Editing Rise Against

{{Short description|American melodic hardcore band}}
{{distinguish|Rise Above (disambiguation){{!}}Rise Above}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name            = Rise Against
| image           = Rise Against - 2023153205444 2023-06-02 Rock am Ring - Sven - 1D X MK II - 3381 - AK8I5374.jpg
| caption         = Rise Against at [[Rock am Ring]] 2023. Left to right: [[Zach Blair]], [[Tim McIlrath]], [[Brandon Barnes]] (drums), and [[Joe Principe]]
| image_upright   = 1.25
| alias           = Transistor Revolt (1999–2000)
| origin          = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.
| genre           = [[Melodic hardcore]]
| years_active    = <!--per WP:OTHERDATE-->1999–present<!--Do not change the year of formation without discussing on the talk page first and providing sources, as a consensus has been reached. Thank you.-->
| label           = {{flatlist|
* [[Fat Wreck Chords]]
* [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
* [[DGC Records|DGC]]
* [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
* [[Virgin Records America|Virgin]]
* [[Loma Vista Recordings|Loma Vista]]
}}
| spinoff_of      = {{hlist|[[88 Fingers Louie]]|[[Baxter (punk band)|Baxter]]}}
| spinoffs        = [[The Killing Tree]]
| website         = {{URL|https://riseagainst.com/|riseagainst.com}}
| current_members = 
* [[Tim McIlrath]]
* [[Joe Principe]]
* [[Brandon Barnes]]
* [[Zach Blair]]
| past_members    = 
* Dan Wleklinski
* Kevin White
* Todd Mohney
* Chris Chasse
* Tony Tintari
}}

'''Rise Against''' is an American [[punk rock]] band from [[Chicago]], formed in 1999. The group's current line-up comprises vocalist/rhythm guitarist [[Tim McIlrath]], lead guitarist [[Zach Blair]], bassist [[Joe Principe]] and drummer [[Brandon Barnes]]. Rise Against's music emphasizes [[melody]], catchy [[Hook (music)|hooks]], an aggressive sound and playstyle, and rapid [[tempo]]s. Lyrically, the band is known for their [[social commentary]], covering a wide range of topics such as [[politics in the United States|politics]], [[animal rights]], [[humanitarianism]], and [[environmentalism]].

The band spent its first four years signed to the independent record label [[Fat Wreck Chords]], on which they released two studio albums, ''[[The Unraveling (Rise Against album)|The Unraveling]]'' (2001) and ''[[Revolutions per Minute (Rise Against album)|Revolutions per Minute]]'' (2003). Both the albums were met with underground success, and in 2003 the band signed with the [[major label]] [[DreamWorks Records|Dreamworks]], which was absorbed by [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]. Rise Against's major label debut ''[[Siren Song of the Counter Culture]]'' (2004) brought the band mainstream success, largely in part to the popularity of the singles "[[Give It All]]" and "[[Swing Life Away]]". The band's next album, ''[[The Sufferer & the Witness]]'' (2006), peaked at number ten on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] in the United States, and was Rise Against's first album to chart in countries outside of North America.

With the release of ''[[Appeal to Reason (album)|Appeal to Reason]]'' (2008), Rise Against's music shifted toward a more accessible and radio-friendly sound, with greater emphasis on production value. The album's third single, "[[Savior (Rise Against song)|Savior]]", broke the record for the most consecutive weeks spent on both the [[Hot Rock Songs]] and [[Alternative Songs]] charts. Rise Against's popularity grew with the release of ''[[Endgame (Rise Against album)|Endgame]]'' (2011), which peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, and charted highly worldwide. The band's seventh and eighth albums, ''[[The Black Market (Rise Against album)|The Black Market]]'' (2014) and ''[[Wolves (Rise Against album)|Wolves]]'' (2017), continued the trend of commercial success, and both peaked with the top ten on the ''Billboard'' 200. Their ninth and most recent album, ''[[Nowhere Generation]]'', was released in 2021.

Rise Against is also known for their advocacy of [[progressivism]], supporting organizations such as [[Amnesty International]] and the [[It Gets Better Project]]. The band actively promotes [[animal rights]] and most of the members are [[straight edge]], [[PETA]] supporters and [[vegetarian]]s.

==History==

===Early years (1999-2003)===
[[File:FatMike2010.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Fat Wreck Chords co-founder Fat Mike signed Rise Against to their first record label in 2000.]]
Rise Against was formed in 1999, by bassist [[Joe Principe]] and guitarist Dan Wleklinski.<ref>{{cite news|last=Conner|first=Thomas|author-link=:de:Thomas Conner|title=Rousing Rise Against never more timely than today|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=January 29, 2012|page=16}}</ref> Before Rise Against, Principe and Wleklinski were members of the Chicago [[punk rock]] band [[88 Fingers Louie]].<ref name="15 Years">{{cite web|last=Heisel|first=Scott|url=http://substreammagazine.com/2016/02/former-rise-against-guitarist-reflects-on-15th-anniversary-of-the-unraveling/|title=Former Rise Against guitarist reflects on 15th anniversary of 'The Unraveling'|work=Substream Magazine|date=February 23, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227033018/http://substreammagazine.com/2016/02/former-rise-against-guitarist-reflects-on-15th-anniversary-of-the-unraveling/|archive-date=February 27, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> This band toured and recorded to moderate success, but disbanded on two separate occasions in the late 1990s.<ref name="88 FL">{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/bands/88fingerslouie|title=88 Fingers Louie|publisher=Punknews.org|access-date=January 5, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170306224712/https://www.punknews.org/bands/88fingerslouie|archive-date=March 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the second breakup, Principe and Wleklinski decided to form a new band called Transistor Revolt, and recruited drummer Tony Tintari, guitarist Kevin White, and lead vocalist [[Tim McIlrath]].<ref name="88 FL"/><ref name="News">{{cite web|url=http://www.riseagainst.com/news.html|title=Rise Against News|publisher=Rise Against official website|access-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011216011724/http://www.riseagainst.com/news.html|archive-date=December 16, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> Principe met McIlrath in [[Indianapolis]] while attending a [[Sick of It All]] concert, and recalled seeing him perform with his previous band [[Baxter (punk band)|Baxter]].<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{cite web|last=Kot|first=Greg|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/05/12/rise-against-brings-political-punk-to-mainstream/|title=Rise Against brings political punk to mainstream|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 12, 2011|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320103214/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-05-12/entertainment/ct-ott-0513-rise-against-20110512_1_punk-joe-principe-fingers-louie|archive-date=March 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Impressed with McIlrath's gritty vocals, Principe gave him a seven track [[demo (music)|demo]] he had recorded, and invited him to join the nascent band.<ref name="Chicago Tribune"/> McIlrath accepted the invitation, and dropped out of [[Northeastern Illinois University]].<ref name="Rolling Stone 2006">{{cite magazine|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|title=Rise Against: Punk Rebels|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 13, 2006|pages=26–30|issn=0035-791X|issue=1004/1005}}</ref>

The initial [[jam session]]s were problematic, as McIlrath was unaccustomed to Principe's and Wleklinski's fast-paced style of play.<ref name="Chicago Tribune"/> McIlrath described these early sessions as "the meeting of different worlds and worlds colliding", and noted how many of his friends questioned the future of the band.<ref name="UGA Interview">{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Steven|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/tim_mcilrath_i_never_had_a_very_careerist_attitude_towards_rise_againsts_music_and_message.html|title=Tim McIlrath: 'I Never Had a Very Careerist Attitude Towards Rise Against's Music and Message'|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive]]|date=November 11, 2014|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611020103/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/tim_mcilrath_i_never_had_a_very_careerist_attitude_towards_rise_againsts_music_and_message.html|archive-date=June 11, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite these early issues, they were able to self-publish the [[extended play]] (EP) ''Transistor Revolt'' in 2000.<ref name="UGA Interview"/> The EP attracted the attention of the local punk community, as well as [[Fat Mike]], the lead vocalist of [[NOFX]] and co-founder of the [[independent record label]] [[Fat Wreck Chords]].<ref name="Metal Hammer">{{cite web|last=Everly|first=Dave|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2014-03-28/they-shall-overcome|title=They shall overcome|work=[[Metal Hammer]]|date=March 28, 2014|access-date=January 5, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170306224837/http://teamrock.com/feature/2014-03-28/they-shall-overcome|archive-date=March 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Fat Mike offered to sign the band to a [[recording contract]], with the stipulation that they change their name. He gave some suggestions, like Jimmy Cracked Corn And The I Don't Cares, although none of the band members liked them.<ref name="Metal Hammer"/> Tintari suggested Rise Against, to which the band agreed upon.<ref name="Fender">{{cite web|last=Duffy|first=Mike|url=http://www2.fender.com/experience/artists/rise-againsts-joe-principe-playing-heart-sincerity/|title=Rise Against's Joe Principe: 'All About Playing With Heart And Sincerity|publisher=[[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender.com]]|date=March 26, 2015|access-date=January 5, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170306225158/http://www2.fender.com/experience/artists/rise-againsts-joe-principe-playing-heart-sincerity/|archive-date=March 6, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

After signing with Fat Wreck Chords, Tintari and White left the band.<ref name="Podomatic">{{cite web|last=Pierson|first=John|author-link=John Pierson (musician)|url=https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/jugheadsbasementtnh/episodes/2016-08-22T07_00_00-07_00|title=Episode 21 - Rise Against's The Sufferer And The Witness|publisher=Podomatic|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=May 20, 2017}}</ref> The remaining members then spent the next few months looking for another drummer capable of playing [[Half-time (music)#double-time|double-time]] beats at a rapid pace.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2006"/> During this period, the band [[Good Riddance (band)|Good Riddance]] found their new drummer, and sent Rise Against the audition tape of their number two choice, [[Brandon Barnes]]. A mutual friend gave Barnes' phone number to Principe, and after listening to ''Transistor Revolt'', Barnes accepted the band's invitation.<ref name="Podomatic"/>

With their new lineup finalized, Rise Against began work on their debut [[album|studio album]], ''[[The Unraveling (Rise Against album)|The Unraveling]]''. Recording sessions took place in late 2000, at Sonic Iguana Studios in [[Lafayette, Indiana|Lafayette]].<ref name="15 Years"/><ref name="AllMusic TU">{{cite web|last=Morris|first=Kurt|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-unraveling-mw0000587183|title=The Unraveling — Rise Against|website=[[AllMusic]]|date=n.d.|access-date=November 19, 2016}}</ref> Wleklinski served as an assistant [[Audio engineer|engineer]] under producer [[Mass Giorgini]], and later remarked on the grueling workdays: "12-hour days for 4 of those weeks, and then 22 to 24 hours per day during that last week of tracking. These were the times of 'If you don't play it right, you have to play it again,' not 'That was good enough, I'll edit it so it's on time."<ref name="15 Years"/> ''The Unraveling'' was released on April 24, 2001.<ref name="15 Years"/> Although the album failed to reach any [[record chart]]s, it did receive positive reviews from critics, who commended the raw and unadulterated music.<ref name="AllMusic TU"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Benwell|first=James|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/2565/reviews/957-rise-against-the-unraveling|title=Rise Against — The Unraveling|work=[[Drowned in Sound]]|date=April 28, 2001|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924083722/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/2565/reviews/957-rise-against-the-unraveling|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boy|first=Davey|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/30005/Rise-Against-The-Unraveling|title=Rise Against — The Unraveling|website=Sputnikmusic|date=March 26, 2009|access-date=November 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Merrill|first=Shawn|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/rise_against-unraveling|title=Rise Against — The Unraveling|work=[[Exclaim!]]|date=May 31, 2001|access-date=November 19, 2016}}</ref> To promote the album, Rise Against toured extensively throughout North America and Europe.<ref name="News"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Iwasaki|first=Scott|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/921006/Rise-Against-turns-trials-into-strength.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018190510/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/921006/Rise-Against-turns-trials-into-strength.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2017|title=Rise Against turns trials into strength|work=[[Deseret News]]|date=June 20, 2002|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref> While on tour, Wleklinski left the band due to several complaints from McIlrath. Rumor spread that Wleklinski was fired because of his long hair, although McIlrath derided these claims.<ref name="2003 Interview">{{cite web|last=Heisel|first=Scott|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/5272/interviews-rise-against|title=Rise Against Interview (2003)|publisher=Punknews.org|date=February 8, 2003|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> [[Phillip Hill]] stood in as the lead guitarist while on tour, after which White returned as a replacement.<ref name="News"/>

