The last 3 days of June was a treat to metalheads as they witnessed their favorite bands take the stage! Hellfest 2024 took place at Clisson, France. During a press conference there, songwriter-guitarist and political activist Tom Morello had some important words for fans. Morello, who’s also known for his work with Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave, chose to talk about making a difference in the world this time. He talked about why he is not only making music but also playing this important role in the society.
“History is not something that happened; it’s something you make,” says Tom Morello.
When addressed by a reporter as an “artist who has always been vocal about the state of our planet and our society” and asked if he thought there was hope for the generation, Morello replied that to see the world change motivates him to do what he can, in his songs, or from the stage, to move the meter.
Morello mentioned that the world is not going to change itself. That is up to us. He said sometimes it seems like this sort of monolithic problem that we’ll never be able to get past and the world cannot be changed or the worst people are the ones in charge, and they often are. His point is we are not witnesses to history; “we are agents of history as history is not something that happened; it’s something we make.”
The songwriter went on to say that whenever there has been a progressive radical, even revolutionary positive change for the better, it’s come from people who are no different than anyone in that room or any of the audiences that the artists are writing for or that their videos are for. He stated that once we have that realization we do have our hands on the wheel of history and of this planet, and if we wanna make it a more peaceful, a more just, a more equitable, a more anti-racist, a more environmentally sound place, there’s no one to blame if it doesn’t happen but us for not standing up.
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“It’s time for metalheads to get their shit together,” points the visionary.
Tom Morello also mentioned fans criticizing RAGE. “Imagine what it would be like if we didn’t make RAGE records 30 years ago. At every moment, you do what you can, when you can, where you can. That’s the way that I look at it,” said the Grammy winning musician. ” And the arc of history is a long one, and there are very, very challenging times now certainly in my country, and I know here as well. And in part, literally the fate of the planet is at stake over the course of the next few decades. So it’s time for metalheads to get their shit together.”
Asked if he feels overwhelmed by the current state of affairs, Morello said, “It is overwhelming. And from the climate stuff to Gaza, there’s a lot. But what I look at is, like, today I’m gonna do everything I can to do several things.” Furthermore, Morello went on to explain why he is hopeful and why his fans should not despair but act.“
Last week, Tom Morello released his new solo single, “Soldier In The Army Of Love”. The song was co-written with his “guitar wizard son” Roman Morello. The track is the lead single from his first ever full length solo rock album due later this year.
