Editing Rage Against the Machine (section)

==Musical style and influences==

[[File:Rage Against The Machine at Vegoose 2007 14.jpg|thumb|left|De la Rocha and Morello performing in 2007]]
Inspired by early [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] instrumentation, Rage Against the Machine has been influenced by a variety of music, including acts like [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[U2]], the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Black Sabbath]]/[[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[the Police]], [[Devo]], [[Living Colour]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[the Brothers Johnson]] and [[Wayne Shorter]].<ref name="nmeroots">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-roots-of-rage-against-the-machine-767351|title=The Roots Of ... Rage Against The Machine - NME|website=[[NME]]|date=July 18, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813015133/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-roots-of-rage-against-the-machine-767351|archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|ref=none|last=Sutcliffe|first=Phil|year=2015|title=Queen, Revised Updated: the Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock|publisher=Voyageur Press|page=3}}</ref> They are also said to be influenced by [[hip hop music|hip hop]] acts such as [[Afrika Bambaataa]],<ref name="allmusic"/> [[Run-DMC]], [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]], and the [[Beastie Boys]], [[punk rock]] such as [[the Clash]], [[Minor Threat]], [[the Teen Idles]],<ref name=nmeroots/> [[Bad Brains]], the [[Dead Kennedys]], [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]],<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hill |first1=Stephen |title=Guerilla Radio 25 Years of Raging |magazine=[[Metal Hammer]] |date=July 2017 |page=42}}</ref> the [[Sex Pistols]],<ref name=nmeroots/> [[Fugazi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/the-strange-rehabilitation-of-rage-against-the-mac-89597|title=The strange rehabilitation of Rage Against The Machine|first=Jason|last=Heller|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=December 7, 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813054147/http://www.avclub.com/article/the-strange-rehabilitation-of-rage-against-the-mac-89597|archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref> and [[Bad Religion]],<ref name=nmeroots/> and crossover bands like [[Suicidal Tendencies]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review: Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies and Amon Amarth rock Worcester's DCU Center (Photos)|author=Shawn Costa|work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]]|date=October 13, 2016|url=http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/10/megadeth_suicidal_tendencies_a.html|access-date=November 4, 2019|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162334/https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/10/megadeth_suicidal_tendencies_a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Urban Dance Squad]].<ref name="metrolyrics"/>

Rage Against the Machine has been noted for its "fiercely polemical music, which brewed sloganeering [[leftist]] rants against corporate America, [[cultural imperialism]], and government oppression into a [[Molotov cocktail]] of [[punk rock]], hip hop, and [[thrash metal|thrash]]."<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Ankeny|first=Jason|title=Rage Against the Machine&nbsp;– Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p23206/biography|website=[[AllMusic]]|year=2004|access-date=September 8, 2008|archive-date=May 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505013745/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p23206/biography|url-status=live}}</ref>

Zack de la Rocha's lyrics and choruses are defined by a heavy use of [[sloganeering]] and repetition on songs like "[[Bulls on Parade]]", "[[Guerrilla Radio]]", "[[Testify (Rage Against the Machine song)|Testify]]", and "[[Down Rodeo]]". Guitarist Tom Morello was also considered the DJ of the group.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJXzY9vhqZg |title=Guitar World Lesson With Tom Morello (RATM, Audioslave) |publisher=Youtube |date=May 16, 2011 |access-date=December 14, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021000700/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJXzY9vhqZg |archive-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>

