October 18, 2000 – Zack De La Rocha has announced his departure from Rage Against the Machine. In a statement, the singer, co-songwriter and lyricist for the intense, politically charged rock group said, "I feel that it is now necessary to leave Rage because our decision-making process has completely failed. It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band, and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal. I am extremely proud of our work, both as activists and musicians, as well as indebted and grateful to every person who has expressed solidarity and shared this incredible experience with us."

Known for their incendiary brand of rock, the pioneering band has railed against social and political injustices in their music while helping bring attention to sweatshop labor, political prisoners within the United States, and the movement for democracy in Mexico. Formed in Los Angeles in 1991, the Grammy-winning group established itself as a powerful live act before signing with Epic, who issued the group's self-titled CD in 1992, followed by 1996's Evil Empire and 1999's Battle of Los Angeles. These three albums earned vast critical acclaim and sold over eight-million records in the U.S. alone.

The band responds, October 19, 2000