Rage Against The Machine: "Evil Empire" SACD mastered by SH on Audio Fidelity coming

I had the original cd years ago, I'll see if I can "acquire" it again and compare. I did listen to the sacd layer 2x out of my oppo 103 into my LDMKIII and HD600 combo and I loved it.

 

Finally got my copy yesterday and listened to the CD layer. I don't have an original CD but Steve's version sounds damn good, so punchy and dynamic! And that bass!

 

Love the new SACD as well. The original CD sounds bright and compressed compared to it.

 

Like with the S/T Rage A/F SACD?

 

Yes. I think you said you preferred the eq on the original CD of S/T, so you might feel the same way here.

 

Yeah, thanks!

 

Believe it or not, the bass guitar on the original issue sounds even better (more impactful and thunderous). And that's saying a lot because the AF sounds dynamite.

 

Ok after a few more listens, along with some comparisons to the OG CD, here's my take. I first got this on cassette the day it came out at Circuit City. Later on when I got the CD, I thought it sounded exactly like the cassette. Kinda bright, very "cassette-ey" if that makes any sense. Almost like that tape hiss and in-room was still there.

This (granted, I don't have an SACD player *cough* yet) sounds like the band is playing in outer space or something. It's DEAD quiet. At first I didn't like the AF at all and thought something had been removed that shouldn't have been (that live, demo-y sound). But after spinning the original CD again I think this one is maybe a hair better. It's less-congested. Plus I already cracked the cellophane so no chance of returning it

 

I was able to give 1.5 spins to this album yesterday (CD layer only), a good listen all the way through then a second play of some of my favorite tracks again. I really enjoy the AF disc. To me the vocals stuck out a lot on this new mastering, having more air and presence - more like someone speaking into a microphone instead of a recorded final product. As others have mentioned the bass and drums sounded good on the original release - although I do feel they are improved here on the AF. To me, the true sound of actual guitar / bass / drums pops out more on the AF. Listening to these AF RATM albums, I keep being reminded of the MOFI "Angel Dust" by Faith No More... I love the sound of it and can respect the decision of the mastering engineer to remove some of the compression that was initially added to the original release. After this decision and the remaster, you are essentially left with two different versions of the same album. The slam (feel free to insert synonymous adjective here) is less on the new AF or MOFI masterings but you gain a bit of room for the instruments to breathe and the actual recording to shine through. Both are enjoyable IMO and I am happy to own them and support new interpretations of the same album.

 

This release is awesome! Definitely more air and breathing room between all the instruments but there is also a lot of slam when there needs to be. As an example the end sections of 'Down Rodeo', 'Without A Face' and 'Roll Right' always sounded weak and harsh on the original CD where the AF release allows the full impact to come through. Bring on 'The Battle Of Los Angeles'.

 

I’ve listened to the CD layer of this, and checked my original CD for comparison, and I really like this one. It still rocks out hard/nicely, but is more of a musical experience now vs. perhaps just a song-on-the-radio experience by comparison given the relative compression and brighter eq of the original CD. I have the first album coming, I always enjoyed that album more so looking forward to hearing that one.

 

Finally got a chance to listen to my copy (#1703) last nite. I wanted to wait until I could really crank it. Mr Hoffman's remastering doesn't disappoint!

Overall, both Rage SACDs sound excellant but I like the music on the S/T album quite a bit more.

 

Not blown away by this SACD, I would rate it at average. Prefer it on original LP it pains me to say as I was hoping for something more.

 

Just got this, and wow...it crushes the original CD so hard haha

 

The SACD beats the original CD imo! Breathes better (less compression), crankable, not harsh. Checks all the boxes for me! Really nice and defined bass.

Now AF how about a 2xLP 45rpm ultimate vinyl audiophile version, huh?

 

I mentioned this earlier, but doesn't anyone feel that the drums are buried or is it just me?

 

On my system drums are fine. Varies a touch from song to song though depending on mix...

 

That was easy, because the original is compressed.

 

(Speaking of compression and modern rock albums, Id like to see what AF could do with the first Audioslave album...compression nightmare)

Back on topic...

 

Please excuse my ignorance, but all of Evil Empire wasn't recorded in the same studio? Or do you mean the studio used for each album? Sorry, this is new to me and I find it very interesting!

Every song didn't sound the same on Evil Empire and I have noticed that on different albums from different artists as well. Thank you again Mr. Hoffman!

 

Wow, I love that kind of insight. Thank you again.

 

I think all at Cole Rehearsal Studio Hollywood, but I guess it being recorded over such a long period, March, 1995 – February, 1996 according to wiki, that probably brought out some differences between songs. This from Brad Wilk leads me to believe he was looking for different sounds between tracks, "KM: How have you changed as a drummer in the last four years? BW: Let me avoid the comedy here: On the first record, it was in-your-face, abrasive, and you knew where 1 was. But you couldn't really hear the subtleties that I was into priar (sic) to this band. I wanted to bring that out on Evil Empire. It was great that we recorded in such tiny room. I wanted to capture the subtleties that were going on between 1 and 3. That's what makes the groove, and what distinguishes your groove from someone elses. I think this record captured that much better. KM: So the inner sleeve photo on Evil Empire.... BW: That's where we recorded, in that tiny room at Cole Rehearsal Studio in Hollywood. Down the hallway there was a huge room where the producer sat with 24-track board and the tape decks. We snaked cables across the ceiling into a tiny, sweaty room where we recorded everything. It was actually cool 'cause that's where we rehearsed for the record.
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Listening still to just the CD layer of the AF so far and it reminds me so much that I never really liked this record more because the CD was a bit tough to listen to and that was even before hanging around here; I am really truly digging into this record for the first time and lovin' it much more this time, very cool.

 

I really like the sound of this release. I played it straight through three times yesterday on my main system (Oppo 105) and there is no way I could do that with the old CD as fatigue would set in due to the compression. I've also played in the car and it sounds great there.