When current Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan earlier this year listed Rage Against the Machine among his favorite bands, more than a few eyebrows were raised, including those of the rap-rock-metal band’s guitarist, Tom Morello.  In a withering op-ed piece for Rolling Stone, Morello cited Ryan as “the embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades,” affirming that “his guiding vision of shifting revenue more radically to the one percent is antithetical to the message of Rage.”  And after twenty years of music making, that message is more focused than ever, and some would say, more timely.  On November 27, you can decide for yourself when Legacy Recordings marks the twentieth anniversary of Rage Against the Machine’s debut album in multiple configurations: a 2-CD/2-DVD/1-LP deluxe box set; a 2-CD/1-DVD edition; and a 1-CD standard version. 12" 180-gram vinyl editions (a picture disc and a facsimile reproduction) of the original LP, remastered but with no bonus tracks, will also be available.

Vocalist Zack de la Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk founded Rage in California, 1991, earning a contract with Epic Records and releasing their eponymous debut the following year.  Rage Against the Machine did not hide its political bent.  Zack de la Rocha’s lyrics addressed topical issues in songs like “Killing in the Name,” “Bullet in the Head,” “Know Your Enemy” and “Take the Power Back,” while Morello’s blazing guitar provided a sound like none that had come before.  Rage was much more than just the “rap-metal” tag: meaningful, relevant, politically-charged, forceful and unafraid.  Morello's subsequent excursions into the realm of folk music should have come as no surprise, as he carried on the tradition of the folk greats with the bravely topical songs of Rage.  The band’s directness, and transparency, both were evident in a message affixed to the liner notes: “no samples, keyboards or synthesizers used in the making of this record.”  Rage’s debut paid off with a No. 1 position on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, and a none-too-shabby peak of No. 45 on the Billboard 200.  It fared even better on the U.K. albums survey, hitting No. 17.

What's on all of the various editions?  Hit the jump!  Plus: pre-order links and the complete track listing with discography!

Rage Against the Machine has been fully remastered for these anniversary releases entitled XX.  All three CD configurations include the original album and three live bonus tracks (all originally released on singles) on one disc.  CD 2, available in the 2-CD/1-DVD and 2-CD/2-DVD/1-LP editions, includes the original Rage Against the Machine demo tape.  These recordings, originally sold for five bucks at the band’s early performances, helped secure the band a contract with Epic.  This disc marks the first time these demos have been released in their entirety.

The first DVD included in the Deluxe Box Set fast-forwards to 2010 and Rage’s free concert in London’s Finsbury Park on June 2010.  Twelve music videos (some never commercially released and one previously unissued) plus ten performances from a 1997 video compilation (never before available in DVD format) round out the DVD.  The box set’s second DVD spotlights live performances from the band’s early days (1991-1994) including Rage’s first public performance at Cal State North Ridge on October 23, 1991, and a further ten performances, all of which are previously unissued.

Rage Against the Machine’s XX is available in all editions on November 27.  Chuck D has provided new liner notes for the releases.  You’ll find a full rundown of all versions below, plus pre-order links!

Rage Against the Machine, XX: 20th Anniversary Edition Box Set (Epic/Legacy 88765 41176-2, 2012)

Disc 1: Original LP (released as Epic Associated ZK 52959, 1992) and bonus tracks

1. Bombtrack
2. Killing in the Name
3. Take the Power Back
4. Settle for Nothing
5. Bullet in the Head
6. Know Your Enemy
7. Wake Up
8. Fistful of Steel
9. Township Rebellion
10. Freedom
11. Bombtrack (Live @ First Avenue, Minneapolis - 4/5/1993) (B-side to "Bombtrack" single - Epic 659471-7 (EU), 1993)
12. Bullet in the Head (Live) (B-side to "Bullet in the Head" CD single - Epic 659258-2 (DE), 1993)
13. Take the Power Back (B-side to "Freedom" CD single - Epic 659821-2 (U.K.), 1993)

Disc 2: Original Demos (previously unreleased except where noted)

1. Bombtrack
2. Take the Power Back
3. Bullet in the Head
4. Darkness of Greed (from "Killing in the Name" CD single - Epic 658492-2 (U.K.), 1993)
5. Clear the Lane (from "Killing in the Name" CD single - Epic 658492-2 (U.K.), 1993)
6. Township Rebellion
7. Know Your Enemy
8. Mindset's a Threat
9. Killing in the Name
10. Auto Logic
11. The Narrows
12. Freedom

DVD 1: The Battle of Britain, promo videos and live footage

The Battle of Britain - Live at Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010 (previously unreleased)

1. Testify (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
2. Bombtrack (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
3. People of the Sun (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
4. Know Your Enemy (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
5. Bulls on Parade (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
6. Township Rebellion (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
7. Bullet in the Head (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
8. White Riot (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
9. Guerilla Radio (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
10. Sleep Now in the Fire (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
11. Freedom (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)
12. Killing in the Name (Live @ Finsbury Park, London - 6/6/2010)

Promo videos:

1. Killing in the Name
2. Bullet in the Head
3. Bombtrack
4. Freedom
5. Bulls on Parade
6. People of the Sun
7. No Shelter
8. Guerilla Radio
9. Sleep Now in the Fire **
10. Testify **
11. Renegades of Funk **
12. How Could I Just Kill a Man *

Live footage from Rage Against the Machine video (Epic Music Video EVD 50160, 1997)

1. The Ghost of Tom Joad
2. Vietnow (Live @ Irvine Meadows, Irvine, CA - 9/18 or 9/19/1997)
3. People of the Sun
4. Bulls on Parade
5. Bullet in the Head
6. Zapata's Blood (Live @ the Rock Am Ring Festival, Germany - 5/24/1996)
7. Know Your Enemy
8. Bombtrack
9. Tire Me (Live @ the Reading Festival - 8/23/1996)
10. Killing in the Name (Live @ the Pinkpop Festival - 5/23/1994)

DVD 2: More live footage (previously unreleased)

First public performance: live at Cal State, North Ridge, CA - 10/23/1991

1. Killing in the Name
2. Take the Power Back
3. Auto Logic
4. Bullet in the Head
5. Hit the Deck
6. Township Rebellion
7. Darkness of Greed
8. Clear the Lane
9. Clampdown
10. Know Your Enemy
11. Freedom

Various live footage:

1. Freedom (Live @ the Pinkpop Festival - 5/23/1994)
2. Take the Power Back (Live @ the Vic Theatre, Chicago - 4/3/1993)
3. Fistful of Steel (Live @ JC Dobbs, Philadelphia - 1/22/1993)
4. Bombtrack (Soundstage Performance, 1992)
5. Wake Up (Halfway House, 1992)
6. Settle for Nothing (Live at Castaic, 1992)
7. Clear the Lane (Live in San Luis Obispo, 1992)
8. Untitled (CWNN, 1992)
9. Darkness of Greed (Live @ Zed's Records, 1992)
10. Wake Up (Nomads, 1992)

XX: 20th Anniversary Special Edition (Epic/Legacy 88765 41215-2, 2012)

Includes Discs 1-2 and special DVD in oversize digipak:

1. Killing in the Name (promo video)
2. Bombtrack (promo video)
3. Freedom (promo video)
4. Take the Power Back (Live @ the Vic Theatre, Chicago - 4/3/1993)
5. Bombtrack (Soundstage Performance, 1992)
6. Wake Up (Nomads, 1992)

XX: 20th Anniversary Edition (Epic/Legacy 88765 41234-2, 2012)

Includes Disc 1 in jewel case

Rage Against the Machine (Vinyl LP)

Includes Original Album only.