Rise Against - Endgame

Thu 31st Mar, 2011 in Music Reviews

Rise Against’s last record, Appeal To Reason, propelled the band to such heights that they can safely be considered one of the biggest, more mainstream, punk rock bands on the planet today. The fact that they are just as good live as they are recorded is an added bonus and another reason why they now play stadiums instead of clubs.

The record begins with Architects, which pretty much picks up where Appeal To Reason left off, to the point that it probably would have fit quite nicely on that record, instead it opens this one with a burst of energy and the powerful sounding guitars that the band is well known for.

Vocalist Tim McIlrath’s unique voice is the driving force of the entire album and whilst it does not have variance, it could not be more perfectly suited to this music. Help Is On The Way was chosen as the record’s first single and for obvious reasons, it is up-beat and catchy with a chorus that will be stuck in your head well after the song is finished, everything that you would want from a single.

Their punk roots are evident in the fast paced Disparity By Design which features some of the roughest vocals on the record with McIlwrath successfully pushing his voice to its limits. Another highlight is Make It Stop (September’s Children) begins with choir chants and contains a sample featuring names of children who have committed suicide as result of school bullying, which coupled with the lyrics makes for once of the most powerful songs on the record.

The record ends with its bass lead, but drum driven, title track and a great live version of The Good Left Undone from the 2006 album The Sufferer & The Witness, which exhibits just how energetic this band are live. Endgame is another great record from Rise Against that old fans will love and new fans will be happy to discover.