April 3, 2015}}</ref> On October 16, the 2010 performance in Finsbury Park was released on DVD and Blu-ray.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}

=== 2016–2019: Prophets of Rage ===

In May 2016, It was announced that Morello, Wilk and Commerford had formed a supergroup, [[Prophets of Rage]], with the rappers [[Chuck D]] of [[Public Enemy (music group)|Public Enemy]] and [[B-Real]] of [[Cypress Hill]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Chris Payne |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7377487/rage-against-machine-public-enemy-cypress-hill-prophets-rage |title=Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy & Cypress Hill Members Form Supergroup: Sources |magazine=Billboard |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821234101/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7377487/rage-against-machine-public-enemy-cypress-hill-prophets-rage |archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> The band toured through 2016 and played songs by Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Young |first=Alex |url=https://consequence.net/2016/05/rage-against-the-machine-public-enemy-and-cypress-hill-members-form-new-supergroup/ |title=Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, and Cypress Hill members form new supergroup |magazine=Consequence of Sound |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823010337/https://consequence.net/2016/05/rage-against-the-machine-public-enemy-and-cypress-hill-members-form-new-supergroup/ |archive-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> Commerford said that year that Rage Against the Machine had not split up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theprp.com/2016/05/31/news/rage-machine-public-enemy-cypress-hill-members-unite-prophets-rage/ |title=Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy & Cypress Hill Members Unite In Prophets Of Rage &#124; Theprp.com – Metal And Hardcore News Plus Reviews And More |website=Theprp.com |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910184204/http://www.theprp.com/2016/05/31/news/rage-machine-public-enemy-cypress-hill-members-unite-prophets-rage/ |archive-date=September 10, 2016}}</ref> Morello said: "We have nothing but the greatest love and honor and respect for Zack de&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha [...] who is working on his own music, which I'm sure will be fantastic—he's a great artist in his own right. But where you're going to hear Rage Against the Machine is in Prophets of Rage."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theprp.com/2016/06/08/news/tom-morello-cold-embers-rage/ |title=Tom Morello: "The Cold Embers Of Rage Against The Machine Are Now The Burning Fire Of Prophets Of Rage" &#124; Theprp.com – Metal And Hardcore News Plus Reviews And More |website=Theprp.com |date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812171844/http://www.theprp.com/2016/06/08/news/tom-morello-cold-embers-rage/ |archive-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref> In May 2018, Wilk said Rage Against the Machine would make him happy, and that "it's just really a matter of getting us all on the same page".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/rage-against-the-machine-drummer-calls-for-reunion-2307746#LdBf1J86Mx3ySi3H.99|title=Rage Against The Machine drummer calls for reunion: "Nothing would make me happier" - NME|date=May 3, 2018|work=NME|access-date=May 5, 2018|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504192848/http://www.nme.com/news/music/rage-against-the-machine-drummer-calls-for-reunion-2307746#LdBf1J86Mx3ySi3H.99|archive-date=May 4, 2018}}</ref> In November 2019, [[Chuck D]] and [[B-Real]] confirmed that Prophets of Rage had disbanded.<ref name="prophetsbreakup">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/prophets-of-rage-rage-against-the-machine-reunion-chuck-d-b-real-907424|title=Prophets of Rage Rappers Acknowledge Rage Against the Machine Reunion|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 2, 2019|access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102221851/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/prophets-of-rage-rage-against-the-machine-reunion-chuck-d-b-real-907424/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2019–2024: Second reunion, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and third disbandment ===
{{Main|Public Service Announcement Tour}}
On November 1, 2019, it was reported that Rage Against the Machine were reuniting for their first shows in nine years in the spring of 2020, including two appearances at that year's [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]].<ref name="forbesreunion">{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Baltin|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2019/11/01/confirmed-rage-against-the-machine-to-reunite-in-2020-headline-coachella/#25bcbbac12b1|title=Confirmed: Rage Against The Machine To Reunite In 2020, Headline Coachella|website=Forbes|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2019|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101160503/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2019/11/01/confirmed-rage-against-the-machine-to-reunite-in-2020-headline-coachella/#25bcbbac12b1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Graham|last=Hartmann|url=https://loudwire.com/rage-against-the-machine-2020-reunion-rumors/|title=Rage Against the Machine Announce 2020 Reunion|website=Loudwire|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2019|archive-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102062156/https://loudwire.com/rage-against-the-machine-2020-reunion-rumors/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Brooks|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8542057/rage-against-the-machine-reuniting-2020-coachella|title=Rage Against the Machine to Reunite for 2020 Coachella|magazine=Billboard|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2019|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101183652/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8542057/rage-against-the-machine-reuniting-2020-coachella|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 25, 2019, an alleged leaked tour poster made its way online indicating the band would be going on a world tour throughout 2020. This was later debunked by Australian-based publication ''Wall of Sound'' who broke the news that a concert poster troll photoshopped and released it online as a prank.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2019/11/25/a-leaked-rage-against-the-machine-tour-poster-has-them-playing-splendour-2020/|title=UPDATE: That Rage Against The Machine Tour Poster Is FAKE!