The Unraveling
Encyclopedia
The Unraveling is the debut full-length album by American punk rock
band Rise Against
, released on April 24, 2001, and distributed through Fat Wreck Chords
. Mass Giorgini
produced the album at Sonic Iguana Studios in Lafayette, Indiana, in December 2000. It is the only Rise Against studio album on which lead vocalist Tim McIlrath
does not play guitar. The album was remastered and re-released in 2005.
Although The Unraveling did not rank on any of the Billboard 200
charts, it led to Rise Against's re-signing with Fat Wreck Chords to record their second album, Revolutions per Minute
. It received generally favorable reviews from critics. The album did not produce any singles, but several tracks were included in various media and compilations.
, before changing their name. Shortly after the release, drummer Tony Tintari left the band, and Rise Against recruited Brandon Barnes
from the defunct Denver
punk band Pinhead Circus.
Their demo garnered the attention of punk label Fat Wreck Chords
, which signed the band. The band recorded The Unraveling in December 2000 using material from the Transistor Revolt demo, from which three songs were taken: "Reception Fades", "The Art of Losing", and "Two" (which was re-titled as "401 Kill"). The fourth song, "Join the Ranks", was not included, although it was added as a bonus track to the 2005 Reissue. The album art was designed by Chicago tattoo artist Tim Biedron, a friend of lead vocalist Tim McIlrath. Album photography within the liner was taken by Nabil Elderkin, who has worked with artists and athletes such as Kanye West
and Kelly Slater
.
and 88 Fingers Louie
, of which guitarist Mr. Precision and bassist Joe Principe were previous members. The Unraveling combined fast, customary hardcore punk riffs with slower melodic sounds, an unusual blend for contemporary punk. McIlrath told Australian magazine The Age
in 2006 "We weren't really sure what kind of band we even were." The 88 Fingers Louie influence in song structure is seen in the heavy and elaborate basslines of Joe Principe. In a 2006 interview with Punknews.org, Principe stated
In theme, The Unraveling ranges from "friendships and relationships [to] religion and memories", which became lyrical staples of all successive albums. In The Age interview, McIlrath stated "Everything we've done has always mirrored the climate around us." "Great Awakening" features an aggressive sound and abrasive lyrics, showing the influence of 80s hardcore punk. "Everchanging" was considered by Bill Adams of Ground Control magazine as the primary example of the "comparatively down-tempo and introspective moments" within the album. Rise Against experimented with film quotes in the composition of The Unraveling, which would be repeated in Revolutions Per Minute. "Alive and Well", the first track, includes dialogue from the 1996 motion picture The Cable Guy
and features McIlrath switching heavily between "throaty screams
" and "deceptive melodies." The first 15 seconds of "Reception Fades" are taken from 1997's Henry Fool
.
and CD
formats. The original 2001 CD pressing is currently out of print. The album and the 2005 reissue did not rank on any major music charts. The Unraveling garnered no singles; however, an acoustic version of "Everchanging" was featured on the Warped Tour 2006 Tour Compilation and the European track listing of the This Is Noise
EP
. Also, two songs, "The Art of Losing" and "My Life Inside Your Heart", were used for the unreleased video game Propeller Arena
for the Sega Dreamcast
.
On August 14, 2001, shortly after the release of The Unraveling, lead vocalist Tim McIlrath posted on the Rise Against web site that Mr. Precision had left the band due to creative differences and personal differences. Phillip Hill from The Teen Idols stood in as lead guitarist for The Unraveling tour, and later the band hired Kevin White as lead guitarist. A few months later, White left the band, and Todd Mohney was recruited as the new lead guitarist. The band participated in the 2001 "Fuck the World Tour", which began eight days after Mr. Precision's departure, during which the band heavily promoted their debut. On the tour, the band met Chris Chasse, who was then a member of Reach the Sky
as lead guitarist and later joined Rise Against in 2004 after the departure of Mohney. Rise Against signed to Fat Wreck Chords again in 2003 to record their second album, Revolutions Per Minute.