Rage Against the Machine has been described as [[rap metal]], [[rap rock]], [[funk metal]], [[alternative metal]], [[hard rock]] and [[alternative rock]].{{refn|group=note|Musical styles:{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* "[[rap metal]]"<ref name="revolvermaggenre">{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Bienstock|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-rage-against-machine|title=6 Things You Didn't Know About 'Rage Against the Machine|website=Revolver Magazine|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923203923/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-rage-against-machine|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Rob|last=Hughes|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/story-behind-the-song-killing-in-the-name-by-rage-against-the-machine|title=Story Behind the Song: Killing In The Name by Rage Against The Machine|website=Classic Rock|date=February 12, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=July 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704171556/https://www.loudersound.com/features/story-behind-the-song-killing-in-the-name-by-rage-against-the-machine|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Vince|last=Neilstein|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2010/03/16/9-rage-against-the-machine/|title=#9: Rage Against the Machine|website=Metal Sucks|date=March 6, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923200410/https://www.metalsucks.net/2010/03/16/9-rage-against-the-machine/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6852962/Rage-Against-the-Machine-Christmas-no-1-upset-over-X-Factor-cost-bookies-1m.html?mobile=basic |title=Rage Against the Machine: Christmas no 1 upset over X Factor 'cost bookies £1m' |newspaper=Telegraph |date=December 21, 2009 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925055035/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/6852962/Rage-Against-the-Machine-Christmas-no-1-upset-over-X-Factor-cost-bookies-1m.html?mobile=basic |archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vrpKp2oCj_8C&q=%22rap+metal+group+rage+against+the+machine%22&pg=PT113 |title=Chuck Klosterman on Rock: A Collection of Previously Published Essays - Chuck Klosterman - Google Books |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |isbn=9781451624496 |last1=Klosterman |first1=Chuck |publisher=Simon and Schuster |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024039/https://books.google.com/books?id=vrpKp2oCj_8C&q=%22rap+metal+group+rage+against+the+machine%22&pg=PT113 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tFDPx8IDKsoC&q=%22rap+metal+act+rage+against+the+machine%22&pg=PA150 |title=The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists - Joel McIver - Google Books |date=December 15, 2008 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |isbn=9781906002206 |last1=McIver |first1=Joel |publisher=Jawbone Press |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024033/https://books.google.com/books?id=tFDPx8IDKsoC&q=%22rap+metal+act+rage+against+the+machine%22&pg=PA150 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* "[[rap rock]]"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/rage_against_machine_ready_live_at_finsbury_park_dvd | title=Rage Against the Machine Ready 'Live at Finsbury Park' DVD | work=[[Exclaim!]] | date=August 17, 2015 | access-date=February 14, 2016 | author=Hughes, Josiah | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105014111/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/rage_against_machine_ready_live_at_finsbury_park_dvd | archive-date=November 5, 2015 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9wzf | title=Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine Review | publisher=BBC | access-date=February 14, 2016 | author=Jones, Chris | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125044114/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9wzf | archive-date=January 25, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/27/rage-against-machine-arizona-boycott | title=Rage Against the Machine lead Arizona boycott | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=May 27, 2010 | access-date=February 14, 2016 | author=Michaels, Sean | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222184018/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/27/rage-against-machine-arizona-boycott | archive-date=February 22, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-collection-mw0001996247 | title=Rage Against the Machine - The Collection | website=[[AllMusic]] | access-date=February 14, 2016 | author=Heaney, Gregory | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314163944/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-collection-mw0001996247 | archive-date=March 14, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/31/arts/music-no-last-hurrah-yet-for-political-rock.html | title=Music; No Last Hurrah Yet for Political Rock | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=December 31, 2000 | access-date=February 14, 2016 | author=Powers, Ann | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223085454/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/31/arts/music-no-last-hurrah-yet-for-political-rock.html | archive-date=February 23, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* "[[funk metal]]"<ref name="micro">{{cite book |last1=Stevens |first1=Anne |last2=O’Donnell |first2=Molly |title=The Microgenre: A Quick Look at Small Culture |date=2020 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |page=167 |isbn=9781501345838 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RkzODwAAQBAJ&dq=%22funk+metal%22+%22rapping%22&pg=PA167 |access-date=28 June 2022 |quote=Funk metal (late 1980s) employs the distinctive sound of funk; conventional riffing is similar to 1980s thrash metal (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Living Colour, Primus and Rage Against the Machine) |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427024035/https://books.google.com/books?id=RkzODwAAQBAJ&dq=%22funk+metal%22+%22rapping%22&pg=PA167 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="revolvermaggenre"/><ref name="Rolling Stone-Freedom">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-take-a-test-run-through-freedom-premiere-189731/|title=Rage Against the Machine Take a Test Run Through 