[[File:Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore.JPG|right|upright=1.2|thumb|Jason Livermore (left) and Bill Stevenson (right) produced ''Revolutions per Minute'' at the Blasting Room. The duo would go on to produce four of Rise Against's next five albums.]]
Less than a year later, White left the band for a second time, and was replaced by Todd Mohney, McIlrath's roommate and former bandmate.<ref name="UGA Interview"/><ref name="Podomatic"/> When it came time to record their second album, ''[[Revolutions per Minute (Rise Against album)|Revolutions per Minute]]'', McIlrath noted that the band was suffering from an "identity crisis". Fat Wreck Chords was known for a specific [[pop punk]] sound, and Rise Against wanted to find a producer that could highlight the heavier side of their music.<ref name="UGA Interview"/> They decided on [[Bill Stevenson (musician)|Bill Stevenson]]—the former drummer of the punk band [[Descendents]]—and Jason Livermore to produce the album.<ref name="AbsolutePunk Interview">{{cite web|last=Remus|first=Deborah|url=https://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3201721|title=Interview: Rise Against – 05.22.13|work=[[AbsolutePunk]]|date=May 22, 2013|access-date=April 30, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703041616/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3201721|archive-date=July 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Revolutions per Minute'' was recorded at [[the Blasting Room]] in [[Fort Collins, Colorado|Fort Collins]], from November to December 2002.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Revolutions per Minute|type=liner notes|others=Rise Against|publisher=Fat Wreck Chords|year=2003}}</ref> The band members developed a strong rapport with Stevenson and Livermore, and the two parties would eventually collaborate on four of next five Rise Against albums.<ref name="UGA Interview"/>

''Revolutions per Minute'' was released on April 8, 2003.<ref name="AllMusic RPM"/> Like ''The Unraveling'', it failed to reach any major record charts, but did reach number thirty-five on the [[Independent Albums]] chart in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/rise-against/chart-history/ind/|title=Rise Against – Chart History: Independent Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507085919/https://www.billboard.com/music/rise-against/chart-history/canadian-albums|archive-date=May 7, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Critics praised the album for its impassioned lyrics and unique blend of hardcore punk and melodic hardcore; Brian Hiatt of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called ''Revolutions per Minute'' "easily among the finest punk records of the past decade".<ref name="Rolling Stone 2006"/><ref name="AllMusic RPM">{{cite web|last=Greene|first=Jo-Ann|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/revolutions-per-minute-mw0000024468|title=Rise Against — Revolutions per Minute|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Sputnikmusic RPM">{{cite web|last=Boy|first=Davey|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/30048/Rise-Against-Revolutions-per-Minute/|title=Rise Against — Revolutions per Minute|website=Sputnikmusic|date=March 30, 2009|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Paul|first=Aubin|url=https://www.punknews.org/review/1820/rise-against-revolutions-per-minute|title=Rise Against — Revolutions per Minute (2003)|publisher=Punknews.org|date=April 8, 2003|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> To support the album, Rise Against traveled with other Fat Wreck Chord bands like [[Anti-Flag]], [[None More Black]], and [[No Use for a Name]] on North American and Japan based tours,<ref>See:
*{{cite web|last=Despres|first=Shawn|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/no-use-for-a-name-030602/|title=No Use for a Name + Anti-Flag + Rise Against|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=June 24, 2003|access-date=April 30, 2017}}
*{{cite web|last=Dufour|first=Matt|url=http://www.thefader.com/2003/10/15/anti-flag-to-headline-massive-fat-wreck-tour|title=Anti-Flag To Headline Massive Fat Wreck Tour|work=[[The Fader]]|date=October 15, 2003|access-date=May 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818145528/http://www.thefader.com/2003/10/15/anti-flag-to-headline-massive-fat-wreck-tour|archive-date=August 18, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and participated in the 2003 [[Warped Tour]] in North America.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1473422/where-mouth-geysers-meet-cheesy-macaroni-warped-tour-indeed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106084312/http://www.mtv.com/news/1473422/where-mouth-geysers-meet-cheesy-macaroni-warped-tour-indeed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2015|title=Where Mouth Geysers Meet Cheesy Macaroni — Warped (Tour) Indeed|publisher=MTV|date=June 27, 2003|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> When asked about the band's early years with Fat Wreck Chords, Principe said: "Our goal was to be on Fat Wreck Chords and just sell enough records so that when we were home from tour, we wouldn't have to get jobs...Of course, that was all before we had families and children and numerous responsibilities. That was the beauty. And then the longer we did it things just kept coming our way."<ref name="Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012">{{cite web|last=Mervis|first=Scott|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2012/05/03/Rise-Against-a-rare-political-punk-success-story/stories/201205030258?pgpageversion=pgevoke|title=Rise Against: a rare political punk success story|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=May 3, 2012|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref>

===Rising popularity (2004–2007)===
Rise Against's extensive touring schedule helped to establish an early fanbase, and attracted the attention of major record labels, including [[Dreamworks Records]].<ref name="Blistering Interview">{{cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Justin|url=http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/templateid/8696/menuid/3/tempidx/5/catid/4/restemp/N%3B/fPpagesel/1|title=Rise Against|work=[[Blistering (magazine)|Blistering]]|page=1|access-date=May 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120151954/http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/templateid/8696/menuid/3/tempidx/5/catid/4/restemp/N;/fPpagesel/1|archive-date=November 20, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="DreamWorks 2003">{{cite web|last=White|first=Adam|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/7057/rise-against-signs-to-dreamworks|title=Rise Against Signs To Dreamworks|publisher=Punknews.org|date=September 10, 2003|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005063131/https://www.punknews.org/article/7057/rise-against-signs-to-dreamworks|archive-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The general consensus among Fat Wreck Chords musicians was that major record labels sacrifice musical integrity in exchange for commercial profit. Rise Against held the same belief, but eventually came to the conclusion that unlike other labels, DreamWorks supported their politically charged lyrics. According to McIlrath: "Their faith in what we do and the fact that they cared about stuff we cared about was an eye-opener."<ref name="DreamWorks 2003"/> The band signed with Dreamworks in September 2003,<ref name="DreamWorks 2003"/> and was given complete creative control to record their major record label debut album, ''[[Siren Song of the Counter Culture]]''.<ref name="UGA Interview"/>

The band went into the album with the assumption that Dreamworks was going to drop them at any moment, so they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity by working with their "dream producer". They chose [[Garth Richardson]], who was known for his work with heavier sounding bands like [[Rage Against the Machine]] and Sick of It All.<ref name="Punknews 2006">{{cite web|last=Paul|first=Aubin|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/21197/interviews-tim-mcilrath-rise-against|title=Interviews: Tim McIlrath (Rise Against)|publisher=Punknews.org|date=December 6, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114200611/https://www.punknews.org/article/21197/interviews-tim-mcilrath-rise-against|archive-date=November 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> While writing songs for the album, Rise Against's lineup once again changed; Mohney quit, and was replaced by Chris Chasse of the band [[Reach the Sky]].<ref name="Punknews 2006"/> The recording sessions for ''Siren Song of the Counter Culture'' were marred by numerous distractions and inconveniences, the biggest of which was the transition from Dreamworks to [[Geffen Records]].<ref name="Punknews 2006"/> In November 2003, Dreamworks was acquired by [[Universal Music Group]], and eventually merged with Geffen.<ref name="Atlantic Press">{{cite news|last=Sculley|first=Alan|title=Entertainment: Rising Stars / Rise Against Joins Thursday At Showboat's House Of Blues|work=[[The Press of Atlantic City]]|date=November 16, 2006|page=19}}</ref> The transition period between labels left Rise Against without an [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] representative, and little acknowledgement from Geffen executives.<ref name="Metal Hammer"/><ref name="Atlantic Press"/>

''Siren Song of the Counter Culture'' was released on August 10, 2004.<ref name="AllMusic SS">{{cite web|last=Loftus|first=Johnny|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/siren-song-of-the-counter-culture-mw0000208423|title=Siren Song of the Counter-Culture - Rise Against|website=AllMusic|access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref> For the first six months, the album sold poorly, and attracted little fanfare.<ref name="Atlantic Press"/> Rise Against's incessant touring resulted in greater exposure and an eventual increase in sales.<ref name="UGA Interview"/> It became the band's first album to reach the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], peaking at number 136,<ref name="US">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/rise-against/chart-history/tlp/|title=Rise Against – Chart History: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref> and was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]]&nbsp;(RIAA), denoting shipments of 500,000 copies.<ref name="certifications">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Rise_Against&ti=&col=format&ord=asc#search_section|title=RIAA – Gold & Platinum: Rise Against Certifications|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref> ''Siren Song of the Counter Culture'' was praised for its lyrical content, but drew some criticism for a lack of individually memorable songs and perceived overproduction.<ref name="AllMusic SS"/><ref name="Sputnikmusic SS">{{cite web|last=Boy|first=Davey|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/25996/Rise-Against-Siren-Song-of-the-Counter-Culture/|title=Review: Rise Against - Siren Song of the Counter Culture|website=Sputnikmusic|date=June 16, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Justin|url=http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/templateid/7755/menuid/2/tempidx/4/link/1|title=Rise Against - Siren Song Of The Counter Culture (Geffen Records)|work=[[Blistering (magazine)|Blistering]]|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417133835/http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/templateid/7755/menuid/2/tempidx/4/link/1|archive-date=April 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Parker|first=Alex|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/pages/riseagainstx24x05x05|title=Rise Against – Siren Song Of The Counter Culture – Album Review|magazine=[[Contactmusic.com]]|access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref> Three songs from the album were released as [[single (music)|singles]]: "[[Give It All]]", "[[Swing Life Away]]", and "Life Less Frightening".<ref>See:
*{{cite AV media notes|title="Give It All"|others=Rise Against|publisher=Geffen|year=2004}}
*{{cite AV media notes|title="Swing Life Away"|others=Rise Against|publisher=Geffen|year=2005}}
*{{cite AV media notes|title="Life Less Frightening"|others=Rise Against|publisher=Geffen|year=2005}}</ref> All three songs charted on the [[Alternative Songs|Modern Rock Tracks]] chart in the United States.<ref name="Alt Songs">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=rise against|chart=Alternative Songs}}|title=Rise Against Album & Song Chart History – Alternative Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 20, 2017}}</ref> "Give It All" and "Swing Life Away" in particular are credited as the band's breakthrough singles, helping Rise Against achieve mainstream appeal.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moser|first=John J.|url=http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/lehigh-valley-music/mc-rise-against-at-tower-theatre-shows-its-far-more-than-hardcore-concert-review-20141002-column.html|title=Review: Rise Against at Tower Theatre shows it's far more than hardcore|work=[[The Morning Call]]|date=October 2, 2014|access-date=May 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/Review/703|title=Rise Against – Endgame|work=[[Alternative Addiction]]|access-date=May 20, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Tim McIlrath 2006.png|thumb|right|McIlrath performing with Rise Against during the 2006 Warped Tour in Vancouver]]
After a year and a half of touring, Rise Against reconvened at the Blasting Room to record their fourth album, ''[[The Sufferer & the Witness]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Saitowitz|first=Paul|title=Punkers Rise Against beat the odds|work=[[The Press-Enterprise]]|date=December 9, 2005|page=AA15|location=Riverside, California}}</ref> The band members were dissatisfied with Richardson's contributions to ''Siren Song of the Counter Culture'', as he produced a more polished and heavier album than their previous works. As a result, they decided to return to Stevenson and Livermore, who they felt had accurately captured the raw punk sound they strove for on ''Revolutions per Minute''.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2006"/> Unlike the stressful recording sessions for ''Siren Song of the Counter Culture'', the band had a much more enjoyable time with ''The Sufferer & the Witness'', as they no longer sought the approval of Geffen executives. According to McIlrath: "It went great, the songs just flowed out of us. There were really few questions and the song lyrics would just come out of us, it went really well and everyone really liked them."<ref>{{cite web|last=Koczan|first=J.J.|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2006/07/05/rise-against-interview-with-tim-mcilrath/|title=Rise Against: Interview with Tim McIlrath|work=[[The Aquarian Weekly]]|date=July 5, 2006|access-date=June 15, 2017|page=1}}</ref>

