10 Perfect Music Albums That Defined The 90s

Although they existed in a slightly different medium, Rage Against the Machine were the spiritual continuation of the early punk groups of the '70s. Their music was abrasive, loud, and it had a message. But whereas the Sex Pistols relied on almost exclusively attitude, Rage was musically accomplished.

Tim Commerford, on the bass, and Brad Wilk on the drums, made up a rhythm section that pounded along with a relentless, intrinsic groove. And, Tom Morello's explosive talent was unmatched. His riffs on Killing in the Name, and Freedom, informed you exactly what to do with your body - mosh like a mother !*$%. But without their frontman, they never would have had the same impact. No one else in rock was spitting out politically charged lyrics, with as much venomous ferocity as Zack de la Rocha. Hip Hop was the late '80s and early '90s form of protest music; Rage found a way of combining the power of rap verse, with the energy of rock.

Thirty years later, this record still holds up, both in terms of its musical prowess, and the message it preached. Perhaps the fact de la Rocha's lyrics still ring true, is a sad realisation of the lack of progress we've made as a society, on the other hand, it speaks to the man's level of insight.