Nowadays the revolution would not just be televised, it would be live Tweeted, probably by the most powerful man in the world, amongst others and target of much of the rage here. The current atmosphere of distrust and suspicions (on all sides), has given birth to a rap-rock supergroup comprised of artists who have been railing against the hypocrisy and corruption of the modern age for more than 30 years. Chuck D and DJ Lord (Public Enemy), Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine) and B-Real (Cypress Hill) came together as a protest against “The mountain of election year bullshit”. As 2017 continues down the same slippery slope at an even greater pace, it's perfect timing for this self-titled debut release.

‘Radical Eyes’ kicks off proceedings with familiar RATM bass licks and Morello’s distinctive guitar riffs, only now with Chuck D issuing a new mantra for 2017. “They didn't hear my cry, you said fuck my crisis!” speaks to a whole new generation, while ‘Unfuck The World’ states “Poverty hit home like a war zone, check America’s pulse, heard a death tone” talks of rising against the machine of fascism and racism. Banishing any images of Limp Bizkit, this rap-rock fusion is infinitely better by having an actual world-class, y’know, rapper on it, colliding with a newly-energised rock section. Whereas Zack de la Rocha’s rage burnt with a red-hot fire, Chuck D and B-Real have an icy fury – giving enough difference to stop the album from sounding like a RATM tribute band.

Not everything quite works, with ‘Legalize Me’ coming across like a strange version of Red Hot Chili Peppers and feeling out of place with everything else on the album. While ‘Strength In Numbers’ works as a thrilling sequel to the revolutionary RATM anthem ‘Wake Up’, following it straight away with another similar retread of earlier work (complete with near identical guitar licks) feels a bit on-the-nose. On the flip-side, ‘Hail To The Chief’ is one of a number of tracks that would sit comfortably alongside all of these artists’ seminal work. “All hail to the chief who came in the name of a thief to seize peace”, it takes square aim at President Trump and holds nothing back. Expect an angry Tweet or four when he hears that one.

It's testament to the album and artists involved, that at no point does this sound anything less than fresh, vital and now. As a piece of work that sums up the state of the world in 2017, it is peerless, set to be discovered and explored by future generations for years to come (should we all still be here). As the final track ‘Smash It’ rages against those who tell “The same old lies time after time”, it encapsulates everything that these six prophets have forever fought against. The fight continues.

Jamie MacMillan

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