1992, the band released its first album of the same name, Violence Against Machines. From the shocking album cover-the photo of a monk who set himself on fire in the streets of Saigon during the Vietnam War, we can know that the connotation of the album has gone far beyond the entertainment of music, and it is a highly politicized work full of anger and resistance. The fusion style of this album based on hard rock, junk rock, hip hop and rap has now formed an irresistible trend, which has influenced many new bands and musicians like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock. Nevertheless, violent resistance to the machine has a unique sense of musical integrity.
Political radicalism has always been unique in the music industry.
Their latest album "Battle of Los Angeles" once again uses its highly inflammatory music as an ideological propaganda tool. However, unlike their previous two albums with a total sales of 7 million-1992 and 1996' s "Evil Empire", this album took more than a year to complete. Prior to this, the band recorded only one song "no cover" for Godzilla's soundtrack album in February, 1998.
"It took us some time." Tom Morello, 35, the guitarist of the band, said, "It really makes us feel anxious again. We don't want to go on stage, grin and say "hi" like some bands, and then start performing. Because we have been playing serious rock music. If we go to the end, our band will have long since ceased to exist. "
Although the band has put a lot of effort into this new work, the music style is still very close to the previous two albums. Some singles, such as Maria, have once again proved that mastering the beat is indeed the specialty of violent resistance to the machine, and the enthusiasm of the lead singer Zach de la Ricardo Roberto Barreto da Rocha is even more changeable. In addition, Tom Morello's dazzling guitar and the excellent performance of drummer Brad wilk are also amazing. But their tacit cooperation in music was not formed at the beginning.
"I'm still learning what a violent resistance machine really is," Moreiro said. "The four of us are completely different people, irrelevant. I mean no harm at all. " During the period of 1994-95, the band was at its lowest point, and Epic Records urged the band to release a second record. Moreiro explained: "At that time, we didn't want to continue to communicate, either musically or personally. We can't agree on anything, whether it's creating music or choosing a T-shirt pattern. Later, our A&R Michael GoldSi Tong warned us: "You either create an album or dissolve it." Our situation is much better now. Gold Si Tong said: "Their problem is that they can't continue the production process, but it is this internal conflict that makes this band so great. "
In this latest album, the band not only shows the latest fashion trends to fans, but also profoundly reveals the cruelty of American capitalist system and the experiences of the people at the bottom of society through sharp lyrics. In songs such as Maria and Testimony, Zach uses undisguised expressions, in which the machine gun strafe with fighting metaphor is integrated into the exciting hip-hop; In songs like "Mic Check", he used extraordinary power in the lyrics. In this respect, Zack is strikingly similar to Chuck V of Beast Boy.
"I can't get rid of the tension brought by the band," Zach said. "This really affected my creative style." The Mexican-born singer and songwriter also listed his favorite writers, including Jill Scott-Heron, amiri baraka and Cuban poet Jose Marti. Eduardo galeano, a Uruguayan journalist and essayist, had the greatest influence on him. "His contribution to Latin American literature is just like ernesto guevara's contribution to the Cuban revolution."
In order to add creative inspiration, Zach often stays alone in new york and chats with people in the cafe Nuyorican Poets on the Lower East Side. "I am listening to the soul in their poems." He said this. "I also used a set of creative methods of leonard cohen. You decide to write a great work, and you have six to seven months. I need to make sure that my music works can resonate with the audience without telling them. What I want to express in this latest album is:' This is my idea and this is my opinion.' I have to change. I hope people can find their own shadow from my songs. TomMorello, on the other hand, is quite calm about the band's capricious creation and performance life.
"If I need to write three songs a day, it's fine with me. But my band is a violent resistance machine, which will not happen. " Zach then added: "We are working together for a job that we think is very important, that is, expressing our thoughts, which may not be recognized by most young people, but it can let them use our music as another angle to observe the world. This is very important to me. "
Violent Resistance Machine is a band that dares to expose American social, political and economic abuses, and the theme of this latest album, like its title, seems to be more inclined to show a war between you and me than a simple political criticism. Comparatively speaking, the works in this album lack public criticism. Although the music is still hot and intense, the real essence is weaker than in the past.
Zack De La Rocha Roberto Barreto da Rocha's explanation of the band's change and inspiration is very serious both musically and politically. Recalling the disgusting Woodstock Music Festival in July last year, he said: "The young audience under the stage are jumping and fighting with each other as they saw on MTV. Many cynics have become losers. Music has always been inspiring. You know, I think every revolutionary action is actually an action of love. Every song I write is actually because I use music as a way to inspire people and let those who are in a state of losing humanity regain humanity. "
"So every song I write," he said sarcastically, "is actually a love song."
Is it detailed enough?