Inside Renegades: Rage Against the Machine’s Bold Farewell

Introduction

Released on December 5, 2000, Renegades marked a pivotal moment in Rage Against the Machine’s storied career. This album, their fourth and final studio effort, is a testament to their enduring influence and unique sound. As a collection of cover songs, it showcased the band’s ability to reinterpret music through their distinct rap-rock lens. With producers Rick Rubin and Brendan O’Brien at the helm, the album became a significant release in the realms of rap rock, rap metal, and nu metal.

Throughout this article, we will delve into the genesis of Renegades, explore the recording process, and analyse its commercial performance and reception. We will also examine the tracks, their meanings, and the album’s legacy. Moreover, we’ll look at how Rage Against the Machine promoted Renegades and the broader cultural and musical landscape of the year 2000.

Attribute	Details
Release date	December 5, 2000
Album title	Renegades
Genre	Rap rock, rap metal, nu metal
Total runtime	51:14
Number of tracks	12
Record label	Epic Records
Recording studio	Sunset Sound & Larrabee Sound Studios
Producer(s)	Rick Rubin, Brendan O’Brien, Rage Against the Machine

Despite its release being closely followed by the band’s breakup, Renegades left an indelible mark on the music industry. The album achieved platinum status in the United States, and its influence is still felt today. Tom Morello, the band’s guitarist, once stated, “These songs are part of our musical DNA. We chose them because they spoke to us, and we wanted to speak through them.” Such sentiments underscore the album’s significance as a cultural and musical milestone.

The Genesis of “Renegades”

In the late 1990s, Rage Against the Machine stood at the forefront of the musical and cultural landscape. Their fusion of heavy metal, rap, punk rock, and funk, combined with politically charged lyrics, resonated with a generation. However, as the new millennium approached, internal tensions within the band began to surface. These tensions ultimately led to the creation of Renegades, a cover album that allowed the band to pay homage to their influences while navigating their own internal dynamics.

Before Renegades, Rage Against the Machine had released three studio albums, each met with critical acclaim and commercial success. Their self-titled debut in 1992 introduced their unique sound, while Evil Empire (1996) and The Battle of Los Angeles (1999) solidified their status as a powerful force in music. These albums laid the groundwork for Renegades, both in terms of musical style and thematic content.

The band members themselves were the main creative contributors to Renegades. Zack de la Rocha’s passionate vocals, Tom Morello’s innovative guitar work, Tim Commerford’s driving bass lines, and Brad Wilk’s dynamic drumming all played crucial roles. Additionally, producers Rick Rubin and Brendan O’Brien brought their expertise to the project, helping to shape the album’s sound.

Below is a table listing the band members and their respective instruments:

Band Member	Instrument/Role
Zack de la Rocha	Lead vocals
Tom Morello	Guitars
Tim Commerford	Bass, backing vocals
Brad Wilk	Drums

The album’s recording costs were financed by Epic Records, with a substantial budget allocated to ensure high production quality. Financial challenges were minimal, given the band’s established success and reputation. The title Renegades reflects the band’s rebellious spirit and their desire to reinterpret songs that inspired them. The album artwork, designed by Josh Koppel, draws inspiration from Robert Indiana’s Love artwork series, cleverly replacing “love” with “rage” to convey the band’s ethos.

Recording Process

The recording process for Renegades was as dynamic as the band itself. The sessions took place at Sunset Sound and Larrabee Sound Studios, both renowned for their state-of-the-art facilities. The band worked tirelessly to infuse their signature sound into the covers, resulting in an album that felt both familiar and fresh.

Key personnel in the recording process included engineers Jim Scott and Darren Mora, whose expertise ensured the album’s sonic quality. Co-producer Greg Fidelman also played a crucial role, bringing his experience from working with artists like Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The collaboration between these individuals and the band members resulted in a cohesive and powerful final product.

