Rage Against the Machine are marking the 20th anniversary of their self-title debut disc by reissuing the album as ‘Rage Against the Machine – XX.’ To celebrate, the band is teaming with Loudwire to bring you an advance listen to one of the bonus cuts you’ll hear in the collection — a demo of ‘Know Your Enemy.’
The major difference between the demo of ‘Know Your Enemy’ (listen below) and the final version that appeared on the studio album is the absence of the guest vocal by Tool singer Maynard James Keenan during the bridge. The demo solely features Rage singer Zack de la Rocha on vocals, and offers a more stripped-down version of the tune. Like the final cut, the demo boasts driving guitar licks from Tom Morello, a killer low end from bassist Tim Commerford and pounding beats from drummer Brad Wilk.

‘Rage Against the Machine — XX,’ which can be pre-ordered here, will be available in three configurations when it arrives Nov. 27. There will be a deluxe edition box set housing two discs, two DVDs, a 12-inch vinyl LP, a 40-page booklet and a two-sided poster. There’s the special edition version with two CDs and a bonus DVD featuring six tracks in an oversized softpack. Plus, there’s the standard single-disc bolstered with three extra tracks.

It should be noted that the second disc of the two-CD versions is Rage Against the Machine’s original demo tape that was recorded in 1991 and was available for $5 at the band’s merch table. One of the DVDs that’s included features a free show the band did at Finsbury Park in June 2010 as a show of appreciation for the group’s U.K. fans sending ‘Killing in the Name’ to the top of the charts at Christmas the prior year. Also included are music videos and live concert performance clips. The second DVD focuses on live performances between 1991-1994 of songs from the band’s live album and includes the full set of the band’s first public appearance on the campus of Cal-State Northridge in 1991.

Morello recently stated, “We’re really psyched to be putting this out for the fans. We are blessed with having perhaps the most passionate fans to ever listen to a bootlegged recording or mosh at a show, so I want to really give them a mother lode of Rage Against The Machine history, past and present.” However, he also squashed rumors of potential new music by stating that the band had “no plans” beyond the 20th anniversary reissue.

-loudwire.com

LISTEN TO 'KNOW YOUR ENEMY' HERE