Bob Marley

Another famous figure that spreads activism through music is the widely renowned reggae artist Bob Marley. His music speaks of artistic and political insights on power and repression, gangland warfare and different eras of mystical wilderness.

Born Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley, he is largely credited in popularizing Jamaican music. Bob leads and plays various roles in the band: The Wailers, including singer, guitarist, and songwriter to the pulsating tune of fused reggae, rocksteady and ska. Nearly 30 years dead, his music still strives and inspires many musicians, artists and other people in different walks of life, whatever generation.

Bob Marley’s best-selling album—Legend reached platinum ten times selling over 12 million original copies, after its release in 1984, three years after his death. The album comprises of all-time favorite tracks from the legend himself and several songs from the Bob Marley and the Wailers' collection.

Reggae was borne out of the Rastafari movement culture with which Bob Marley was a firm believer. His life and legacy continues to live on in the wide-ranging audiences that his music attracts. His sons and daughters, many following his musical footsteps are also making a mark in the industry.

Long-live the Reggae Legend.

RATM - Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine has long since been a favorite. I still even have several of their albums released in cassette tapes. I also had a great crush on their front man earning him a part in the high school project we once had. In that bibliography, we were asked to write about how we see our lives to be years from that time. I had Zack to be my first husband hahaha. Ambisyosa.

Back to the topic at hand, RATM or just Rage is an American rock band that fuses hard rock with funk metal, alternative metal and rapcore. Though disbandment has occurred, the original members comprised the band all throughout their careers, together. Zach de la Rocha fronts the band on vocals, Tom Morello plays guitar, Tim Commerford as bassist, and on drums is Brad Wilk. Their music is made extraordinary mainly by the rhyming style and energetic stage presence of de la Rocha and the eccentric guitar techniques of Morello. Their lyrics hold powerful messages that led to them becoming among the most influential political bands in the scene of contemporary music. Through their music, the band voices their revolutionary political views greatly criticizing the US government specially in the issues if foreign and domestic policies.

Their mainstream success was ignited with the release of their debut album, Rage Against the Machine, that reached triple platinum. The first album's core message was well promoted through having uncensored versions of the songs explicitly played on radios and through tours, including their participation in the 1993 Lollapalooza. Soon after, more albums, songs, appearances and concerts fueled RATM's sizzling popularity.

Among my favorite songs by them is “Bombtrack”which is a track in the debut album released in 1992. RATM discography includes:

1992: Rage Against the Machine
1996: Evil Empire
1999: The Battle of Los Angeles
2000: Renegades

Moving on, Zach de la Rocha has formed a band called One Day as a Lion, with Mars Voltas former member will be releasing a self-titled debut this month.

Apocalyptica: A Revelation

Some weeks back, a day at a Karaoke bar made me remember one of my all-time favorites—Du Hast by Rammstein. But I'm not gonna be writing on Rammstein today. Reading on them, I discovered another band which caught my interest. Though they've been rocking years back from 1993, I really have not heard of them until that time. Not that they're not good, in fact, I find their music really powerful. And what better topic to write about in my new blog than Apocalyptica.

The band name alone spells of an unusual revelation. And true to their name, Apocalyptica may be regarded among the most unique Rock bands. Original in every aspect, the band alludes with that genre-shattering appeal, hypnotizing rockers with a music that is unlike any others.

Elegantly classic and metal. If you find it hard to imagine the fusion of such terms. Then that's what Apocalyptica perfectly represents. Apocalyptica is a cello metal band from Finland. With their classical instruments and incredible arrangements, they've come up with heavy metal sounds featuring musical elements from neo-classical metal, classical music, thrash metal, and symphonic metal that pierces even the soul.

Apocalyptica consists of three cello players that have attended the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with a recent addition—a drummer. Current members include Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Perttu Kivilaakso, and Mikko Sirén. Among the band, my personal favorite would be the sexy Kivilaakso who plays a German 19th century cello which he adoringly nicknamed "Der Herzbrecher". Click on the picture to see enlarged image of Perttu...

To know more about the band and their music, visit their official website http://www.apocalyptica.com/.