"Rage Against the Machine" is the debut studio album by the American rock band Rage Against the Machine, released on November 6, 1992, by Epic Records. This followed the release of the album's first single, "Killing in the Name." The album's content was largely based on the band's earlier demo tape, which featured recordings of seven of the ten songs.
The album is known for its politically charged lyrics, and its cover art features a graphic photograph of Vietnamese monk Thích Quảng Đức performing self-immolation in 1963. Upon its release, the album received critical acclaim, with many praising frontman Zack de la Rocha's powerful vocals and the album's revolutionary themes. It was ranked number 24 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time," peaked at number 1 on the US Billboard Heatseekers chart, and reached number 45 on the Billboard 200. The album has since achieved triple platinum status from the RIAA and is frequently cited as one of the best albums of the 1990s. In 2020, it was ranked 221 on Rolling Stone's updated list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."
The cover art is a crop of Malcolm Browne's famous photograph of Thích Quảng Đức's self-immolation in Saigon, serving as a poignant symbol of resistance. The album's lyrics emphasize political messages, with acknowledgments to figures like Bobby Sands and Huey P. Newton in the "Thanks For Inspiration" section. The album booklet includes lyrics for all songs except "Killing in the Name," which are omitted, with the booklet simply indicating the song title.
A notable statement on the sleeve reads, "no samples, keyboards or synthesizers used in the making of this record," a claim the band repeated in future releases. The band referred to themselves as "Guilty Parties" for each album.
The album was supported by the Rage Against the Machine Tour, which began on January 15, 1993, in Chicago and concluded on December 31, 1993, in Detroit. The tour featured various opening acts, including hip hop groups House of Pain and Cypress Hill.
