Many bands are described as "exploding onto the music scene", but I'd say that RATM are actually deserving of that phrase. Of all the bands branded with the often maligned label 'rap-metal', RATM managed to tap into the anger and aggression of both genres without really de-clawing either of them.
Rhythm section Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford lay down a funky and hardhitting base for vocalist Zack de la Rocha (once described, not inaccurately, by Tom Morello as the "punk-rock James Brown") to belt his raw-throated screams, raps and political protests over. But the band-member name-checked most frequently is guitarist Tom Morello. His guitar spits out thrash riffs, fiddly solos rhythmic grooves, and riffs... oh so many riffs. Beyond that though, he engages in musical experimentation that sees him all but make his guitar moo like a cow. His collection of squeals, stutters and scratches borrows from both metal and rap and elevates the band, giving them that point of difference.
The first song "Bombtrack" starts with a tantalising build-up before exploding all in your ears. Single "Killing in the name" (whose riff Morello came up with while giving guitar lessons) is barely contained rock rage. A little variety is provided by a guest spot by TOOL's Maynard James Keenan on "Know your enemy" and a moodier, more subdued approach to "Settle for Nothing" (though that also turns into a rager too on the choruses).
The band couldn't maintain this level of fire and originality, with their following two albums being a case of diminishing returns. They rounded out their recorded career with the brilliant covers album "Renegades". The band, freed from the requirement to come up with material, were able to just 'rage-ify' some existing songs.
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