review gave The Unraveling four and a half out of five stars, saying that "Rise Against is one of the most promising hardcore bands to form in a while and I'm not talking about Chicago only, I'm talking about the whole country" and the album could be "a contender for debut of the year." Sputnikmusic
's Davey Boy commented on the use of film takes in the album, with the opening to "Alive and Well" setting "a frenetic pace ... that displays all of the band’s musical trademarks." The Punkbands.com retrospective review praised McIlrath's diversity in voice and lyrics, stating that "there is an urgency to the lyrics, a desperation in the intonation that is found plenty on Revolutions Per Minute and sometimes on Siren Song of the Counter Culture
, but not in every word the way it is on The Unraveling". The album's hardcore punk texture was highly commended. Ground Control stated that "The Unraveling lives up to its name as any sort of punk rock pleasantry is ripped out of the way and all that remains is urgent, hungry, angry adrenaline."
Critics pointed out the odd track dynamics and felt the presence of weak filler. The Sputnikmusic review stated the album slowed down toward the center, and that "these tracks are arguably better in the moment, rather than being memorable"; the review of the 2005 reissue plainly stated "some songs feel and sound a bit out of place here and there." Although some critics felt the low production value (compared to other releases by Rise Against) added to the rawness and power behind the album, it scored criticism from other sources, especially in retrospective reviews written after the release of the 2005 reissue. The Punknews.org review of the 2005 reissue found the original version's "drums and low-end are too high, the vocals too buried, it's somewhat muddy overall, and it doesn't do a lot of favors to the music or the band." Ground Control mentioned that the "instruments [are] cranked up so loud that they're starting to clip a bit."
reissued The Unraveling on CD format and digital download
to coincide with the band's fifth anniversary. It was remixed and remastered by Bill Stevenson
and Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room in Ft. Collins, Colorado, with two bonus songs ("Join the Ranks" and "Gethsemane"), updated photography, and additional album liner information. "Join the Ranks" was taken from material written for the Transistor Revolt demo and featured on the Fat Wreck Chords compilation Live Fat, Die Young
, while "Gethsemane" was originally featured on the compilation OIL: Chicago Punk Refined
released in 2003. Todd Mohney plays lead guitar on Track 18 "Gethsemane" of the 2005 reissue, as the track was recorded after Mr. Precision's departure from the band.
The re-issue was met with positive critical acclaim. Critics of the initial pressing praised the updated sound quality, with Sputnikmusic's Damrod stating "Some songs [from the original] sounded hollow, not as punchy as the newer ones did. This is something the band noticed as well, and decided to give this one an overhaul." Applebottom from Altsounds stated "this is such an amazing step up in quality," and that "... this is a must have for any fan of Rise Against. If you're new to the music of this band, I'd recommend picking up the remastered version of The Unraveling as it gives better song clarity and sound quality - not to mention the two bonus tracks." The Punkbands.com review stated that fans of grittier hardcore may not find the remastering as appealing, but "fans of [the later albums] may like this version better." Punknews.org's retrospective review on both versions gave the original version three stars and the reissue four, saying "even without the bonus tracks, though, this is the rare reissue that is worth rebuying and is absolutely the version you want to pick up if you haven't got it yet. Bill Stevenson (Blasting Room producer, drummer for the Descendents
, ALL
, Black Flag
, and Only Crime
) did an excellent job remixing and remastering this release. All the instruments are in the right place in the mix and the overall sound is now crisp and punchy."
