We Will Reign

Audio Mixer: Brendan O'Brien .
Liner Note Authors: Edgey Pires; Delila Paz; Bill Ayers; Brad Wilk.
Recording information: Henson Studios, Hollywood, CA; Pulse Studios.
Activist rock band the Last Internationale have refined their sound for their first major-label album, We Will Reign. While their early work had a fierce folk-punk edge, on We Will Reign the Last Internationale generate a full-bodied hard rock growl with a rootsy accent; Edgey Pires' electric guitars are more prominent in the arrangements, and new drummer Brad Wilk (formerly of Rage Against the Machine) gives the performances a solid and powerful bottom end. We Will Reign's songs often deal with the challenges of speaking truth to power, and vocalist Delila Paz has a big, powerful voice that spreads her message loud and clear over the guitars and drums, whether it's the call for Native American rights in "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Indian Blood" or the romantic detour into "Baby It's You." We Will Reign was produced by Brendan O'Brien, and includes notes from author and activist Bill Ayers. ~ Mark Deming