"Calm Like a Bomb" is a song by American rock band

Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine (often abbreviated as RATM or shortened to simply Rage) is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commer ...

from their third album '' The Battle of Los Angeles''. Like their song " Tire Me" from the 1996 album ''

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'', “Calm Like a Bomb” never had a music video or was released on any media formats. It did however receive enough radio airplay to become an album favorite. The artwork most commonly associated with the song is from a competition the band held for the then upcoming album ''The Battle of Los Angeles''. Competing artists were given titles to put on their covers including "Agunzagun", "Battle Hymns", and "The Battle of Los Angeles". One of the titles was even a verse from “Calm Like a Bomb” - ''"The Riot Be the Rhyme of the Unheard"''.Rage Against The Machine Alternative Covers at bebo.com
/ref> Tom Morello eventually used the name "Battle Hymns" for a track on his debut album, '' One Man Revolution'' in 2007. "Calm Like a Bomb" is notable as a display of

guitarist A guitarist (or a guitar player) is a person who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of guitar family instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselve ...

Tom Morello's creative use of a whammy pedal. Like many of RATM's songs, the song's lyrics discuss social inequalities. The song also features a reference to Emiliano Zapata. Tim Commerford uses a combination of a home-made overdrive pedal and the Jim Dunlop 105Q Bass Wah pedal on his bass throughout the song. In ''

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'' magazine's feature article on the new "Guitar Heroes," a section was printed about Tom Morello, and “Calm Like a Bomb” was cited as the prime example of his skill and fame on the guitar. He has occasionally referred to the extremely high whammy-pedal effects used in songs such as this as " pterodactyl sounds." "Calm Like a Bomb" made its live debut on June 11, 1999, at the

K-Rock K-Rock may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media *Korean rock, rock music from Korea Musicians/bands * K-Rock, an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee who has worked with artist like Tommy Wright III and the American rap group Three 6 Mafia. ...

Dysfunctional Family Picnic in Wantagh, New York at Jones Beach Amphitheater. It was prominently featured in the ending credits of ''

The Matrix Reloaded ''The Matrix Reloaded'' is a 2003 American science-fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowskis. It is a sequel to ''The Matrix'' (1999) and the second installment in the ''Matrix'' film series. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Lau ...

'' and was also included in the film's

soundtrack A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...

References

External links

*
Axis of Justice
Tom Morello and

Serj Tankian Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American singer, musician, songwriter, political activist and entrepreneur. He is best known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, keyboardist, and occasional rhythm guitarist of heavy metal ...

's Activist Website " Axis Of Justice" Rage Against the Machine songs Song recordings produced by Brendan O'Brien (record producer) 2000 singles 1999 songs Songs written by Tom Morello Songs written by Brad Wilk Songs written by Tim Commerford Songs written by Zack de la Rocha {{1990s-rock-song-stub