''The Sufferer & the Witness'' was released on July 4, 2006.<ref name="AllMusic SAW Review">{{cite web|last=Apar|first=Corey|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sufferer-the-witness-mw0000410557|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> The album sold 48,327 copies in its first week of release in the United States, and peaked at number ten on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hoard|first=Christian|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/chart-roundup-johnny-cash-rise-against-busta-rhymes-20060712|title=Chart Roundup: Johnny Cash, Rise Against, Busta Rhymes|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 12, 2006|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808075134/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/chart-roundup-johnny-cash-rise-against-busta-rhymes-20060712|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''The Sufferer & the Witness'' also charted in seven other countries, including number five on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]], making it the band's first album to chart outside of the United States.<ref name="CAN">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/rise-against/chart-history/cna/|title=Rise Against – Chart history: Canadian Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue853.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060719140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20060720-0000/issue853.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2006|title=The ARIA Report|publisher=[[ARIA Charts]]|page=5|date=July 10, 2006|access-date=June 19, 2017}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Rise+Against&titel=The+Sufferer+%26+The+Witness&cat=a|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer & the Witness|language=de|publisher=austriancharts.at.|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-37392|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer & the Witness|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]]|access-date=June 3, 2017|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/album/Rise-Against/The-Sufferer-&-The-Witness-37392|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness|publisher=[[Swiss Hitparade]]|access-date=June 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_R.HTM|title=Chart Log UK|publisher=zobbel.de|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> It was certified gold in three countries, and platinum by [[Music Canada]].<ref name="certifications"/><ref>{{cite certification|region=Australia|type=album|title=The Sufferer & the Witness|artist=Rise Against|award=Gold|certyear=2014|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite certification|region=Canada|type=album|title=The Sufferer & the Witness|artist=Rise Against|award=Platinum|certyear=2007|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite certification|region=Germany|type=album|title=The Sufferer & the Witness|artist=Rise Against|award=Gold|certyear=2013|access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref> The album was well received by critics, who praised the production value, and noted how Rise Against was able to mature in their sound and simultaneously retain their punk roots.<ref name="AllMusic SAW Review"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Paul|first=Aubin|url=http://www.punknews.org/review/5429/rise-against-the-sufferer-and-the-witness|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer & the Witness|publisher=Punknews.org|date=July 4, 2006|access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boy|first=Davey|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/26025/Rise-Against-The-Sufferer-and-the-Witness/|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer and the Witness|website=Sputnikmusic|date=July 19, 2008|access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Beringer |first=Drew |url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=150185 |title=Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness |work=[[AbsolutePunk]] |date=July 3, 2006 |access-date=June 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719224343/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=150185 |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Three songs from ''The Sufferer & the Witness'' were released as singles: "[[Ready to Fall]]", "[[Prayer of the Refugee]]", and "[[The Good Left Undone]]".<ref>See:
*{{cite AV media notes|title="Ready to Fall"|others=Rise Against|publisher=Geffen|year=2006}}
*{{cite AV media notes|title="Prayer of the Refugee"|others=Rise Against|publisher=Geffen|year=2006}}
*{{cite AV media notes|title="The Good Left Undone"|others=Rise Against|publisher=Geffen|year=2007}}</ref> These three songs also charted on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, with "Prayer of the Refugee" and "The Good Left Undone" in particular peaking within the top ten.<ref name="Alt Songs"/> Rise Against supported the album with [[The Sufferer & the Witness Tour]] throughout the second half of 2006 and all of 2007. The band was a [[Headliner (performances)|headliner]] on the 2006 Warped Tour,<ref>{{cite web|last=Bronson|first=Kevin|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-may-18-wk-popbright18-story.html|title=Still finding things to get angry about|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 18, 2006|access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref> during which author and filmmaker [[Davy Rothbart]] recorded several of the band's live performances, and interviewed some of their fans. This footage was used in the Rise Against DVD documentary ''Generation Lost''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fuoco|first=Christina|title=Band gets 'cool' perspective on loyal fans through new DVD|work=[[The Flint Journal]]|location=Flint, Michigan|date=November 14, 2006|page=D06}}</ref> Prior to a 2007 tour with [[My Chemical Romance]], Chasse left the band, citing touring fatigue as the reason for his departure; his role was filled shortly thereafter by [[Zach Blair]] of the band [[Only Crime]].<ref name="Zach">{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/archive_1803|title=Chris Chasse leaves Rise Against, replaced by Zach Blair|work=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=February 22, 2007|access-date=August 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811122705/https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/archive_1803|archive-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> At the time he received the call about joining Rise Against, Blair was a construction worker living paycheck to paycheck.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=[[Another Station: Another Mile]]|medium=Documentary|date=October 5, 2010}}</ref>

===International success (2008–2013)===
McIlrath and Principe had been writing songs for a new album throughout The Sufferer & Witness tour, and in December 2007, the band members went to the Blasting Room to record their fifth studio album ''[[Appeal to Reason (album)|Appeal to Reason]]''.<ref name="Aquarian ATR">{{cite web|last=Zemler|first=Emily|url=https://www.theaquarian.com/2008/10/02/rise-against-still-going-against-the-grain/|title=Interview with Rise Against: Still Going Against The Grain|work=[[The Aquarian]]|date=October 2, 2008|access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> This was the third Rise Against album to be produced by Stevenson and Livermore, and the band members had grown accustomed to the duo's work style. According to McIlrath: "[Stevenson's] got such a work ethic, just an amazing work ethic, and Livermore too, and the whole studio, all the people that work there."<ref name="AP ATR Interview">{{cite web|last=Pascarella|first=Tony|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=625382|title=Rise Against - 10.06.08|work=[[AbsolutePunk]]|date=October 19, 2008|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530071104/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=625382|archive-date=May 30, 2012}}</ref> Blair went into the album with the goal to fit in seamlessly with the other band members, or as he put it "If you listen to every record this band had out, you could tell that Zach Blair played on this record".<ref name="Blair Interview"/> He took influence from how [[Nels Cline]] sounded on the album ''[[Sky Blue Sky]]'' when he joined [[Wilco]].<ref name="Blair Interview"/> Blair was already well acquainted with Stevenson before joining Rise Against, as he and Stevenson were in Only Crime. Stevenson helped Blair replicate the sound of past Rise Against guitarists.<ref name="Blair Interview">{{cite web|last=Rosen|first=Steven|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/rise_against_there_were_songs_that_needed_more_of_an_aggressive_tone.html|title=Rise Against: 'There Were Songs That Needed More Of An Aggressive Tone'|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive]]|date=October 3, 2008|access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref>

''Appeal to Reason'' was released on October 7, 2008.<ref name="AllMusic ATR">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Appeal to Reason - Rise Against|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/appeal-to-reason-mw0000799564|website=[[AllMusic]]|date=n.d.|access-date=May 4, 2009}}</ref> It was the first Rise Against album to be released by [[Interscope Records]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Fadroski|first=Kelli Skye|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2012/09/26/interview-tim-mcilrath-talks-politics-love-for-oc-as-rise-against-returns-to-headline-honda-center/|title=Interview: Tim McIlrath talks politics, love for O.C. as Rise Against returns to headline Honda Center|work=[[Orange County Register]]|date=September 26, 2012|access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> In the United States, the album peaked at number three on the ''Billboard'' 200, making it Rise Against's highest-charting album at the time. The album sold 64,000 copies in its first week of release, and by December 2010, it had sold 482,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Chris|title=T.I. Continues to Rule The Charts With ''Paper Trail'' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597101/20081015/t_i_.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=October 15, 2008|access-date=April 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412131013/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597101/20081015/t_i_.jhtml|archive-date=April 12, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Spin Interview Endgame">{{cite magazine|last=O'Donnell|first=Kevin|url=http://www.spin.com/2010/12/first-look-rise-againsts-upcoming-album/3/|title=First Look at Rise Against's Upcoming Album|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=December 22, 2010|access-date=September 24, 2010}}</ref> Rise Against's popularity continued to grow internationally, with ''Appeal to Reason'' charting highly in several countries including number one in Canadian Albums Chart.<ref name="Loudwire Wolves"/><ref name="CAN"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue972.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20081019130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20081020-0000/issue972.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2008|title=The ARIA Report|publisher=[[ARIA Charts]]|page=5|date=October 13, 2008|access-date=October 17, 2017}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-98497|title=Rise Against - Appeal to Reason|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]]|access-date=October 17, 2017|language=de}}</ref><ref name="UK">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5242/rise-against/|title=Rise Against UK|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref> ''Appeal to Reason'' marked a musical shift for Rise Against to a more mainstream and radio-friendly sound, which led to division among critical opinions. Some critics commended the album's more radio-friendly sound,<ref name="AP ATR">{{cite web|last=Fallon|first=Chris|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=595372|title= Rise Against - Appeal to Reason|work=[[AbsolutePunk]]|date=October 6, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530081355/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=595372|archive-date=May 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="RS ATR">{{cite magazine|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|title=Rise Against: Appeal To Reason|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/riseagainst/albums/album/23226244/review/23306227/appeal_to_reason|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=October 16, 2008 |access-date=December 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005074134/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/riseagainst/albums/album/23226244/review/23306227/appeal_to_reason|archive-date=October 5, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="AV ATR">{{cite web|last=Burgess|first=Aaron|url=https://www.avclub.com/rise-against-appeal-to-reason-1798204975|title=Rise Against: Appeal To Reason|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=October 6, 2008|access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141609/https://music.avclub.com/rise-against-appeal-to-reason-1798204975|url-status=live}}</ref> while other critics found the music to be stale, and bemoaned Rise Against for abandoning their punk roots.<ref name="PopMatters ATR">{{cite web|last=Stewart|first=Bill|url=https://www.popmatters.com/rise-against-appeal-to-reason-2496108616.html|title=Rise Against: Appeal to Reason|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=November 6, 2008|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name="EW ATR">{{cite magazine|last=Weingarten|first=Marc|title=Appeal to Reason|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/09/30/appeal-reason/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=October 1, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2009|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403144730/http://www.ew.com/article/2008/09/30/appeal-reason|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Alternative Press Endgame">{{cite web|last=Heisel|first=Scott|url=https://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/rise_against_endgame|title=Rise Against - Endgame|work=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=February 28, 2011|access-date=March 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317020334/http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/rise_against_endgame|archive-date=March 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Zach Blair Tim McIlrath Rise Against live 2008.jpg|alt=A man with a shaved head playing a guitar with an intense expression. A singing into a microphone is in the background.|thumb|left|Blair and McIlrath playing on the Appeal to Reason tour in [[Hampton Beach, New Hampshire|Hampton Beach]]]]
Like with the previous two albums, three songs from ''Appeal to Reason'' were released as singles: "[[Re-Education (Through Labor)]]", "[[Audience of One (Rise Against song)|Audience of One]]", and "[[Savior (Rise Against song)|Savior]]".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Re-Education (Through Labor)"|others=Rise Against|publisher=DGC, Interscope|year=2008|type=CD single}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Audience of One"|others=Rise Against|publisher=DGC, Interscope|year=2009|type=CD single}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Savior"|others=Rise Against|publisher=DGC, Interscope|year=2009|type=CD single}}</ref> All three songs charted highly on the Modern Rock Tracks chart;<ref name="Alt Songs"/> "Savior" in particular held the record for the most consecutive weeks spent on both the [[Hot Rock Songs]] and Modern Rock Tracks charts, with sixty-three and sixty-five weeks respectively.<ref name="Records">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xGl78gyjknMC&pg=PA42 |title=Extended Stays |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=October 2, 2010 |page=42 |volume=122 |issue=39 |access-date=July 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307010600/https://books.google.com/books?id=xGl78gyjknMC |archive-date=March 7, 2016 }}</ref>{{efn|"[[Sail (song)|Sail]]" by [[Awolnation]] broke the longevity record on the Hot Rock Songs chart, where it spent ninety-six weeks.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-songs/2014-03-22 |title=''Billboard'' Hot Rock Songs – March 22, 2014 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110050633/http://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-songs/2014-03-22 |archive-date=November 10, 2016 }}</ref>}} In the midst of ''Appeal to Reason''{{'s}} singles, Rise Against also released three EPs in 2009, including a short [[split album]] with Anti-Flag.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=164532|title=Rise Against/Anti-Flag|publisher=Interpunk|access-date=April 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fatwreck.com/record/detail/234|title=Rise Against – Self-Titled|publisher=[[Fat Wreck Chords]]|access-date=April 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/grammatizator-digital-45/335342283|title=Grammatizator [Digital 45]|date=January 2009 |publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=April 1, 2016}}</ref>

