Prophets of Rage – “The Party’s Over” [EP] [Album Review]

What do you get when you have Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave fame mixed in with Chuck D (Public Enemy) and B-Real (Cypress Hill)? Well, guitarist Tom Morello describes them as an “elite task force of revolutionary musicians determined to confront this mountain of election year bullshit!” They call themselves, Prophets of Rage. I myself find it a tad bit short of revolutionary.

Although it has been nearly twenty years since Rage Against The Machine released a record, their message and music still rage on, no pun intended. When it comes to rap/metal, Zack de la Rocha is at the top of the crop for that genre of vocals. And, speaking of hard-hitting vocals and in-your-face lyrics, Chuck D is right there atop the ladder as well. So, when I heard the RATM gang were going to mash it up with Chuck D and B-Real, I was honestly stoked to the point of salivating at the mouth, waiting for brand new tunes to drop.

But now, after listening to the new EP, I am not that awed. I honestly expected more bang from the gang and, for me, there was not that much pop to this new helping of music. It is not terrible, it does have some edge to it, but for the most part, I felt they were just going through the motions. I understand they have a message to get out to the world, but, I feel that message was saturated with old satires. There is no doubting the remakes, they do bang up jobs on all three renditions. I am just not sold on the new stuff.

I know it is sort of an oxymoron for me to say I like the album, but then turn around and claim that I don’t. As far as the music goes, the beats etc. I dig it; it has the quality that I can raise my fist too and bang my head. What’s sorely lacking though, is the power, attitude and unique delivery that only de la Rocha can deliver on vocals. Sure, Chuck D and B-Real are equally awesome in their own right, they’re just different and, I feel, herein not quite a fit. This EP definitely has some funk, but it’s certainly not fresh.

The Party’s Over Track Listing:

01. Prophets of Rage
02. The Party’s Over
03. Killing in the Name
04. Shut Em Down
05. No Sleep Till Cleveland

Run Time: 20:07
Release Date: August 26, 2016

Check out the song “Prophets of Rage”