Alternative Press teamed up with Rise Against for exclusive vinyl of Ricochet, limited to 500 copies. Head to the AP Shop to grab yours.
Rise Against are a defiant force of nature. From their scrappy, independently released 2001 debut album, The Unraveling, to the polished hammer of 2021’s Nowhere Generation and upcoming Ricochet, the band make political punk to believe in.
Formed in 1999 from the ashes of snarling rock band 88 Fingers Louie and post-hardcore mob Baxter, Rise Against have always embraced the glorious chaos that comes from different worlds colliding. They quickly became underground heroes via a pair of albums released via Fat Wreck Chords, but it was their passionate live shows that caught the attention of major label DreamWorks. They were given full creative control for bigger-budget third album Siren Song of the Counter Culture, but the band were plagued by a fear they could get dropped at any moment. It’s perhaps why their breakout record fizzes with so much urgency, with the band determined to make full use of their new platform.
Read more: In conversation with the Offspring and Emo Nite’s Morgan Freed
Thanks to radio-friendly protest anthems “Give It All” and “Swing Life Away,” as well as a ferocious work ethic, Rise Against quickly made their mark. Almost 20 years later, they’re still making fearless music that means something.
Across their distinct catalog, Rise Against have tackled everything from the horror of war to animal rights and environmentalism without feeling preachy or judgmental. There’s a warmth to their aggressive songs of rebellion, while more tender tracks come armed with a vicious emotional edge. They’ve comfortably straddled the worlds of punk, hardcore, folk, and arena rock, but no matter the genre or the message, Rise Against make music that demands a reaction. Here are their 25 best tracks, ranked.
25. “Six Ways ‘Til Sunday”
You can hear why Rise Against were initially lumped in with the blossoming pop-punk scene with “Six Ways ‘Til Sunday.” Lifted from debut album The Unraveling, it brings together buoyant hooks and reckless teenage abandon, but even in those early days, there was a communal energy to everything Rise Against did. “You’re the new revolution/The angst-filled adolescent/You fit the stereotype well,” chants vocalist Tim McIlrath, giving the audience an easy in to their rapidly expanding world.
24. “Pain Mgmt”
Released as part of the five-track Nowhere Generation II EP, “Pain Mgmt” is a slinking punk track that’s as biting as it is hopeful. Written after world tours that saw fans from every corner of the globe sharing similar fears and anxieties about their future with the band, Rise Against doubled down on trying to soundtrack a sense of togetherness with a much-needed dash of hope.
23. “Like the Angel”
Rise Against’s second album is all about toying with people’s expectations. After earning a reputation for wild punk shows, Revolutions Per Minute is full of playfully misleading intros, but “Like the Angel” is the band at their giddy best. Starting with a janky guitar line, Rise Against make a passing glance at campfire anthems like Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” before diving into the sort of ferocious, robust punk banger that demands a squealing guitar solo.
22. “State of the Union”
The opening track to Siren Song of the Counter Culture, Rise Against’s major-label debut, set the tone for everything that came next. A ferocious explosion of noise, an urgent coming-together of the band and snarled lyrics about imminent disaster and the apparent ignorance of passengers on the sinking ship, “State of the Union” is a war cry for action before it’s too late. “The words power, death, and distorted truth are read between the lines of the red, white, and blue,” McIlrath warns.
21. “Satellite”
Inspired by the Chicks’ snarling “Not Ready To Make Nice,” this melodic hardcore song is Rise Against reaffirming their belief to do what’s right, not what’ll make them the most money. It’s a defiant rallying cry meant to inspire the same sort of righteousness from the listener, with the title a play on the fact that Rise Against drift into other people’s orbits thanks to crossover hits like “Hero of War” and “Swing Life Away.”
20. “Blood-Red, White & Blue”
Nestled halfway through Revolutions Per Minute, “Blood-Red, White & Blue” is a showcase of just how quickly Rise Against could evolve. Released two years after their scrappy debut, the slick, instrumental intro to “Blood-Red, White & Blue” sees the band lock in as one hammering force to create a wall of almighty noise that sounds just as good in arenas as it does basements. The song quickly changes gear, and the band flex those hardcore muscles.