'Freedom' – Premiere|website=Rollingstone|date=November 19, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924033732/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-take-a-test-run-through-freedom-premiere-189731/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first= Nick |last= Catucci |title= Rage Against the Machine – XX |magazine= Rolling Stone |publisher= Jann Wenner |date= November 27, 2012 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rage-against-the-machine-xx-20121127 |access-date= December 16, 2014 |url-status= live |archive-url= http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20121201153427/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rage-against-the-machine-xx-20121127 |archive-date= December 1, 2012 |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= The Battle Of Los Angeles |work= [[NME]] |publisher= [[IPC Media]] |date= October 26, 1999 |access-date= March 3, 2014 |url= https://www.nme.com/reviews/artistKeyname/1506 |quote= another album of ranting, churning, slamming heavy funk-metal thunder like this one. |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927040957/http://www.nme.com/reviews/artistKeyname/1506 |archive-date= September 27, 2013 |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first= Katherine |last= Turman |title= Review: 'Liquid Jesus; East of Gideon; Rage Against the Machine' |url= https://variety.com/1992/music/reviews/liquid-jesus-east-of-gideon-rage-against-the-machine-1200430113/ |magazine= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date= June 8, 1992 |access-date= March 3, 2014 |quote= Group's approach is an intellectual-urban, multi-ethnic funk-metal hybrid, heavy on the bouncy energy |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140308101121/http://variety.com/1992/music/reviews/liquid-jesus-east-of-gideon-rage-against-the-machine-1200430113/ |archive-date= March 8, 2014 |df= mdy-all }}</ref>
* "[[alternative metal]]"<ref name="AudioslaveAM"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/7/beams-insonnia-projects-rework-vintage-rage-against-the-machine-tees|title=Beams & Insonnia Projects Rework Vintage Rage Against the Machine T-Shirts|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923203915/https://hypebeast.com/2019/7/beams-insonnia-projects-rework-vintage-rage-against-the-machine-tees|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/tom_morello_chastises_paul_ryan_for_being_a_rage_against_the_machine_fan | title=Tom Morello chastises Paul Ryan for being a Rage Against The Machine fan | magazine=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]] | date=August 18, 2012 | access-date=November 6, 2014 | author=Kraus, Brian | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120170654/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/tom_morello_chastises_paul_ryan_for_being_a_rage_against_the_machine_fan | archive-date=January 20, 2015 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://rock.about.com/od/rockmusic101/a/AlternativeMetal.htm | title=Alternative Metal | publisher=[[About.com]] | access-date=November 6, 2014 | author=Grierson, Tim | work=About.com Entertainment | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528212742/http://rock.about.com/od/rockmusic101/a/AlternativeMetal.htm | archive-date=May 28, 2016 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><!-- About.com source is reliable here as Tim Grierson is deemed as reliable on the Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums/Sources/About.com Critics Table. --><ref name="Alternative Metal">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/alternative-metal-ma0000012328|title=Alternative Metal|website=Allmusic|access-date=July 18, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223033528/http://www.allmusic.com/style/alternative-metal-ma0000012328|archive-date=December 23, 2015}}</ref>
* "[[hard rock]]"<ref>{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Young|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|website=Consequence of Sound|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416163014/https://consequence.net/2016/05/rage-against-the-machine-public-enemy-and-cypress-hill-members-form-new-supergroup/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Steve|last=Appleford|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-rock-for-immigrants-rights-175018/|title=Rage Against the Machine Rock for Immigrants' Rights|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 26, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923195420/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rage-against-the-machine-rock-for-immigrants-rights-175018/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* "[[alternative rock]]"<ref name="loudwiregenre">{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Ives|url=https://loudwire.com/rage-against-the-machine-def-leppard-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2019/|title=Rage Against the Machine, Def Leppard, More Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|website=Loudwire|date=October 9, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923205133/https://loudwire.com/rage-against-the-machine-def-leppard-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rolling Stone-Freedom"/>
}}}} Although the band has been characterized as [[nu metal]], they are often instead considered a predecessor to the genre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://metaldescent.com/the-best-selling-metal-albums-of-all-time/ |title=The Best Selling Heavy Metal Albums of All Time in the U.S. |publisher=Metal Descent |last=Nihill |first=Bill |date=October 25, 2013 |access-date=November 19, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004201918/http://metaldescent.com/the-best-selling-metal-albums-of-all-time/ |archive-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Slipknot: Inside the Sickness, Behind the Masks With an Intro by Ozzy Osbourne and Afterword by Gene Simmons |publisher=Random House |last=Arnopp |first=Jason |year=2011 |isbn=9781446458341 |quote=If Rage had paved the way for nu-metal, Korn defined it.}}</ref><ref name=Udo144>{{cite book |last=Udo |first=Tommy |title=Brave Nu World |publisher=Sanctuary Publishing |year=2002 |isbn=1-86074-415-X |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/15 15, 42–43, 244] |url=https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/15 }}</ref>