Self-proclaimed hardcore kids Rise Against have already proven they can throw a kick-ass lawn party ‘mdash; they shared Warped’s main stage with punk revivalists Billy Talent in ’06, and raged with Alkaline Trio before that. Now returning alongside Talent and veteran screamers Rancid on July 10, we can expect the same string-shredding crunch that made Rise boss on 2006’s The Sufferer ‘amp; the Witness.
Fair warning: The PETA-loving, anti-establishment vegans preach and pout about as much as they actually play. But when they do get down to business, they skid close to Bad Religion’s skater genius with no shortage of cymbal crashes and amp-rattling power chords. Vocalist Tim McIlrath has a beaten-raw voice, and stadium choruses chuck any tacit pretention straight into the mosh pit.
Are they the best in the business? Probably not ‘mdash; overbrushed Appeal to Reason lacks the depth that made Sufferer so beautifully plaintive, and some tracks are barely discernible. Still, a night of sweaty, animalistic thrashing is worth 35 bucks.
Rise Against will perform live at the San Diego Sports Arena on July 10.