Rise Against
Additional musicians
Art
Production
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
, released on April 24, 2001, and distributed through Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
. Mass Giorgini
Mass Giorgini
Mass Giorgini is an Italian-American bassist and record producer, who rose to fame when several of the bands he produced experienced huge gains in popularity during the pop-punk boom on the mid-90's. Among these bands was Giorgini's own Squirtgun, which received minor MTV rotation and several...
produced the album at Sonic Iguana Studios in Lafayette, Indiana, in December 2000. It is the only Rise Against studio album on which lead vocalist Tim McIlrath
Tim McIlrath
Timothy "Tim" James McIlrath is an American punk rock musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder for the American punk rock band Rise Against. McIlrath is known to support animal rights and actively promotes PETA with his band...
does not play guitar. The album was remastered and re-released in 2005.
Although The Unraveling did not rank on any of the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
charts, it led to Rise Against's re-signing with Fat Wreck Chords to record their second album, Revolutions per Minute
Revolutions per Minute (Rise Against album)
Revolutions per Minute is the second album by American punk rock band Rise Against. It features the single "Like the Angel" as well as a cover of Journey's single, "Any Way You Want It". The album is considered by many long-term fans to be overwhelmingly their best work.The album had a limited...
. It received generally favorable reviews from critics. The album did not produce any singles, but several tracks were included in various media and compilations.
Background
Rise Against existed for over a year as local Chicago band "Transistor Revolt" before recording their debut. Prior to The Unraveling, the band independently released and distributed an eponymous demo album, Transistor RevoltTransistor Revolt (demo)
-Personnel:Rise Against*Tim McIlrath - lead vocals*Mr. Precision - guitar, backing vocals*Joe Principe - bass, backing vocals*Toni Tintari - drums, percussion...
, before changing their name. Shortly after the release, drummer Tony Tintari left the band, and Rise Against recruited Brandon Barnes
Brandon Barnes
Brandon Barnes is an American musician and producer from Denver, Colorado. He is best known as the drummer for the punk rock band, Rise Against. Barnes is the only member of the band who is not straight edge.-Biography:...
from the defunct Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
punk band Pinhead Circus.
Their demo garnered the attention of punk label Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, which signed the band. The band recorded The Unraveling in December 2000 using material from the Transistor Revolt demo, from which three songs were taken: "Reception Fades", "The Art of Losing", and "Two" (which was re-titled as "401 Kill"). The fourth song, "Join the Ranks", was not included, although it was added as a bonus track to the 2005 Reissue. The album art was designed by Chicago tattoo artist Tim Biedron, a friend of lead vocalist Tim McIlrath. Album photography within the liner was taken by Nabil Elderkin, who has worked with artists and athletes such as Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
and Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater
Robert Kelly Slater is an American professional surfer known for his competitive prowess and style. He has been crowned ASP World Champion a record 11 times, including 5 consecutive titles from 1994–98. He is the youngest and the oldest to win the title...
.
Style and composition
All lyrics were written by Tim McIlrath, with all music in collaboration with the entire band. The album is heavily influenced by hardcore acts such as Black FlagBlack Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
and 88 Fingers Louie
88 Fingers Louie
88 Fingers Louie is a band from Chicago, Illinois which was formed in 1993.They play a style of hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, and punk rock. In 1993 they released their debut 7", Go Away. After disbanding in 1999, members Joe Principe and Dan Wleklinski went on to form the punk rock band Rise...
, of which guitarist Mr. Precision and bassist Joe Principe were previous members. The Unraveling combined fast, customary hardcore punk riffs with slower melodic sounds, an unusual blend for contemporary punk. McIlrath told Australian magazine The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
in 2006 "We weren't really sure what kind of band we even were." The 88 Fingers Louie influence in song structure is seen in the heavy and elaborate basslines of Joe Principe. In a 2006 interview with Punknews.org, Principe stated
We really made sure that the drums were accenting vocal[s] and guitar parts were played just , at least to where we thought were just right - not overplaying or underplaying. I guess as we grow as a band we're paying more attention... and I think with my bass playing too... I think I kind of tended to overplay in 88 Fingers Louie and I've since learned to only play when needed, if that makes sense.
