Prophets of Rage
by Prophets of Rage
  • Record Label: Fantasy
  • Release Date: Sep 15, 2017
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
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  1. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 20, 2017
    60
    The message feels less than vital at a time when vitality is so needed, and no, there will be no revolution off the back of the subversive royalty involved in this release. The slogans feel thin, but the music itself is substantive. Whether that counts as a success or not comes down to what you came here for.
  2. Magnet
    Sep 18, 2017
    60
    None of the tracks approaches the frenetic monstrosity of the Public Enemy song they're named after. But "Strength In Numbers" and "Who Owns Who" are some of the most ripping music anyone involved had made in years, and they're not all repeating themselves. [No. 146, p.59]
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  3. Rolling Stone
    Sep 15, 2017
    60
    12 hardrocking lefty diatribes against government conspiracies ("Drones – they got ya tapped, they got ya phone," Chuck D raps in "Take Me Higher"), civil injustice ("We fuckin' matter," he declares on "Who Owns Who") and, in the case of B-Real's rhymes, restrictive weed laws ("Legalize Me").
  5. Exclaim
    Sep 14, 2017
    60
    Corny super group-nostalgia act trying to live up to the untouchable legacy of the members' previous bands? Or timely, and much-needed visceral response to trying times? It depends on your outlook. Prophets of Rage might not be the rap-rock group we need, but maybe they're the one we deserve.
  6. Mojo
    Sep 5, 2017
    60
    Though this debut might lack any real moments of surprise, guitarist Tom Morello still manages to squeeze unholy sounds out of his instrument while Chuck D's apoplectic anchorman baritone reminds us of his lyrical power and unique timbre. [Oct 2017, p.96]
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  7. The Wire
    Oct 11, 2017
    50
    Prophets Of Rage can’t help sounding a little male-menopausal even if lyrically the targets remain crucial and the trajectory remains ferocious thanks to the sheer undimmed timbre of Chuck’s meshrattling voice. [Sep 2017, p.55]
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  8. Uncut
    Sep 5, 2017
    50
    Most of the original tunes on this self-titled debut are formulaic, slogan-heavy jams that rest too heavily on past glories. [Oct 2017, p.36]
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  9. Pitchfork
    Sep 19, 2017
    46
    The band hasn’t done themselves any favors by sticking so closely to the sounds of their youth, either--not that they were ever going to top the pipe-bomb intensity of their earliest recordings, anyway.
  10. Consequence
    Sep 15, 2017
    42
    The album’s lack of originality extends to its music as well as its sloganeering.
  11. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Oct 12, 2017
    40
    This album and The Party’s Over share many of the same problems that the band can't seem to shake off. Whether you were fan of Public Enemy, Cypress Hill or Rage Against The Machine first I think you’ll agree that this whole project just comes off as clumsy.
  12. DIY Magazine
    Sep 15, 2017
    40
    Forget the fact that even at its best moments the album still kind of sounds like a RATM reunion minus Zack de la Rocha, the biggest issue with ‘Prophets Of Rage’ is that it’s not as radical as it thinks it is. Is it competent and confident, energised and engaging? Sure. But there’s nothing new here.
  13. The Guardian
    Sep 14, 2017
    40
    For the most part this is a revolution that feels sanitised.
  14. The Skinny
    Sep 13, 2017
    40
    The RATM members still manage to stir genuine, potentially powerful emotions, but the tracks never get too far before ruinous effects, puerile 'all right' choruses, and chiming end rhymes cause them to collapse.
  15. Q Magazine
    Sep 5, 2017
    40
    The message is as subtle as a street riot but the delivery mechanism ('90s funk metal, barked tirades) creaks with age. [Oct 2017, p.108]
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User Reviews

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User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 9 out of 24
  1. NeutralMilkH
    Sep 18, 2017
    3
    Other than the fact that the vocals and the instrumentals don't blend together, the fact that the guitars have too many effects on them andOther than the fact that the vocals and the instrumentals don't blend together, the fact that the guitars have too many effects on them and provide nothing interesting instrumentally, and the amazing lack of songs that actually feel rebellious rather than lame... this album at least has that one keyboard part in the first song... it's horribly underdeveloped yet it sounds bloated at the same time whilst also adding nothing new to the genre making this album completely pointless.
    Final Score: 3/10
    I like Rage Against the Machine, I kinda like Public Enemy... I really dislike this album.    … Full Review »
  2. YT_Guyyy
    Sep 17, 2017
    1
    You absolutely can't not talk about RATM when referring to this album. It's just RATM lite. The production is incredibly messy and the riffsYou absolutely can't not talk about RATM when referring to this album. It's just RATM lite. The production is incredibly messy and the riffs are weak. That's what I liked about RATM; good production and large guitar riffs. The album is just a bunch of weak riffs laid on top of equally weak political rap yells.

    There are influences from all kinds of things on top of the obvious RATM-y rap-/funk metal. There's more funk and rock on here than there is on most RATM records. And that's really the problem. This album bored me to tears! The really funky sounds don't fit at all and it's just incredibly boring.

    There's a few songs where they sound good in some way but it's just boring rap rock and funk rock/metal that really wants you to FEEEEL something about their fiery political message, but the music isn't fiery and neither is the lyrics.    … Full Review »
  3. thesupremekai
    Sep 16, 2017
    4
    A disappointing watered down version of Rage Against the Machine. The album sounds like a bunch of RATM B-sides with Chuck D and B RealA disappointing watered down version of Rage Against the Machine. The album sounds like a bunch of RATM B-sides with Chuck D and B Real rapping instead of Zack. The biggest issues with Chuck D and B Real is that their vocal styles don't fit the music. Zack had an aggressive delivery style as he put the RAGE in Rage Against the Machine. Zack's signature RAGE is absent from the album. It sounds like a bunch of happy dudes pretending to be angry. There is no genuine anger on this album. Tom Morello, the second best thing about RATM really dropped the ball here. There are a tone of recycled riffs and solos from previous RATM and Audioslave albums. It's like he's too lazy to come up with something fresh and original. "Hail to the Chief" recycles the Bulls on Parade solo. Lyrically both B Real and Chuck D lack the genius lyricism of De La Rocha. Many of the lyrics are cringe worthy. The album as a whole is incredibly formulaic and every song sounds the same. Even Nickelback has more variety in their albums than Prophets of Rage.… Full Review »
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