Let all who write off punk rock as unintelligent noise be silenced in the wake of Rise Against’s latest album, Endgame. First formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1999, Rise Against still stand as one of the most provocative bands to appear on the scene. Their status remains unchallenged, not only because of their undeniable classic punk spirit, but also because of the bands actions on and off stage. As active supporters of PETA and straight edge lifestyles, the members of Rise Against remain extremely active and honest in their personal and political beliefs, allowing their music to act as one method by which their message is carried.
The politically aware, melodic hardcore quartet have returned to the scene with their sixth manifesto, a album powered by more high octane anthems of socio-economic outrage. Set to the iconic vocal of front man, Tim Mcllrath, the band finds itself inhabiting a musical headspace akin to their previous outing Appeal to Reason, and musically there is not much difference between the two records. However, as they often say, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!” If nothing else, Rise Against have polished their signature sound a bit after the dust collected during touring. On Endgame, the tunes are still driven by the razor sharp riffs of Zach Blair and driving beats of Brandon Barnes sitting behind the drum kit.
As any Rise Against fan can attest to, the band excels at crafting upbeat punk music with a knack for catchy melodies, without losing any of the sleek brutality for which punk music is known. Yet In the myriad of punk bands, Rise Against still possess a signature twist in their writing which sets them apart. By utilizing well placed time shifts, the group adds energy to their civic rants, creating a touch of the melodramatic in their music. This familiar dynamic is employed on Endgame on such tracks as “Help Is on the Way” and “Satellite” where a melodic shift from minute major melodies to a darker, droning minor tone is applied. The former of these two (as well as the first single) gives listeners the ability to engage in the emotion and power of Mcllrath’s message as the jumpy lead guitar riff shifts into a slower brood.
Another strength of Endgame can be found in the lyricism which the band puts forth. Where many punk bands don’t take the time to craft careful poetic phrases in their music, Rise Against place a lot of emphasis on their message which ultimately brings their lyrical quality above many of their contemporaries. With violent poetry Mcllrath, croons “That’s why we stick to your game plans and party lives, but at night we’re perspiring by candlelight. We are the orphans of the American dreams. Oh shine your light on me!” on “Satellite” truly painting his disgust with current day issues. Meanwhile on such tracks like “Survivor Guilt” the singer echoes the words of a deceased soldier, questioning the value of fighting for a country which will soon pass in lines such as “Carry on, don't mind me. All I gave was everything and yet you ask me for more. Fought your fight, bought your light, In return I lost my life. What purpose does this serve?” Where Tim Mcllrath does not overly rely on profanity to carry his songs, he doesn’t shy away from cursing several times on both “Architects” and “Survivor Guilt” preventing me from getting enthusiastic about those particular songs. Yet for the remainder of the album, the lyrics paint a desperate and angry scene of civil unrest and revolution, yet always end with the hope of change, leaving a place for reform.
Ultimately, the downfall of Endgame is found in its inability to stand out in comparison to anything outside of Rise Against’s previous work. Though dynamic and energetic within the Rise Against camp, Endgame suffers from a predictability which is enjoyable to a degree but doesn’t shine brighter in terms of progression. Listeners will certainly have fond memories of Appeal To Reason as they listen to each cut of this album, but will find themselves longing for tracks such as “Savior”, “The Dirt Whispered”, or “Audience of One” and will probably switch back to that record sometime before they even finish one revolution of Endgame, which doesn’t particularly make for an incredibly memorable album. However, fans of the group's sound and previous work will find this an aspect easy to overlook.
Being the band’s sixth studio album in 20 years, it is refreshing to see a group remaining solid in what they have determined to be their sonic strengths. The demand to constantly deliver quality material is a pressure within the alternative scene today, and fans are never easy to please. However naysayers will be hard pressed to downplay the ever present passion in Rise Against’s current studio outing. If you’re suddenly caught in the middle of downtown setting fire to government property, just say, “Mcllrath made me to do it!”
"I get so distracted by some people's reactions that I don't see my own faults for what they are. At times it's so self destructive, with no intent or motive, but behind this emotion, there lies a sensible heart..."
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