Rage Against the Machine isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay. Their music, marked by the wild guitar riffs of Tom Morello, is something most would struggle to replicate. His guitar work—intense and experimental—was worlds apart from the melodic riffs you’d hear from bands like Nirvana or Green Day. And then there’s Zack de la Rocha’s vocals, which weren’t about sweet harmonies or catchy hooks, like Alice in Chains or Soundgarden, but instead about raw, guttural emotion. Screaming rather than singing was their way of expressing frustration, a stark contrast to what others in the ’90s were doing.

But within that chaos, RATM did something revolutionary: they gave a voice to a message that was ahead of its time. Tom Morello and Zack de la Rocha were a force to be reckoned with, even if they didn’t always agree on everything themselves (Morello left the band due to Zack’s extreme political stance). RATM created anthems that were about challenging power structures, and looking back, those messages seem more relevant than ever.

Sure, their aggressive style may have turned off some listeners, but there’s no denying that their words were prophetic. The political and social unrest they raged against in the early 2000s isn’t just history—it’s still unfolding in front of us today. The issues they shouted about, from systemic injustice to economic inequality, are still realities many face daily. RATM’s music was loud, bold, and uncomfortable, but it made people think—and it’s exactly the type of rebellious energy we need in times like these.

It’s easy to see why their style might not resonate with everyone, but we have to give credit to the original message: Rage Against the Machine wasn’t just music. It was a warning. Their songs were a rallying cry for change, and while the music may have been too aggressive for some, the truths they spoke are clearer now than ever before.

Their ‘90s rebellion predicted today’s climate. The fight they fought for isn’t over. If anything, it’s only becoming more urgent. Let’s not forget the legacy they left: a call to rise up, a reminder that the machine is still there, and it’s still worth raging against.