Big Ole Album, Vol. 1 in Bloomington, MN

A Day to Remember
conjure their blistering early work on their eighth studio album and second for
Fueled by Ramen
, 2025's
Big Ole Album, Vol. 1
. The Florida metalcore band have streamlined their sound in the decades since their 2005 debut, embracing pop hooks while still digging into the eviscerating guitars and throaty vocals. It's a potent combination that made albums like
Homesick
,
What Separates Me from You
, and
Common Courtesy
so abrasively memorable. With their move to
for 2021's
You're Welcome
ADTR
embarked on the next chapter in their saga, crafting an album that nicely balanced the heavier aspects of their sound with their knack for melodic choruses. They further champion this sweet-and-sour approach on the
Big Ole Album
, pummeling the listener right from the start in classic fashion with "Make It Make Sense." Equally chest-bursting moments follow, including "Bad Blood," "Silence," and "To the Death," songs that manage to blend a variety of influences, from
Bury Your Dead
to
Gojira
, while still sounding like
. On the anthemic end, standout tracks like "LeBron" and "Miracle," as with much of
, hit that sweet spot between melodic pop-punk and raw metal catharsis. ~ Matt Collar