BIG WRECK – The Rest Of The Story (2025)

After some years only releasing Ep’s and standalone singles, Canadian rockers BIG WRECK are getting ready to release their new full length studio album “The Rest Of The Story”. Despite of being a Juno Award-nominated band, and songwriter, frontman & guitarist Ian Thornley’s tremendous guitar skills and powerful vocals being praised by specialized critics, BIG WRECK still is pretty unknown.

Thornley is one of rock’s most under-appreciated talents. As Guitar Player Magazine proclaimed, ‘All of Canada is not big enough to contain Thornley’s talent.’
BIG WRECK is a hard rock band at ist core, however they are different from the rest, able to infuse elements of prog, and experimentation. Just listen to opener ‘Staff Party’ – not much bands are brave enough to start your album with this type of compositions. It’s not party-rock at all, but fully progressive covering a wide range of territory. The track also features a spacey chorus for Thornley’s gritty vocals to bellow over, and heavy instrumental passages, before closing on a softer note, echoing the start of the song. Very ambitious.
But then on next track BIG WRECK serve a full ’80s hard rocking tune with “Holy Roller” (check video-track below), abundant in soaring guitars and acrobatic licks that are distinctly reminiscent of the lead lines, techniques, and solos of Eddie Van Halen. The track is an absolute masterclass in shredding, as Thornley reminds listeners of his often underrated but highly virtuosic approach to guitar. Think Mr. Big meets Burning Rain. Killerrrr.

The musicianship across ”The Rest Of The Story” shines bright as a consistent factor that separates the band from its peers. Additionally, the songwriting that teeters towards progressive rock, without losing listeners in the overwhelming technical aspects associated with the genre, makes ”The Rest Of The Story” yet another example of how Big Wreck pushes the envelope and defies stylistic expectations.
Take the lead single, “Believer,” a song featuring a killer riff, a radio-ready anthemic chorus, and a progressive-fusion influenced solo as a key example of this. When paired with the disjointed pulse and explosive dynamics of “Out Of Range,” the acoustic “Laws Of Man,” and the raw intensity of “Dog With A Gun,” it proves that Big Wreck have crafted a highly versatile record.

True to form, this record proves that Big Wreck don’t miss, and ”The Rest Of The Story” is no exception. As a strong entry into the band’s catalogue, the musicality and songwriting make ”The Rest Of The Story” an ambitiously thrilling record that capitalizes on the very essence of what makes Big Wreck special among the landscape of current rock.
If anything, ”The Rest of The Story” demonstrates that Big Wreck remains a captivating band, made for the format of a full-length album, on their latest outing.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Staff Party
02 – Holy Roller
03 – Believer
04 – Short Bangs
05 – Out Of Range
06 – Around
07 – Laws Of Man
08 – Dog With A Gun
09 – Escaping In Place
10 – Labour Day
11 – Hills

Ian Thornley: Lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards
Dave McMillan: Bass guitar, backing vocals
Chris Caddell: Rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Sekou Lumumba: Drums

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