People are pissed off. And they should be. The continuous murder of black men from law enforcement in this country is blatant. And the bias that runs rampant in many law enforcement organizations is now more clear than ever. With officers attacking peaceful protestors in unabashed fashion. Which is only fueling the rage even more. Black children are getting tased because they simply needed to get some food passed curfew. Which the protests didn’t allow them to do during non curfew hours. And other young people that we have failed are being beaten for peacefully sticking up for their friends and brethren. It’s disgusting and enraging. The reaction to the final straw of George Floyd’s murder has lit a fire under America’s ass. Decades of government neglect in America to it’s people, particularly black and latino, have now boiled over. The chickens are coming home to roost. And here are the best tracks for fueling the fire.
Rage Against the Machine – Take The Power Back
It was really really challenging picking a Rage song for this list. There are so many perfect tracks for the current landscape of our society: People of the Sun, Know Your Enemy, Calm Like A Bomb, Maria, War Within A Breath, Killing in the Name Of.’ The list is pretty endless. But I decided to land on ‘Take the Power Back’ for this particular list. I’m sure Rage will find their way into the other two parts of the segment series. But for feeling the anger, taking action and doing something; ‘Take The Power Back’ is the quintessential Rage Against the Machine song. It’s a ‘wake the fuck up’ kind of track that gets everyone moving. It’s also one of the bands’ best riffs and grooves. Not to mention Tom Morello’s above reproach guitar solo.
Queensryche – Revolution Calling
I wonder if Geoff Tate and co. were thinking about what was to come in the future when they created their incredible ‘Operation: Mindcrime.’ Many of the subjects that were prevalent then have now boiled to the top through a perfect storm of systemic racism, economic inequality, racist police brutality and militaristic police forces. The opening track, ‘Revolution Calling’ is more relevant than ever. The moody, hard rock track combines a perfect amount of heaviness and melody. Plus, the production is just out of this world. Providing a drum sound that cuts through your body to get you up a moving. Phenomenal drumming.
Anthrax/Public Enemy – Bring The Noise
It wasn’t the first hip hop/metal collaboration. But it’s certainly one of the most memorable. The track, added to a greatest hits collection entitled ‘Attack of the Killer B’s,’ features two giants of the 80’s and 90’s: Anthrax and Public Enemy. Their collaboration ‘Bring The Noise’ is a prominent as ever. It’s a perfect protest anthem that combines the two worlds of rap and metal. Covering the social issues of early rap with the intensity of thrash/groove metal. It’s largely responsible for the rap/metal craze of the late 90’s that would take over soon. Being labeled Nu Metal.
Judas Priest – Breaking the Law
This is just a great track for angry protesting. A side effect of these angry, mass protests is that there’s going to be looters. And New York, along with Minneapolis, have been hit particularly hard. These protests are a culmination of 40 plus years of systemic racism and economic inequality. Issues layered and layered on top of one another until the volcano explodes. The subject of the track tackles the social inequality that was happening in England during the mid 19th century. A subject that we can all relate to more and more as time goes on. Plus, there’s been people blasting the song in New York while expressing their frustration. Which makes the protests that much more metal. The infectious riff ringing throughout the streets.
Living Colour – This Little Pig
This deep cut from Living Colour is one that I’ve been blasting out of my window during the protests. It’s as relevant then as it is now. Starting with the prosecution’s famous line, ’56 times in 81 seconds; something like this,’ from the Rodney King trials. The protest thrash track slams through the anger emotions that many are feeling now, as well as then and even long before that. The song also combines a perfect amount of thrash and groove. With inventive riffs, addictive beats and incredible musicianship. And was a major part in laying the groundwork for 90’s metal for the rest of the decade.
