Fuelled by Tim McIlrath’s call-to-arms lyrics and throat-shredding delivery, Rise Against have fired shots at their share of deserving targets - take a bow big business and war-mongering governments - over the course of the last decade or so, but ‘The Black Market’ finds them in a self-analytical frame of mind.
It’s a departure that slots in nicely as the next step in the progression that they’ve undertaken since the release of ‘Siren Song Of The Counter Culture’ a decade ago and one that allows a new element to settle in alongside the precisely-honed melodic hardcore fans have come to expect.
I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore, which preceded the record, hinted at this with its message of escape, teetering as it does on the precipice between bedding in for more and making a break to change your circumstances. Tragedy + Time, the album’s most outwardly anthemic moment, promises that “we’re holding on to laugh again someday”.
The Eco-Terrorist In Me is the record’s finest moment by some distance, though, and steps from that path to tackle a typically Rise Against sentiment: finding purpose in activism. It’s a rare foray into ‘Revolutions Per Minute Territory’ and jarring as a result; a snapshot of where they came from that undermines where they are now.
Throughout ‘The Black Market’ Rise Against are, despite the change in lyrical approach, in their comfort zone. Since ‘The Sufferer & The Witness’ they have claimed a spot as one of punk’s biggest draws and their output has reflected that. They have given the people what they want, but jettisoned a little of the fury that made their emergence at the turn of the century worthy of note.
There’s a sense that Rise Against could make 10 ‘Black Markets’ before making one ‘Revolutions Per Minute’ - they remain a fine band capable of quickening the heartbeat of even the crustiest old punk, but at this rate, there’s always going to be that regretful look over the shoulder.
Rise Against Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Mon November 03 2014 - SHEFFIELD O2 Academy Sheffield
Tue November 04 2014 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Thu November 06 2014 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Sat November 08 2014 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Sun November 09 2014 - SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall Southampton
Mon November 10 2014 - LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
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