Rise Against | B

Rise Against has released their sixth studio album Endgame, but they haven't brought much to their existing sound. On their first single "Help is On the Way," lead singer Tim McIlrath says "they said help is on the way/but it never came." Six years ago, McIlrath would've delivered such lyrics with raw ferocity and brutality, but on this single it lacks brutality and contains a more discouraged tone. The same can be said for the rest of the album as the band expands on the mainstream sound they developed with their previous effort, Appeal to Reason.

The album kicks off with "Architects," a hard-hitting track and a rare window on the album to the band's punk roots. At its conclusion, McIlrath sings "we still believe in all the things that we stood by before," and so it comes as no surprise that the whole album deals with familiar issues for Rise Against, like world events, war and politics.

"Make it Stop" is a slower track that features a children's choir and a catchy hook. The song addresses the recent suicides involving homosexual teenagers while referencing the tragic death of Tyler Clementi throughout. "And too much blood has flown from the wrist/Of children shamed for those they chose to kiss." In a moving bridge, McIlrath reads a list of recent suicides, with Tyler Clementi's name at the top.

On the second half of Endgame, "Midnight Hands" and "A Gentlemen's Coup" showcase guitarist Zach Blair's talents and are two of the more dynamic tracks on the album. "Satellite," "Survivor Guilt" and "Broken Mirrors" will fit in seamlessly with the whole Rise Against library and are sure to find favor with their current fans.

As the album progresses, listeners will encounter a few forgettable songs and may occasionally sense a formulaic nature to them. Though this may be disappointing to some fans, it gives the album a solid, and cohesive nature. Ultimately, Endgame is a quality album that will likely see moderate mainstream success and please their current fans along the way.