RIVAL is a melodic rock band from Chicago, IL that unapologetically jams fragments of its post-hardcore past into the gaps of its flimsy understanding of present-day modern rock. Dynamic peaks of rhythmic intensity, stubborn affinities for 7th chords, & valleys of reverb consistently add emotional, juvenile edges to otherwise perfectly mature, uninteresting, & benign rock songs. One might reasonably expect the result of this audacious musical duct-tape job to sound like the 10th Grade Battle of the Bands disaster its influences suggest it to be. But against all odds, a passable musical deal was made and the past proved it can shake hands with the future...again. At some point it will become clear, at some point we'll learn: Authenticity is such a powerful tool in the creative arsenal, that with it even the most precarious ideas have a chance to turn out okay. Indeed, once in a great while, a few even come out the other side looking & sounding like a well-oiled, finely-tuned machine. This is once in a great while. This is a well-oiled, finely-tuned, duct-taped machine. This Is Rival