Album Review: Strike the Match and Set It Ablaze: Story of The Year Light It Up on A.R.S.O.N
- Dan DiMartino
- 21 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Although it's 2026, it seems like 2006 with new releases from Goldfinger, New Found Glory, The Ataris, and Story of the Year. Story of the Year will be launching their 8th studio album, "A.R.S.O.N.," on February 13th, 2025, featuring some of their heaviest work to date.
“A.R.S.O.N.” opens with “Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)” which stands out as one of the album's strongest opening tracks and singles. The song showcases the albums tone with distorted guitars, hardcore breakdowns, and Dan Marsala’s raw and clean vocals. “Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)” is angry, and you feel it. The aggressive riffs, pounding drums, and intense lyrics stir a desire to unleash fury. What I find incredible about this song is that the lyrics make you want to fight back, and you feel the anger, but you also feel emptiness rather than empowering rage. The song can best be described as a pressure cooker of emotions, signaling listeners to prepare for an intense journey.
“Disconnected” maintains its aggressive tone in its intro, but then allows Dan’s cleans to shine in the verses. Instrumentally, it reminds me of early 2000s post-hardcore with tight, driving riffs, and a chorus designed more for shouting along than singing with a hint of desperation. The lyrics and vocals blend anger and vulnerability, conveying Dan's sense of feeling misunderstood and unseen, which is a feeling that is relatable to everyone. "Disconnected" will hit listeners hard if they have ever felt emotionally numb while others around seem to be engaged.
“See Through” trades in the heavy breakdowns for the driving post-hardcore punk energy found in songs like “Take Me Back” and “The Antidote.” The instrumentals are aggressive, a punch in the face, and yet super catchy. Josh Willis' drumming drives this song with a punchy kick-snare pattern and a locked-in groove that follows the guitar riffs closely. The lyrics seem to call out hypocrisy with lines such as "When I see death I see youth/ When I see war I see truth/ When I see god I need proof." However, the chorus feels like a love ballad scream-along reminiscent of the cult classic "Until the Day I Die." I truly believe that “See Through" is going to be the sleeper hit off of “A.R.S.O.N” due to the high energy and emotion it delivers to listeners.
“Fall Away” featuring the legendary Jacoby Shaddix, kicks off with a thunderous guitar riff, while Josh adds what seems like triplets on the kick drum. Either way, this is one of the heaviest intros of “A.R.S.O.N.” and, dare I say, from all of Story Of The Year’s discography. What caught me off guard was Jacoby starting with the opening lyrics. I'm accustomed to vocal features appearing in the bridge or at the end of a song, so it was refreshing to hear it in the verses. This track will likely resonate with those facing identity loss or addiction with a chorus: “Make the pain fall away (There’s a bright light in my eyes) Feeling so far away (There’s a bright light I can’t hide) Hope it’s not too late for all of my mistakes to fall away 'cause I don’t want to let go.” I hope Story Of The Year and Jacoby Shaddix perform this song live at Upheaval Festival, giving the audience a chance to experience its power firsthand.
“3 am” continues the energy and vibes from “Disconnected” with an aggressive intro and verses that allow the song to breathe and Dan’s cleans to shine. The riff in the verse has a pop-punk feel, reminiscent of what you'd hear in that genre, and the chorus amplifies this effect. It can be best described as a blend of New Found Glory and Four Year Strong, yet it distinctly embodies Story Of The Year's style, not as a copy. Dan's lyrics resonate with anyone who can imagine the life of those working on the road, away from their loved ones.
"Into The Dark" is one of the most challenging tracks for me to describe on this album. It possesses the heaviness I desire and features a sing-along chorus with lyrics open to various interpretations, yet it still feels like something is missing, though I can't pinpoint what. It's an excellent song, and I can imagine it being performed live, with the audience reacting enthusiastically, and it's perfect for workouts. Maybe it needs a time change in the chorus and should go double time at the end of it. Or maybe it needs to lean into the 05-'07 hardcore breakdown with chugs, bass drops, and a nice-sounding China. Yes, I'm referencing The Devil Wears Prada's "Still Fly" cover. Regardless, it's still a great song, but I sense something is lacking, although I absolutely adore the piano outro with Dan's vocals that gives the album room to breathe.
