update: Rage Against the Machine’s three remaining members--guitarist-songwriter Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk--plan to keep the band alive, they said in a statement issued on Wednesday (10/18). Rage frontman Zack de la Rocha had announced his departure from the band earlier in the day.

"We're proud of our history and what we've accomplished musically and politically over the last 9 years,” reads the statement issued via Rage’s record label Epic. “We are committed to continuing with our efforts to effect change in the social and political arena and look forward to creating more ground breaking music for our fans. In other words, we'll keep it loud, keep it funky and most definitely rock on.…"

The band made no indication of its plans, if any, to replace de la Rocha.

Last month, Rage Against the Machine played two shows in Los Angeles that were recorded for a live album that was originally slated for release some time before the end of this year. The group also recently spent time in the studio recording a number of cover songs that an Epic spokesperson indicated last month would be included on the live release.

Sonicnet has since reported that the cover songs may be released as a separate album in December, and that the release of the live album may be postponed until next year.

On Thursday (10/19), an Epic spokesperson said a Rage album was tentatively scheduled to be released on Dec. 5, but could not confirm whether it would be the live recording, the cover songs or both.

De la Rocha issued a statement on Wednesday (10/18) that said he was leaving the band “because our decision-making process has completely failed." The former Rage frontman reportedly has been working on solo project.

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