Watch out Good Riddance, Rise Against are back on the front with a brand-new album. The very first time I heard the band, they opened for Sick Of It All on their European tour last year, they actually couldn’t convince me. Way too chaotic for my taste. Obviously, if I had known some of their work it would have helped.

“Revolutions Per Minute” is the band’s second album and I now know some of their work, which is a good thing. And do you know why? The melodic hardcore of Rise Against is more than a mere one-two-three-let’s go. Gone is the chaos. Take a song like “Halfway There”, creating plenty of room for a few alternative tones. But don’t let this scare you, they do it tasteful, strategic and creatively.

Two thumbs up. There’s one reason for you.

But there’s more. In your face hardcore on “Dead Ringer”, lots of melody on “Black Masks & Gasoline” and “Like The Angel”. Full blown emotions on “Blood-Red , White & Blue”. Intelligent, emotional lyrics brought by Tim McIlrath’s convincing singing. All in all it’s this striking combination of elements that give Rise Against personality and a certain amount of originality (more than portrayed in the band’s bio, just check out their website on http://www.riseagainst.com). Oh, there is a hidden track (a Journey cover), just so you know.