In theme, The Unraveling ranges from "friendships and relationships [to] religion and memories", which became lyrical staples of all successive albums. In The Age interview, McIlrath stated "Everything we've done has always mirrored the climate around us." "Great Awakening" features an aggressive sound and abrasive lyrics, showing the influence of 80s hardcore punk. "Everchanging" was considered by Bill Adams of Ground Control magazine as the primary example of the "comparatively down-tempo and introspective moments" within the album. Rise Against experimented with film quotes in the composition of The Unraveling, which would be repeated in Revolutions Per Minute. "Alive and Well", the first track, includes dialogue from the 1996 motion picture The Cable Guy
The Cable Guy
The Cable Guy is a 1996 black comedy film, directed by Ben Stiller, and starring Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick. The film also features Leslie Mann, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson...
and features McIlrath switching heavily between "throaty screams
Screaming (music)
Screaming is a vocal technique that is most popular in subgenres of heavy metal, punk and hard rock, including metalcore, deathcore, post-hardcore, groove metal, black metal, and grindcore...
" and "deceptive melodies." The first 15 seconds of "Reception Fades" are taken from 1997's Henry Fool
Henry Fool
Henry Fool is a 1997 American seriocomic film written, produced and directed by Hal Hartley, featuring Thomas Jay Ryan, James Urbaniak, and Parker Posey. As in The Unbelievable Truth, an earlier Hartley film, expectation and reality again conflict....
.
Commercial
Fat Wreck Chords released The Unraveling on April 21, 2001, in the United States on LPLP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
and CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
formats. The original 2001 CD pressing is currently out of print. The album and the 2005 reissue did not rank on any major music charts. The Unraveling garnered no singles; however, an acoustic version of "Everchanging" was featured on the Warped Tour 2006 Tour Compilation and the European track listing of the This Is Noise
This Is Noise
This Is Noise is the first EP by Rise Against. It was released on July 3, 2007 in Canada, and January 15, 2008 on iTunes by Geffen Records. The EP features 5 songs....
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
. Also, two songs, "The Art of Losing" and "My Life Inside Your Heart", were used for the unreleased video game Propeller Arena
Propeller Arena
Propeller Arena: Aviation Battle Championship is a video game for the Dreamcast console. It was developed and completed by the development team Sega AM2, but the game was never officially released...
for the Sega Dreamcast
Sega Dreamcast
The is a 128-bit video game console which was released by Sega in late 1998 in Japan and from September 1999 in other territories. It was the first entry in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube.Dreamcast sales were...
.
On August 14, 2001, shortly after the release of The Unraveling, lead vocalist Tim McIlrath posted on the Rise Against web site that Mr. Precision had left the band due to creative differences and personal differences. Phillip Hill from The Teen Idols stood in as lead guitarist for The Unraveling tour, and later the band hired Kevin White as lead guitarist. A few months later, White left the band, and Todd Mohney was recruited as the new lead guitarist. The band participated in the 2001 "Fuck the World Tour", which began eight days after Mr. Precision's departure, during which the band heavily promoted their debut. On the tour, the band met Chris Chasse, who was then a member of Reach the Sky
Reach the Sky
-History:Reach the Sky formed in 1997, and they released two EPs in 1999; their debut full-length, So Far From Home, followed on Victory Records later that same year....
as lead guitarist and later joined Rise Against in 2004 after the departure of Mohney. Rise Against signed to Fat Wreck Chords again in 2003 to record their second album, Revolutions Per Minute.
Critical
The Unraveling received generally favorable reviews. Critics focused on its difference from most Fat Wreck Chords bands and its similarities to earlier hardcore punk outfits. Kurt Morris from Allmusic gave the album three out of five stars, describing it as "a bit of a change for Fat Wreck Chords", highlighting its direct, aggressive sound and serious lyrics. Morris listed "Alive and Well", "401 Kill", and "Everchanging" as the top three tracks, with the latter standing out for its "mature and thoughtful" lyrics. The Punknews.orgPunknews.org
Punknews.org is a website founded by Aubin Paul which launched in 1999. The website publishes music news and album reviews relating to punk rock, hardcore punk, ska, indie rock and heavy metal...
review gave The Unraveling four and a half out of five stars, saying that "Rise Against is one of the most promising hardcore bands to form in a while and I'm not talking about Chicago only, I'm talking about the whole country" and the album could be "a contender for debut of the year." Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic, or simply Sputnik, is a music website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites...
