The excitement of a Rage Against the Machine tour in 2016, or new album, rose to high levels yesterday, but we’ve come back down to earth a little after a report Thursday saying Zach de la Rocha is not involved in the mysterious project. The Prophets of Rage countdown website actually alludes to the name a supergroup with members from RATM, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill.
According to Billboard, the band will feature RATM members Tim Commerford, Tom Morello and Brad Wilk along with Chuck D from Public Enemy and B-Real from Cypress Hill. The name, Prophets of Rage, is a reference to a 1988 Public Enemy song. The group is set to debut at the Hollywood Palladium June 3, Billboard adds.
It’s disappointing de la Rocha will not be performing with the band. He released a five-song EP with Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore in 2008 under the name One Day as a Lion. Since then he’s briefly appeared as a guest on a few tracks including the amazing “ Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” off Run the Jewels 2 in 2014.
Rage Against the Machine have not played together since 2011 and have not released an album since Renegades (which was a cover album featuring “How I Could Just Kill A Man” by Cypress Hill) in 2000.
Billboard said another L.A. show is in the works, but its sources say it’s unknown if any new music or an expanded Prophets of Rage tour will happen in 2016.
