rage against the machine

The base of the album cover is the famous picture of the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức setting himself on fire to protest discrimination against the South Vietnamese Buddhist majority by then South Vietnam president Ngo Dinh Diem. The photograph spread rapidly around the world and caused international backlash, including the withdrawal of U.S. support. Later, the album Rage Against the Machine was released in 1992, directly following the assault of Rodney King. As the name suggests, Rage Against the Machine is a very political protest band, and all of their albums are full of songs protesting violence and injustice.

Designers: cover designed by members of Rage Against the Machine, original photo taken by Malcolm Browne

Photo taken in 1963, album cover designed around 1992

Format: album art

Dimensions: 12"x12" (vinyl) or 5.6" x 5" (CD)

Materials: original photo on film, then cardboard, paper, or plastic

Production: Printed

Techniques: Black and white film photography, digital editing and printing

Photo originated in Vietnam, edited version originated in Los angeles, California