The Top 10 A Day To Remember songs you should check out before their Slam Dunk Festival headline show

A Day to Remember stands as one of the most genre-defying bands in modern rock. Since emerging from Florida’s underground scene in the mid-2000s, the band have built quite a reputation for effortlessly blending the heaviness of hardcore with the energy of pop punk. A Day to Remember’s sound is as impactful in a pair of headphones as it is in a packed venue. Their music strikes a rare balance—vulnerable yet aggressive, melodic yet ferocious. While their style has evolved across albums, the band has maintained a clear identity, continuing to produce anthems that resonate with fans.

10) I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of? 

This fan favourite track kicks down the door with fury. One of the most iconic ADTR songs, featuring Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada adding another layer of aggression, it’s the perfect example of their hardcore roots. This track has so much energy and really signifies what early ADTR were all about. Chugging riffs, massive breakdowns and sing-along choruses, make this song a setlist staple at their shows.

9) Exposed 

Catchy, angsty, and energetic—this is peak ADTR without sacrificing their edge. A song that stands out on this album, due to how heavy and intense it is.  This song aims at corruption, media manipulation, and political deception. It calls out how truth gets twisted, how leaders prioritise power over people, and how public trust is eroded. The song really takes you back to the band’s heavier roots with the thrashy guitars, pounding drums and Jeremy McKinnon’s intense screaming vocals.

8) Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End

“DISRESPECT YOUR SURROUNDINGS!” Enough said. This song is a mosh-pit detonator that always hits hard. This song is just pure chaos – in a good way!  This song is heavy throughout with brutal down-tuned riffs, double kicking drum and of course that iconic breakdown, that is so legendary it became a meme in itself. This song is so much heavier and darker than most of the other songs off ‘Homesick.’

7) Sticks & Bricks 

A fiery first track off this album, it really sets the tone for an edgier, more aggressive album. Jeremy McKinnon goes full beast mode in this song. From the first note, this one is pure rage and riffs. This song channels the feeling of being betrayed, underestimated and being taken for granted, it is about hitting a breaking point and deciding you are done with biting your tongue.  It is really one of those songs that lights the room on fire the second it starts.

6) Monument

One of the standout tracks from “For Those Who Have Heart”, this song is so underrated. There are pounding blast beats, chunky breakdowns and clean vocal hooks, this song really fuses both the hardcore and pop punk genres that embody ADTR as a band. The song is about feeling invisible despite having accomplished something. It hits hard, and you can see that this is when the band decided to take on a more melodic sound without losing that intensity they had with previous tracks.

5) The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle

Another one from the album “For Those Who Have Heart.” This song is essentially about being betrayed. The song is about being betrayed by someone close to you and saying goodbye to this toxic person. Fast palm-muted riffs and aggressive rhythm guitars drive the verses, and you can really grasp the feeling of rage and frustration throughout them. The fast-paced drumbeats combined with the ringing riff throughout the song on top of the versatility of Jeremy's clean and harsh vocals, blend so well together, giving the song a perfect balance between both hardcore and pop-punk genres.

4) Violence (Enough Is Enough)

One of the band's most urgent and confrontational songs. It highlights how society has become desensitised. The song confronts themes such as violence, societal decay and the exploitation of power. Musically, this is one of the band's heaviest songs with crushing breakdowns and powerful vocals that perfectly combine with the lyrics of the song.  The verses are pure aggression, leading to a shift when the chorus comes in with clean vocals and a more melodic instrumental.

3) Naivety

 A standout track from Bad Vibrations,  bringing a wave of melodic clarity to an album that is so aggressive. This song presents itself as a fast-paced, upbeat pop punk anthem. The guitar hooks and punchy riffs give it a youthful, fun feel. However, this track explores ideas such as a loss of innocence and getting older. It’s a nostalgic reflection on simpler times and the realisation of life-changing.

2) The Downfall of Us All

 From the “da-da-da-da-da” intro chant to its explosive chorus, this is the ADTR anthem. It perfectly defines who they are: melodic, heavy, and energetic. The guitars are sharp and explosive with palm-muted chugs, the drums are relentless, and Jeremy’s vocals shift between powerful, fierce screams and melodic cleans. This all combined really highlights the band's dynamic and emotional range. This song still resonates just as powerfully now as it did when it was first released, whether you’re a first-time listener or as a longtime fan.

1) 2nd Sucks

Full-on aggression. This track is brutal, bold, and beloved by metalcore fans. That Mortal Kombat distorted soundbite “Fight” is Iconic. Musically “2nd Sucks” is a change from their typical balance of pop punk and metalcore, there are no clean vocals and no sing along choruses. The song is tight and aggressive, it hits hard and has an emphasis on rhythm and punch – it really plays into the theme of a fight. The song is about those who pretend to be something that they are not, and you can really hear this call out within the lyrics. This song is the perfect reminder of ADTR’s hardcore roots and is why I have ranked it No. 1.

Words: Sita Gee