Review: “For Better For Worse” by Rise Above

Having roots that run deep in the late-’80s and ’90s Hardcore Punk scene in the Netherlands and featuring in their ranks former members and former members of Disabuse and Cry of Terror, the journey of Rise Above has been one tinged with tragedy. Having made their name with their 2016 DIY released full length album “All That Is Solid…..Melts Into Air” which brings together the worlds of Metal and Hardcore to create a ferocious in your face style that is both gritty and hard hitting in equal measure, they inked a deal with WTF Records for 2019 EP “Painkiller“. October of that year then saw friend and drummer Pierre pass away suddenly however the band were determined not to give up the dream and 2020 saw the arrival of EP “Forever“, a rollercoaster of an emotional record. So a follow up orientated around the theme of perseverance in “For Better For Worse” seems like a logical place for the band to continue their journey, recorded, mixed and mastered at 3181 Studio by Sander Oldersma, the guitarist of LIES!

The lyrical theme here runs much deeper than perseverance alone and is an interesting reflection and musing on Mental Health, encouraging people to have faith in themselves and the path they have chosen in life as well as to rely on the support of their friends and families when faced with setbacks, mistakes and dark times. A classic 80’s Hardcore bassline brings “For Better” to life with hints at inspirations from the likes of Biohazard and Sick Of It All, in a single verse that is a note, wrapped around a brick and launched through the nearest window. ‘We’re in this for the better and for worse, no matter what‘ is the message and don’t you forget it. “Everyone Counts” then picks up the pace with a clenched fist, a collection of one liners that ends with the song title in fine chant-a-long fashion, perfect for a live show before the circle pit anthem of “Error” gives us a 40 second burst of old school Hardcore like they used to make back in the day. Oldersma lends a solid solo to “Recap“, another short, fast and straight to the point cut with barely time for breath between the verses. It’s classic American Hardcore with an instantly gratifying appeal due to the familiarity of sounds as the band tick all the boxes in terms of hallmarks while bringing in plenty of flavour of their own, although if you didn’t know any better you would say they are a US band, there is no accenting or anything to suggest otherwise. “Scare My Demons” is the longest of the cuts at 144 seconds, armed for the apocalypse with another shout-a-long chorus and riffs for high fives, stage drives and crowd surfing, straight from the Deez Nuts playbook.

Arguably the song which embraces the lyrical narrative the most is “Return to Strength“, a classic post trauma clenched fist of a tune that gives a comfort in the knowledge there is always a light at the end of the tunnel while packing plenty of bark and bite in the riff department. The band continue to hammer out the tunes to help you breathe more easily at breakneck pace with “White Eyes“, another blistering sub two minute two step floor filler that is uncomplicated good fun, the energy of it being nothing short of intoxicating. So much so that any of these cuts could be played twice over back to back during a live show and no-one would be any the wiser. René of LIES! lends this throat to “Persevere” and intertwining vocal lines with Roy gives the cut another dimension as the band play out a tune that feels like it’s a demo from Madball. A Hardcore anthem fitting of an album frontloaded with them, it’s a middle finger to those who would drag you down. All in all, a rewarding, no frills Hardcore Punk album that does exactly what it says on the tin as Rise Above stick to their guns and make sure the listener has a good time as well as something to think about [7/10]

Track Listing

1. For Better
2. Everyone Counts
3. Error
4. Recap [ft. Sander of LIES!]
5. Scare My Demons
6. Return to Strength
7. White Eyes
8. Avatar
9. Persevere [ft. Rene of LIES!]
10. For Worse

“For Better For Worse” by Rise Above is out 30th June 2023 via WFT Records with pre-orders available here.