Wolves
by Rise Against
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2017
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Kerrang!
    Jun 19, 2017
    100
    More often than not, though, Rise Against let you reach your own conclusions, and therein lies the difference between merely preaching to the choir and reaching the whole congregation. [3 Jun 2017, p.50]
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  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 12, 2017
    80
    Their strength is in their inclusivity--yes, they’re from a punk background, but this is melodic hardcore with killer choruses to stir the hardest of hearts, bursting with a positive energy that channels your adrenaline until passive listening becomes all but impossible.
  3. Alternative Press
    Jun 9, 2017
    80
    You can hear that rage burning throughout this record’s 11 songs, most notably on “Mourning In Amerika,” “Welcome To The Breakdown” and the untamed aggression of “Bullshit,” on which frontman Tim McIlrath rails against the divisive politics that sadly led us to an orange man in the White House.
  5. AllMusic
    Jun 15, 2017
    70
    Stylistically speaking, the 11-track set doesn't deviate much from the formula the band established on its prior outings, but it will no doubt please longtime fans just looking for something new to pump their fists to.
  6. Clash Music
    Jun 13, 2017
    70
    At times Wolves' polished, pop-tinged punk sounds more like a proffered Pepsi can than a clenched Molotov cocktail, but it is still punk to its bones in a time when the label tends to be skin-deep.
  7. Rock Sound
    Jun 9, 2017
    70
    One of punk’s few great constants, the Chicago four-piece are back and as furious as ever with this eighth album. As you’d expect, they don’t fumble the ball.
  8. Paste Magazine
    Jun 9, 2017
    58
    For being one of the first big punk albums in post-Trump America, Wolves doesn’t howl nearly enough and rarely shows its fangs.
  9. The A.V. Club
    Jun 9, 2017
    58
    Wolves is somehow even more polished, almost glossy to a fault with its compression and ladled-on sweetening of the distortion. At times, it veers dangerously close to latter-day Metallica.
  10. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 9, 2017
    44
    It doesn't help that the music in general is so stubbornly tepid. Sure, overall it's a step up from The Black Market, but there's nothing here that gives the hope of Rise Against vaguely recalling what they used to be good at.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. Zumpano
    Jun 16, 2017
    8
    I honestly think this is better than The Black Market, but not by much. The first half is fast paced and energetic (Wolves, Welcome to theI honestly think this is better than The Black Market, but not by much. The first half is fast paced and energetic (Wolves, Welcome to the Breakdown, The Violence), while the second half (Bullsh*t, Mourning in Amerika, Miracle) feels more slowed and mellowed out which is fine when you come to think about it.

    People are having an issue with the overproduction, but I see no problem with it tbh even though I can see where people are coming from to a certain degree. However, NEVER DO A SKA ORIENTED SONG AGAIN GUYS! PLEASE! It's not terrible, but it doesn't work well in this scenario.

    It has its moments. I enjoyed the title track, Welcome to the Breakdown, Parts Per Million . Others such as Bullsh*t and Politics of Love don't really stand out too much, but they're not bad either.

    Would I call it their best? Hell no. It barely cracks the top 5. But I still recommend you give this album a listen to whenever you get the chance or have nothing else to listen to.    … Full Review »
  2. synchronized
    Jun 15, 2017
    9
    Being a fan of rise against since 2001, and seeing people jump on board during siren songs, and sufferer and witness era, judging the band asBeing a fan of rise against since 2001, and seeing people jump on board during siren songs, and sufferer and witness era, judging the band as if they aren't 88 fingers louise 2.0 evolved is humorous to me. Black Market was Rise against heading in the wrong direction, here they are raw again, melodic, and experimenting with unique riffs.

    This is barely over produced, if anything Sufferer and recent albums where far too much. This album will grow on you, blare it in your car and forget about the fools who say "Rise against has lost it", they are reawakening with this album, raw, pure, modern punk, still relevant.    … Full Review »
  3. amoryblue6
    Jun 11, 2017
    7
    Right off the bat I can say that I enjoyed Wolves as a project more than Rise Against's last effort, The Black Market. Wolves doesn't shiftRight off the bat I can say that I enjoyed Wolves as a project more than Rise Against's last effort, The Black Market. Wolves doesn't shift the musical direction RA has been doing for years. They are still very much the political, punk ensemble that packs intellectual lyrics behind melodic and crunchy guitars. What they did with Wolves isn't new and that isn't entirely bad. It's an easy listen for anyone that is a fan of the genre, but it doesn't excel for the very same reason. Although it doesn't quite stack up to some of their previous works, Wolves is still a solid album and worth a listen.… Full Review »
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