The Offspring vs. Rage Against the Machine – Classic Cage Match

The Offspring are rolling, as 'Come Out and Play' has just earned its second straight Classic Cage Match victory. The lead single from the band's epic 'Smash' album was a huge track in the summer of '94, with fans everywhere belting the line "You gotta keep 'em separated." 'Come Out and Play' bested Green Day's 'Basket Case' in the previous round and will move on to face another song that hit it big in 1994.

Rage Against the Machine unleashed their self-titled debut in 1992, but the song 'Freedom' wasn't released as a single until summer of 1994, helping to bring the band to the masses that year. The track's distinctive guitar riffing from Tom Morello, a mix of funk and hard rock, on top of Zack de la Rocha's commanding vocal presence, connected with listeners who had not yet been inundated with the band's disctinctive style that would inspire other acts in the years to follow.

So take another listen to The Offspring's 'Come Out and Play' and Rage Against the Machine's 'Freedom' in the players provided and then let us know which 1994 single deserves to advance in this Classic Cage Match battle by voting in the poll below.

(This Classic Cage Match will run until Friday, June 6, at 2PM ET. Fans can vote once per hour! So come back and vote often to make sure your favorite song wins!)

The Offspring, 'Come Out and Play'

Rage Against the Machine, 'Freedom'

Rules of Classic Cage Match:


Classic Cage Match songs must be at least 10 years old. Fans can vote once per hour for their favorite song. If a band remains the reigning champ for four straight cage matches, they are entered into the Loudwire Classic Cage Match Hall of Fame. With so many great songs out there, we have to give other bands a chance!