A week after 3OH!3 sent the House of Blues Anaheim back in time to the "scene" days, the Scream Tour 2025 was set to do something similar. The emo and post-hardcore adults flooded the venue to relive their days of headbanging and moshing to some of their favorite Warped Tour bands as Senses Fail and Story of the Year set off on this co-headlining tour with Armor for Sleep. This was the penultimate stop of the tour, and the fans in Anaheim were there to send off these bands with a thunderous show before the end of the year.

Before our opener could even hit the stage, the House of Blues felt nearly packed already. Kicking things off with "Stay on the Ground," the crowd was already giving it their all, singing along and jumping with the band. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ben Jorgensen sings with such passion and emotion. His face contorts into exaggerated expressions of what he is singing about so vividly that even people in the back of the venue can understand the emotion of the song. Lead guitarist Erik Rudic still plays the riffs with passion and exuberance as he gets lost in the guitar lines that fans have been streaming through their ears for decades. Bassist Chad Sabo and drummer Nash Breen hold down the low end that keeps the heads bouncing and banging, while the feet seem to be constantly jumping off the floor.

During "The Truth About Heaven," Armor for Sleep somehow blew their PA system, and a nightmare Jorgensen has had his whole life came true. Thankfully, this was a minor setback, and the band was able to get the show back on track a few minutes later. Armor for Sleep showed their tenure as a bigger-than-life band with a setlist fans wanted more out of, featuring tracks like "Remember to Feel Real," "The Outer Ring," "Awkward Last Words," "Dream to Make Believe," "Breath Again," and ending with "Car Underwater." Fans enjoyed every second of this show and wanted to show Armor for Sleep that this show could have been a three-way co-headlining show.

Up next was the first of our co-headliners with Story of the Year taking the stage. These guys wanted to show just how fun their set was going to be by first rolling onto the stage on Razor scooters, hitting ice skating poses. It was such a lighthearted and fun way to get the crowd amped up for their set. But once they grabbed their instruments, they launched into their newest single "Gasoline (All Rage Still Only Numb)," which was an intense, in-your-face screamer. Vocalist Dan Marsala creates a duality in his voice through his screams and melodic vocals. Both carry a power and presence to them that has you catching onto the lyrics and singing with the band by the second chorus. Guitarist Ryan Phillips and bassist Adam Russell both felt like Energizer bunnies, as they were constantly running around the stage, posing, jumping, and playing to the back of the venue. They were determined to grab the attention of every person in the crowd. Meanwhile, drummer Josh Willis flowed through his drumlines, combining melody and rhythm with hard-hitting blasts that got the mosh pits spinning.

Story of the Year kept this momentum up for their entire set which featured songs like "And the Hero Will Drown," "War," "Tear Me to Pieces," "Anthem of Our Dying Day," "Real Life," "2005," "Our Time is Now," "We Don’t Care Anymore," "We’re Not Gonna Make It," "Sidewalks," "In The Shadows," "’Is This My Fate?’ He Asked Them," and ending with the emo anthem "Until the Day I Die." Story of the Year are putting the finishing touches on their next album A.R.S.O.N., due out on Feb 13th of next year. The band continues to be in top form, and this new album should continue their legacy.

It was then time for our second co-headliner with Senses Fail taking the stage. Last year they did a two-night event at the House of Blues Anaheim in celebration of their album Let It Enfold You. Where fans got to hear every song from that album, on this tour we got to enjoy music from their entire discography. And I can guarantee there were countless fans who were there last year, who helped sell out this show just for a chance to rock out with Senses Fail again.

Vocalist Buddy Nielsen continues to be the most flamboyant man on stage, and completely captivating. From the mix of a camo outfit and heavy eyeshadow with sparkles, the man is there to make an appearance. Guitarists Jason Milbank and Gavin Caswell continue to drive the songs with the guitar riffs that have helped make Senses Fail songs so iconic. Bassist Daniel Wonacott and drummer Steve Carey were locked in together keeping the low end grooving and heavy. Even during the softer songs, they would keep the beat at a head-banging pace.

Halfway through the set, a fan went down in the pit, and the show had to be halted for medical personnel to attend to them. Thankfully the fan appeared to be okay, and Senses Fail was able to bring the momentum back easily when they took the stage again. Though it wouldn’t have been hard to lose that momentum with a setlist featuring songs like "Buried a Lie," "Double Cross," "Calling All Cars," "Lady in a Blue Dress," "Death by Water," "Wolves at the Door," "You’re Cute When You Scream," "Renacer," "Shark Attack," "Lost and Found," "One Eight Seven," "Rum is for Drinking, Not for Burning," "Can’t be Saved," and ending with "Bite to Break Skin." Senses Fail ended the show with the fans leaving with huge smiles on their faces, full of joy that they got to see this show.

The Scream Tour was a night for emo and post-hardcore kids to relive their high school days. Armor for Sleep, Story of the Year, and Senses Fail were an unbeatable trio of bands to put on an end-of-the-year tour. These three bands continue to put out new music and tour the world nonstop. Though a lineup of this caliber may not come again, you can buy a ticket to any one of their next shows knowing you’re in for a treat.