News > One Day As A Lion
The Lion Roars, And We’ve Got The Proof
By Johnny Firecloud
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
If you haven’t yet heard of Rage Against The Machine vocalist Zack De La Rocha’s new project One Day As A Lion, it’s time to do your homework, because you’re missing out on one hell of a passion project. As I said a few months ago, Zack’s returned from an entirely-too-long recording hiatus to join forces with Jon Theodore, percussive god and former drummer for The Mars Volta. Together, they’ve embarked on a new adventure that takes both artists in exciting new directions.
The throbbing body-rock cymbal ride of first single Wild International is immediate, indisputable evidence that Theodore and De La Rocha are a formidable unit with a specific vision of lo-fi revolution. The official video hit just a few hours ago.
It’s a bare-bones performance piece between the two musicians, but the passion shines through in ways a cinematic narrative couldn’t manage without distortion. Zack spits his caustic funk over a circular, buzzing air-raid bassline, and while the shades of Public Enemy are a welcome element, the song rides a promising but pretty safe middleground, giving fans of both musicians good reason to get the blood flowing. When I first heard it, I remember thinking that it would translate better live, in physical performance. Looks like I was right.
Are Rage fans going to accept this with open arms? It seems that they have, for the most part- but it really doesn’t matter. The reputations of both artists and the quality of their collaboration leave no doubt that One Day As A Lion will find its own audience, if Zack and Jon commit to this fantastic new entity and release some new material.
WTH? I thought this came out a year ago?
Really. Killer song, but way late, especially for a standard lip synced music video. And who the hell is playing the keyboard while Zack raps?!
As mentioned in the piece – the songs have been around for months. But as is the case with most things De La Rocha, updates, progress and new shit is slow in development. The video was unleashed yesterday. We thought we’d share.
Like the 1st time I’ve heard RATM and thought with my buttons ‘WOW what incredible sound, but the vocalist don’t work for me’ (And became very happy when they come in with Chris Cornell, by the way, what shit he recent recorded)
I keep not liking hos vocal, but yes, the sound is very good.
i appreciate the post…
I’m glad that I listen to a radio station that plays this. It sounds awesome directly after Amy Winehouse and Elvis Costello.
Thanks Mike, and everyone else who takes the time to check us out. We appreciate the interest/love/conversation/debate.
Great stuff!
Wonder why it took so long to get a vid out. I figured they hadnt even planned one since it was an EP. With so much watered down music that has hit my ears in the last couple years this is exciting. Passion is the best word to describe this project, bring on a tour and the full length boys!
ps. where did you find the video?
The thing i liked about The Mars Volta was the never ending surges of music… They should do that some
[...] If You Fear Dying so close to Wild International in the set was a questionable decision, given that the core riff is nearly identical, but the fact [...]
[...] tumor, now rotten / Born of a blood that’s never forgotten! Following a crushing-pit singalong of Wild International, Zack and company dove into Lion Dance, an extended new jam that began as a downtempo percussive [...]