Always, the most recent single by Liverpool rock band RISE, was released on February 27, 2026, and it is a monster. This group of four members still delivers their unique and vibrant sound with this thrilling release. Having a high-tempo rock style, RISE perfectly combines melodic vocal hooks with the active combination of synths and guitars, which makes it feel both rich and electrifying.
Always opens with a kick of energy that at once catches your interest. The song includes an excellent vocal performance of stayMellow, whose emotional scope and vocal force are able to make each line very heartfelt. The message of the song comes out with a lot of power and clarity in his voice. The other brilliant aspect is the complex guitar playing of Brian Petch who adds depths and stinging musical sound effects that harmonize perfectly with the song strong rhythm.
The song was composed by Paul Kinley and recorded at Whitewood Studios in Liverpool by Rob Whiteley and Paul Kinley. The film skillfully reflects the live performances of the band, yet everything is clean and balanced.
The most basic meaning of Always is support and being by the side of the people you love. Amid an era of uncertainty in the world, RISE provides a positive message with an inspirational rock anthem that identifies to those who hear it that they are never alone. This is rock music that is in the heart.
Listen to Always
Follow RISE on
RISE, Always hits hard with your distinctive sound – what’s the spark behind this one, and how does it fire up the high-energy rock you’re known for?
We have always worked this way, it’s our style, our way of working….our DNA if you will. We know what we want to produce and sound like, so we stick with what we want to play.
Sam (stayMellow)’s vocal performance is a total standout – emotional range on fire! How did his delivery take this track to the next level?
We did ask him to “go for it” on this track. We did try some run-throughs in the studio with different approaches to the vocal, but this one, which is a little more aggressive or driving, definitely fits the mood of the track.
Brian Petch’s guitar work shines through so sharp and detailed. What makes his playing the perfect backbone for Always’ driving vibe?
Brian or Barb, which is short for the Barbarian (band humour as he doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body!) is the band’s “thinker”, his approach to everything in life is to get into the detail and build from that. He will take the outline of the track and work away at it until he finds parts that fit the mood and style of the track.
The theme’s all about having your people’s back in tough times. Paul, you said the world feels dark – how does focusing on that support feel like a rock anthem for right now?
Life will constantly bite you on the arse and I do mean constantly….having the support of “the good guys” is a clear way of coping with tough times. I write from what I know and where I am at a particular point in time and very lucky in the amount of “good guys” I have around me.
Recorded at Whitewood Studios with Rob Whiteley producing again. What’s the magic in your long-time collab that captures RISE’s rich, complex energy every time?
Rob is the ultimate detail man; he is calm but always demanding; extremely demanding. We joke about his phrase “that’s good, but could you just”…..He knows how to get the balance between a well produced track, but not an overproduced track. We try to make the studio sound match our live sound. It can’t be done to 100%, but I do believe he gets it very close.
You’ve honed that recognizable synth-guitar blend over years of gigs. How does Always showcase the melodic hooks and prog-rock nods fans crave?
We do love a bit of prog…we grew up listening to Rush, Yes and Genesis…I still do listen to them now. We have some new songs coming up across the summer of 2026 that definitely carry a more obvious prog sound with odd timings and more complex arrangements. Still the same mix of synths and guitars with strong vocal hooks, to ensure we keep the RISE sound; but they are a little more complex to play.
Band lineup killing it – Sam on bass/vocals, Paul on keys/backing, Alex on drums, Brian on guitar. How does the four-piece chemistry fuel this single?
It’s fair to say we know our places on the board so to speak. We find it works best when people are given space and then come up with ideas as they are circulated around the band. I tend to start the idea, then work with the guys to develop it out. We genuinely do open up the songs to internal scrutiny and review before we put them out.
Paul, you build everything around live energy. If fans blast Always stuck in traffic or at a gig, what reaction are you hoping for?
Good question…I hope that firstly they enjoy it! We do try to keep our live work as close to the studio sound as possible. We do use some triggers and sequencers to support the live sound as it is complex and rich in some parts.
From Liverpool rock scene to global waves – what’s been the early buzz on Always, and how’s it fitting into your live sets?
We are planning on more studio work across the Summer of 2026, so it won’t be until late Summer or early Autumn until we go out live again. Always has been really well received so far, so it will definitely go into the live set.
High-tempo rock with heart and hooks – what’s next for RISE after dropping this banger? More singles, tours, or a full album on the horizon?
We are likely to release an EP towards the end of Summer 2026, I’m guessing 5 songs, 3 are already written and recorded and the other two are going to be recorded at Whitewood studios with Rob; the studio time is booked.
