Rise Against continued to inspire transgressive rock fans seeking hope and catharsis during the Bush presidency and, with the release of their fourth album The Sufferer and the Witness, which also went Gold, The AV Club exclaimed, “no other band plays this style as compellingly.” In a review of the album, Punk News credits the band with popularizing melodic hardcore music and influencing “literally thousands of bands.” Rise Against’s first major label album, Siren Song of the Counter Culture was certified Gold in the US. While their second album Revolutions Per Minute (2003) had Pop Matters declaring that the band was already at, “its peak in songwriting, performing, and energy,” the band’s success and acclaim continued to grow after they signed to Geffen in 2003. The band toured relentlessly, including dates on the Warped Tour, and rapidly built a devoted underground, with Exclaim calling them “the hardcore salvation we’ve all been waiting for.” Rise Against were formed in 1999 by bassist Joe Principe and vocalist/guitarist Tim McIlrath and quickly released two albums – The Unraveling and Revolutions Per Minute – on legendary San Francisco independent punk label Fat Wreck Chords. Each record here tells our story and represents a snapshot of where we were and who we were at the time, maybe it does the same for you.” Whether it was Blasting Room production on most of these albums or the Shepard Fairey artwork for Siren Song Of The Counterculture, the devil is in the details.
These albums connected with, and introduced us to, a die-hard fanbase we feel unworthy of. “Each song on each record was a handcrafted stepping stone that took us far beyond any expectations we ever had and surpassed any goal we ever set. “Eighteen years and eight records later, the story of Rise Against is best told with the music,” says frontman Tim McIlrath. Using their international platform to speak out for social justice, Rise Against’s rousing lyrics address progressive political issues like economic injustice, animal rights and homophobia. So even with the occasional letdown, there's a lot to be said for Rise Against pulling everything off with as much substance and strength as they do the whole way through.Since forming in Chicago in 1999, Rise Against has inspired generations of punk and rock fans with its fiery and anthemic brand of melodic hardcore punk. Essentially, The Sufferer & the Witness showcases Rise Against maturing within the realms of major-label hardcore revivalism, while still remaining relevant and exciting. The excellent "Prayer of the Refugee" jarringly alternates between plaintive guitars and weary singing to an empowered chorus and exploding rhythm section to affectingly address the plight of displaced families of war the frustrated disconnect distressing a troubled relationship is represented surprisingly well in "The Approaching Curve," with its driving use of spoken word and complementary female backing vocals. This record is basically one shout-along, mosh-worthy song after another, though the guys do throw in some interesting moments outside of continual rushes of pure adrenaline. "Injection" and "Ready to Fall" bring things back into invigorating Rise Against territory early on, while "Bricks" stands out as a vicious blast of old-school hardcore energy and power.
This later happens again in songs like "Under the Knife" and the ferocious-yet-still-slightly-missing "Worth Dying For," but moments like these are, in truth, more the exception than the rule.
However, "Chamber the Cartridge" doesn't quite open the record with the same acidic bite as past lead tracks, as the chorus is lacking something in its delivery to really hit a nerve. As such, Rise Against continue to muscularly confront political and personal grievances to the tune of swirling guitars, assertive rhythms, and Tim McIlrath's sandpapered vocals. With producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore manning the controls this time around, the band's inner grit is aptly drawn out amid all the pit-ready choruses and fist-in-the-air, stirring lyrics. After all, the band's sincerity and passion emerge very much intact - their socially conscious approach no less pressing - and new and old fans alike should take to Sufferer with open arms. Their melodic hardcore may still sound more mainstream accessible, but this can hardly be looked at as a bad thing. The Sufferer & the Witness finds Rise Against continuing on the path begun on 2004's well-received Siren Song of the Counter Culture.
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