The studio setup likely included a range of hardware to capture the band’s energetic performances. While specific details about the equipment used are not explicitly known, assumptions can be made based on the studios’ capabilities at the time. The table below outlines some of the potential hardware used:

Equipment	Likely Used
Microphones	Neumann U87, Shure SM57
Mixing Desk	SSL 4000 Series
Compressors	Urei 1176, LA-2A
Guitars	Fender Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul
Amplifiers	Marshall JCM800

During the recording sessions, the band faced challenges typical of such an ambitious project. Balancing the desire to remain true to the original songs while infusing their unique style required careful attention. Nonetheless, the band succeeded in creating an album that felt both innovative and respectful to the source material.

To provide further context, here is a table listing other albums produced by Rick Rubin and Brendan O’Brien:

Producer	Artist	Album	Year
Rick Rubin	Red Hot Chili Peppers	Blood Sugar Sex Magik	1991
Rick Rubin	Johnny Cash	American IV: The Man Comes Around	2002
Brendan O’Brien	Pearl Jam	Vs.	1993
Brendan O’Brien	Bruce Springsteen	The Rising	2002

Commercial Performance and Reception

Upon its release, Renegades quickly made its mark on the charts. The album debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 and achieved platinum status shortly thereafter. Its success extended globally, with notable chart positions in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The table below provides an overview of Rage Against the Machine’s studio albums, including their release years and sales data:

Renegades received various awards and certifications, reflecting its impact and success. The album was certified platinum in the United States and gold in the United Kingdom, further cementing its place in the band’s legacy.

In 2000, other artists released notable albums, contributing to the vibrant musical landscape of the time. Some of these include:

• White Pony by Deftones [1.71 million physical sales]
• Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park [11.13 million physical sales]
• Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) by Marilyn Manson
• Mer de Noms by A Perfect Circle

Moreover, 2000 was a year of significant events in heavy music. Notably, Metallica filed a lawsuit against Napster, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against file-sharing. Additionally, Eminem released The Marshall Mathers LP, which became a landmark album in hip-hop history.

Track Analysis

The singles released from Renegades were integral to its success. “Renegades of Funk” and “How I Could Just Kill a Man” stood out for their energetic reinterpretations of classic tracks. These singles not only showcased the band’s musical prowess but also resonated with fans worldwide.

Below is a table listing every song from the album, along with their lengths and writing credits:

Track Name	Length	Writing Credit
Microphone Fiend	5:01	Eric B. & Rakim
Pistol Grip Pump	3:18	Volume 10
Kick Out the Jams	3:11	MC5
Renegades of Funk*	4:35	Afrika Bambaataa
Beautiful World	2:35	Devo
I’m Housin’	4:56	EPMD
In My Eyes	2:54	Minor Threat
How I Could Just Kill a Man*	4:04	Cypress Hill
The Ghost of Tom Joad	5:38	Bruce Springsteen
Down on the Street	3:39	The Stooges
Street Fighting Man	4:42	The Rolling Stones
Maggie’s Farm	6:54	Bob Dylan

Note: Songs marked with * were singles. “Renegades of Funk” and “How I Could Just Kill a Man” were released as singles but did not chart significantly.

Song Meaning and Lyrics

The lyrics and themes of Renegades reflect the band’s characteristic blend of political commentary and musical innovation. The singles “Renegades of Funk” and “How I Could Just Kill a Man” are prime examples of this. “Renegades of Funk,” originally by Afrika Bambaataa, celebrates those who challenge the status quo and push for change. Its infectious beat and Morello’s guitar work make it a standout track.

“How I Could Just Kill a Man,” a cover of Cypress Hill’s hit, explores themes of frustration and rebellion. The song’s aggressive tone and de la Rocha’s powerful delivery resonate with listeners, capturing the band’s ethos. The lyrics, while intense, serve as a reflection of societal issues and personal struggles.

Writing credits for each song are shared among the original artists and Rage Against the Machine, highlighting the collaborative nature of the album. The band’s ability to reinterpret these songs while maintaining their core messages is a testament to their creative prowess.

