Rage Against the Machine has disbanded for the third time, as per the band’s drummer, Brad Wilk.
In a recent Instagram post, the original member discussed the numerous canceled dates for Rage’s Public Service Announcement reunion tour. “I am aware that many individuals are anticipating new tour schedules for all the canceled RATM performances,” he expressed.
“I do not wish to provide false hope to people any longer. Though there have been talks about potential future plans… I want to inform you that RATM (Tim, Zack, Tom and I) will not be embarking on any tours or performing live again. I apologize to those who have been eagerly anticipating this. I truly wish it were otherwise…”
This is not the first occasion that Rage has called it quits. The quartet, comprising frontman Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and Wilk, formed in the early 1990s and made a significant impact on the mainstream music scene with their confrontational and politically charged music. However, after achieving great success, Rocha released a statement in 2000 announcing his departure from the band due to “our decision-making process has completely failed.” The other members went on to create Audioslave with lead vocalist Chris Cornell, who eventually departed from the group in 2007.
In the same year, Rage regrouped to headline Coachella and subsequently went on tour in the years that followed. By 2011, they had performed their final show at L.A Rising, marking their second breakup. Subsequently, Rage experienced a resurgence in 2020, announcing the Public Service Announcement tour. The Covid pandemic resulted in the postponement of the tour, and Rage ultimately resumed it in 2022. During the second date of the tour, Rocha ruptured his Achilles tendon, and after completing the initial set of planned performances, they canceled the remainder due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Most recently, Rage was notably absent during their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Morello was the only member present to accept the honor and acknowledged that the often-conflicting group holds “varying viewpoints on numerous matters, including their induction.” Nevertheless, he did honor Rage and expressed gratitude to the “fifth member of the band,” which referred to the fans.
