Banger of the Week: Extreme – Rise

I can’t honestly say I’m familiar with the music of Extreme. Even their biggest hit “More Than Words” – I literally just listened to it for the first time last week. In my mind, I’ve associated them in my mind with groups like Motley Crue and other hair metal bands, but had never actually heard a song of theirs (as far as I knew) until I streamed their brand new single “Rise”.

The track kicks off the some especially heavy riffage. The vocals have that slithery quality that was common in 80’s hard rock, but the band elevate it with harmonies and creative melodic turns on the chorus. The drumming here is righteous, and when they breakdown at the same time as the guitar solo, you get where the band got its name from.

Lyrically, there are some great moments here that could only be pulled off in a rock song like this. “Tick tock tick tock you’re a time bomb, we’re just gonna watch as you have your final meltdown” is delivered with a pure, badass sneer that lets it hit home.

So suffice it to say, I’m inclined to become much more familiar with Extreme‘s catalog, and to listen to their new album Six when it comes out on June 9th. Until then, join me in streaming this new banger in our Bangers of the Week Playlist on Spotify or Apple Music!