Rage Against the Machine Take a Test Run Through ‘Freedom’ – Premiere

Now that Barack Obama has secured a second presidential term, it feels appropriate that Rage Against the Machine are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. On November 27th, the political alt-rockers will release Rage Against the Machine – XX, a 20th anniversary deluxe box set containing early concert footage from 1991 to 1994, the band’s original demo tape for the album and footage of their June 2010 show in Finsbury Park, England.

Here, the band digs into an early demo version of “Freedom.” Zack de la Rocha’s defiant yowl, Tom Morello’s uncompromising funk metal grooves, Tim Commerford’s slithering basslines and Brad Wilk’s stomping drums are all here in their raw, unfiltered glory. The production lacks the sheen of the album version, but RATM’s eviscerating sound shines through. Let “Freedom” ring.