Story of The Year amps up the angst live

Monday, December 7, 2009 - 6:50 PM

When Story of the Year released its first album Page Avenue in 2003, fans and radio stations were quick to pick up on the band’s catchy pop-rock sound. Singles such as “Until the Day I Die” and “Anthem of Our Dying Day” exploded into popularity, and the band began collaborating and touring with Linkin Park and the members were even featured on Vans Warped Tour — the haven of rock shows.

Rockers Story of The Year opened for All That Remains and The Devil Wears Prada on Friday at New Oasis. Photo by Brian Bolton.

Fast-forward six years. After releasing two more albums, preparing for a third and doing an abundance of touring, these rockers should be at the height of their career. Quickly losing pace after their first album, however, the band has digressed into nothing more than a typical hardcore band, opening for less-than-talented acts.

Story of the Year hit Reno on Friday, playing alongside screamo rockers Hatebreed, The Devil Wears Prada and All That Remains. And while my once-rock-loving gut told me that Story of the Year would be headlining the show, I was shocked to find they were only second in the lineup. Storming onto the stage in a slew of obscenities, incoherent screams (I had to ask the sound booth if they had introduced themselves as SOTY) and angst, I was floored by the transformation.

While the band played mostly hits from their first album, they were so altered by screaming, they were almost unrecognizable compared to their polished finished album. The only song not tarnished by screams of unrecognizable lyrics and sound was “Until The Day I Die,” which was mostly sung by fans in the crowd, per lead singer Dan Marsala’s prompting.

Now, don’t get me wrong. A screamo band is OK — but walking into a show with fans expecting one sense of delivery and receiving another is disappointing. Clearly playing fan favorites (by neglecting newer albums) one would think the band would revert back to their older sound as well; one would be wrong.

Story of the Year also fell short by not performing any songs off its upcoming album, “The Constant.” With an expected release in February, fans would assume the band would promote its new album by talking about it or playing new songs. Again, the fans would be wrong.

Ultimately, Story of the Year managed to disappoint in almost every aspect. And while Marsala said the band’s newest style and albums are a reflection of Story of The Year’s true style, playing old favorites is breaking a promise made to fans years ago.

Tara Verderosa can be reached at tverderosa@nevadasagebrush.com.