In some respects, The Sufferer and the Witness is faster and heavier than Siren Song of the Counter Culture, but those awesome, soaring choruses that allow Tim McIlrath to show off his vocals are still there along with the tasteful guitar solos, as always. Whereas their last album had a sound that mixed their own style established on Revolutions Per Minute with a sound more akin to Atlantic-era Bad Religion, The Sufferer and the Witness expands on it a bit, adding a noticeable increase in bass volume that gives some of the songs added kick and heaviness that was lacking a bit on Siren Song of the Counter Culture. They continue to write (mostly) fast, melodic hardcore punk that wouldn't sound out of place in Fat Wreck's catalogue. Once you've finished rejoicing over the fact that Rise Against decided not to use clip art to present their new album, you'll pop it in and notice that The Sufferer and the Witness is anything but a far cry from the rest of their material, which is a good thing. And it doesn't have shitty artwork that Siren Song of the Counter Culture did! Hooray! That said, The Sufferer and the Witness more or less starts off right where their major label debut, Siren Song of the Counter Culture ended. Rise Against continues to prove that a major label doesn't mean shit when it comes to writing their music, which is one of the small reasons I like them so much. It's always nice when a band that exhibited incredible promise coming up through indie labels continues to show evolution without distancing themselves from their roots once they've hit major label status. Through and through, it was a perfect record that showed us a path of light.Rise Against – The Sufferer and the Witness - Geffen, 2006 Rise Against did not hold back their energy and commitment on The Sufferer And The Witness. With a meaty chorus and sincerity evolving at every moment, it was the main highlight on a record that oozed greatness. “The Good Left Undone” was a masterclass in punk and riveting lyrical meaning, pushing the boundaries for this forward-thinking band. It was a lyrical and driven piece of melancholy. McIlrath sang evocatively, pushing his acoustic guitar to the sky. Brash percussion intertwined well with volatile guitar strokes. “Behind Closed Doors” sprang to life as a punk score. “The Approaching Curve” was narrated beautifully, a monologue of unhappiness and smashed resolve. “Prayer And The Refugee” sparked controversy, but it was the song we needed. Well-formed notes and guitar riffs were graciously integrated and the meaning behind it resonated. It was a highlight, a true trademark sound. McIlrath sang with anger spreading through his veins, he sang conveying mistrust and internal pain. “Injection” was a stab in the light, a song with technicalities and lyrical swagger. Some louder than others, but they all had meaning. Blazing a trail is what Rise Against dreamt of doing, and they did so with intent.ġ3 songs made up the LP. It did not lapse or seize up either it flew the flag for a band who were on the edge of something special. People rushed forward into the band’s whirlpool of trust and energy, declaring The Sufferer And The Witness as the complete album, a record fortified with evocative traits and justified hope. It made it urgent, real, original, and timely.Īnd hearts and minds connected to the LP. Throughout the album, the songs all came together as one blast of anger. Lead singer Tim McIlrath also sang with newfound vigor, lashing the world with his political leanings and fists of rage. This disc morphed into something massive, colossal in its armory of songs. Punk has always been a mainstay in Rise Against’s makeup, but with The Sufferer And The Witness they implemented newly drafted sounds and melodic importance. In time, though, the band escalated beyond the brashness and found their way into more subtle terrains. Not only did they entice many fans to the party, but they drew out political blood, and created a landmark sound. Yes, they developed many punk discs prior to the landing, and these records were raw and revealing, truly testing the punk scene. Battle-hard and ready for the fight, Rise Against truly grew into a behemoth act when they released their seminal album The Sufferer And The Witness in 2006.

The sufferer and the witness songs