Rage Against the Machine Drummer Brad Wilk Confirms Band’s Third Split
In a disappointing turn of events for fans, legendary rock band Rage Against the Machine has once again called it quits. Drummer Brad Wilk took to Instagram to announce that the group will not be resuming their Public Service Announcement reunion tour or carrying on in any form. This marks the third breakup for the band, following splits in 2000 and 2011.
“I know a lot of people are waiting for us to announce new dates for all the cancelled RATM shows,” he wrote, “I don’t want to string people or myself along any further. So while there has been some communication that this may be happening in the future…I want to let you know that RATM (Tim, Zack, Tom and I) will not be touring or playing live again. I’m sorry for those of you who have been waiting for this to happen. I really wish it was…”
Rage reunited in 2022 after an 11-year hiatus and launched an extensive tour of North America and Europe. However, the tour was cut short after frontman Zack de la Rocha ruptured his Achilles tendon during the second stop at Chicago’s United Center. Despite finishing out the first leg of the tour by sitting on a road case every night, the band ultimately had to cancel the remaining shows to allow de la Rocha to properly heal.
“I hate cancelling shows,” de la Rocha wrote to fans. “I hate disappointing our fans…You have all waited so patiently to see us and that is never lost on me. I never take that for granted. For you I have the ultimate gratitude and respect.”
After remaining largely silent following the cancellation of the tour, guitarist Tom Morello was evasive about the future of the band when speaking to Rolling Stone in March 2022. “Rage Against the Machine is like the ring in Lord of the Rings,” he said. “It drives men mad. It drives journalists mad. It drives record-industry people mad. If there are Rage shows, if there are not Rage shows, you’ll hear from the band. I do not know. When there is news, it will come from a collective statement from the band. There is no news.”
Recently, Zack de la Rocha made a surprise appearance at a Run the Jewels concert in Los Angeles, raising hopes that he was ready to resume the Rage tour. However, he skipped out on the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following month, with Morello being the sole member of the group to show up.
“Like most bands, we have differing perspectives on a lot of things, including being inducted into the Rock Hall,” said Morello during his acceptance speech. “My perspective is that tonight is a great opportunity to celebrate the music and the mission of the band — to celebrate the fifth member of the band, which is Rage Against the Machine’s incredible fans. The only reason we are here and the best way to celebrate this music is for you to carry on that mission and that message.”
With the band unlikely to carry on their mission at concert halls any time in the foreseeable future, fans are left with mixed feelings. While they were one of the greatest live acts in rock and played a mere 19 shows in 2022, the hope for a better ending to their story remains. Let’s hope they find a way to come back together at some point in the future.