The band returned to the studio in December 2002 to work on their second full-length, Revolutions Per Minute in 2003 and toured for 2003's Warped Tour, which gained the band some success. Rise Against then signed to Dreamworks Records in late 2003 to begin the recording of their third record, but Dreamworks was shortly absorbed by the Universal Music Group, and Rise Against found itself with major label Geffen Records.
In December 2002, the band revisited the studio for Revolutions Per Minute, their second full-length album, which came out in 2003. They toured Warped Tour that same year and gained popularity. In late 2003, Rise Against signed with Dreamworks Records to record their third album but were soon transferred to Geffen Records after Dreamworks was absorbed by Universal Music Group.