Rise Against

Although Fall Out Boy receive credit for elevating the reputation of Chicago’s vibrant punk scene, Rise Against deserve just as much shine. The band coalesced in 1999 under the name Transistor Revolt, after former 88 Fingers Louie member Joe Principe met punk-scene denizen Tim McIlrath at a Sick Of It All and AFI concert. After changing their name to Rise Against, they released the early-2000s albums The Unraveling and Revolutions Per Minute via the venerable punk label Fat Wreck Chords. Graduating to a major label with 2004’s Siren Song of the Counter Culture dulled none of the group’s underground sensibilities. The corrugated hard-rock hits “Savior” and “Prayer for the Refugee” burst with aggressive energy and hardcore speed, while songs such as “Re-Education (Through Labor)” are pointed political snarls with punk’s social conscience. McIlrath’s gravel-coated vocals sound clearer and more melodic on Rise Against’s biggest albums—including the 2008 breakthrough Appeal to Reason, which was co-produced by Descendents mainstay Bill Stevenson—but the band’s messaging is as ferocious and consistent as ever. Just try to stop yourself from moshing to 2020’s metallic-tinged Dark Nights: Death Metal song “Broken Dreams, Inc.”, a riotous call to action for the oppressed to rise up and keep moving forward despite adversity.