19. “Broken Dreams, Inc.”
Rise Against have always been a politically charged band, but over the years, the message has had to get more nuanced and in-depth as access to information (and lies) has gotten easier. It’s not enough to simply say you want to take the power back — you need a plan. Which is where “Broken Dreams, Inc.” comes into play. “How do we level the playing field so everyone can have a real chance at attaining the American Dream?” McIlrath asked when the song was released. “One word, ‘disruption.’ You have to put power into the hands of the people, not business. You have to value people and community over profit.”
18. “Make It Stop (September’s Children)”
A confident stride into the world of arena rock, “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” starts with a powerful yet angelic chorus before the driving track really kicks in. A response to the homophobia that was still running rife in the scene, as well as a string of suicides that had made headlines across America, this is a deliberate attempt to make Rise Against shows a more accepting space. As McIlrath told MTV: “The message is: It can get better, it does get better, give it a chance to get better, don’t end your life prematurely.”
17. “People Live Here”
Another slab of folk-infused storytelling, “People Live Here” is all about empathy. A pretty ode to counteract rising division, the gorgeous song is a celebration of the similarities we all share, rather than the differences that are being used to inspire hate. There’s sarcasm, there’s rage, but, as the band explained, “It is an exasperated sigh, a desperate plea, and an honest appraisal of the human condition in our times.” It’s perhaps more cutting today than it ever was before.
16. “Prizefighter”
In the 26 years they’ve been a band, Rise Against have seen it all. Through the rise and collapse of mainstream punk music, they’ve been a reliable, rebellious voice that’s stuck to their instincts at every turn. It’s little wonder they’ve been such an inspiration. Ricochet cut “Prizefighter” has them refusing to pander, though. “I am not yours, bleeding on your dance floors,” McIlrath snarls at the beginning of the thundering track, as Rise Against continue to blaze their own trail.
15. “The Great Die-Off”
Rise Against got really blunt with 2014’s The Black Market, and that more direct approach was kick-started by opening track “The Great Die-Off.” A furious song about rising up and taking the power back, the song is a rallying cry for the oppressed who’ve had enough of division, lies, and infighting. “We want it all and we want it now” is just one of the swaggering mantras that’s designed to light a spark within the listener.
14. “Torches”
Another Revolutions Per Minute track that refuses to follow the expected path, “Torches” is both a venomous hardcore song and a tender anthem of disconnect, confusion, and uncertainty. There’s a mosh pit urgency running through the entire track, while McIlrath’s vocals crack and break as he pleads for a moment of togetherness. Even at this early point in their career, Rise Against were able to wield a unifying power, and “Torches” lit the fuse on what would come next.
13. “Paper Wings”
Rise Against are usually pretty direct with their lyrics. If a song has a meaning, they want you to know exactly what it is. But occasionally they’ll release a song like “Paper Wings.” An intimate, slice-of-life punk anthem, it flirts with hope, ambition, and escapism but leaves things open-ended enough for you to insert yourself into the emotionally charged story. It’s ultimately a celebration of growth and taking risks, but the line “There’s a train leaving town in an hour/It’s not waiting for you and neither am I” could also be a little side-eye to fans claiming the band had sold out by signing to a major.
12. “Life Less Frightening”
After two scathing attacks on the world at large, Siren Song of the Counter Culture pivots in a more personal direction. Still ferocious, still hulking, “Life Less Frightening” also contains the seemingly simple desire for an existence that isn’t ruled by fear. It deals with nihilism, faith, and optimism but ultimately isn’t entirely sure which direction to head in. Twenty years later, the track is sadly still as relevant as ever.
11. “Behind Closed Doors”
A lot of The Sufferer & The Witness sees Rise Against dealing with self-belief after three albums of defiant punk. They’d built a career on calling out the worst corners of humanity and encouraging others to take action but were also left asking if it was making a difference. Toward the end of the album is “Behind Closed Doors,” a promise of perseverance. “Standing no chance to win, but we’re not running,” McIlrath sings.