's Davey Boy commented on the use of film takes in the album, with the opening to "Alive and Well" setting "a frenetic pace ... that displays all of the band’s musical trademarks." The Punkbands.com retrospective review praised McIlrath's diversity in voice and lyrics, stating that "there is an urgency to the lyrics, a desperation in the intonation that is found plenty on Revolutions Per Minute and sometimes on Siren Song of the Counter Culture
Siren Song of the Counter Culture
-Personnel:Rise Against*Tim McIlrath – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar*Joe Principe – Bass, backing vocals*Chris Chasse – Lead guitar, backing vocals*Brandon Barnes – Drums, percussionArtwork*Shepard Fairey – Cover illustration...
, but not in every word the way it is on The Unraveling". The album's hardcore punk texture was highly commended. Ground Control stated that "The Unraveling lives up to its name as any sort of punk rock pleasantry is ripped out of the way and all that remains is urgent, hungry, angry adrenaline."
Critics pointed out the odd track dynamics and felt the presence of weak filler. The Sputnikmusic review stated the album slowed down toward the center, and that "these tracks are arguably better in the moment, rather than being memorable"; the review of the 2005 reissue plainly stated "some songs feel and sound a bit out of place here and there." Although some critics felt the low production value (compared to other releases by Rise Against) added to the rawness and power behind the album, it scored criticism from other sources, especially in retrospective reviews written after the release of the 2005 reissue. The Punknews.org review of the 2005 reissue found the original version's "drums and low-end are too high, the vocals too buried, it's somewhat muddy overall, and it doesn't do a lot of favors to the music or the band." Ground Control mentioned that the "instruments [are] cranked up so loud that they're starting to clip a bit."
2005 reissue
On August 23, 2005, Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
reissued The Unraveling on CD format and digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
to coincide with the band's fifth anniversary. It was remixed and remastered by Bill Stevenson
Bill Stevenson
John William "Bill" Stevenson is an American musician and record producer. He is the drummer and frequent songwriter for the California punk rock group Descendents. In late December 1981 he played a few concerts with Black Flag because their drummer ROBO was detained in England after a tour there...
and Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room in Ft. Collins, Colorado, with two bonus songs ("Join the Ranks" and "Gethsemane"), updated photography, and additional album liner information. "Join the Ranks" was taken from material written for the Transistor Revolt demo and featured on the Fat Wreck Chords compilation Live Fat, Die Young
Live Fat, Die Young
Fat Music Volume 5: Live Fat, Die Young was the fifth compilation album in the "Fat Music" series, released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 2001...
, while "Gethsemane" was originally featured on the compilation OIL: Chicago Punk Refined
OIL: Chicago Punk Refined
OIL: Chicago Punk Refined is a punk compilation CD released in 2003 on Thick Records. All tracks were recorded over a 15 day period in an old oil blending factory located on Chicago's South Side. It was recorded by Lance Reynolds and produced by Billy Spunke...
released in 2003. Todd Mohney plays lead guitar on Track 18 "Gethsemane" of the 2005 reissue, as the track was recorded after Mr. Precision's departure from the band.
