Some songs just arrive. Others come with their fists raised.
Tom Morello‘s new single Adjourn It lands with a fist to the jaw. It brings together Rage Against The Machine’s guitarist, System Of A Down singer Serj Tankian, and Morello’s 15-year-old son Roman.
The collaboration arrived shortly after Morello announced his upcoming Power To The People festival, which will feature an impressive lineup including Bruce Springsteen, the Foo Fighters, Tankian and others.
For Morello, the timing of the song couldn’t be more important.
“At this historical juncture every act of art is an act of resistance,” he explained. “Adjourn It, a collaboration with long-time friend Serj Tankian and my 15-year-old guitar wiz son Roman Morello, is a clarion call for justice in unjust times.”
Produced by Zakk Cervini, whose credits include Bring Me The Horizon, Yungblud and Aerosmith, the track also serves as another preview of Morello’s upcoming solo album.
“Produced by Zakk Cervini, this latest tune from my upcoming solo album combines multi-generational Morello bulldozer riffs with the great Serj Tankian’s prophetic wailings,” Morello said.
He added: “Inspired by the persecution of immigrants across the land and the heroic resistance to the rising tide of fascism, it’s just about damn time to rock for freedom, justice and equality.”
The song wastes little time making its intentions known. Opening with a heavily distorted riff, Adjourn It quickly erupts into a fierce call-to-arms anthem driven by crushing guitars and Tankian’s unmistakable voice.
“Burn it / Turn it / Have them fucking learn it / Make them pay for their crimes,” Tankian declares in the opening verse.
“Adjourn it / Never buy their racist lies / Unearth it / Help our brother sisters stay / They’ve earned it.”
The accompanying video reinforces the song’s message by combining footage of Morello, Tankian and Roman in the studio with scenes from the 1954 film Salt of the Earth.
According to the video’s description, the film was chosen because it tells the true story of Mexican-American miners fighting labour exploitation, racism and institutional oppression.
“Salt Of The Earth was a powerful act of defiance in its time and more than half a century later, its themes continue to echo through today’s political climate,” the description states.
“Adjourn It channels the defiant legacy of the film reinforcing the importance of solidarity in bringing people together against fear and division.”
The release continues a long tradition of politically charged music from Morello, who has never shied away from using his platform to challenge power structures and advocate for social causes.
Meanwhile, Morello remains busy on multiple fronts. He is currently touring with Springsteen on the Land Of Hope And Dreams tour and recently appeared alongside The Boss during a live performance of Prince’s Purple Rain in Minneapolis.
His Power To The People festival is scheduled for October 3 in Columbia and will feature artists including Joan Baez, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard, Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, Taylor Momsen and The Linda Lindas.
With Roman Morello joining the fight alongside his father and Tankian lending one of rock’s most distinctive voices, Adjourn It feels less like a standalone single and more like a rallying cry.
Can music still inspire resistance and change, or has its greatest power always been bringing people together in the first place?
