Siren Song of the Counter Culture 's success was largely due to the breakthrough single ' Swing Life Away', an acoustic ballad that starkly contrasted the band's typical hardcore oeuvre. A sleeper hit in the United States, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting shipments of 500,000 copies. In August 2004, Rise Against released its major record label debut album Siren Song of the Counter Culture. During the tour, guitarist Chris Chasse left the band and was replaced by Zach Blair. Rise Against supported the album with The Sufferer & the Witness Tour throughout the second half of 2006 and all of 2007. All three songs charted on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States, and accompanying music videos were produced. Three songs from The Sufferer & the Witness were released as singles: ' Ready to Fall', ' Prayer of the Refugee', and ' The Good Left Undone'. Reviewers also highlighted the vocals of singer Tim McIlrath and the production of Stevenson and Livermore.

Critical appraisal was mainly positive, with reviewers complimenting Rise Against's ability to mature in its sound while simultaneously retain its punk roots. The Sufferer & the Witness sold 48,327 copies in its first week of release, and charted in seven countries, including the United States where it entered at position ten on the Billboard 200. Social and political issues as well as the concept of self-reflection constitute the majority of the lyrical content.ĭissatisfied with Siren Song of the Counter Culture 's (2004) producer Garth Richardson, the band members decided to record their next album with Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore, the duo that worked on their 2003 album Revolutions per Minute. A melodic hardcore album, it comprises thirteen tracks that focus on melody, catchy hooks, and rapid-paced tempo. The Sufferer & the Witness is the fourth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against, released on July 4, 2006.

The sufferer and the witness tracklist