The re-issue was met with positive critical acclaim. Critics of the initial pressing praised the updated sound quality, with Sputnikmusic's Damrod stating "Some songs [from the original] sounded hollow, not as punchy as the newer ones did. This is something the band noticed as well, and decided to give this one an overhaul." Applebottom from Altsounds stated "this is such an amazing step up in quality," and that "... this is a must have for any fan of Rise Against. If you're new to the music of this band, I'd recommend picking up the remastered version of The Unraveling as it gives better song clarity and sound quality - not to mention the two bonus tracks." The Punkbands.com review stated that fans of grittier hardcore may not find the remastering as appealing, but "fans of [the later albums] may like this version better." Punknews.org's retrospective review on both versions gave the original version three stars and the reissue four, saying "even without the bonus tracks, though, this is the rare reissue that is worth rebuying and is absolutely the version you want to pick up if you haven't got it yet. Bill Stevenson (Blasting Room producer, drummer for the Descendents
Descendents
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
, ALL
ALL (band)
All is an American punk band originally from Los Angeles, currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado, formed by Descendents members Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez, and Stephen Egerton.-Formation and Cruz Records Years:...
, Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
, and Only Crime
Only Crime
Only Crime is a melodic hardcore group formed by Good Riddance singer Russ Rankin and Bane guitarist Aaron Dalbecin 2003. The band plays melodic but hard-hitting punk rock that borrows heavily from early-1980s hardcore bands such as Black Flag.-History:...
) did an excellent job remixing and remastering this release. All the instruments are in the right place in the mix and the overall sound is now crisp and punchy."
Track listing
Personnel
All album credits are taken from the liner notes of The Unraveling.Rise Against
- Tim McIlrathTim McIlrathTimothy "Tim" James McIlrath is an American punk rock musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder for the American punk rock band Rise Against. McIlrath is known to support animal rights and actively promotes PETA with his band...
– lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the... - Mr. Precision – guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Joe PrincipeJoe PrincipeJoe Principe is the bass guitarist, backing vocalist and co-founder of the punk rock band Rise Against. He primarily uses Fender basses, Mesa amps and cabinets, and he uses pick-playing exclusively....
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Dan LumleyDan LumleyDan Lumley has been a drummer for many bands, including Rattail Grenadier, Squirtgun, The Riverdales, The Methadones, Even in Blackouts, The Mopes, Common Rider and Screeching Weasel. He was also a brief member of Rise Against...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
Additional musicians
- Russ RankinRuss RankinRuss Rankin is an American singer from Santa Cruz, CA. He has recorded and played in such notable bands as Good Riddance and Only Crime.-Musical Biography:...
– backing vocals, "Weight of Time" - Todd MohneyTodd MohneyTodd Mohney is an American guitarist, who formerly played guitar for the melodic hardcore band Rise Against. He is from Joliet, Illinois and currently resides in Los Angeles. He was active in The Killing Tree side-project band with Rise Against vocalist Tim McIlrath. The Killing Tree hasn't played...
– guitar, "Gethsemane" (2005 reissue)
Art
- Nabil ElderkinNabil ElderkinNabil Elderkin is an Australian professional photographer and music video and film director of mixed American and Iranian origin. Born in Chicago and raised in Australia, he is now based in Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:...
– photography - Tim Biedron – cover artCover artCover art is the illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book , magazine, comic book, video game , DVD, CD, videotape, or music album. The art has a primarily commercial function, i.e...
Production
- Mass GiorginiMass GiorginiMass Giorgini is an Italian-American bassist and record producer, who rose to fame when several of the bands he produced experienced huge gains in popularity during the pop-punk boom on the mid-90's. Among these bands was Giorgini's own Squirtgun, which received minor MTV rotation and several...
– producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, engineer - Fergus Daly – additional engineering
- Dan LumleyDan LumleyDan Lumley has been a drummer for many bands, including Rattail Grenadier, Squirtgun, The Riverdales, The Methadones, Even in Blackouts, The Mopes, Common Rider and Screeching Weasel. He was also a brief member of Rise Against...
– additional engineering - Mr. Precision – additional engineering
- Phillip Hill - additional engineering
- Don Yonker – additional engineering
- Jason Livermore – mixingMixing consoleIn professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
, masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
(2005 reissue) - Bill Stevenson – mixing, mastering (2005 reissue)