Album Review: Story Of The Year - 'The Black Swan'

Story Of The Year have

been through a lot. From mainstream darlings to major label discards

the band has been on the receiving end of the best and the worst that

the music industry has to offer. After the breakout success of their John Feldman produced debut, SOTY found themselves label-less

after their sophomore record In The Wake Of Determination only

(and I use the term loosely) sold a few hundred thousand copies.  

Well, if ever a record was a big

fuck you to the detractors then The BlackSwan is that

record. Taking the pop sensibilities of their debut and successfully

merging them with the metal inspired guitar work of their more recent

material, Story Of The Year have written that all important third

album which should keep their existing crowd on board as well as winning

over a host of new fans.   

The crunch of the album’s first

track “Choose Your Fate” should serve as a warning to anyone expecting

a collection of radio friendly hits. As always the guitar interplay

is top notch and the transition from grooving metal to balls out punk

is seamless. Without missing a beat SOTY kick into one of their

trademark anthems, the chorus of “Wake Up” being on par with anything

the band has released previously. 

“The Antidote” is an obvious

choice for a shot at being a single as Dan Marsala’s hook laden

vocals combine perfectly with the arena sized guitar riffs that Ryan

and Philip (SOTY axe men) so effortlessly put out there… and

the odd guitar solo doesn’t go astray either. “Tell Me” is reminiscent

of After The Eulogy era Boysetsfire (which is a good thing) with it’s bouncy guitar parts that should

have dance floors across the world buckling under a crowd’s heaving

weight.  

A hell of a lot of bands have

tried to merge screamed vocals and metallic guitars with quiet vocal

passages over the last few years, but very few have had the same success

as Story Of The Year, “Angel In The Swamp” being a prime example

of the aforementioned description. Seriously, who else can piece together

a banging guitar riff with an introspective verse that slips back into

a punk beat? While being vastly different songs sonically, “The Black

Swan” and “Message To The World” both have one thing in common…

fucking huge choruses! “Apathy Is A Deathwish” is indicative of

the fact that the SOTY six stringers spend a lot of time listening

to Pantera while “We’re Not Gonna Make It” has sing-a-long

written all over it. 

Story Of The Year seems to attract fans from all over the musical spectrum… and rightfully

so. There’s something on offer here for everyone so get the record and learn the words in time for their upcoming Australian tour. 

1. Choose Your Fate
2. Wake Up
3. The Antidote
4. Tell Me (P.A.C.)
5. Angel In The Swamp
6. The Black Swan
7. Message To The World
8. Apathy Is A Deathwish
9. We