Rise Against have released their first new song in three years. The band has contributed the track “Broken Dreams, Inc.” to an accompanying soundtrack to DC’s new Batman comic-book series Dark Nights: Death Metal.
The punk rock act’s most recent album, Wolves, came out in 2017. “Broken Dreams, Inc.” marks their first release under a new record contract with Loma Vista Recordings.
As frontman Tim McIlrath points out, the chance to appear on the Dark Nights: Death Metal soundtrack was a no-brainer for Rise Against.
“Personally, being involved with this soundtrack is really fantastic,” said McIlrath. “Growing up, my little brother and I would ride our bikes to the newsstand near our house and spend all our money on the latest comic books, and Batman was a favorite. Also, Zach, our guitarist, is probably the biggest comic book geek in our band.”
As for the theme of the song, it deals with leveling the playing field for everyone to have a chance at achieving the American dream.
“You have to put power into the hands of the people, not business, you have to value people and community over profit,” explained McIlrath. “You can’t have a shareholder-run country or a shareholder-run world, a world that values profit above all else, because profit above all else can result in dangerous repercussions for humankind.”
The song is accompanied by animated motion music video that features artwork from the Dark Nights: Death Metal comic book, which has unveiled three issues thus far.
The upcoming Dark Nights: Death Metal soundtrack, executive produced by Tyler Bates (Marilyn Manson), also will be released by Loma Vista Recordings, with a full tracklist and release date yet to be announced.
In addition to the Rise Against video, a web series has launched promoting the soundtrack. Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack voices Batman and singer Chelsea Wolfe voices Wonder Woman, with the first webisode featuring music from guitarist Zakk Wylde, drummer Dave Lombardo (Misfits, ex-Slayer), and symphonic metal band Carach Angren.
Watch the music video for Rise Against’s “Broken Dreams, Inc.”, followed by the first webisode promoting the Dark Nights: Death Metal soundtrack below. Download the Rise Against song here.