Prophets Of Rage - The Party's Over

Several live statements later, and Prophets Of Rage are delivering their first EP. The supergroup consisting of members of Rage Against The Machine, Cypress Hill, and Public Enemy are here with their debut EP, The Party's Over. If you already liked this project, you'll like this EP, but chances are you'll be wanting more either way.

We've already reviewed the band's debut single, the introduction song to the project titled 'Prophets Of Rage' - read our review for a more in-depth insight on it. The context on this EP makes it a little less substantial, though. It's a great intro track and definitely gets you pumped up, but it's followed by the new song 'The Party's Over,' which has a stronger drive to it. It sounds angrier and more upfront, almost aggressive. That's the true spirit of this band, and their projects in the past. It's lyrics are a bit more angsty and less substantial than 'Prophets' by just a bit, but the instrumental kicks its ass. It features a signature Tom Morello solo near the end and just has a bigger punch to it. 'The Party's Over' makes 'Prophets Of Rage' feel like less of a track.

The rest of the EP consists of three live tracks, and it's just nothing really special at all. Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name' is first on the list, and it's just a standard performance of the song. It has that good old raw feeling you'd hear from old RATM recordings, but there's probably better performances out there on the Internet you could listen to. 'Shut Em Down' by Public Enemy is next on the list, and this one is actually a bit different, featuring a cool guitar intro from Tom Morello. The rest of the song is pretty average, besides the killer solo Morello delivers in the bridge. It's interesting to note that all of the members of the group have played this song before: Public Enemy, obviously, being the recording artists, and Cypress Hill did a cover of it in 2010 featuring Tom Morello. It's familiar territory for all of them. The last song is a cover of the Beastie Boys' 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn' entitled 'No Sleep Till Cleveland' (in reference to the 2016 Republican National Convention). There's nothing real to comment on besides the fact they don't substitute "Cleveland" in place of "Brooklyn" until the end of the song. You'd figure they'd do it for the entire song. At least the solo is good. Tom Morello is this band's only savings grace.

At this point, I don't really know what to think of this group. When they first announced their mission, there was so much hope; the 80s and 90s revolutionary scene was coming back! Rage Against The Machine is basically back! But no, it's all becoming one big cluster of trying to be edgy. It's becoming less of a political statement and more like they're a group of angsty teenagers looking to make some cash and speak their minds on Trump all at the same time by playing covers of RATM. Perhaps everything will start to gel together as they play more; they're currently on tour across North America. For now, though, you can't really say much more than "well, okay" by the fact these guys exist.

Prophets Of Rage are slowly becoming more like the Profits Of Rage. Time will tell what these guys bring - maybe a full length LP not consisting mostly of live tracks will bring some worth to this project. It's a hit or miss right now, and currently they're only shooting misses. There's hope, but right now everything's looking pretty grim.

Favorite Track: The Party's Over

Least Favorite Track: Prophets Of Rage (and the live stuff, simply for lack of effort)

Rating: 50 / 100

Prophets Of Rage - 'Prophets Of Rage'

There are few things people want more than a Rage Against The Machine revival. What we got is what people didn't know they wanted: a supergroup consisting of members of RATM, Public Enemy, and Cypress Hill. That would be Prophets Of Rage, whose mission is clear: "We're an elite task force of revolutionary musicians determined to confront this mountain of election year bullshit, and confront it head-on with Marshall stacks blazing," as Tom Morello put it. With the turmoil of America's most tense election yet, the Prophets are ready to make their voices loud and clear, and hopefully do the same for their listeners.

There isn't too much too their debut single 'Prophets Of Rage'. The song was released It started with a siren before Tom Morello delivers a blistering punk rock riff he's known for (no weird effects in this one, though!). The song truly is a simple one, the verses hard and featuring a dinky bent guitar reprising itself over a distorted bass line while Chuck D, DJ Lord, and B-Real all deliver enraged verses before going into the call-to-arms chorus that chants, "Clear the way / Clear the way / I'm away from the prophets of rage!"

This recording lives up to its predecessor; the first verse stays true to Public Enemy's own 'Prophets Of Rage' from 1988's It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. Both tracks, as well as sharing titles, also can claim they share the proud declaration of "The points made / You consider it done / By the prophets of rage!" Prophets Of Rage are taking the hip-hop flair of Public Enemy and adding the groove of Rage Against The Machine - a combination that was built to work from the start.

The Prophets Of Rage have a busy year ahead of them. The turmoil of this election season is nowhere near over, and November 8 likely won't be the end of it. This supergroup is carrying the flag on their backs, and they're not letting it fall any time soon. Make way for the Prophets Of Rage.

Rating: 70 / 100