|date=November 24, 2019|website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=November 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125164106/https://wallofsoundau.com/2019/11/25/a-leaked-rage-against-the-machine-tour-poster-has-them-playing-splendour-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/rage-against-the-machine-world-tour-poster-confirmed-to-be-fake-2571636|title=That Rage Against The Machine tour poster that's doing the rounds is fake|last=Moore|first=Sam|date=November 25, 2019|website=NME|language=en-US|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=April 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024036/https://www.nme.com/news/music/rage-against-the-machine-world-tour-poster-confirmed-to-be-fake-2578041|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 10, 2020, Rage Against the Machine announced more worldwide dates for the 2020 reunion tour, now named the [[Public Service Announcement Tour]].<ref name="Public Service">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-2020-headlining-tour-950346/|title=Rage Against the Machine Announce 2020 Tour|first=Angie|last=Martoccio|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=February 10, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210232828/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-2020-headlining-tour-950346/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Public Service2">{{Cite magazine|date=February 10, 2020|title=Rage Against the Machine Announce Reunion Tour: See the Dates|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/8550631/rage-against-the-machine-public-service-announcement-tour-dates|access-date=June 5, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605074305/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/8550631/rage-against-the-machine-public-service-announcement-tour-dates|url-status=live}}</ref> It was scheduled to run from March 26 through September 12, making it the band's first full-length world tour in 20 years, after they completed the promotional cycle for their third album ''[[The Battle of Los Angeles (album)|The Battle of Los Angeles]]''.<ref name="Public Service"/><ref name="Public Service2"/> The supporting act on all shows but Chicago would be rap duo [[Run the Jewels]].<ref name="Public Service2"/> On March 12, 2020, the band postponed the first leg of the reunion tour due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]];<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-postpone-covid-19-966791/|title=Rage Against the Machine Postpone First Half of Reunion Tour Due to Coronavirus|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|date=March 13, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=March 19, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319010724/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-postpone-covid-19-966791/|url-status=live}}</ref> this tour was eventually postponed to the summer of 2021.<ref name="050220-rollingstone">{{cite magazine|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-reschedule-reunion-tour-2021-993233/|title=Rage Against the Machine Reschedule Reunion Tour for 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 2, 2020|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502155909/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-reschedule-reunion-tour-2021-993233/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 1, 2020, the band announced that they had rescheduled the remaining dates of their reunion tour to 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rage Against The Machine Reschedule Reunion Tour |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/33034/Rage-Against-The-Machine-reschedule-reunion-tour |website=Lambgoat.com |publisher=Lambgoat |access-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806145252/https://lambgoat.com/news/33034/Rage-Against-The-Machine-reschedule-reunion-tour |url-status=live }}</ref> They were also due to headline the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]], which would have been Rage Against the Machine's first UK appearance in ten years, but it was announced on May 12, 2020, that the festival was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 12, 2020|title=Reading and Leeds festivals cancelled|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52637393|access-date=May 14, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513105717/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52637393|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite having rescheduled all of their tour dates, Rage Against the Machine was initially still scheduled to play [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]], which had been postponed from April to October 2020 before it was officially cancelled that June.<ref name="050220-rollingstone"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/coachella-2020-canceled-due-to-covid-19/|title=Coachella 2020 Canceled Due to COVID-19|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=June 11, 2020|website=Pitchfork|language=en-US|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629164433/https://pitchfork.com/news/coachella-2020-canceled-due-to-covid-19/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 8, 2021, it was announced that the Public Service Announcement Tour had once again been rescheduled to the spring and summer of 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-postpone-reunion-tour-2022-1153301/|title=Rage Against the Machine Postpone Reunion Tour to 2022|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|date=April 8, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=April 9, 2021|archive-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408231047/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-postpone-reunion-tour-2022-1153301/|url-status=live}}</ref>

