Don't you just love it when bands spring a new song on you without any warning? Like winning the lottery. Ok, maybe not that great. But for us poor fangirls and fanguys, that's as good as it gets.
The band's first song in the post "Common Courtesy" era came as a complete surprise to fans. To get the song on iTunes click this (link). And be sure to grab a ticket for their "Just Some Shows" Tour this May with Parkway Drive and State Champs (ya, talk about opposite ends of the field).
Today the band in question held their 4th annual Self-Help Festival in California. Aside from the diverse lineup, you get to hear their newest song played live for the first time since its release.
A Day to Remember's "Common Courtesy" was a knockout, through and through. Delivering some of the band's most mature songs yet, and drifting back towards their post hardcore, punk roots. "Paranoia" in essence stays true to everything the band started in their 5th album.
This song is characterized by the band as "fun". And it is, certainly is fun. It's hardcore without the chuggy breakdowns. Ok, admittedly the actual breakdown is pretty standard metalcore material. But the rest of the song's sing-along stylings can make up for about twenty seconds of open chords. The intro starts with a whining lead guitar before the rest of the band chimes in. Followed by Jeremy McKinnon's guttural vocals. Not his usual deep growls, a nice change. The chorus of the song is what really gets listeners. It's got a very "put your fists in the air" vibe going.
Now there are more than a few people out there who are going to say "Paranoia" is a little too similar to material from hardcore band Stick to Your Guns. But let's be honest, every band is guilty of borrowing riffs or chord progressions from other artists. ADTR make this song their own, no matter how many comparisons it draws.
Summary -
Going a little hardcore punk for this new song, A Day to Remember deliver something in a heavier song we haven't heard from them in a long time. It's fast, it's loud, it's in your face. This is "don't fuck with me" music. And that's what makes this track so great about it. The simplicity in the song structure, and the overall fun vibe you get from listening. Try and listen to this without banging your head at some point. You on, you've been dared.
Rating - 8.5 to 9/10