Their first since 2011’s Endgame, Rise Against are back in style with The Black Market, released in Australia earlier this month. Needless to say, the punk rockers of Chicago, Illinois have clearly shown their compatibility towards sheer greatness when it comes to releasing new music and with their consistent efforts as a band, it’s not a surprise that their fans remain loyal to this day. Being edgy and trendy isn’t just what makes this band so talented but it is remarkable to see how much they have grown in their development as committed musicians and this release only reflects part of what they really bring to the table.
With their promotional single, “I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore”, the familiar electric guitar riff shines throughout the rhythm of the track with a rocking number that is highly exuberant of what the band is capable of doing when it comes to producing quality music. Tim’s vocals are rough sounding and raw that it is well-suited for the punk rock style this release intends to bring. The lyrics are open for interpretation but with the honest tone of Tim’s voice, it’s hard to misread any intention of wanting out.
“Tragedy + Time” brings a light-hearted anthem to the release which is a little different from their punk rock roots, showing a much anthemic and enjoyable track that encompasses an experimental, melodic hardcore style of music from the talented men. It’s quite difficult to adjust to this at first as many people would expect the band to live up to their expectations from their past records such as The Sufferer & the Witness as well as Appeal to Reason being both the responsible caretakers of the band’s musical success.
Back in the past, they have been enabling themselves to take a darker approach but with this record, it seems like they have sneakily introduced catchy numbers, bringing great variety to the record for new and old listeners. “The Black Market” and “Methadone” are in my opinion, the best tracks off the album. Due to their simple nature and the impressive build up within these songs, it displays not only their underrated talent, but their way of efficiently sequencing the music and rhythm of the tracks, conveying their utmost dedication and commitment towards the making of this release being incredibly worthwhile.
So far, I have found that each time I listen to this album, I grow to love it even more. All of the tracks have been perfectly executed that it’s almost impossible to see anything wrong with the release. Although some songs may appear mediocre at times, I can vouch that you probably haven’t listened to the release enough to appreciate it for what it is.
What I love about Rise Against is that their songs feel like they aren’t relateable but in all honesty; all their tracks are open to lyrical interpretation. The Black Market is definitely an album worth cracking the code for because who doesn’t love a little mystery in their punk rock once in a while?
Review Score: 8.5 out of 10 
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The Black Market is out now.
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