Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium documents the last two shows from
Rage Against the Machine, recorded in September 2000 for a planned November release, but canceled when the band broke up, and postponed for the second time one year later after three-fourths of the band formed
Audioslave with
Chris Cornell. Featuring highlights from the two shows, recorded September 12th and 13th, this delayed version of
Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium also downplays the cover material that comprised the band's last studio album,
Renegades, which is a good thing for the fans who agree that
Rage performed better with originals than covers. Early on, the band storms through three of its career highlights -- "Killing in the Name," "Bulls on Parade," and "Bullet in the Head" -- with intense performances that capture its combination of heavy metal strut and punk rock disdain. ~ John Bush