This is noise! The opening lines heard in a distance along with the slow played octave chords over a slow drum beat sure build up an exciting intro for Chamber The Cartridge. The end result is a record which marks the peak of the group’s career, and in turn will continue to propel the group’s progression. However, they manage to incorporate several new elements in the process as they always do seem to have a few tricks up their sleeves. Regarding core influences, the group still clings onto what everyone knows and loves about them. The group has not dumbed down their sound in the least, as it still packs the fury of a haymaker while keeping a melodic edge intact. After four records, that aspect about Rise Against has not changed one bit as their second major label release The Suffer and The Witness will show. They do it all while maintaining a vast amount of variety. Rise Against seem miles ahead of their genre, as they always seem to be able to put together consistent albums with memorable and meaningful songs. They can easily be considered the heart, soul and lungs of the modern day punk scene. It would be quite redundant to have an introduction discussing the motives of Chicago based punk group Rise Against. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.” – Tim McIlrath Album Description“Real revolution begins at learning. See More Your browser does not support the audio element. 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. 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. Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
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