To promote the album, Rise Against embarked on the [[Appeal To Reason Tour]], which began with United States–based tour with [[Thrice]], [[Alkaline Trio]], and [[The Gaslight Anthem]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Cohen |first=Jane |author2=Bob Grossweiner |title=Rise Against announces 29-date tour with Alkaline Trio, Thrice |url=http://www.ticketnews.com/Rise-Against-announces-29-date-tour-with-Alkaline-Trio-Thrice08804448 |publisher=TicketNews |date=August 4, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026030704/http://www.ticketnews.com/Rise-Against-announces-29-date-tour-with-Alkaline-Trio-Thrice08804448 |archive-date=October 26, 2008 }}</ref> Rise Against then co-headlined a 2009 tour with [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]] throughout the summer months,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Carman |first=Keith |title=Billy Talent Return For Album Number ''III'' |url=http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=115&csid2=844&fid1=38035 |magazine=[[Exclaim!]] |date=April 23, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507080813/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=115 |archive-date=May 7, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which was followed by a short tour of the United Kingdom in November, supported by the bands [[Thursday (band)|Thursday]] and [[Poison the Well (band)|Poison the Well]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Paul|first=Aubin | date = May 13, 2009 | title=Rise Against / Thursday / Poison the Well (UK) | publisher=Punknews.org | url=http://www.punknews.org/article/33527 | access-date=May 18, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090516180506/http://www.punknews.org/article/33527| archive-date= May 16, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Some of the 2009 performances were recorded and compiled in the 2010 DVD ''Another Station: Another Mile''. These performances were interspersed with interviews of the band members about the process of recording an album.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paul|first=Aubin|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/39711/rise-against-announces-another-station-another-mile-dvd|title=Rise Against announces 'Another Station: Another Mile' DVD|publisher=Punknews.org|date=September 7, 2010|access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref>

Rise Against finished recording their sixth studio album, ''[[Endgame (Rise Against album)|Endgame]]'', in January 2011, after recording some last-minute guest vocals. The lyrics of the album focus on real world events, such as [[Hurricane Katrina]] and the [[Deepwater Horizon oil spill]].<ref>{{cite web| title = [World Premiere] Rise Against "Help Is On The Way" From Endgame| work = KROQ| date = December 22, 2010| url = http://kroq.radio.com/2011/01/17/world-premiere-rise-against-help-is-on-the-way-from-forthcoming-album/| access-date = January 22, 2011| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110121021347/http://kroq.radio.com/2011/01/17/world-premiere-rise-against-help-is-on-the-way-from-forthcoming-album/| archive-date = January 21, 2011}}</ref> According to McIlrath, although the lyrics discuss grim topics, they actually take on a positive view and were written from the perspective of: "What if the place on the other side of this transition is a place we'd all rather be living in?"<ref name="SPIN-122010">{{cite web| last = O'Donnell| first = Kevin| title = First Look at Rise Against's Upcoming Album| work = [[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]| date = December 22, 2010| url = https://www.spin.com/2010/12/first-look-rise-againsts-upcoming-album/| access-date = December 22, 2010}}</ref> On January 12, 2011, Rise Against announced the release date of ''Endgame'' as March 15, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://interscope.com/artist/news/default.aspx?nid=33184&aid=1017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426203538/http://www.interscope.com/artist/news/default.aspx?nid=33184&aid=1017|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2012|title=Rise Against : News : Endgame |publisher=Interscope |date=January 12, 2011 |access-date=January 12, 2011}}</ref> Although Spin Magazine labeled ''Endgame'' as a [[concept album]], on January 7, 2011, McIlrath tweeted a clarifying message stating that "the record is not a concept record and, fret not, has absolutely nothing to do with the [[Dixie Chicks]]."<ref>{{cite web| title = Rise Against: Tim responds to spin.com article:'So, the record is not a concept record and, fret not, has absolutely nothing to do with the Dixie Chicks.'| date = January 7, 2011| url = https://twitter.com/riseagainst/status/23485640905588736| access-date = January 11, 2011}}</ref> The first single from the album, "[[Help Is on the Way]]", debuted on [[KROQ-FM|KROQ]] on January 17. A second song from the album, "Architects", was debuted and released digitally on February 15. As a promotion effort, the band embarked on a short tour of South America in February and then a month-long tour of Europe in March. Upon returning to the United States, the band announced a U.S. spring tour with [[Bad Religion]] and [[Four Year Strong]].

[[File:Rise Against 2011.jpg|thumb|Rise Against performing in 2011]] ''Endgame'' is notable for being the first album to establish Rise Against's stance on homophobia with the third song on the album, "[[Make It Stop (September's Children)]],"<ref>{{cite news| title = Rise Against, 'Endgame'| work = [[The Boston Globe]]| date = March 14, 2011| url = https://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2011/03/14/rise_against_endgame/| access-date = March 26, 2011}}</ref> which references the September 2010 suicides of teenagers in the [[LGBT]] community.{{citation needed|reason=something besides a simple lyrics page to avoid copyvio|date=October 2016}} Upon the album's release, the band put a message on their website inviting listeners to apply the songs' messages to current events, in addition to those on which they were originally based.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

On May 10, 2011, the band released a 7" split vinyl with [[Face to Face (punk band)|Face to Face]]. The 7" features two songs, with each band covering a song by the other band.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://folsomrecords.bigcartel.com/product/rise-against-face-to-face-split-side-7-vinyl |title=Folsom Records – Rise Against / Face to Face Split 7 |publisher=Folsomrecords.bigcartel.com |date=May 10, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816132629/http://folsomrecords.bigcartel.com/product/rise-against-face-to-face-split-side-7-vinyl |archive-date=August 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx?nid=35046 |title=News : Face To Face Split |publisher=Rise Against |access-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928184002/http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx?nid=35046 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> In August 2011, Rise Against made appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bhamra |first=Satvir |url=http://amplified.tv/2011/03/21/reading-and-leeds-festival-2011-line-up-leaked/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824203727/http://amplified.tv/2011/03/21/reading-and-leeds-festival-2011-line-up-leaked/ |archive-date=August 24, 2011 |title=Reading and Leeds Festival 2011 line-up leaked |publisher=Amplified.tv |date=March 21, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref> The band was the main support act for the [[Foo Fighters]]' fall US tour 2011. Rise Against supported the Foo Fighters on nine dates in September, with [[Mariachi El Bronx]] as the opening act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx?nid=35475 |title=News : Fall Tour Announcement |publisher=Rise Against |date=May 13, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716081117/http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx?nid=35475 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref> After this, the band announced a tour of Canada throughout October 2011, supported by [[Flogging Molly]] and [[Black Pacific]]. The tour consisted of nine dates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx?nid=35612 |title=News : Canadian Tour Announcement |publisher=Rise Against |date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716080958/http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx?nid=35612 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref> Rise Against contributed a cover of "[[Ballad of Hollis Brown]]" to ''[[Chimes of Freedom (album)|Chimes of Freedom]]'', a tribute album of [[Bob Dylan]] songs produced in February 2012 to commemorate [[Amnesty International]]'s 50th anniversary.

Rise Against embarked on a two-leg US tour with [[A Day to Remember]] and [[The Menzingers]] in the spring of 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ramanand|first1=Liz|title=A Day to Remember + Rise Against Announce Second Leg of 2012 U.S. Tour|url=http://loudwire.com/a-day-to-remember-rise-against-second-leg-2012-u-s-tour/|website=Loudwire|access-date=May 2, 2018|date=January 9, 2012}}</ref> Leg one ended with the band launching another European tour. The band continued back to Europe for the summer months while doing a slew of festivals along the way. To end 2012, the band announced the return to the US with a fall tour with [[Gaslight Anthem]] and [[Hot Water Music]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ramanand|first1=Liz|title=Rise Against Announce North American Fall 2012 Tour With Gaslight Anthem|url=http://loudwire.com/rise-against-north-american-fall-2012-tour-with-gaslight-anthem/|website=Loudwire|access-date=May 2, 2018|date=May 18, 2012}}</ref> The tour included two shows in Arizona, which the band had not played since 2009 due to the [[Boycott AZ|Sound Strike]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Herrera|first1=Monica |title=Rise Against Announce Arizona Shows After Boycott Lifted|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rise-against-announce-arizona-shows-after-boycott-lifted-20120518|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 2, 2018|date=May 18, 2012}}</ref> On January 2, 2013, vocalist [[Tim McIlrath]] told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that Rise Against was "focusing on recharging [their] batteries" after two years of touring in support of ''Endgame''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rise-against-set-to-recharge-batteries-after-two-years-of-touring-20130102 |title=Rise Against Set to 'Recharge Batteries' After Two Years of Touring |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=January 2, 2013}}</ref> In March 2013, Rise Against played their first ever performances on African soil when they performed in [[South Africa]] for the [[Durban]], [[Johannesburg]] and [[Cape Town]] legs of [[RAMFest]], where they headlined the festival along with the UK band [[Bring Me the Horizon]].<ref name = "RAZA1">{{cite web|url=http://lwmag.co.za/ramfest-2013-2 |title=Ramfest 2013 - 2 |publisher=LW Mag |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name = "RISEAGAINSTZA">{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/music/2012/09/03/rise-against-to-headline-ramfest-2013 |title=Rise Against to headline RAMfest 2013 |publisher=Times LIVE |date=September 3, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref>

