The band spent its first four years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which they released two studio albums, The Unraveling (2001) and Revolutions per Minute (2003). Both the albums were met with underground success, and in 2003 the band signed with the major label Dreamworks, which was absorbed by Geffen. Rise Against's major label debut Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004) brought the band mainstream success, largely in part to the popularity of the singles "Give It All" and "Swing Life Away". The band's next album, The Sufferer & the Witness (2006), peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and was Rise Against's first album to chart in countries outside of North America.
With the release of Appeal to Reason (2008), Rise Against's music shifted toward a more accessible and radio-friendly sound, with greater emphasis on production value. The album's third single, "Savior", broke the record for the most consecutive weeks spent on both the Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts. Rise Against's popularity grew with the release of Endgame (2011), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, and charted highly worldwide. The band's seventh and eighth albums, The Black Market (2014) and Wolves (2017) continued the trend of commercial success, and both peaked with the top ten on the Billboard 200. Their ninth and most recent album, Nowhere Generation, was released in 2021.
Rise Against is also known for their advocacy of progressivism, supporting organizations such as Amnesty International and the It Gets Better Project. The band actively promotes animal rights and most of the members are straight edge, PETA supporters and vegetarians.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_Against
Studio albums
The Unraveling (2001)
Revolutions per Minute (2003)
Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)
The Sufferer & the Witness (2006)
Appeal to Reason (2008)
Endgame (2011)
The Black Market (2014)
Wolves (2017)
Nowhere Generation (2021)
Black Masks & Gasoline
Rise Against Lyrics
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Doesn't mean you're alive
Or that you really live
This life has taken its toll
She just doesn't know
How much more she can give
But here, at the top of the world
And they stand before me, below
Demanding the answers with flips of a switch
I don't understand where you got this idea
So deeply ingrained in your head
That this world is something that you must impress
'Cause I couldn't care less
A need for revolution rising
It comes to the surface, gasping for air
And we're not putting up with this planet
One more day, much less one more year
I don't understand where you got this idea
So deeply ingrained in your head
That this world is something that you must impress
'Cause I couldn't care less
So here, and now, in our rotting nation
The blood, it pours, it's all on our hands now
We live, in fear, of our own potential
To win, to lose, it's all on our hands now
And I have an American dream
But it involves black masks and gasoline
One day I'll turn these thoughts into screams
At a world that turned its back down on me
I don't understand where you got this idea
So deeply ingrained in your head
That this world is something that you must impress
'Cause I couldn't care less
Rise Against's song 'Black Masks' is a commentary on modern society and the pressures individuals face to conform to societal norms. The lyrics suggest that just because someone is alive and breathing, it does not necessarily mean that they are living fully. The song laments the fact that life's difficulties have taken a toll on those facing them, and they are struggling to continue giving anymore. The song suggests that societal pressure to impress others and conform to cultural norms only adds to the problem. The song's lyrics also hint at themes of political revolution and rebellion against the status quo.
The song begins with the singer raising their hands and clenching their fists as the crowd demands answers from them. This act symbolizes the frustration and anger of the masses with the state of the world. The lyrics suggest that we should reject the idea that we must impress others and embrace a need for revolution rising. The song implies that the issues facing society today are not sustainable, and we can't go on living this way for much longer.
The song concludes with the singer dreaming of a future where they can rebel against the system using black masks and gasoline. This line implies that there's a need for extreme measures to incite change, and the songwriter suggests that the time for peaceful protest has passed. The song's overall message is that we need to be willing to do whatever it takes to change the status quo and embrace a life that's worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Simply because you can breathe
Just because you can perform life-sustaining acts like breathing doesn't necessarily mean you're truly living.
Doesn't mean you're alive
It's possible to be physically alive, but emotionally and spiritually dead.
Or that you really live
Real living is about more than just taking in air and going through the motions of life.
This life has taken its toll
The pressures of life have caused significant harm and distress.
She just doesn't know
The person in question is unaware of the full extent of the harm inflicted by life's pressures.
How much more she can give
The person is reaching the end of their rope, feeling as though they can't give anymore of themselves.
But here, at the top of the world
The singer feels as though they are in a position of power and influence.
Where I raise my hands, and I clench my fists
The artist is physically exerting themselves, displaying their readiness for action.
And they stand before me, below
Others are looking up to the artist, expecting them to provide answers or guidance.
Demanding the answers with flips of a switch
Others want quick, easy solutions to complex problems.
I don't understand where you got this idea
The singer is puzzled by the current societal values and priorities.
So deeply ingrained in your head
These values and priorities are so deeply rooted in people's minds that they are difficult to challenge or change.
That this world is something that you must impress
Society places immense pressure on individuals to impress others and meet certain standards.
'Cause I couldn't care less
The singer rejects these values and ideals, and is uninterested in impressing others or conforming to societal expectations.
A need for revolution rising
There is a growing desire for societal change and reform.
It comes to the surface, gasping for air
This desire for change is struggling to be noticed or taken seriously.
And we're not putting up with this planet
People are fed up with how things are currently being done on a global scale.
One more day, much less one more year
Society can't continue in its current state for much longer.
So here, and now, in our rotting nation
The singer acknowledges that their country is struggling and deteriorating.
The blood, it pours, it's all on our hands now
The artist feels responsible for the violence and destruction that is occurring around them.
We live, in fear, of our own potential
People are scared of what they are capable of, both good and bad.
To win, to lose, it's all on our hands now
Individuals are responsible for their own successes and failures.
And I have an American dream
The singer has aspirations for their life and their country.
But it involves black masks and gasoline
The artist's aspirations for change may involve violence and destruction.
One day I'll turn these thoughts into screams
The singer hopes to speak out and take meaningful action for change.
At a world that turned its back down on me
The singer feels let down by society and wants to bring attention to its flaws.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Brandon Barnes, Tim McIlrath, Todd Mohney, Joe Principe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind