What did Rage Against the Machine have that System of a Down doesn't?

[LostInAnomie]

Both bands are very political, make catchy original songs, have talented musicians, etc. I would even go as far as to say that SOAD's lead singer is more talented than RATM's.

Why does System of a Down not have the same following that RATM had?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Zach.

n/t

[Radical Activist]

12. Exactly

He's great.

[Skip Intro]

2. Passion?

just guessing, I like 'em both.

[AwakeAtLast]

11. That's the word I was thinking.

Definitely passion. And I like them both, too. :hi:

[progmom]

3. Rage?

[Philosophy]

9. Exactly

SOAD mixes up a little comedy with a lot of their songs. Just wouldn't work with Rage.

[realisticphish]

4. i would say

that when they really started getting played, after toxicity, they went the radio friendly route (or at least not overtly political). The main-streaming lost a lot of the political fans. Then, when steal this album came out, the politics lost a lot of the mainstream fans. thats just my take

:hipppie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[LostInAnomie]

5. I thought their first album was awesome.

I was surprised that they didn't get a lot more attention after it. You are probably right about the mainstream/political stuff.

[realisticphish]

7. i loved all the albums

but the first one seemed more...real, raw.

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[smiley_glad_hands]

6. It 's generational.

Rage = early ninties, very progressive period. These days young people only care about their xbox & ipod.

[realisticphish]

8. young whippersnappers

with their "hula hoops" and "spirographs"


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[GregW]

10. Tom Morello on guitar

ok ... ok ... ok ... Tom AND Zack de la Rocha

The rage is relentless
We need a movement with a quickness
You are the witness of change
And to counteract
We gotta take the power back

[Radical Activist]

13. Morello is a better guitar player. Zach is a better singer and

RATM songs are more creative and less monotonous.

[PittPoliSci]

16. i would disagree.

Morello is hardly a virtuoso.

[AngryAmish]

14. This may sound dumb, but Rage had more swing to their tunes

Just kinda funkier. I generally hate stridently political music, but if it has a good beat and I can dance to it...

[opiate69]

15. More "commercial viability"..

i.e.- their songs were structured better, and far less experimental. Of course, having two ivy-league educated members must have helped as well. Plus, sometimes, it's just a matter of being in the right place and time. I don't know if RATM would have the same kind of impact if they were coming up now as opposed to the early 90s.

[RagingInMiami]

18. I think they would have more of an impact during these troubling times

[opiate69]

19. I kinda want to agree, but at the same time..

it seems that the average Joe doesn't really want to hear the message. These times definitely are begging for an artistic, political enema, so to speak, but looking at what constitutes popular music, I fear it would fall on deaf ears. Look at heavy rock/metal for instance.. outward anger is out, and inward anger and whining is in.. bands like Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, 3 Days Grace etc. seem to be the newer standard bearers.

[RagingInMiami]

17. RATM is the only band that make me want to destroy

government property when I listen to them.