=== Continued success (2014–2018) ===
[[File:Rise Against 2015 black and white.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Rise Against performing at [[Open Air St. Gallen]] in 2015]]
The extensive touring schedule surrounding ''Endgame'' took a toll on the band members, and in 2013 they decided to take a year long hiatus.<ref name="RS Recharge">{{cite magazine|last=Baltin|first=Steve|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rise-against-set-to-recharge-batteries-after-two-years-of-touring-20130102|title=Rise Against Set to 'Recharge Batteries' After Two Years of Touring|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 2, 2013|access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Loudwire Teaser">{{cite web|last=Childers|first=Chad|url=http://loudwire.com/rise-against-tease-new-album-2014/|title=Rise Against Tease New Album For 2014|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=April 14, 2014|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref> According to Blair: "You're constantly gone. You don't feel like you live anywhere". He also discussed how the other three band members lives had evolved, and were away from their families for months on end. "It's an interesting thing to kind of realize that and kind of get out of the bubble, get out of the bus, and go 'Oh, geez, we actually have lives outside of what we do.'"<ref name="Orlando Weekly"/> In January 2014, the band members reconvened at the Blasting Room to record Rise Against's seventh album ''[[The Black Market (Rise Against album)|The Black Market]]''.<ref name="Orlando Weekly">{{cite web|last=Sculley|first=Alan|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2015/01/14/rise-against-breaks-through-to-mainstream-popularity-with-arena-tour-with-linkin-park|title=Rise Against breaks through to mainstream popularity with arena tour with Linkin Park|work=[[Orlando Weekly]]|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116072613/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2015/01/14/rise-against-breaks-through-to-mainstream-popularity-with-arena-tour-with-linkin-park|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band members used new recording techniques, such as greater usage of [[analog signal]]s on a Kemper [[amplifier]], and an [[Evertune]] bridge to keep the guitars in tune.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bono|first=Salvatore|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/salvatore-bono/still-they-rise-against-t_b_6032092.html|title=Still They Rise Against the Machine|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=October 22, 2014|access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref> As McIlrath put it: "I want the songs to feel a certain way. I want the songs to hit the guy and the girl who don't really care about guitar tones."<ref name="UGA Interview"/>

''The Black Market'' was released on July 15, 2014. In the United States, the album entered at number three on the ''Billboard'' 200 and sold 53,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6176745/weird-al-yankovic-billboard-200-mandatory-fun-number-one|title='Weird Al' Yankovic Gets First No. 1 Album On Billboard 200 with 'Mandatory Fun'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=July 24, 2014|access-date=July 24, 2014}}</ref> It was their fourth consecutive album to debut within the top ten on the ''Billboard'' 200, and it spent eleven weeks on the chart.<ref name="US"/> ''The Black Market'' was an international success, in particular in Canada, where it became Rise Against's third consecutive album to reach number one.<ref name="Loudwire Wolves"/><ref name="CAN"/> Reviews were generally positive; critics praised the more introspective lyrics, but often bemoaned the music as formulaic and stale.<ref name="AM TBM Review">{{cite web|last=Heaney|first=Gregory|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-black-market-mw0002687892|title=The Black Market – Rise Against|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Rock Sound TBM Review">{{cite magazine|last=Biddulph|first=Andy|title=Rise Against – The Black Market|magazine=[[Rock Sound]]|date=August 2014|page=77|issn=1465-0185}}</ref><ref name="COS TBM Review">{{cite web|last=Bray|first=Ryan|url=https://consequence.net/2014/07/album-review-rise-against-the-black-market/|title=Rise Against – The Black Market|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=July 15, 2014|access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> To promote the album, Rise Against toured throughout 2014 and 2015 with several other rock bands, such as [[Emily's Army]], [[Touché Amoré]], and [[Killswitch Engage]].<ref>See:
*{{cite web|last=Childers|first=Chad|url=http://loudwire.com/rise-against-i-dont-want-to-be-here-anymore-video/|title=Rise Against Reveal 2014 World Tour Plans And 'The Black Market' Tracklist + Artwork|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=June 24, 2014|access-date=May 24, 2018}}
*{{cite web|last=Hartmann|first=Graham|url=http://loudwire.com/linkin-park-north-american-tour-rise-against-of-mice-and-men/|title=Rise Against Announce 2015 North American Tour With Rise Against + Of Mice and Men|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=November 3, 2014|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:2018 RiP - Rise Against - by 2eight - 8SC7393.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Rise Against performing in [[Nuremberg]], Germany, in 2018.]]
On April 18, 2017, the band posted a new mysterious website which appeared to show a cryptic tracklist, song length and an announcement date "4.20.2017" for the new album.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riseagainst.com/secret|title=Protected Page -- Enter password|publisher=Rise Against|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420165709/https://www.riseagainst.com/secret|archive-date=April 20, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.facebook.com/riseagainst/photos/a.10150239304235705.460102.43541175704/10158468304045705/?type=3&theater |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/43541175704/10158468304045705 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Rise Against|publisher=[[Facebook]]|date=April 18, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
On April 20, 2017, Rise Against announced the title of their new album ''[[Wolves (Rise Against album)|Wolves]]'' which was released on June 9, 2017, via [[Virgin Records]]. The album's lead single, "[[The Violence]]", was released on April 20, 2017.<ref>{{cite web| last=Trapp| first=Phillip| url= http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/rise_against_release_new_song_the_violence_from_upcoming_new_album_wolvesli|title=Rise Against release new song 'The Violence' from upcoming new album 'Wolves'—listen|work=Alternative Press|date=April 20, 2017|access-date=April 20, 2017}}</ref> To promote the album, the band announced a headlining North American tour in fall 2017 with [[Pierce the Veil]] and [[White Lung]] supporting.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.riseagainst.com/news/2017-fall-us-tour|title=2017 Fall Tour|work=Rise Against official website|date=May 8, 2017|access-date=November 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521025701/https://www.riseagainst.com/news/2017-fall-us-tour|archive-date=May 21, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 29, 2018, the band's [[Instagram]] account published a video announcing a project entitled ''[[The Ghost Note Symphonies, Vol. 1]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg7YEoiHqrJ/|title=Rise Against on Instagram: "Coming soon..."|website=Instagram|access-date=November 24, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=November 2021}}</ref> A later announcement described the album as having "the songs stripped down, with alternate instrumentation, unique orchestration and a surprise or two" and announced a release date of July 27, 2018.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/rise-against-ghost-note-symphonies-vol-1-house-on-fire-video/|title=Rise Against Strip Down Favorites With 'Ghost Note Symphonies'|last=Childers|first=Chad|website=Loudwire|date=May 20, 2018 |language=en|access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> The band released an acoustic version of  "House on Fire" from ''Wolves'' as a single for the album on May 18 and an acoustic version of "Like the Angel" from ''Revolutions per Minute'' on June 8.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/watch-rise-against-strip-down-like-the-angel-in-new-video/|title=Watch Rise Against Strip Down 'Like the Angel' in New Video|last=Christopher|first=Michael|website=Loudwire|date=June 11, 2018 |language=en|access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref>

=== Recent years (2019–present) ===
Following touring for ''Wolves'', Rise Against chose to take a more relaxed approach to writing their next album. In an interview with Kerrang!, McIlrath explained that "we don't want to feel rushed, we'll put out the record when it's done, not to try and meet some deadline."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rise Against Are Writing A New Album – But They Will Be Taking Their... |url=https://www.kerrang.com/rise-against-are-writing-a-new-album-but-they-will-be-taking-their-time/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=Kerrang! |date=May 29, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> New music began to be released in 2020, when the band collaborated with [[DC Comics|DC comics]] on the [[Dark Nights: Death Metal]] series. The band released a new song called "[[Broken Dreams, Inc]]" as the first single for the comic book storyline's soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web|last=brownypaul|date=September 16, 2020|title=A New Rise Against Song Has Risen! Listen To 'Broken Dreams, Inc.'|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/09/16/a-new-rise-against-song-has-risen-listen-to-broken-dreams-inc/|access-date=September 16, 2020|website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US}}</ref>

News of a new Rise Against album began to surface in early 2021 when the band began posting cryptic videos on their social media accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rise Against (@riseagainst) on Instagram {{!}} Ghostarchive |url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/riseagainst/2515586152557138515 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=ghostarchive.org}}</ref> These videos eventually lead to the announcement of ''[[Nowhere Generation]]'' on March 17, 2021. Along with "Broken Dreams, Inc" being included on the track list, the band also released the title track as the second single.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rise Against Announces New Album, Single & Music Video, 'Nowhere Generation'|url=https://www.herfitzpr.net/rise-against-nwg-lp-announce-pr|access-date=March 17, 2021|website=HERFitz PR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Paul 'Browny' |date=March 18, 2021 |title=Rise Against Return With New Album + Title Track 'Nowhere Generation' |url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2021/03/18/rise-against-return-with-new-album-nowhere-generation/ |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Wall Of Sound |language=en-US}}</ref> Additional singles, "The Numbers" and "Talking to Ourselves" were also released prior to the album, which released on June 4, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad|title=Rise Against Drop Defiant Song 'The Numbers' With Activist-Inspired Video |url=https://loudwire.com/rise-against-the-numbers-lyrics-video/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=Loudwire |date=May 6, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peacock |first=Tim |date=June 1, 2021 |title=Watch The Video For Rise Against's New Song, 'Talking To Ourselves' |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/rise-against-talking-ourselves-video/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}</ref> The band embarked on a US tour in support of the album that summer with the [[Descendents]] and [[The Menzingers]] as opening acts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad|title=Rise Against Announce Summer 2021 'Nowhere Generation' Tour Dates |url=https://loudwire.com/rise-against-summer-2021-tour-dates/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=Loudwire |date=May 10, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> This was followed by multiple 2022 tours with [[Billy Talent]], [[The Used]], [[Senses Fail]], [[Pennywise (band)|Pennywise]], and [[Stick to Your Guns (band)|Stick To Your Guns]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=STICK TO YOUR GUNS Replace Rotting Out on Rise Against and Pennywise tour |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/35894/stick-to-your-guns-replace-rotting-out-on-rise-against-and-pennywise-tour/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=lambgoat.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Punknews.org |title=Tours: Rise Against announce 2022 tour dates (US & CAN) |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/76197/tours-rise-against-announce-2022-tour-dates-us-and-can |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=www.punknews.org |date=December 9, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