By June 11, 2020, every Rage Against the Machine album had entered the top 30 of Apple Music's Rock Albums chart, and their debut album had entered the ''Billboard'' Top 200 at number 174.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://happymag.tv/20-years-since-their-last-release-rage-against-the-machine-are-back-in-the-charts/|title=20 years since their last release, Rage Against the Machine are back in the charts|last=Elvish|first=Emily|date=June 13, 2020|website=Happy Mag|language=en|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614234739/https://happymag.tv/20-years-since-their-last-release-rage-against-the-machine-are-back-in-the-charts/|url-status=live}}</ref> The resurgence of interest in the band's music and politics was widely attributed to renewed worldwide [[Black Lives Matter]] protests following [[murder of George Floyd|the murder]] of [[George Floyd]] in Minneapolis by law enforcement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/rage-against-machine-enter-charts-2020/|title=Rage Against the Machine Re-Enter Charts Amidst Social Unrest|last=Schaffner|first=Lauryn|date=June 12, 2020|website=Loudwire|language=en|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614234741/https://loudwire.com/rage-against-machine-enter-charts-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2020/06/11/rage-against-the-machine-billboard-200-itunes-protests-conservatives/#1df2d2a1287a|title=Rage Against The Machine Returns To Billboard 200 And iTunes Top 10 Amid Nationwide Protests, Conservative Backlash|last=Rolli|first=Bryan|date=June 11, 2020|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=June 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615032659/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2020/06/11/rage-against-the-machine-billboard-200-itunes-protests-conservatives/#1df2d2a1287a|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/06/rage-against-the-machine-charts/|title=Rage Against the Machine Re-enter Charts as Protests Rage On|last=Kaufman|first=Spencer|date=June 12, 2020|website=Consequence of Sound, CoS|language=en|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424200408/https://consequence.net/2020/06/rage-against-the-machine-charts/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Rage Against the Machine Touring Van - Interior with Instruments - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland (by Adam Jones).jpg|alt=A drum kit and guitar|thumb|Some of the band's gear on display at the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] after their unsuccessful 2018 nomination for induction]]
On July 9, 2022, Rage Against the Machine played their first concert in 11 years at [[Alpine Valley Music Theatre]] in [[East Troy, Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Greene |first1=Andy |title=Rage Against The Machine Roar Back to Life at Explosive Reunion Tour Launch |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/rage-against-the-machine-reunion-tour-launch-review-1380433/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=11 July 2022 |date=10 July 2022 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711005803/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/rage-against-the-machine-reunion-tour-launch-review-1380433/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After De&nbsp;la&nbsp;Rocha [[Achilles tendon rupture|ruptured his Achilles tendon]] during a show in Chicago in July,<ref>{{cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Rage Against the Machine Cancel European Tour, Per "Medical Guidance" for Zack de la Rocha |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/rage-against-the-machine-cancel-european-tour-due-to-zack-de-la-rocha-injury/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811183603/https://pitchfork.com/news/rage-against-the-machine-cancel-european-tour-due-to-zack-de-la-rocha-injury/ |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |access-date=August 11, 2022 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> Rage Against the Machine canceled their European tour and their remaining North American tour dates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/rage-against-the-machine-zack-de-la-rocha-tore-achilles-report/|title=RATM's Zack de la Rocha Reportedly Suffering From Torn Achilles|first=Lauryn|last=Schaffner|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=August 15, 2022|access-date=August 27, 2022|archive-date=August 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826234315/https://loudwire.com/rage-against-the-machine-zack-de-la-rocha-tore-achilles-report/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Millman |first1=Ethan |date=2022-10-04 |title=Rage Against the Machine Cancel North American Tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-cancels-north-american-tour-1234605076/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005071833/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-cancels-north-american-tour-1234605076/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rage Against the Machine was nominated for induction into the [[Rock & Roll Hall of Fame]] in their first year of eligibility in 2017, and again in 2018, 2019, and 2021.<ref name="RRHOF 2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/entertainment/rock-hall-fame-2018-nominees/index.html|title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2018 nominees announced|first=Lisa Respers |last=France|website=[[CNN]]|date=October 5, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011050359/http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/entertainment/rock-hall-fame-2018-nominees/index.html|archive-date=October 11, 2017}}</ref><ref name="RRHOF 2021">{{cite web |last1=Trepany |first1=Charles |title=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame sets date, venue for 2021 inductions after going virtual in 2020 |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/03/02/rock-roll-hall-fame-induction-ceremony-oct-30-rocket-mortgage-fieldhouse/6883791002/ |website=[[USA Today]] |access-date=22 March 2021 |date=2 March 2021 |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116072413/https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/03/02/rock-roll-hall-fame-induction-ceremony-oct-30-rocket-mortgage-fieldhouse/6883791002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They were inducted on November 3, 2023, by [[Ice-T]], at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/rock-roll-hall-of-fame-kate-bush-george-michael-among-class-of-2023/ar-AA1aGdI8 | title=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Kate Bush, George Michael among Class of 2023 | website=[[MSN]] }}</ref> Only Morello attended the ceremony.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/tom-morello-was-only-member-of-rage-against-the-machine-present-at-bands-rock-hall-induction | title=TOM MORELLO Was Only Member of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Present at Band's ROCK HALL Induction | date=November 4, 2023 }}</ref> On January 3, 2024, Wilk confirmed that Rage Against the Machine had disbanded again.<ref name="Pitchfork2024">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/rage-against-the-machine-will-not-tour-again-brad-wilk-says/|title=Rage Against the Machine Will Not Tour Again, Brad Wilk Says|first=Evan|last=Minsker|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=January 3, 2024 |access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref><ref name="RollingStone2024">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-break-up-again-2024-1234939808/|title=Rage Against the Machine Break Up… Again|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 3, 2024|access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref>