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STORY OF THE YEAR / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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STORY OF THE YEAR
+ Senses Fail
+ Behind Crimson Eyes
@ The Forum, Melbourne
8th August 2024
(Live Review)

Review and photos  by Michael Gow (@alchemi_glow_music_phot)

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STORY OF THE YEAR / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Anticipation hung thick in the air as fans of Story of the Year lined up outside the Forum Melbourne. While VIP fans had already tasted what was to come, the rest of us were now on the cusp of witnessing a night that would be nothing short of magical.

The evening kicked off with local heavyweights Behind Crimson Eyes, a band that has been part of my musical journey since my youth. Having seen them live years ago at a local festival, there was a bittersweetness to tonight’s performance. Before the tour began, the band announced that this would be their farewell, accompanying the release of a new single, “Drop.Dead.Drop,” and an upcoming final EP. Yet, tonight, we were treated to a stellar opening set that fused nostalgia with the thrill of the new. The band delivered fan favorites like “The Art of War,” “Revenge I – of the Cradle,” and “You’ve Had Your Chance,” alongside their latest track, captivating a crowd that spanned generations.

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BEHIND CRIMSON EYES / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Despite the looming farewell, Behind Crimson Eyes performed with the energy of a band at the peak of their powers, feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm. After 20 years, they remain as tight as ever. This was the third time I’ve seen them live, and they brought the same energy and passion to the stage as if it were their first. As their set concluded, it dawned on us that this could be the last time we witness their magic in Melbourne, unless they return for one final hometown show to celebrate their EP launch.

Next up, New Jersey natives Senses Fail took the stage, launching into “Tie Her Down,” the opening track of their 2004 album Let It Enfold You. This tour marked the 20th anniversary of the album, and tonight, they treated the full house to the entire album, track by track. Lead singer James Nielsen shared a few stories during the set, with one particularly memorable tale from their first visit to Melbourne. James recounted a bizarre encounter where a fan, eager to meet him, greeted him with an unexpected low blow. The crowd laughed, though likely puzzled by the fan’s odd approach.

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SENSES FAIL / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The audience was fully engaged, waving phone lights in time with the music, adding a magical touch to the night. Others showed their excitement by crowd-surfing, riding waves of energy right to the barrier. Senses Fail wrapped up their set with a medley of covers from System of a Down, Disturbed, Limp Bizkit, and Rage Against the Machine, leaving the crowd electrified and ready for the headliners.

As Story of the Year took the stage, the crowd erupted. This was my first time seeing them live, and after nearly two decades of fandom, this was the night I’d been waiting for. The set was a celebration of their debut album, Page Avenue. Though the album wasn’t played in order, the chosen sequence had the crowd energized from the first note. They opened with “And the Hero Will Drown” and followed with “Dive Right In,” among other tracks from the album. They also wove in newer material, including “War” from their latest album Tear Me to Pieces, which sent the crowd into an even higher frenzy.

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STORY OF THE YEAR / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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At one point, lead singer Dan Marsala noticed a fan urging the band to do a “shoey.” Initially hesitant, Dan eventually obliged, chugging from a fan’s “dirty” shoe, as he jokingly described it. Throughout the set, Jason from Senses Fail made several guest appearances, even joining Dan for a song. The band expressed their love for Australia, calling it their favorite place to play—a statement that, while often said, felt genuine.

A memorable moment came when Dan asked the crowd to illuminate the venue with their phone lights, creating a stunning visual in the grand setting of the Forum Theatre. As the set drew to a close, they played the title track from their new album, “Tear Me to Pieces.” Though there was no encore, the night was filled with so many magical moments that it hardly mattered.

Seeing one of my favorite local bands, Behind Crimson Eyes, open for one of my all-time favorite bands, Story of the Year, made this a night I’ll cherish for years to come. For those lucky enough to catch this tour, you’ve witnessed something truly special, an experience that will be hard to surpass this year.

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STORY OF THE YEAR / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Check out Michael Gow’s (@alchemi_glow_music_phot) full gallery of this event HERE

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STORY OF THE YEAR / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Follow STORY OF THE YEAR

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BEHIND CRIMSON EYES / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Press Release 2nd May 2024 (below) HERE

Destroy All Lines Presents

STORY OF THE YEAR
celebrating 20 years of 
PAGE AVENUE

with special guests
SENSES FAIL
performing their album
‘LET IT ENFOLD YOU’
in full and 
BEHIND CRIMSON EYES

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AMNPLIFY – DB