During the recording process for ''Nowhere Generation'', Rise Against wrote a total of sixteen songs, but only included eleven of them on the album. The remaining five were eventually released in 2022 as ''[[Nowhere Generation II]]''; an EP that acts as a continuation of the album. It was announced alongside the release of the single "Last Man Standing" on June 6, 2022, with the EP releasing four days later.<ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Rise Against Shares A New Single - "Last Man Standing" - On Tour Now with The Used and Senses Fail |url=https://www.ghostcultmag.com/rise-against-shares-a-new-single-last-man-standing-on-tour-now-with-the-used-and-senses-fail/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=Ghost Cult Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hatfield|first=Amanda |title=Rise Against surprise release new EP 'Nowhere Generation II' (watch "Last Man Standing" video) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/rise-against-surprise-release-new-ep-nowhere-generation-ii-watch-last-man-standing-video/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=BrooklynVegan |date=June 10, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2024, Rise Against announced a co-headlining US tour alongside [[Papa Roach]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad|date=November 8, 2024 |title=Papa Roach + Rise Against Book Two 2025 North American Tour Legs With Underoath |url=https://loudwire.com/papa-roach-rise-against-2025-north-american-tour-underoath/ |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref> Later that year, McIlrath revealed that the band was working on new music, with an intended release the following year: "We have a lot of new music done and we're looking forward to sharing the music with the world next year."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Chuck|date=December 4, 2024 |title='I Didn't Think We'd Be Some of the Last Ones Standing' - Tim McIlrath Looks Back on Rise Against's Career, Gets Ready For New Music |url=https://loudwire.com/rise-against-tim-mcilrath-new-music-interview/ |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref> On January 23, 2025, the band released a new single called "Nod".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=Rise Against return with anthemic new song "Nod" |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/rise-against-return-with-anthemic-new-song-nod/ |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref>. The band is set to release their eleventh album titled ''Ricochet'' on August 15, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web  |title=Rise Against announces Ricochet, First new album in four years |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rise-against-announces-ricochet-first-new-album-in-four-years |access-date=May 28, 2025 |website=Blabbermouth |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Artistry==
===Musical style===
Rise Against is a [[melodic hardcore]] band.<ref>{{cite web|last=DeRogatis|first=Jim|url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2008/11/rise_against_melodic_hardcore.html|title=Rise Against: Melodic hardcore? Political pop-punk? Mainstream underground? Great whatever you call it|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=November 13, 2008|access-date=March 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221163615/http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2008/11/rise_against_melodic_hardcore.html|archive-date=February 21, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Liss|first=Sarah|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/blogs/popculture/2008/10/cheer_up_emo_kids_rise_against.html|title=Things That Go Pop!: Cheer up, emo kids: Rise Against rise to the top|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=October 16, 2008|access-date=March 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221093719/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/blogs/popculture/2008/10/cheer_up_emo_kids_rise_against.html|archive-date=February 21, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haack |first=Brian |date=July 15, 2017 |title=Rise Against: Tim McIlrath's favorite protest songs of all time |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/rise-against-tim-mcilraths-favorite-protest-songs-all-time |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Grammy.com}}</ref><ref name="bvegan" >{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |date=September 2, 2020 |title=18 early 2000s melodic punk & hardcore albums that are still essential today |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/18-early-2000s-melodic-punk-hardcore-albums-that-are-still-essential-today/ |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=[[BrooklynVegan]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2002 |title=Strung Out/Poison the Well/Rise Against - live in Chicago |url=https://www.punknews.org/review/1020/strung-out-poison-the-well-rise-against-live-in-chicago |access-date=April 24, 2025 |website=Punknews.org}}</ref> ''[[BrooklynVegan]]'' stated that the band "took the genre out of the underground and onto MTV, the radio, and the charts."<ref name="bvegan" /> Rise Against's songs emphasize [[melody]], catchy [[Hook (music)|hooks]], aggressive [[Movement (music)|movements]], and rapid-paced [[tempo]].<ref name="Loudwire Wolves">{{cite web|last=Bowar|first=Chad|url=http://loudwire.com/rise-against-wolves-album-review/|title=Rise Against, 'Wolves' - Album Review|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name="The AV Club Review">{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Kyle|url=https://www.avclub.com/review/rise-against-emthe-sufferer-amp-the-witnessem-8854|title=Rise Against: The Sufferer & The Witness|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=July 19, 2006|access-date=December 8, 2012}}</ref><ref name="PopMatters Review">{{cite web|last=Rausch|first=Will|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/rise-against-the-sufferer-and-the-witness/|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer and the Witness|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=July 20, 2006|access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref> Guitarists McIlrath and Blair focus on speed [[riff]]ing and multi-layered [[refrain|choruses]],<ref name="Gibson">{{cite web|last=Erickson|first=Anna|url=http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/Punkd--Rise-Against-Guitarists-Tim-McIlrath-and-Z.aspx|title=Punk'd: Rise Against Guitarists Tim McIlrath and Zach Blair on Playing Punk|publisher=[[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson.com]]|date=April 6, 2012|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123132714/http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/Punkd--Rise-Against-Guitarists-Tim-McIlrath-and-Z.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> while bassist Principe uses aggressive picking to lock in with the snare and kick of the drums.<ref name="Bassplayer">{{cite web|last=D'Auria|first=Jon|url=http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/rise-againsts-joe-principe/49305|title=Rise Against's Joe Principe|work=[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]]|date=November 3, 2014|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> Likewise, drummer Barnes follows the guitars, stating: "Sometimes I'll do it naturally, or we'll talk about different ways to accent things - fills from the snare or toms, or some big crashes."<ref name="Drum Magazine">{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=David|url=http://www.drummagazine.com/lessons/post/brandon-barnes-of-rise-against/|title=How Brandon Barnes Plays "Help Is On The Way"|work=[[Drum!]]|date=October 12, 2011|access-date=November 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015925/http://www.drummagazine.com/lessons/post/brandon-barnes-of-rise-against/|archive-date=November 17, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band members have noted the influence of several punk bands, in particular [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]] and [[Minor Threat]]. In a 2006 interview with ''Punknews'', McIlrath commented: "We're emulating Minor Threat and Black Flag. Who knows, maybe if [[Ian MacKaye]] was wearing eyeliner then I would be."<ref name="Punknews 2006"/> Other bands that have influenced Rise Against include [[7 Seconds (band)|7 Seconds]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theinertia.com/music-art/interview-joe-principe-of-rise-against/2/ |title=Interview: Joe Principe of Rise Against (Part 2) |publisher=The Inertia |last=Jones |first=Corey |date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> [[AFI (band)|AFI]],<ref name=PunknewsHeisel/> [[Bad Brains]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theinertia.com/music-art/interview-joe-principe-of-rise-against/ |title=Interview: Joe Principe of Rise Against |publisher=The Inertia |last=Jones |first=Corey |date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> [[Bad Religion]],<ref name="KROQ"/> [[Berri Txarrak]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Bikini Kill]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Cave In]],<ref name=PunknewsHeisel>{{cite web |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/5272/interviews-rise-against |title=Interviews: Rise Against |publisher=Punknews.org |last=Heisel |first=Scott |date=February 8, 2003 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> [[the Clash]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Coalesce (band)|Coalesce]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]],<ref name="Spin" /> [[the Cure]],<ref name="Gluck, 2015">{{cite web |last1=Gluck |first1=Robert |title=AN INTERVIEW WITH RISE AGAINST: WHAT IT MEANS TO ROCK |url=https://www.theaquarian.com/2015/07/22/an-interview-with-rise-against-what-it-means-to-rock/ |website=[[The Aquarian Weekly]] |access-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Dead Kennedys]],<ref name="Punknews 2006"/> [[Desaparecidos (band)|Desaparecidos]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014">{{cite web |last1=Ciolfi |first1=Tecla |title=TIM MCLLRATH: SONGS THAT INSPIRE ME |date=June 17, 2014 |url=https://texxandthecity.com/2014/06/tim-mcllrath-songs-inspire/ |access-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Descendents]],<ref name="FitzGerald, 2015" /> [[Down by Law (band)|Down by Law]],<ref name="Robert, 2004" /> [[Echo & the Bunnymen]],<ref name="Gluck, 2015" /> [[Earth Crisis]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garner |first1=George |title=Rise Against's Tim McIlrath: "If people had a 'Tim for president' bumper sticker, I'd say, 'Slow down, I'm often full of as many questions as you are'" |url=https://www.kerrang.com/rise-against-tim-mcilrath-kerrang-interview-president-sticker-slow-down-im-full-of-questions-as-you-are |website=[[Kerrang!]] |date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Face to Face (punk band)|Face to Face]],<ref name="Robert, 2004">{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Seth |title=Rise Against talks politics, punk |url=http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2004/09/07/Arts/Rise-Against.Talks.Politics.Punk-711365.shtml |publisher=The Justice |date=September 7, 2004 |accessdate=March 6, 2009 |archive-date=March 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322012116/http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2004/09/07/Arts/Rise-Against.Talks.Politics.Punk-711365.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Flobots]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Fugazi]],<ref name=PunknewsHeisel/> [[Guns N' Roses]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Ignite (band)|Ignite]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Jawbreaker (band)|Jawbreaker]],<ref name="Spin">{{cite web|last=O'Donnell|first=Kevin|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/02/rise-againsts-mcilrath-influential-music-books/|title=Rise Against's McIlrath on Influential Music, Books|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=February 18, 2011|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref> [[Los Crudos]],<ref name=Noisecreep>{{cite web |url=http://noisecreep.com/rise-against-tim-mcilrath-interview/ |title=Rise Against's Tim MicIlrath on the Bands That Sparked His Interest in Social and Political Activism |website=[[Noisecreep]] |last=Epting |first=Chris |date=April 30, 2012 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> [[Janelle Monáe]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[NOFX]],<ref name="FitzGerald, 2015" /> [[Pennywise (band)|Pennywise]],<ref name="KROQ"/> [[Propagandhi]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Public Enemy]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Quicksand (American band)|Quicksand]],<ref name="Qayyum, 2014" /> [[Rage Against the Machine]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Sam |title=12 BANDS WHO WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/12-bands-who-wouldnt-be-here-without-rage-against-the-machine/ |website=[[Kerrang!]] |access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> [[Ramones]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/tim-mcilrath-of-rise-against-five-things-we-learned-from-his-ernie-ball-string-theory-episode |title= Tim McIlrath of Rise Against: Five Things We Learned from His Ernie Ball 'String Theory' Episode |work=[[Guitar World]] |date=May 2, 2018 |access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]],<ref name="FitzGerald, 2015">{{cite web |last1=FitzGerald |first1=Damian |title=INTERVIEWSInterview with Rise Against; Guitarist Zach Blair Talks About Success, Bill Stevenson, and Having Your Influences Supporting You [w/ Audio] |date=February 27, 2015 |url=https://v13.net/2015/02/interview-with-rise-against-guitarist-zach-blair-talks-about-success-bill-stevenson-and-having-your-influences-supporting-you-w-audio/ |access-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Refused]],<ref name="Spin"/> [[Samiam]],<ref name="Qayyum, 2014">{{cite web |last1=Qayyum |first1=Max |title=Band Interview: Rise Against |date=November 4, 2014 |url=http://seeingyourscene.com/interviews/band-interview-rise/ |access-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Gil Scott-Heron]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Screeching Weasel]],<ref name="Robert, 2004" /> [[Shades Apart]],<ref name="Qayyum, 2014" /> Sidekick Kato,<ref name="Spin" /><ref name=Noisecreep /> [[Sick of It All]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Iwasaki |first1=Scott |title=Rise Against turns trials into strength |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/6/21/19661970/rise-against-turns-trials-into-strength/ |website=[[Deseret News]] |date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=June 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Patti Smith]],<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" /> [[Social Distortion]]<ref name="KROQ">{{cite web|url=http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2011/01/17/world-premiere-rise-against-help-is-on-the-way-from-forthcoming-album/|title=[World Premiere] Rise Against "Help Is On The Way" From Endgame|publisher=[[KROQ-FM]]|date=January 17, 2011|access-date=June 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928132213/http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2011/01/17/world-premiere-rise-against-help-is-on-the-way-from-forthcoming-album/|archive-date=September 28, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Touché Amoré]].<ref name="Ciolfi, 2014" />

{{listen|pos=right|type=music|filename=Rise Against - Give It All.ogg|title="Give It All"|description=Like many of Rise Against's early songs, 2004's "Give It All" is characterized by its gritty sound described by critics as both hardcore punk and melodic hardcore.<ref name="Sputnikmusic SS"/>|filename2=Make It Stop Audio.ogg|title2="Make It Stop (September's Children)"|description2=Critics wrote how the 2011 song "Make It Stop (September's Children)" best exemplified Rise Against's musical shift toward a more accessible and radio-friendly sound.<ref name="CMJ">{{cite web|last=Paez-Pumar|first=Luis|url=http://www.cmj.com:80/reviews/2011/03/rise-against-–-endgame/|title=Rise Against - Endgame|publisher=[[CMJ]]|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518034904/http://www.cmj.com/reviews/2011/03/rise-against-%E2%80%93-endgame/|archive-date=May 18, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="AbsolutePunk Endgame">{{cite web|last=Nassiff|first=Thomas|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2194502|title=Rise Against - Endgame|work=[[AbsolutePunk]]|date=February 28, 2011|access-date=March 6, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717141355/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2194502|archive-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

