Rage Against The Machine

Product Information

I own a lot of RL pressings and Ludwig’s initials are always etched distinctively, an obvious R and L.

Ludwig even cited it when asked in an interview about the three best sounding records he's (re)mastered.I did that when I bought this back in the 90's, and over the years the ink on the slipmat leeched into the vinyl making it pretty much unplayable. Can you imagine when they were just getting started how much it must have sucked to have booked them as your opening band?

I also have the other version with the DAT recordings and it’s not as raw or punchy but definitely worth the money as well. Best overall for me is the Hoffman-mastered SACD, you've never heard this album without all Bob's eq and it sounds even more powerful. It looks exactly like the etched RL we see on the other photo, just missing the tail of the L at the end of the etching.Also you need a really Hi End system to notice the compression that was introduced by remastering it, other than that this thing slams as hard as the OG, turn up the volume and given how expensive the OG pressing is this is totally worth it. I then did some investigation on Discogs and found this has the same matrix info (RATM A1/1B) on it for a 1992 pink transparent Netherlands issue. It’s like this pressing is a cap gun and you’re 5 years old thinking cap guns are the shit, and then a cannon goes off in the yard next door. Admittedly I haven't heard any pressed from the Bob Ludwig cut, but I know the material well and I'm not missing anything in detail and impact. Coupled with how hard Rage's music goes in general, it really makes for a visceral rock 'n roll experience.