10. “The Violence”
A surprisingly groove-driven track, “The Violence” was inspired by the 2016 presidential election and the hate that both sides wielded. Full of big questions about nature versus nurture, the track has Rise Against looking at humanity and hoping there’s an inherent goodness to it all. “The song talks about whether violence is an inevitability of the human condition, or whether it’s a choice we make, and therefore, can reject,” the band said.
9. “Bullshit”
When you think of Rise Against, what do you think of? Is it the hope? The defiant optimism? The ability to see the sliver of light in the darkest of times? It probably isn’t a snotty, rebellious punk song like “Bullshit” with the band at the end of their tether. After eight albums, this Wolves cut has had enough and isn’t afraid of saying it with its whole chest, either. There’s even a slight, ska-infused spoken-word breakdown, showing a gloriously different side of Rise Against
8. “Hero of War”
A politically charged folk song, “Hero of War” is an empathetic look at why someone would want to join the U.S. military, herd mentality, and the trauma that comes with it. It touches on belonging and pride, but still provides a scathing takedown on war. It also reminds you exactly who should be held accountable for the atrocities done in the name of the United States of America.
7. “Blood to Bleed”
There’s a whole lot of political fury on Rise Against’s third album. After all, they did call it Siren Song of the Counter Culture for a reason. However, tucked away in the middle of the record is “Blood to Bleed,” a ferociously upfront rock song about heartbreak. Deliciously melodramatic (“I’ve no more blood to bleed/’Cause my heart has been draining into the sea”) and prickling with pain, it sees Rise Against rely on their gut, which makes the record’s more lofty subjects easier to digest.
6. “Collapse (Post-Amerika)”
After The Sufferer & The Witness saw Rise Against ask big questions about the future of the band and their own effect as individuals, Appeal to Reason kickstarts with the defiant, unmovable anthem of “Collapse (Post-Amerika).” After reminding listeners about just how bad things could get, Rise Against draw a line in the sand. “There is no middle ground, no compromise,” McIlrath snarls as he looks to inspire a new generation and pass them the torch.
5. “Swing Life Away”
Perhaps the prettiest moment in Rise Against’s catalog, “Swing Life Away” almost didn’t make it onto Siren Song after a demo was largely ignored by their fanbase. Someone at DreamWorks saw something in the easygoing celebration of perseverance and joy, though, and it ended up being the band’s first proper breakout moment. When a majority of your music is about fighting the good fight, it’s important to remind people just what’s at stake.
4. “I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore”
A chunky, punk-infused assault, “I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore” counteracts the defiant hope of The Black Market’s opening track, “The Great Die-Off,” and embraces the unease and anxiety of a world slowly descending into hate and oppression. It sees the band on a knife-edge as they realize that maybe their righteous fight isn’t one they can win — but they’re going to go down swinging anyway.
3. “Prayer of the Refugee”
Rise Against’s biggest song gives a voice to “the angry and the desperate, the hungry and the cold” as they endure hardships but refuse to give up. There’s pain fueling “Prayer of the Refugee,” but the fiery, empathetic anthem is ultimately one of determination. It’s one of the most direct songs Rise Against have put out in their 25-year career, but there’s clearly a power in that bluntness. Ultimately, it’s a hopeful celebration of community and a reminder of the power people wield.
2. “Re-Education (Through Labor)”
From the opening rumble of “Re-Education (Through Labor), Rise Against sound like a band on a mission. The deliberate rage behind the track is used with a surgeon’s precision, with arena-sized riffs used to amplify their protest against “the 9-to-5, dog-eat-dog lifestyle and what we are asked to do to simply make ends meet nowadays” that is everyday life in America, according to McIlrath. It’s one of the band’s heaviest songs, but that heft is used for a purpose.
1. “Savior”
A punk classic. “Savior” might not be Rise Against’s most political righteousness track, but it’s still driven by a frustrated anger. The frenetic song deals with a couple trying to make amends after calling time on their relationship. Sitting somewhere between love and hate, the poignant, poetic track is about taking responsibility for your own actions and not using other people to fix things in your own life. It’s a lot to fit into four minutes, but Rise Against have always been a band with a lot to say.