Story of the Year

With The Black Swan, Story of the Year continue to crank out very loud, emotionally vulnerable millennial radio metal, only now they do it for Epitaph following a break with Maverick Records. Opener "Choose Your Fate" features almost none of their trademark melodies -- instead the song is pure heaviness, perhaps indicating a slight change in direction for the band. Have no fear though, kids: the rest of the songs are as touched by emo and punk pop as a Vans Warped Tour headliner could possibly be. You may want to go straight to "Tell Me (P.A.C.)."