Rage Against the Machine: Live at Finsbury Park

Few free outdoor concerts have a more unusual back story than this one. Tired of seeing contestants from Simon Cowell's X-Factor competition series claim the #1 song spot each Christmas, British DJ Jon Morter and his wife Tracy started a Facebook petition in 2009 to make Rage Against the Machine's “Killing in the Name” the top song. Against all odds, the campaign succeeded, and the band played a 2010 concert at Finsbury Park to express their gratitude (they also donated the proceeds from singles sales to charity). Delivering an energetic, high-volume 12-song set, front man Zack de la Rocha—who raps like a carnival barker—bounces around the stage until he's soaked in sweat, while his band mates work to keep up, especially guitarist Tom Morello, who wrings every possible sound from his instrument (the pair are joined by Tim Commerford on bass and Brad Wilk on drums). De la Rocha encourages the audience to look after each other, and towards the end of the set—which includes a cover of the Clash's “White Riot”—they bring out the Morters to thank them, closing out with “Killing in the Name,” which features the anti-authority refrain, "I won't do what they tell me." Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, and an interview with the Morters. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)