"My Religion" might just be one of my favorite tracks on this album, which some might find surprising. Story Of The Year swaps their usual heavy distortion for a song with an experimental pop vibe. The instrumentals show a lot of creativity, with the acoustic guitar driving the energy, a catchy drum beat complementing the guitar's rhythm, and unique elements in the chorus that are subtly layered. I think I heard a violin and a piano at times, but unless I see the tracks, I will never know. One reason I really enjoy this song is that the more I listen to it, the more I pick up on the little details.
As soon as I heard the snare roll in the intro for “Halos,” I was ready to throw down. The intro reminds me of “Falling Down” or “Stereo” from “Page Avenue” and “In the Wake of Determination,” yet its raw energy and distorted guitars are a perfect fit for this album. The chorus is an absolute scream-along at the top of everyone's lungs, and the lyrics will strike a chord with many. The dark irony in the lines “I’d rather drink to my health / trying to kill this feeling” and the internal self-destruction in “I spent hours breaking myself / screaming at the ceiling” stand out. This song isn't romanticized; it’s about wanting to survive, and the lyrics and the energy of the instrumentals match perfectly.
Dan Marsala's lyrics stand out in “Good for Me / Feel So Bad.” You feel the pain and self-awareness coming through with the lyrics “You’ve got eyes that pierce my skin / just like a needle,” which could be hinting at a relationship where you love the person, but they are not good for you or your health. The line “If it’s good for me, why does it feel so bad” is a poetic, painful gut punch of emotions where I just want to give him a hug and tell him everything is going to be okay.
“Better Than High” is an acoustic track that captures a raw energy through its mixing. The sound isn't polished; instead, the acoustic guitar and vocals have a distant quality, as if not directly plugged in, enhancing its authenticity. It isn’t overproduced; it’s just an acoustic guitar and vocals, which adds a layer of emotion that can only be found in realism. Dan’s lyrics feel dreamy and also devastating. Reflecting on living inside a moment of love that may not last, and it just becomes a dreamy memory of what once was.
The final track, “I Don’t Wanna Feel Like This Anymore,” begins with a guitar intro reminiscent of Simple Plan’s “Perfect,” but quickly shifts as Dan screams and the band joins in. This 3:27 song is packed with emotion, reflecting on lost love and the harsh reality of its absence. But when Dan screams “I don’t wanna feel like this anymore” at the end, the raw emotion takes over. It’s no longer poetic, it's just raw emotion taking over and you feel it. It took my breath away, and I got teary-eyed, and again I just wanted to give this man a hug. The instrumentals perfectly match the lyrical energy, and the abrupt ending will leave listeners in silence, wanting more.
The production of "A.R.S.O.N." perfectly aligns with my expectations and desires. It features heavy distorted guitars, a mix of raw and clean vocals, sing-alongs, crisp cymbals, and bass that stands out without being overshadowed. The mastering is expertly done, achieving a balance that allows listeners to experience the distortion while maintaining clarity. Every guitar lick, drum fill, bass line, and vocal—both raw and clean—is distinctly audible, which I truly value. Excellent work!
Kudos to the band or marketing team for releasing only two singles before this review. Releasing too many singles can spoil the experience of hearing an album in full for the first time. I understand why artists release so many singles, but I hope more artists will consider this approach to allow listeners to enjoy the album together.
“A.R.S.O.N.” is an 11-track album featuring some of the heaviest material ever written by Story Of The Year. It also showcases Dan Marsala at his most vulnerable lyrically. His poetic expressions and raw emotion convey a deep sense of pain. This album will take listeners on a journey that resonates with both new fans and those who have followed the band for over 20 years. While it occasionally nods to past Story Of The Year songs, there is evident growth and maturity within the band. With eight albums under their belt, this is some of their best work to date.
"A.R.S.O.N" will be available for purchase and streaming on all major platforms starting February 13th. Fans in Australia can catch them on tour from February 14th to March 15th.
A.R.S.O.N. Tracklisting
Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)
Disconnected
See Through
Fall Away
3 am
Into The Dark
My Religion
Halos
Good for Me / Feel so Bad
Better Than High
I Don’t Wanna Feel Like This Anymore
For more information on Story of the Year visit https://www.storyoftheyear.net/.
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyoftheyear/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyoftheyear