RISE AGAINST

Wolves VIRGIN

Punks are at their best when they’re utterly pissed off, and America’s recent swing into conservatism has turned Rise Against into a towering inferno. Their last few records were released under a democratic administration they generally agreed with, which took a bit of bite out of the band. Wolves, on the other hand, harks back to a younger Rise Against: not in the sense that they’ve returned to their hardcore roots – they haven’t traded out the trademark accessible melodies for the searing venom of classic political hardcore – but the shitty state of affairs has reawakened a raw passion, fuelled by frustration that won’t accept the right-wing status quo. Where the last two albums floated around various social issues, Wolves has a clear, contemporary target that keeps the band on track, amplifying the effect of their anthemic sing-along choruses, roaring riffs and veinpulsing, sweat-drenched enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the mighty howl is reduced to a clichéd whimper every now and then, as Rise Against fill time between hard-hitters with attempted heartfelt songs that feel like they were written on the fly. But Wolves manages to rebuild momentum, for the most part, by invoking a sense of unity as it ignores the individual enemies and instead attacks prevalent conservative and regressive ideologies. People come and go, but without these foundations, they won’t have a leg to stand on in the future. Simple stuff? Maybe, but Rise Against’s clear cut communiqué – one that encourages unity in tough times – can stave off social apathy at the very least. And that’s something that a lot of people need right now. PETER ZALUZNY