Rage Against the Machine - Know Your Enemy - Guitar Tab

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Rage Against the Machine - Know Your Enemy - Guitar Tab

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Key E minor
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
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Treble6
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Rage Against The Machine - XX (20th Anniversary Special Edition) album cover
Rage Against The Machine - XX (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
1992 4:55
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

Know Your Enemy


"Know Your Enemy" is a track by Rage Against the Machine from their self-titled debut album. Blending aggressive riffing with politically charged lyrics, it became a significant radio hit by 1993 despite never receiving an official single release. For electric guitarists, the song is a strong entry point into Tom Morello's distinctive style, combining tight, percussive rhythm guitar with the raw energy that defined the band's early sound.

  • Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan guests on vocals during the bridge, making this a notable cross-band collaboration.
  • Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins contributed additional percussion, adding an extra rhythmic layer to the track.
  • Despite heavy radio airplay by 1993, 'Know Your Enemy' was never officially released as a commercial single.
Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Tom Morello uses this 1982 Telecaster for RATM's funkier, cleaner rhythm parts, leveraging its bridge humbucker for articulate muting and percussive attack that cuts through dense arrangements.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800's punchy midrange and aggressive natural clipping deliver RATM's signature thick, cutting distortion tone while staying tight enough for Morello's dynamic muting and noise experiments.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Morello exploits this wah pedal extensively for funk riffs and half-cocked tonal shaping, creating RATM's signature expressive sweeps and rhythmic articulation that define their groove.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Morello uses the DD-3 for rhythmic repeats and spatial effects, adding depth and texture to RATM's complex arrangements without muddying the aggressive distortion tone.

MXR Phase 90
Pedal

MXR Phase 90

This phaser adds occasional swirling modulation to Morello's pedalboard, creating subtle psychedelic textures that enhance RATM's experimental moments without overwhelming their heavy rhythm focus.

DigiTech Whammy
Pedal

DigiTech Whammy

The Whammy pedal enables Morello's signature pitch-shifting, octave drops, and squealing harmonics that define RATM's innovative, experimental noise work and solo textures.