There was a definite buzz on the streets around Kaihin Makuhari eki as thousands of faithfuls flocked to the massive Makuhari Messe convention centre for the return of Rage Against The Machine. More than seven years after disbanding, the outspoken Los Angeles quartet were in town for the first of two Tokyo-area shows.
A bit of a hike from the city, the performance start time was delayed 25 minutes to ensure stragglers had the chance to witness every moment of what was once an explosive live experience. Would it still pack the same punch as it did in the mid and late 90s?With the flag of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation acting as a backdrop, without playing a single note RATM showed that age hasn't dulled any of their political edge. Sticking with their classic, low-key introduction, they slowly walked on stage and vocalist Zack de la Rocha announced, "Good evening. We are Rage Against The Machine from Los Angeles, California." On cue, Messe became a huge sea of bouncing bodies as the first notes of "Testify" from 1999's The Battle of Los Angeles erupted through the speakers. 
Locked into a tight groove that was equal parts funk and metal, bassist Tim Commerford bopped up and down while guitarist extraordinaire Tom Morello stamped his feet and spun around. Looking quite calm, de la Rocha simply nodded along to the music and pointed at the crowd while rapping, his lyrics occasionally getting lost in the mix inside the massive airplane hangar-like venue. By the end of the song, though, the old Zack emerged. Tossing his mic stand aside, he started wildly jumping and shaking his head as he screamed, "The war is right outside your door."
Without pause, RATM kicked into "Bulls On Parade" from 1996's Evil Empire while de la Rocha grinned and said, "It's been too God damned long." Judging from the cheers and thousands of pumping fists, it's a safe bet that many felt similar sentiments. After "Bulls On Parade" the group had little trouble keeping fans enthralled as they ran through what was essentially an 80-minute 'greatest hits' set from their four studio discs, including 2000's Renegades covers album.Aside from the occasional "Check out this shit y'all," de la Rocha allowed his lyrics to speak for themselves. Sadly enough, many of the rants about social injustice, media manipulation, and inequality that appeared on 1993's epic self-titled release still ring true today. Whether or not the thousands of grinning spectators who eagerly sang along to rightfully angry anthems such as 'Vietnow,' 'Bombtrack,' and 'Sleep Now In The Fire' heeded the points being raised is a whole other issue. 
The crowd went nuts as RATM fired off fantastic takes of 'Know Your Enemy,' 'Renegades Of Funk,' and 'Guerilla Radio' in succession. 'Calm Like A Bomb' was next, and although sounding great, it failed to match the intensity of the previous three tracks and slowed down the gig's momentum. Set closers 'Sleep Now In The Fire' and 'Wake Up' started to build things back up, but it wasn't until 'Freedom' was played during the encore that things really got moving again, with audience members enthusiastically joining de la Rocha for his rallying screams of 'Anger is a gift.'Sticking with their time honoured formula, the act wrapped things up with unanimous favourite 'Killing In The Name,' complete with the notorious rebel rousing closing of 'Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me,' that attracted so much attention in 1993. Rumour has it that RATM may continue their reunion tour through the summer with some festival appearances. If Japan is lucky enough to get them back for Fuji Rock look for a capacity crowd at Green Stage to be repeating the famed ending late into the night. |
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report by shawn and photos by yusuke |
 mag files : Rage Against The Machine With a Pocket Full of Shells... (08/02/10 @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo) : review by jeff, photos by naoakiphoto report (08/02/10 @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo) : photos by naoakiNo Rust On This Machine (08/02/09 @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo) : review by showan, photos by yusukephoto report (08/02/09 @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo) : photos by yusukeスーパー・サーズデイ (08/02/07 @ Osaka-Jo Hall) : review by ken, photos by ikesanphoto report (08/02/07 @ Osaka-Jo Hall) : photos by ikesanCD review : Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium (03/12/16) : review by kenCD review : The Battle of Los Angeles (01/06/15) : review by nagata hirosi. |
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The official site Rage Against The Machine http://www.ratm.com/ check 'em? -->MySpace The latest album  "Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium" (国内盤初回限定DVD付き / 国内盤 / US import / UK import) The latest DVD  "Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium" ( 国内盤 / US import) previous works
"Battle of Mexico City" (国内盤 / US Import)
"Rage Against the Machine" (国内盤 / US Import - region free) "Free Tibet (1998)" (US Import - region free) |
previous works "Rage Against The Machine" (国内盤初回限定紙ジャケット仕様 / US Import / UK Import)
"Evil Empire"(国内盤限定紙ジャケット仕様 / 国内盤 / US Import / UK Import / UK Import - '12analog)
"Live & Rare" (国内盤 / US Import) "The Battle of Los Angeles" (国内盤限定紙ジャケット仕様 / 国内盤 / US Import / UK Import) "Renegades " (国内盤限定紙ジャケット仕様 / 国内盤 / US Import / US Import with 2 bonus tracks / UK Import ) "Rage Against the Machine" (UK Import - 3CD set / US Import - 3CD set of Rage Against the Machine, The Battle of Los Angeles & Evil Empire) "The Lowdown" (UK Import ) "Battle of Los Angelos/Renegades" (US Import ) "Rage Against the Machine/Evil Empire" (UK Import ) "Testify [Maxi]" (US Import ) "Sleep Now in the Fire [Maxi]" (国内盤 / US Import ) "Sleep Now in the Fire, Pt. 1 [Maxi]" (US Import ) "Sleep Now in the Fire, Pt. 2 [Maxi]" (US Import ) "Maximum Rage" (UK Import ) "Official Interview CD" (UK Import ) "Guerilla Radio [Single]" (UK Import / 国内盤 ) "People of Sun [10 inch Analog] " (UK Import ) ... and more related works
"Tributo a Rage Against the Machine: En Espanol" (US Import)
"Tribute to Rage Against the Machine" (US Import) "Freedom: Tribute to Rage Against the Machine" (US Import) check the albums? |
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