The Black Market (Rise Against album)

Lore & Background

After touring in support of their 2011 album Endgame, Rise Against took a year-long hiatus. The band began recording The Black Market in January 2014 at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, with producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore. New recording techniques were employed, including greater use of analog signals on a Kemper amplifier and an Evertune bridge to keep guitars in tune. Singer Tim McIlrath served as primary lyricist, choosing introspection as the major theme, which he described as a cathartic experience and a form of therapy.

The album's lyrics revolve around personal and dark subject matter, inspired by what McIlrath called the 'marketplace of emotions' he sifted through. Songs range from the fast-paced hardcore punk of 'The Eco-Terrorist in Me' to the acoustic ballad 'People Live Here', which references gun control and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Critics praised the introspective lyrics but were divided on the music, with some finding it formulaic and others more nuanced than previous Rise Against material.

The Black Market debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, becoming Rise Against's fourth consecutive album to chart within the top ten. It also reached number one on the Canadian Albums Chart, the band's third consecutive album to do so. The album was certified gold by Music Canada in 2014. To promote the album, Rise Against toured throughout 2014 and 2015 with bands including Touché Amoré, Pennywise, and Killswitch Engage.

Reader's Guide

The Black Market represents a significant shift in Rise Against's artistic direction, moving from overt political commentary to deeply personal introspection. This change allowed the band to explore new lyrical territory while maintaining their melodic hardcore foundation. The album's commercial success, including a top-three debut on the Billboard 200 and number-one chart positions in Canada, demonstrated that the band's fanbase embraced this evolution. Critics' divided responses to the music—some calling it formulaic, others more nuanced—highlight the album's position as a transitional work that challenged expectations. The recording process itself reflected a maturation, with the band employing new techniques to focus on creative aspects rather than technical ones. The Black Market's legacy lies in its demonstration that a punk rock band could successfully pivot to introspective themes without losing its core audience, and its songs continue to be part of Rise Against's live repertoire.