Touring and Promotion of Renegades

Despite the album’s success, Renegades was not supported by a tour. The band’s breakup shortly before its release meant that promotional efforts were limited. However, the band did employ various strategies to market the album, including music videos and media appearances. The videos for “Renegades of Funk” and “How I Could Just Kill a Man” were particularly effective in reaching a wide audience.

While there was no dedicated tour for Renegades, Rage Against the Machine did perform at several festivals and live events around the time of its release. These performances, though not part of an official tour, helped maintain the band’s presence in the public eye.

In 2000, Rage Against the Machine shared the stage with various artists at notable events. However, specific details about the number of shows and locations remain limited due to the band’s focus on promoting the album through other means.

Influences and Legacy

The musical influences that shaped Renegades are diverse, reflecting the band’s eclectic taste and appreciation for different genres. Influences include artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones, whose songs the band covered with their unique style. This blend of influences resulted in an album that transcended genre boundaries and resonated with a wide audience.

Below is a table listing influences on Renegades and artists influenced by the album:

Influences on “Renegades”	Artists Influenced by “Renegades”
Afrika Bambaataa	System of a Down
Bob Dylan	Linkin Park
The Rolling Stones	Deftones
MC5	Muse

Released in 2000, Renegades was part of a year marked by significant cultural and global events. In the world of technology, the Y2K bug turned out to be a non-event, thanks to extensive preparations. Politically, the US presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore was inconclusive, leading to a historic Supreme Court decision. These events, alongside the album’s release, contributed to a dynamic cultural landscape.

Five Things about Renegades

Renegades is filled with fascinating facts that underscore its significance. Here are five verified facts about the album:

Fact	Details
Final Studio Album	It was the band’s last studio album before their breakup.
Platinum Certification	The album went platinum in the US shortly after release.
No Supporting Tour	There was no tour due to the band’s breakup.
Unique Artwork	The cover art is inspired by Robert Indiana’s “Love” artwork.
Collaborative Production	Produced by Rick Rubin, Brendan O’Brien, and the band.

Media and Television Usage

The songs from Renegades have found their way into various media, further cementing the album’s cultural impact. Below is a table listing some of the media placements:

Song Title	Media	Year
Kick Out the Jams	Crossing Jordan	2003
Maggie’s Farm	The Other Guys	2010

Critical Reviews and Retrospectives

Critics generally received Renegades favourably, praising its bold reinterpretations and energetic performances. The album holds a Metacritic score of 78/100, indicating generally favourable reviews. Publications like AllMusic and NME lauded the album for its innovative approach to covers.

The table below summarises some critical reviews of the album:

Publication	Review Score	Notable Quote	Link
AllMusic	4/5	“A tour through three decades of sonic recalcitrance.”	Read More
NME	8/10	“A brilliant archaeology and a sonic history lesson.”	Read More

After Renegades

Following the release of Renegades, Rage Against the Machine faced significant changes. Vocalist Zack de la Rocha departed the band, leading to their initial breakup. The remaining members formed Audioslave with Chris Cornell, achieving success in their own right. The band reunited in 2007 for a series of live performances but eventually disbanded again in 2011.

As of February 2025, Rage Against the Machine remains inactive, with no recent releases or tour plans. Despite this, their legacy endures, and their music continues to inspire new generations of artists and fans alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Renegades stands as a testament to Rage Against the Machine’s innovative spirit and enduring influence. Its bold reinterpretations and energetic performances have left a lasting impact on music and culture. As we reflect on the album’s legacy, it’s clear that its relevance remains undiminished, inspiring listeners to question the world around them and embrace change.

Further Reading

For more insights into Rage Against the Machine and similar artists, explore our related articles and podcasts:

• The Making of Rage Against the Machine by Rage Against the Machine (Blog)
• The Making of Evil Empire by Rage Against the Machine (Blog)
• The Making of Audioslave by Audioslave (Blog)

For additional information, visit the Wikipedia page for “Renegades”, the official Rage Against the Machine website, and the Epic Records website.