Endgame is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against. It was released on March 15, 2011, by DGC Records and Interscope Records. A melodic hardcore album, Endgame continues the trend by Rise Against towards more crisp, polished production, which began with the band's previous album Appeal to Reason. Social and political commentary constitute the majority of the lyrical content on Endgame, and a major theme revolves around the end of humanity.

After a lengthy tour in support of Appeal to Reason, Rise Against began recording Endgame in September 2010, with producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore. Endgame debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, with 85,000 copies sold in its first week. It holds the record for the band's highest position on the chart. The album also charted highly in several other countries such as Canada, where it became Rise Against's second consecutive album to reach number one on the Canadian Albums Chart.

Three songs from Endgame were released as singles: "Help Is on the Way", "Make It Stop (September's Children)", and "Satellite". All three songs appeared on various Billboard charts, in particular "Help Is on the Way", which became Rise Against's only song to reach the Billboard Hot 100. Critical appraisal was mainly positive, with reviewers complimenting the music, and Rise Against's ability to integrate its hardcore punk roots with a mainstream rock sound. Most reviewers liked the politically driven lyrics, although some felt the lyrics were either lacking or melodramatic.

In 2008, Rise Against released its fifth studio album, Appeal to Reason. It was the band's highest charting album on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number three.^[1] Despite sales of nearly 500,000 copies, critics were divided in their opinions of the album.^[2] To promote the album, Rise Against embarked on the Appeal To Reason Tour, which concluded in mid-2010 with performances at several European festivals.^[3][4] That September, the band members reconvened at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado to record Endgame.^[5]

Bassist Joe Principe noted that although the band members booked the Blasting Room six months in advance, they left for the studio later than expected. Once they arrived, the band members wrote and finalized song ideas Principe and lead vocalist Tim McIlrath had written while on tour. This writing process took place over a three-week period before recording. Principe said the members were underprepared once they entered the studio, and described the writing process as "a race-the-clock kind of thing".^[5] Endgame was produced by Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore, the duo that produced three of Rise Against's last four albums.^[1]

Endgame was released on March 15, 2011,^[10] and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, with 85,000 copies sold in its first week.^[18] It remains Rise Against's highest position on the chart.^[19] Endgame fell to number twenty-two the following week, with an additional 21,000 copies sold.^[20] Elsewhere on Billboard charts, Endgame topped the Top Rock Albums and the Top Hard Rock Albums charts, becoming the band's first album to do so on either chart.^[21][22] On the Canadian Albums Chart, Endgame became Rise Against's second consecutive number-one album.^[23] It was certified platinum by Music Canada in 2012, denoting shipments of more than 80,000 copies.^[24] Endgame found success on other charts outside of North America, such as number two in Australia, number one in Germany, and number six in Sweden.^[25][26][27]

Three songs from Endgame were released as singles: "Help Is on the Way", "Make It Stop (September's Children)", and "Satellite". "Help Is on the Way" in particular became one of Rise Against's most commercially successful singles. It is the band's only single to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number eighty-nine.^[28] "Help Is on the Way" also reached number forty-five on the Canadian Hot 100,^[29] number two on both the Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts,^[30][31] and number six on the Mainstream Rock chart.^[32] "Make It Stop (September's Children)" and "Satellite" were also commercially successful on the Billboard rock charts, reaching the top ten on both the Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts.^[30][31]

Accompanying music videos were shot for the three singles.^[33] The video for "Help Is on the Way" plays on the natural disaster themes found in the lyrics, as it depicts an African-American family attempting to escape increasing floodwater levels that engulf their neighborhood.^[34] It ends with a message encouraging donations, and a link to the band's activism website.^[34] In the "Make It Stop (September's Children)" video, three gay teenagers are bullied, and contemplate suicide, before they realize they have much to live for.^[35] Rise Against partnered with the It Gets Better Project, and the video was filmed at McIlrath's alma mater Rolling Meadows High School.^[35] The video for "Satellite" features behind the scenes footage of production crews setting up the stage, soundchecks, and shots of fans at Rise Against concerts.^[36]

More information Aggregate scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	76/100[37]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AbsolutePunk	78%[9]
AllMusic	[10]
Alternative Press	[2]
Consequence of Sound	C+[7]
Entertainment Weekly	B[38]
NME	8/10[39]
PopMatters	[8]
Rock Sound	9/10[6]
Rolling Stone	[40]
Spin	5/10[41]
Sputnikmusic	4/5[11]

Close

Endgame currently holds a 76/100 on the review aggregator website Metacritic, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".^[37] Tim Newbound of Rock Sound wrote "'Endgame is bona fide awesomeness",^[6] while Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic said "Rise Against deliver another blast of driving, politically charged, melodic hardcore".^[10] NME's Rob Parker opined that while it was not as good as the 2003 album Revolutions per Minute, he called Endgame "a hugely exhilarating album ... a fine record from an ever-impressive band.^[39] Jon Dolan Rolling Stone commented "Rise Against's mastery of anthemic punk rock is second only to their mastery of being pissed off."^[40] Kenny Herzog of Spin wrote a more critical review of Endgame, in which he described most of the songs as "turgidly overlong and underfed".^[41]

Newbound called Endgame one of the most punk inspired albums Rise Against had ever recorded, and wrote: "it's an album drenched in hugely anthemic, melodic movements that could bring stadium crowds to a frenzy while never deviating from a punk blueprint."^[6] Consequence of Sound's Alex Young commented how the music would satisfy listeners who wanted hardcore movements with a straight edge dynamic, as well as casual listeners who simply want a steady rhythm to mosh to.^[7] Writing for AbsolutePunk, Thomas Nassiff liked how nearly every song was had a catchy and memorable chorus rooted in punk, but said how the formula ultimately became repetitive.^[9] Davey Boy of Sputnikmusic criticized the indistinguishable sound of the album, which believed was due to guitarist Zach Blair's use of recycled guitar licks and riffs.^[11]

Several critics noted Rise Against's continued trend toward a more accessible and radio-friendly sound.^{[7][8][9][11]} Kiel Hauck of PopMatters wrote: "they're not reinventing the wheel here, only tinkering with the formula that's gotten them to where they are in the first place."^[8] Young said although Rise Against may never return to its hardcore roots, this was not selling out, but is instead "expanding the horizon to broaden who receives the calling".^[7] Nassiff felt the band lost some of its passion with the move toward a more accessible sound, but ultimately noted how many of the songs on the album were still better than most mainstream rock songs.^[9] "Listeners are lucky that Rise Against can still create a worthwhile and entertaining record while their music moves beyond its origins" said Nassiff.^[9]

Most critics liked the politically driven lyrics.^[2][10][11] Erlewine felt the lyrics provided listeners with an honest depiction of the world, and were often about topics listeners needed to hear as opposed to what they wanted to hear.^[10] Boy described the lyrics as passionate and motivated, regardless of the listener's political beliefs.^[11] Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Greg Kot found some of the lyrics to be overly melodramatic,^[38] while Hauck felt the lyrics would not have a lasting impact on the listener.^[8] Scott Heisel of Alternative Press praised the lyrics, and wrote: "that's really why Rise Against are so important to rock on a large spectrum these days, and why it's a relief that they made an album as strong as their ethics and beliefs this time around."^[2]

All lyrics written by Tim McIlrath; all music composed by Rise Against.^[42]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Endgame.^[42]