During the early part of its career, Rise Against's music was characterized by a gritty sound described by critics as both hardcore punk and melodic hardcore.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yancey|first=Bryne|url=https://www.punknews.org/review/12004/rise-against-rpm10|title=Rise Against - RPM10 (2013)|publisher=Punknews.org|date=May 27, 2013|access-date=September 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917083901/https://www.punknews.org/review/12004/rise-against-rpm10|archive-date=September 17, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fiander|first=Matthew|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/171936-rise-against-rpm10/|title=Rise Against - RPM10|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=September 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611092201/http://www.popmatters.com/review/171936-rise-against-rpm10/|archive-date=June 11, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Unraveling'' accentuated a raw punk sound, while ''Revolutions per Minute'' featured an overall darker tone.<ref 
name="Exclaim! Review">{{cite web|last=Green|first=Stuart|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/rise_against-revolutions_per_minute|title=Rise Against — Revolutions per Minute|work=Exclaim!|date=April 30, 2003|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> According to Principe: "''The Unraveling'' was more of us just trying to figure out how we functioned as a band and what type of band we wanted to be. It all just came together with [''Revolutions per Minute''], my songwriting style and Tim's, it really meshes well together and I think it shows on that record.<ref name="AbsolutePunk Interview"/> Although this darker tone carried into ''Siren Song of the Counter Culture'', McIlrath specially mentioned that ''The Sufferer & the Witness'' was an attempt to return to Rise Against's punk roots.<ref>{{cite web|last=Murfett|first=Andrew|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/politically-motivated/2006/11/30/1164777702584.html|title=Politically motivated|work=[[The Age]]|date=December 1, 2006|access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref> Corey Apar of [[AllMusic]] wrote "[''The Sufferer & the Witness''] is basically one shout-along, mosh-worthy song after another".<ref name="AllMusic SAW Review"/> In early Rise Against songs, McIlrath would often shift between clean vocals and [[Screaming (music)|screaming vocals]].<ref name="New York Times">{{cite web|last=Pareles|first=Jon|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9A02E7DD153BF930A25753C1A96E9C8B63.html|title=Critics' Choice; Rise Against|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 13, 2008|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref>{{efn|In rock music terminology, clean vocals are used in the context of aggressive music to differentiate singing from screaming or [[Death growl|growling]]. The latter two are sometimes collectively called unclean vocals.}}

With the release of ''Appeal to Reason'', Rise Against's music took a noticeable turn toward a more accessible and radio-friendly sound, with greater emphasis on production value.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nassiff|first=Thomas|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2194502|title=Rise Against - Endgame|website=[[AbsolutePunk]]|access-date=March 6, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717141355/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2194502|archive-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boy|first=Davey|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/42376/Rise-Against-Endgame/|title=Rise Against - Endgame|website=Sputnikmusic|date=March 14, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630090652/http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/42376/Rise-Against-Endgame/|archive-date=June 30, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reviewer Jon Pareles felt ''Appeal to Reason'' was more tune-oriented than the band's previous material,<ref name="New York Times"/> while Davey Boy of Sputnikmusic wrote how ''Endgame'' was "slickly produced to enhance the melodic nature of songs".<ref name="If you found this, then congratulations. Virtual high-five">{{cite web|last=Boy|first=Davey|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/42376/Rise-Against-Endgame/|title=Rise Against - Endgame|website=Sputnikmusic|date=March 14, 2011|access-date=October 15, 2011}}</ref> Principe believes the shift in sound resulted from the longevity of the Rise Against. He explained that the band members grew as musicians, and wanted to challenge themselves with new musical directions.<ref name="AbsolutePunk Interview"/> For example, at the insistence of Blair, Rise Against began to incorporate more [[guitar solo]]s into their music.<ref name="Gibson"/> McIlrath's screaming vocals became less prevalent in ''Appeal to Reason'', a trend that would continue in subsequent albums.<ref name="New York Times"/>

===Lyrics===
Rise Against is known for their outspoken [[social commentary]], which often permeates their lyrics.<ref name="PopMatters Lyrics">{{cite web|last=Hauck|first=Kiel|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/158465-a-day-to-remember-rise-against-5-may-2012-cincinnati-oh/|title=A Day to Remember + Rise Against 5 May 2012 - Cincinnati, OH|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=May 20, 2012|access-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124054338/http://www.popmatters.com/review/158465-a-day-to-remember-rise-against-5-may-2012-cincinnati-oh/|archive-date=January 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the years, the band has discussed a wide range of topics, including [[animal rights]], economic injustice, [[environmental disaster]]s, [[forced displacement]], [[homophobia]], and modern warfare.<ref name="AllMusic SAW Review"/><ref name="PopMatters Lyrics"/><ref name="Post Gazette Lyrics">{{cite web|last=Mervis|first=Scott|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music-reviews/2012/05/07/Rise-Against-deep-Marilyn-Manson-worn/stories/201205070153|title=Rise Against deep; Marilyn Manson worn|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=May 7, 2012|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> Political corruption is another subject commonly found in their lyrics, and as a result, Rise Against is often labeled as a "political band".<ref name="Political Band">{{cite web|url=http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2012/05/29/rise-againsts-tim-mcilrath-we-got-into-punk-rock-because-we-were-the-black-sheep/|title=Rise Against's Tim McIlrath: 'We Got Into Punk Rock Because We Were The Black Sheep'|publisher=[[KROQ-FM]]|date=May 29, 2012|access-date=May 7, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170501092912/http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2012/05/29/rise-againsts-tim-mcilrath-we-got-into-punk-rock-because-we-were-the-black-sheep/|archive-date=May 1, 2017}}</ref> Some journalists have stated that the band has specifically targeted the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] administrations of [[Presidency of George W. Bush|George W. Bush]] and [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Donald Trump]], while promoting [[Anarchism|anarchist]] ideologies.<ref name="Alt Press Wolves">{{cite web|last=Pearlman |first=Mischa|url=http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/rise_against_wolves_review|title=Rise Against Wolves|work=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=October 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Blaney |first1=Joseph R |last2=Chidester |first2=Philip J |last3=Simonds |first3=Brent K |last4=Kristiansen |first4=Lars J |title=Screaming for Change Articulating a Unifying Philosophy of Punk Rock |date=2010 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |quote=The Exploited, the Subhumans, D.O.A., the Casualties, Rise Against, Against Me!, etc. - their music is highly untraditional. Sticking to their anarchist ideals, staying true to the punk DIY ethic, and also supporting a new approach to music}}</ref>

As the band's primary [[lyricist]], McIlrath is wary of the political label. "In this sort of current climate of music, we stand out simply because I think there are bands that are avoiding the question. So, it makes us sort of an anomaly and I think that's where we get the tag '[[protest song|protest music]]' or 'political punk rock'".<ref name="Political Band"/> He also noted how the band's lyrics discuss these topics in general terms, instead of delving into the specifics.<ref name="Post-Gazette 2006">{{cite news|last=Mervis|first=Scott|title=Rise Against Rises To The Occasion|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=July 27, 2006|page=W-15|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania}}</ref> In a 2006 interview, McIlrath said: "I think that a lot of the problems we deal with today in the world are the ones that have been plaguing society for centuries and probably will be here a hundred years from now...There's a bigger picture than just the Bush administration and specific problems of 2006, and I want people to relate to that, even if they're listening to [our music] 10 years from now."<ref name="Post-Gazette 2006"/> Principe noted the band does not attempt to preach their beliefs, but instead encourage listeners to become involved, and learn about pertinent issues affecting society.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rauschert|first=Jeff|title=Rise Against continues its 'Appeal to Reason' through live show|work=[[The Flint Journal]]|date=November 1, 2008|page=F11|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/index.ssf/2008/11/rise_against_continues_its_app.html}}</ref>

Not all Rise Against songs discuss controversial topics. More personal stories about broken relationships and forgiveness are common lyrical themes, as is the concept of self-reflection.<ref name="Post-Gazette 2006"/><ref name="Sun Times 2008">{{cite web|last=Derogatis|first=Jim|url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2008/11/rise_against_melodic_hardcore.html|title=Rise Against: Melodic hardcore? Political pop-punk? Mainstream underground? Great whatever you call it|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=November 13, 2008|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221163615/http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2008/11/rise_against_melodic_hardcore.html|archive-date=February 21, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''The Unraveling'' is an early example of this style of songwriting, as the majority of the album's songs focus on friendships and memories.<ref name="AllMusic TU"/> It was not until ''Revolutions per Minute'' that McIlrath began to integrate social issues into their music.<ref name="Sputnikmusic RPM"/> Despite the grim subject matter, Rise Against songs are often hopeful in nature, a decision the band conscientiously made from the very beginning.<ref name="Metal Hammer"/> Will Rausch of ''[[PopMatters]]'' wrote: "Unlike typical emo rants filled with despondency and arm chair philosophy, [Rise Against] songs deal with the reality that life sucks, but we must move on."<ref name="PopMatters SAW">{{cite web|last=Rausch|first=Will|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/rise-against-the-sufferer-and-the-witness/|title=Rise Against - The Sufferer and the Witness|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=July 20, 2006|access-date=October 10, 2017}}</ref>

===Videography===
Rise Against will often produce an accompanying [[music video]] for a single. These videos typically either tell a narrative or feature documentary-like footage. This documentary style of filming can be seen in the music videos for "Ready to Fall", "Re-Education (Through Labor)", "[[Ballad of Hollis Brown]]", and "I Don't Want to Be Here Anymore". These videos juxtapose footage of the band playing the song and footage of a certain societal issue such as gun violence or animal abuse, overlaid with damning facts about the issue.<ref name="Kerrang">{{cite web|last=Garner |first=George |title=The Ultimate Rise Against Videography |url=http://www.kerrang.com/24423/ultimate-rise-against-videography-by-tim-mcilrath/ |work=[[Kerrang!]] |date=February 15, 2015 |access-date=May 20, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120200652/http://www.kerrang.com/24423/ultimate-rise-against-videography-by-tim-mcilrath/ |archive-date=January 20, 2016 }}</ref> For example, the video "Ballad of Hollis Brown" is about the dangers of [[intensive farming|industrialized farming]] and [[poverty in the United States]], and features interviews with farmers who are struggling to stay afloat.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/rise-against-the-ballad-of-hollis-brown-20120113|title=Rise Against 'The Ballad of Hollis Brown'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 13, 2012|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>

Rise Against's narrative videos are also usually political in nature.<ref name="Kerrang"/> In the video for "Prayer of the Refugee" the band destroys products in a retail store, with intermittent shots of foreign workers making the store products. The goal was for the video to showcase how conventional business models allow for various [[human rights]] violations.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR8lrI_UmOM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/wR8lrI_UmOM| archive-date=November 7, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Rise Against - Prayer Of The Refugee (Behind The Scenes) |publisher=Vevo |people=Petrossian, Tony (director) |medium=Behind the scenes video}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Some narrative videos follow the song's lyric thread, such as in the [[Hurricane Katrina]]–based video for "Help Is on the Way", while other videos are used to enforce the song's message, such as the band's anti-homophobic stance in the "Make It Stop (September's Children)" video.<ref name="Kerrang"/>

Discussing the "Ready to Fall" video and need for politicized music videos, McIlrath said: "We looked at it from the perspective of hijacking the airwaves. If they're gonna give us three and a half minutes of airtime on TV that means we can play anything, we can make a video that would be intense even on mute".<ref name="Kerrang"/> Rise Against has garnered some controversy for their music videos, particularly for perceived violent themes. The video for "Re-Education (Through Labor)" features the Chicago sect of the [[Moped Army]] planting and detonating bombs throughout the city. Some viewers saw this as an act of condoning terrorism.<ref name="Kerrang"/> The video for "The Violence", which was to feature the detonation of [[Bust (sculpture)|busts]] of the forty-three United States Presidents on a plot of farmland, was prohibited by the farm's board of directors for "anti-government themes".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Stutz|first=Colin|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7783506/rise-against-video-shoot-permit-pulled-anti-american|title=Rise Against Says 'The Violence' Video Shoot Permit Pulled Because It Was Deemed 'Anti-Government'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>

==Politics and ethics==
Rise Against is known for supporting [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive politics]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2017 |title=Rise Against's Tim McIlrath gets candid about politics and why punk rock matters now |url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2017/06/27/rise-againsts-tim-mcilrath-gets-candid-about-politics-and-why-punk-rock-matters-now/ |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=Press Enterprise |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Kerrang!]]'' described them as "the torchbearers of politically-charged music" for addressing subjects ranging from [[climate change]] to [[homophobia]] in their songs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Rise Against's Tim McIlrath: "If people had a 'Tim for president'… |url=https://www.kerrang.com/rise-against-tim-mcilrath-kerrang-interview-president-sticker-slow-down-im-full-of-questions-as-you-are |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}}</ref>

The band's members are [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]] and, aside from drummer Brandon Barnes, are [[straight edge]] – refraining from the consumption of alcohol or drugs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Munro |first=Kelsey |date=November 28, 2006 |title=Rise Against prove you can be vegetarian and hardcore |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/gig-previews--reviews/rise-against/2006/11/28/1164476174601.html |access-date=March 31, 2009 |newspaper=[[The Age]]}}</ref> The music video for the single "[[Ready to Fall]]" contains footage of factory farming, rodeos, and sport hunting, as well as deforestation, melting ice caps, and forest fires. The group has called the video the most important video they have ever made.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2006 |title=Interviews: Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/21227/interviews-tim-mcilrath-rise-against#:~:text=The%20new%20video%20(%22Ready%20to,%E2%84%A2t%20have%20to%20see. |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=www.punknews.org |language=en}}</ref> After they endorsed a "completely [[vegan]]" line of [[Vans]] shoes in May 2007,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 23, 2007 |title=Rise Against Vans Shoe Avail Now! – Prison Issue Old Schools |url=http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx/nid/11423?pg=8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322195109/http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx/nid/11423?pg=8 |archive-date=March 22, 2009 |access-date=March 6, 2009 |publisher=[[DGC Records]]}}</ref> the band released a statement in response to criticism of Vans' use of [[sweatshops]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Factsheet on Free2Work.org |url=http://widgets.free2work.org/frontend_ratings/public_view/654 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413202836/http://widgets.free2work.org/frontend_ratings/public_view/654 |archive-date=April 13, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012 |publisher=Free2Work}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 27, 2007 |title=Rise Against Vegan Shoe Manufacturing |url=http://riseagainst.com/blog/default.aspx?&in=74 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208081231/http://www.riseagainst.com/news/default.aspx/nid/11769 |archive-date=December 8, 2007 |access-date=January 3, 2014 |publisher=RiseAgainst.com}}</ref> McIlrath said that [[animal rights]] were his "gateway drug into activism in general."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Baltin |first=Steve |date=June 2, 2021 |title=Who I Am: Rise Against Frontman Tim McIlrath On Punk Rock, Chicago, '1984' And More |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2021/06/02/who-i-am-rise-against-frontman-tim-mcilrath-on-punk-rock-chicago-1984-and-more/ |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

The band were outspoken critics against the [[Iraq War]]. McIlrath described it as an "unjustified invasion" that "is taking our beloved soldiers – our brothers and sisters and wives and husbands – away from us."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rise Against discuss America's flaws |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/rise-against-discuss-americas-flaws/VbhNSUhLSk0/16-07-07 |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=The Music |language=en}}</ref> The band was once kicked off a Florida music festival because they refused to play on a stage that was sponsored by the [[United States Army]].<ref name=":1" />

The band has also supported several [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] candidates in the United States. During the [[2004 United States presidential election]], the band was part of Punkvoter, a political activist group, and appeared on the ''[[Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1]]'' compilation. The Rock Against Bush project raised over $1 million for then presidential candidate [[John Kerry]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Swanson |first=David |date=January 14, 2004 |title=Punk Rockers Invade Iowa |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5935631/punk_rockers_invade_iowa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040401133959/http://rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=19194 |archive-date=April 1, 2004 |access-date=January 3, 2014 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> During the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]], the band members endorsed [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pascarella |first=Tony |date=October 19, 2008 |title=Rise Against – 10.06.08 – Interview |url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=625382 |access-date=March 31, 2009 |website=[[AbsolutePunk]] |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530071104/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=625382 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a news bulletin in early 2009, the band stated: "Few things are more exciting than watching Bush finally release America as his eight year hostage."<ref name="Tour With Rancid">{{cite news |title=Rise Against To Tour With Rancid – "Audience of One" Video |url=http://www.musicpix.net/home/content/rise-against-tour-rancid-audience-one-video |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612153359/http://www.musicpix.net/home/content/rise-against-tour-rancid-audience-one-video |archive-date=June 12, 2010 |access-date=March 22, 2009 |publisher=Musicpix.net}}</ref>

In 2017, McIlrath said: "The [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] has made our job really easy because we've been trying to point out some of what the right wing tries to get away with—and now they're not even trying to get away with it. They're just telling you they're fucking you!"<ref>{{Cite web |last=AltPress |title=Rise Against's Tim McIlrath says rebellion in the age of Trump is more important than ever |url=https://www.altpress.com/rise_against_tim_mcilrath_interview/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Alternative Press Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 election]], he commented that "The groundwork that existed to create a candidate like Trump or even to create voters for him was there before he was there, and just because he's out of office doesn't mean the problems of the world or in our country suddenly disappear."<ref>{{Cite web |title="If you have something to say, scream it and say it with a guitar": Rise Against on the power of protest songs |url=https://guitar.com/features/interviews/rise-against-generation-nowhere-zach-blair-tim-mcilrath/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Guitar.com {{!}} All Things Guitar |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Following the [[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization|overturning]] of ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' in 2022, the band issued a statement condemning the decision for how it "only ended safe abortion for people without the resources to travel; disproportionately non-white working class communities."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=June 26, 2022 |title=RISE AGAINST: Repeal Of Roe v. Wade 'Represents The Few Ruling Over The Many, Something We Rail Against In Our Songs' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/rise-against-repeal-of-roe-v-wade-represents-the-few-ruling-over-the-many-something-we-rail-against-in-our-songs |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>

== Band members ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

'''Current members'''
* [[Tim McIlrath]] – lead vocals <small>(1999–present)</small>, rhythm guitar <small>(2002–present)</small>
* [[Joe Principe]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(1999–present)</small>
* [[Brandon Barnes]] – drums, percussion <small>(2000–present)</small>
* [[Zach Blair]] – lead guitar, backing vocals <small>(2007–present)</small>
{{col-2}}

'''Former members'''
* Dan Wleklinski – lead guitar, backing vocals <small>(1999–2001)</small>, rhythm guitar <small>(2000–2001)</small>
* Tony Tintari – drums, percussion <small>(1999–2000)</small>
* Kevin White – rhythm guitar, backing vocals <small>(1999–2000, 2001–2002)</small>, lead guitar <small>(2001–2002)</small>
* Todd Mohney – lead guitar, backing vocals <small>(2002–2004)</small>
* Chris Chasse – lead guitar, backing vocals <small>(2004–2007)</small>
{{col-end}}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
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Period     = from:01/01/1999 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
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ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1999

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 id:lead    value:teal              legend:Lead_guitar
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 id:drums   value:orange            legend:Drums,_percussion
 id:lines   value:black             legend:Studio_album

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 bar:McIlrath   text:"Tim McIlrath"
 bar:Wleklinski text:"Dan Wleklinski"
 bar:Mohney     text:"Todd Mohney"
 bar:Chasse     text:"Chris Chasse"
 bar:Blair      text:"Zach Blair"
 bar:White      text:"Kevin White"
 bar:Principe   text:"Joe Principe"
 bar:Tintari    text:"Tony Tintari"
 bar:Barnes     text:"Brandon Barnes"

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 at:04/24/2001 color:black layer:back
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 at:08/10/2004 color:black layer:back
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 at:10/02/2008 color:black layer:back
 at:03/15/2011 color:black layer:back
 at:07/15/2014 color:black layer:back
 at:06/09/2017 color:black layer:back
 at:06/04/2021 color:black layer:back

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 width:11
 bar:McIlrath   from:01/01/1999 till:end        color:vocals
 bar:McIlrath   from:03/01/2002 till:end        color:rhythm  width:3
 bar:Wleklinski from:01/01/1999 till:08/13/2001 color:lead
 bar:Wleklinski from:03/01/2000 till:08/13/2001 color:rhythm  width:7
 bar:Wleklinski from:01/01/1999 till:08/13/2001 color:bvocals width:3
 bar:White      from:01/01/1999 till:03/01/2000 color:rhythm
 bar:White      from:01/01/1999 till:03/01/2000 color:bvocals width:3
 bar:White      from:10/01/2001 till:02/01/2002 color:lead
 bar:White      from:10/01/2001 till:02/01/2002 color:rhythm  width:7
 bar:White      from:10/01/2001 till:02/01/2002 color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Mohney     from:03/01/2002 till:02/01/2004 color:lead
 bar:Mohney     from:03/01/2002 till:02/01/2004 color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Chasse     from:02/01/2004 till:03/01/2007 color:lead
 bar:Chasse     from:02/01/2004 till:03/01/2007 color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Blair      from:03/01/2007 till:end        color:lead
 bar:Blair      from:03/01/2007 till:end        color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Principe   from:01/01/1999 till:end        color:bass
 bar:Principe   from:01/01/1999 till:end        color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Tintari    from:01/01/1999 till:07/01/2000 color:drums
 bar:Barnes     from:09/01/2000 till:end        color:drums
}}

==Discography==
{{Main|Rise Against discography|List of songs recorded by Rise Against|l2=list of songs}}
<!-- Please DO NOT add "Transistor Revolt", "This Is Noise", "Long Forgotten Songs", or "The Ghost Note Symphonies" in this section. They are EPs and compilation albums, and this is only intended to list the studio albums from Rise Against's discography -->
* ''[[The Unraveling (Rise Against album)|The Unraveling]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Revolutions per Minute (Rise Against album)|Revolutions per Minute]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Siren Song of the Counter Culture]]'' (2004)
* ''[[The Sufferer & the Witness]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Appeal to Reason (album)|Appeal to Reason]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Endgame (Rise Against album)|Endgame]]'' (2011)
* ''[[The Black Market (Rise Against album)|The Black Market]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Wolves (Rise Against album)|Wolves]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Nowhere Generation]]'' (2021)
* ''Ricochet'' (2025)

==References==

=== Notes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== Footnotes ===
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|https://www.riseagainst.com/}}
*{{allmusic}}
*{{discogs artist}}

{{Rise Against}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Good article}}

[[Category:Rise Against| ]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Illinois]]
[[Category:American melodic hardcore musical groups]]
[[Category:Hardcore punk groups from Illinois]]
[[Category:Fat Wreck Chords artists]]
[[Category:Interscope Records artists]]
[[Category:DGC Records artists]]
[[Category:Geffen Records artists]]
[[Category:Loma Vista Recordings artists]]
[[Category:Punk rock groups from Illinois]]
[[Category:Sony Music Publishing artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Chicago]]
[[Category:American political music groups]]