Article and Photos by: Kimmi Taylor

Baltimore, MD – Two of the biggest bands of the ’90s and 2000s ignited The Nevermore Hall with a rush of nostalgia and electrifying rock. The night kicks off with a powerhouse double dose of rock from Senses Fail and Story Of The Year.

Armor for Sleep kicked off the night with a burst of energy. Formed in New Jersey back in 2001, the band has been delivering pop-punk anthems for over two decades, and they showed no signs of slowing down. Lead singer, Ben Jorgensen fired up the crowd with a heartfelt thank-you, reminding everyone that their support is the reason the band is still going strong 25 years later. Safe to say, they are not slowing down anytime soon.  With their brand-new 2025 album, There Is No Memory, the band is diving into a fresh era. One that pushes their sound forward while still hitting all the emotional highs fans love. The new track, ““Breathe Again,” landed with force, proving that even after two decades, Armor for Sleep can still evolve, surprise, and completely command a stage.

Senses Fail takes to the stage and the crowd is on their feet from the first note.  Buddy Nielsen stormed onto the stage, unleashing the kind of raw intensity he’s known for, instantly sending the crowd into a frenzy. They opened with a trio of memory-jerkers: “Buried a Lie,” “Calling All Cars,” and “Lady in a Blue Dress.” From the first notes, the entire room was theirs, the packed venue erupting as fans belted out every word to every track. Drummer, Steve Carey, helped ignite the night’s first mosh pits, and the crowd couldn’t resist moving to the thunder of his double-bass hits. His energy behind the kit pushed the room into full motion, setting the bar high for the rest of the show. With every member visibly soaking up the moment, their joy was infectious. No one could stop smiling throughout the whole set. Buddy took a moment to reminisce with the Maryland crowd, sharing memories of his early days spent in the area and recalling the albums he recorded in Fells Point. It instantly connected him with longtime fans in the room. To close out the night, the band tore into “Bite to Break Skin,” sending the crowd into one final frenzy.

When Story of the Year hit the stage, the venue’s energy skyrocketed. Making a memorable entrance, each band member rode onstage on scooters, immediately capturing the crowd’s attention. They kicked off their set with their newest single, “Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb),“ immediately fueling the crowd’s excitement. The crowd was then treated to classics like “Sidewalks,” “Anthem of Our Dying Day,” and “2005.”Lead singer, Dan Marsala, told the crowd that the band had performed in Baltimore three times over the past two years. “We’re like herpes, you can’t get rid of us,” he joked, sending the audience into laughter and cheers. The mosh pits and crowd surfing reached their peak, with fans screaming every lyric at the top of their lungs, fully losing themselves in the chaotic energy of the night. From the moment they took the stage, Dan Marsala and company owned every inch of it. They are true musicians, capable of transforming any night into an unforgettable experience, fueled by the power of music and the sense of community they create with every performance. The night ended with the encore song, “Until the day I die,” leaving fans wanting more.

As the crowd finally drifts toward the exits, the energy lingers. Everyone’s raving about how unforgettable the show was and looking forward to new releases and future tours from both bands.  Story of the Year’s new album, A.R.S.O.N. is out Feb 13.