Pissing off Scenesters Since 1995
Rise Against
“The Sufferer and the Witness”
Geffen
Rise Against carry the torch of melodic hardcore that almost expired in 1999 with the advent of cookie-cutter emo crap. They have the passion of Ignite, the styling of Thursday and kick as much ass as Quicksand. Rise Against are what hardcore should be, and it’s wonderful that they are finally receiving some commercial success.
Much like their adrenaline-fueled last effort, “Siren Songs of the Counter Culture,” this record builds steam like a locomotive, blowing its load on some crazy sing-along choruses. “And if strength is born from heartbreak/ Many mountains I could move,” singer Tim Mcllrath cries out on “Drones.” Sure, the lyrics sound like a sob fest, but the music is balls to the wall punk rock, teeming with breakdowns and cascading guitars.
“The Approaching Curve” serves as an anthem for the youth, while the opening track “Chamber the Cartridge” explodes like a landmine of drums and screaming. “Roadside” serves as the albums token soft song, but this time the band bypasses acoustic guitars for male/female vocals over an array of strings and goth-leaning guitar work. The super-catchy single “Ready to Fall” may not be representative of the rest of the tracks on the record, but the intensity Mcllrath exudes on the song touches every tune on “Sufferer.”
Rise Against has managed the impossible. The bands play melodic hardcore band that is both relevant in today’s homogenized music scene, and doesn’t get boring and redundant halfway through the record. They kickass in every way and should be required listening for anyone calling themselves a punk.