TOM and ROMAN MORELLO Team Up With SERJ TANKIAN For "Adjourn It"

Why It Matters

The collaboration underscores music’s role as a platform for social activism and highlights a multigenerational push against xenophobia, reinforcing the cultural relevance of protest art in today’s polarized climate.

Key Takeaways

• Tom and Roman Morello co‑write “Adjourn It” with Serj Tankian
• Song condemns immigrant persecution and rising fascist sentiment
• Video incorporates footage from 1954 film “Salt of the Earth”
• Power to the People festival features Foo Fighters, Springsteen, more

Pulse Analysis

Tom Morello’s latest release, “Adjourn It,” marks a rare father‑son‑partner collaboration that blends hard‑rock aggression with a clear political message. Joined by Serj Tankian, the track tackles the growing hostility toward immigrants and the resurgence of fascist rhetoric, positioning itself as a modern protest anthem. By invoking the legacy of *Salt of the Earth*—a 1954 film that chronicled Mexican‑American miners’ fight against racism and labor exploitation—the video draws a direct line between historic labor struggles and today’s sociopolitical battles, reinforcing the song’s call for solidarity.

The choice to embed *Salt of the Earth* footage is more than a nostalgic nod; it revives a censored piece of American cinema that was blacklisted for its left‑leaning stance. The film’s themes of collective resistance and community empowerment echo the core values of Axis of Justice, the nonprofit Morello and Tankian co‑founded in 2002 to combat racism in the metal scene. This continuity demonstrates how veteran musicians can leverage their platforms to keep activist narratives alive, bridging decades of protest culture through music and visual storytelling.

Looking ahead, “Adjourn It” will headline Morello’s Power to the People festival on October 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, a lineup that includes mainstream heavyweights Foo Fighters and Bruce Springsteen. The event signals a strategic blend of activism and commercial appeal, drawing diverse audiences while amplifying the song’s message. As festivals increasingly become stages for social commentary, Morello’s initiative illustrates how artists can shape public discourse, turning concerts into arenas for political engagement and cultural change.