Rise Records is an American independent label founded in 1991 by Craig Ericson in Portland, Oregon. It specializes in metalcore, post-hardcore, emo, and pop-punk. Rise is home to Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, Of Mice & Men, and Memphis May Fire, and released A Day to Remember's early work. It is distributed by BMG.
Rise built its reputation on the 2010s metalcore and post-hardcore boom. Its signings of Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, and Of Mice & Men defined the Warped Tour era of the 2010s. The label's model favors bands with strong touring followings and online communities, and it has been effective at breaking bands through YouTube and streaming rather than traditional radio.
How Rise Operates
Rise runs dedicated A&R for metalcore and post-hardcore. It is distributed by BMG, which gives it major-distribution-level reach while remaining independently owned. The label's strength is its deep ties to the metalcore touring and online community. Its marketing leans heavily on YouTube, streaming playlists, and the Warped Tour alumni network.
Notable Artists and Releases
Rise built its reputation on the 2010s metalcore and post-hardcore boom. Below are releases with documented chart performance.
Sleeping with Sirens
- With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear (2010, Rise) - Debuted at #7 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. Sold over 25,000 copies. The single "If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn" was later certified Gold by the RIAA.
- Let's Cheers to This (2011, Rise) - Peaked at #78 on the Billboard 200, #5 on US Hard Rock Albums.
- Feel (2013, Rise) - Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 with approximately 60,000 first-week sales. Also reached #2 on US Top Rock Albums and #14 on the Australian Albums Chart. This was the band's final album on Rise Records before moving to other labels.
Of Mice & Men
- Of Mice & Men (2010, Rise) - Self-titled debut peaked at #115 on the Billboard 200, #10 on US Hard Rock Albums.
- The Flood (2011, Rise) - Peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200, #3 on US Hard Rock Albums.
- Restoring Force (2014, Rise) - Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200, #1 on US Independent Albums, #1 on US Hard Rock Albums. Also charted in Australia (#9), New Zealand (#36), and the UK (#17). This was the band's highest-charting album to date.
- Cold World (2016, Rise) - Peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200, #1 on US Hard Rock Albums.
Memphis May Fire
- Multiple albums on Rise Records including "The Hollow" (2011) and "Challenger" (2012). The band became a staple of the Rise roster during the metalcore boom.
The Devil Wears Prada
- Signed to Rise Records after releases on other labels. The band's association with Rise expanded the label's reach in the metalcore scene.
A Day to Remember (early work)
- Rise released A Day to Remember's early material before the band moved to other labels. These releases helped establish Rise's identity in the post-hardcore and pop-punk space.
Deal Structures and How Artists Get Signed
Rise Records operates traditional recording deals. The label typically takes master ownership for the deal term. Artists receive advances against royalties. The label is distributed by BMG, which provides major-distribution-level reach while the label remains independently owned.
Rise has expanded its deal types in recent years. The label offers global recording deals through its partnership with BMG, as demonstrated by the 2020 signing of Australian metalcore band Ocean Sleeper to a global deal with Rise Records and BMG combined. This structure gives international artists distribution and marketing across multiple territories through a single agreement.
How to get signed:
- Rise does not accept unsolicited demos.
- The label signs bands through A&R scouting at live shows and on streaming platforms.
- Industry referrals carry weight. The band Alive Like Me was signed after their producer passed a demo to Rise founder Craig Ericson through a personal connection.
- Rise favors bands with strong touring histories and active online communities. A studio-only project is a harder sell.
- Founder Craig Ericson has described his approach as signing bands whose music he personally wants to release, rather than chasing commercial trends.
- Some deals are structured for a single album rather than multi-album commitments, giving both parties flexibility.
Artist Videos
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make metalcore, post-hardcore, or emo, Rise is one of the most established independent labels in those genres. Its roster of genre-defining 2010s bands (Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil) shows it can build long-term careers in heavy music.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Genre focus: Rise signs metalcore, post-hardcore, and emo. Artists outside that world should look elsewhere.
- No unsolicited demos: Rise does not accept cold submissions.
- Touring expectations: Rise's model favors bands with strong live followings. A studio-only project is a harder sell.
- Indie deal terms: Rise typically takes master ownership for the deal term.
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Rise deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The indie trade-off
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Touring income for metalcore bands
- Epitaph Records - A related punk and metalcore indie label
- Rise Records Official Site - Roster and releases
Similar Labels
- Epitaph Records - Punk and metalcore indie label founded by Brett Gurewitz
- Fearless Records - Rock and metalcore label with Warped Tour roots
- Equal Vision Records - Post-hardcore and indie label with overlapping roster history
- Hopeless Records - Punk and pop-punk independent label
- Metal Blade Records - Metal-focused independent label with deep genre history
