fter the Page Avenue tour finally ended in late 2004, Story of the Year returned to the studio with producer Steve Evetts in 2005, to record their second studio album. In the Wake of Determination, released on October 11, 2005, is much heavier sounding than the previous album, due to switching producers to get their "true sound". As of March 2006, that album had only sold 150,698 units^[3] and has failed to achieve the gold certification that the band's two previous releases had, per the RIAA website.^[2] Although not as successful as its predecessor, the album debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200.
In the Wake of Determination included the first hint of the band members feelings on the subject of homosexuality in the song "'Is This My Fate?', He Asked Them", which includes the lines "Do you really think that it's a choice, a way of life" and "a bigot's eyes judging lives based on the sex of who you fuck"^[4]. Other songs on the album may also serve to confirm the bands sexual preferences. However as of this writing, lead singer Dan Marsala has remained silent on the subject in interviews. While on tour, the band has stated that the inspiration for the song, "'Is This My Fate?', He Asked Them", came from Ryan Phillips' brother and how he was discriminated against just for living his life and being different.
In May 2006 the band finished a tour across Australia (with supporting bands Emery and Flogging Molly) and New Zealand.

[edit] The Black Swan (2007–2009)

Story of the Year returned to the scene in 2008 with their anticipated new release, The Black Swan. For the album, they brought back the Page Avenue producer John Feldmann and also they used producer Elvis Baskette. The first single off the new album is entitled "Wake Up" with a video that was recently shot in California in what appears to be a run-down building.
For the recording of the new album, Story of the Year decided to end their five year relationship with Maverick and signed with Epitaph Records.^[5] The label has made note that there would be exhaustive touring in support of their new record.
As well as a full-length record lined up, the band is also in the process of making a second DVD, similar to Bassassins/Live in the Lou. According to 'The Nose' (Ryan Philips), the DVD will feature more in depth footage of the band as well as a "Year and a half in the life of Story of the Year" type of deal.^[6] It will include footage of the band in the studio, in pre-production, writing, and working on music. Ryan also hopes to add a short film similar to the Bassassins one.
Story of the Year played a show on Friday, August 3, 2007 in St. Louis Missouri, and gave a preview of the new DVD, and also played a song off the new album, entitled "Terrified." They also played another song, but did not mention the name. "Terrified" features Phil playing piano and guitar, which was something new for them. During the second song, Lil Timmy, their bass tech, was on the microphone and did some vocals. It's not confirmed, but it is likely that this song will be included on the CD with Lil Timmy singing. Also, during the show, there was a guest appearance by Mark Roth of The Too Silent Ghost.
On February 20, 2008, Kevin Lyman announced on the Vans Warped Tour's official website that the band would be a headliner on the annual Vans Warped Tour 2008 and will play at all Warped Tour shows. Additionally, they will head over to Europe playing the Groezrock festival and some Give It A Name shows in Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. A tour of Australia is to follow.
The new DVD is entitled Our Time Is Now. It was released on May 13, 2008.
They have been confirmed as a band on the 2008 Taste of Chaos International with Atreyu.^[7]
In February 2009, on their MySpace site they confirmed that they covered the song, "Just Close Your Eyes", which is being used as the entrance theme for the former ECW Champion, Christian.^[8]
In March 2009 they shot a video for the song "Terrified". The song is about a soldier who is questioning if it was the right choice to leave home and go to war. The video follows the story of the lyrics.

[edit] The Constant (2009–present)

In May 2009, Story of the Year guitarist Ryan Phillips announced that the band had begun "working overtime writing" their next album, which is "shaping up to be fucking great".^[9] The band recorded in Studio Barbarossa July and August.^{[citation needed]} Lead singer Dan Marsala stated in a post-show meet & greet that the album would be released on February 16, 2010. In a Twitter update on July 17, 2009. The band reported they had completed "tracking drums for the new record". Adam Russell, the bass player, confirmed on July 21, 2009 on his Myspace page that the band had finished the bass tracks.
The band uploaded a new song "To the Burial" to their Facebook page on October 23, 2009. The song was also released on the iTunes music store on November 27, 2009. On December 10 Russell and Phillips premiered "I'm Alive" from the album on the Point radio station.^[10] On December 31, the band released "I'm Alive" to radio airplay. The band also stated on their Twitter that "I'm Alive" will be released as an official single on January 5, 2010.
The Constant, was released on February 16, 2010 through Epitaph Records.^[11] The Deluxe Edition, available on iTunes, has two bonus tracks, "Your Unsung Friend" and "Tonight We Fall."
It was announced on January 31, 2010 that Story Of The Year will be playing at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri with Building Rome, outRAGEus, and Soul Descenders on March 4, 2010. The show begins at 7pm and tickets were only available via Vintage Vinyl. The show is to benefit the release of The Constant.

[edit] Controversies

[edit] Band brawl

MTV News reported on their website that during a radio show in May 2004, the band members of Story of the Year got into a fight with the roadies of hard rock band Godsmack.^[12] Pictures of the band members' bruised faces were posted on their homepage as well as a blistering rant of the event. The members of Godsmack were not involved in the fight, but they were targeted by the rant as well. It went on to talk about being detained by the local police. There were no arrests from the incident, and the Noblesville Police Department had no record of anything having taken place. Story of the Year's account of the fight was removed and replaced with a note reading: "I took the Godsmack post down because we are going to ask them to go get some chocolate ice cream with us."

[edit] Greek Fire

In May 2009, Ryan and Philip announced their new side project which also features John Ingoldsby (Maybe Today) playing drums and percussion and Mark Roth (aka Gordon Host previously of "Maybe Today" and "The Too Silent Ghost") playing bass guitar. Greek Fire has posted a demos of three of their songs entitled "Dreaming in Deja Vu", "The Ride", and "Down In Mexico" on Myspace myspace.com/greekfiremusic and plan on officially releasing material early 2010. They also played two concerts in St. Louis that same month.