Story of the Year
A.R.S.O.N.

Since the beginning of this millennium, Story Of The Year (SOTY for narrative convenience) have come a long way. Apart from the four-year absence (2014-2018) of bassist Adam Russell, replaced by Philip Snell, the lineup has always held strong, relying on the friendship among founding members Dan Marsala (vocals), Ryan Phillips (guitar), Adam Russell (bass, as mentioned), and Josh Wills (drums). Over the years, there have been hiatuses and even a remarkable self-produced, fan-funded album, “Wolves”, which brought new awareness and a renewed desire to achieve great results, with crowdfunding as a starting point. Anything but trivial, one might say.

“Page Avenue”, their first historic album from 2003, immediately established the St. Louis post-hardcore quartet during a period when the emo genre was taking the mainstream by storm. Story Of The Year have always remained loyal to their genre and style, as well as true to their ideals. The intricate riffs, energetic percussion, and the dual vocal nature of the frontman—who has always alternated a very aggressive scream with more emotional episodes, led by a bright yet warm voice when needed—have defined every work by the band.

At the dawn of 2026, “A.R.S.O.N.” (again released by Sharp Tone Records), their eighth studio album, comes out, preceded by the singles “Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)” and “Disconnected”. As with its predecessor “Tear Me to Pieces” from 2023, production is entrusted to Colin Brittain. The new record, as the band has admitted, is in many ways a continuation of the previous one, especially regarding the themes explored: emotional struggles, the desire for redemption, the urge to destroy and then rebuild stronger than before (see the burning Lamborghini Countach on the cover). All of this is realized through clear growth in sound and songwriting, without any loss of identity.

As we explore the contents of the tracklist, there is no shortage of nostalgic touches, delivered through compositional choices reminiscent of the timeless “In The Wake Of Determination” (2005) and “The Black Swan” (2008). “See Trough” and “Halos” are the most evident examples, with relentless screaming and group vocals leading up to the choruses.

“Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)”, from the first notes, winks at the early nu metal of Papa Roach; fittingly, “Fall Away” features a welcome guest appearance by Jacoby Shaddix, who brings with him the characteristic rapping style of the early 2000s, making us think back to the immortal bars of “Last Resort”.

“3 am” is the most entertaining track on the entire record; the driving rhythm and distorted riff during the refrains make it impossible to stand still. According to the numbers, a week after the album’s release, this track became a true banger. Its equally catchy counterpart is “Good for Me/Feel so Bad”, which boasts an excellent bridge that adds character. In contrast to the dark aggression of “Into The Dark”, we find the calm of the ballads “My Religion” and “Better Then High”. In both, Dan Marsala pours out all his melodic flair in a reflection on love. In the former, there’s an obsessive devotion to the relationship with a partner, sung through many striking metaphors; in the latter, accompanied by acoustic guitar, there is only room for a nostalgic overall vision.

“I Don’t Wanna Feel Like This Anymore” continues this exploration, with a promise already evident in the title, closing out the emotional rollercoaster of the eleven tracks in fitting fashion.

“A.R.S.O.N.” doesn't bring with it anything particularly innovative or experimental; instead, it delivers consistency and a lot of quality. This can only be considered a virtue, since the Story Of The Year’s machine is well-oiled and functions perfectly. One minor flaw is surely the album’s length, just over half an hour like its predecessor and considerably shorter, timewise, than the early works. Still, “less is more” and overall the eleven tracks flow splendidly, giving the impression they never lose their rhythm or narrative thread. Even though, as mentioned, the nostalgic effect is palpable, this record seeks to demonstrate that the band continues to mature and wants nothing more than to hone their aim, lightening the weight of passing time. The closeness among bandmates, the desire to always do well, and the enthusiasm to entertain and move the audience are clear, from these four friends born, raised, and still living in St. Louis, Missouri.

For longtime fans, it will be a matter of adding another album to their cherished collection and hearing new tracks at upcoming concerts. For those discovering Story Of The Year only now, it’s an interesting starting point, inviting a long journey backwards through their discography, useful for getting to know the soul of one of the most entertaining and promising bands of the past twenty years.