What a time for Rage Against the Machine to finally be back at it!

After a number of attempts to hit the road over the past couple of years, and delays due to the pandemic, the band has finally returned. As of this past weekend, they are really, truly back again, with none other than Run the Jewels on hand to open.

Of course, their long-awaited return, hitting the stage for the first time in 11 years, comes in the middle of turbulent times, to say the least. Had their 2020 trek gone on as planned, it certainly would have been in the midst of intense political chaos, but no one could have predicted what occurred over the past two years, let alone just in the last few months alone.

Thus, the timing for Zack de la Rocha-led rockers to reemerge could not be more timely, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, in the middle of deep uncertainty, as war rages in Europe and inflation grips much of the globe, while the Covid plague continues to unfold, despite much of the Western world's determination to move on from it. All of that coming as Americans learn of the increasing likelihood that the former President indeed attempted a coup or even tried to incite a second civil war, all for the sake of maintaining power.

It's strange times, the kind of historical days fitting for Rage to make its grand return. And they're doing so this week, with a pair of shows at Chicago's United Center before jetting off to Canada this weekend and continuing with the North American run later this month.

See photos from night one of the Chicago dates below, by Dan DeSlover.

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