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One Day As A Lion Rages Against Change

By John Brodeur
Metroland | December 18, 2008
Zack de la Rocha promised a post-Rage Against the Machine project for eight years after that band broke up. So is it a disappointment that the debut from One Day as a Lion, his project with ex-Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore, is A) not exactly a departure from his former band's highly profitable rap-rock hybrid, or B) awfully brief, considering the gestation period, at five songs? Well, no, and maybe a little. Theodore is an exciting and lyrical drummer, and his beats are, as in good hip-hop, the heart of the songs. De la Rocha, meanwhile, offers more of his trademark howl-rap, while expanding on his palette with some interesting keyboard-noise riffs, and even singing (check out the EP's best track, "Ocean View," for an example). Rage fans obviously will dig this (especially "If You Fear Dying," which could pass for a Rage outtake); anyone who's into hearing some seriously impressive drumming should also give it a crack.
Tags: hip-hop, the Mars Volta, One Day As A Lion, Zack De La Rocha

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