Album Review: Prophets Of Rage - Prophets Of Rage

If the response to recent shows is any indicator, Prophets Of Rage could have focused on earning a lucrative living knocking out predominantly covers sets on foreign festival circuits.

However, the Rage Against The Machine/Public Enemy/Cypress Hill amalgam have the Trump administration, racism, homelessness and more to dissect on their debut LP. Mission statement Unfuck The World readily attested that this all-star hard rock/hip-hop outfit's filled with big voices and even bigger personalities, so achieving a songwriting balance could have been problematic. Not every song proves memorable, but the majority work and ego clashes aren't a consideration as they're clearly revelling in this new environment. Rage Against The Machine guitar hero Tom Morello and rhythm section Tim Commerford (infectious bass lines abound here) and Brad Wilk retain such chemistry they can likely finish each other's sentences nowadays. Vocalists B-Real and Chuck D aren't on that level, but gel efficiently.

Prophets Of Rage may prove a more diverse offering than anticipated for those primarily seeking a dose of heavy rock. The record moves at a boisterous clip though and boasts such funk-laced energy and tasty textures it'll be of little consequence. Take Me Higher, Smashit and stomping Who Owns Who are simply aching to be performed live.

You could argue this middle-aged collective has already blazed their musical trail. They still have a message to express, however; as a certain band once posited, anger is a gift.