ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, THE REST OF THE STORY, TO RELEASE WORLDWIDE OCTOBER 24, 2025
Today, Big Wreck, the Canadian rock powerhouse, announces their highly anticipated new album The Rest of the Story, set for release on October 24, 2025, via Sonic Unyon Records. Recorded at Noble Street Studios, the album was written, composed, and co-produced by frontman Ian Thornley, alongside acclaimed producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Deftones, Evanescence, Alice in Chains). With engineering by Chris Holmes, mixing by Eric Ratz (Danko Jones, Cancer Bats, Arkells), and mastering by Andy Vandette (Rush, David Bowie). The project brings together an all-star team to deliver Big Wreck’s most dynamic work to date.
Ian Thornley:
“I’m after that feeling that only music can give you, and the excitement of pushing the dust away. What’s here? What’s this? And then building it. When we’re talking about all this music, it feels like one continuous extension. If we consider the songs from Pages, to us they’re all part of the same album, this is the Rest Of The Story.”
The band unveils the album’s second single, “Holy Roller”—a gritty, groove-laden track accompanied by a vintage technicolor video that taps into the raw energy and charisma fans have come to expect. It’s a testament to Big Wreck’s enduring artistry—explosive, soul-stirring, and unmistakably their own.
Ian Thornley says,
“The original lyric of ‘Holy Roller’ was about a Catholic priest who was doing his thing and getting away with it. Then Dave, our bass player, quickly snapped me out of that. He’s like, ‘Dude, that’s my 11-year-old son’s favorite song of all the ones that we’re working on. So maybe we should readjust these lyrics.’ So I wrote the song about a sort of character like Will Ferrell from Old School. I wrote this song about a goofy guy who’s stayed at the party too long, and it seems to fit the vibe of the song. The vibe is just fun, and if we can get away with some little shreddies in there, so be it.”
Ian Thornley says of “Around”, one of the album’s core tracks:
“I demoed it up like a Stones [tune], rough and tumble, cheesegrater acoustic, really dry drum sound. I was hearing it that way. Nick was like, No, no, what if we went totally the other way? What if we just went full pop? Huh? I blocked it first. Then I just thought, It’s worth a shot. We could always go back the other way. It’s something we know how to do well within our wheelhouse, but crafting a pop song… I like it when it’s just a little bit uncomfortable. I like trying shit where I might be able to surprise myself with how much I like it. That became an exercise in making the guitar sound like it shouldn’t.”
Nick Raskulinecz says,
“Ian Thornley should be a guitar hero. He downplays it. ‘Holy Roller’ is a perfect example. I remember the first time he played me that I just laughed the entire time because it is just pure comedy. He can play anything. I’ve never worked with a guitar player quite like Ian, who has a style and a flair… and is in complete control of that instrument. You can hear it on the records. I just saw some footage of him playing live recently. He was standing on stage walking around playing guitar like it was nothing, but with the soul and the power that separates Ian from your ordinary shredder dude.”
“The thing that’s drawn me to Ian’s music is just the songs themselves – the way the songs speak to me, the sound of his voice and the melodies that he chooses to sing, and the way he plays guitar. Just the whole presentation. It’s hard to put into words. It’s more of a sonic thing. But then we bonded as human beings and as friends after all these years, and it just makes it even better. Ian’s sound is one of my favorites. It’s why we’ve continued to work together for so long.”
Their first single, released earlier this year, the thunderous “Believer,” hits #4 this week on Billboard Canada Active Rock Charts! Believer soared up the charts landing in top 10 by the second week of release date. Like a sonic shockwave, showcasing a band at the top of their game. “Believer” exemplifies the band’s evolution while staying rooted in the authenticity that has defined their career.
Big Wreck is back on home turf and ready to bring the noise with a special one-night-only event: “The Rest Of The Story” album concert on October 23, at The Phoenix in Toronto. Titled The Rest of the Story Album Launch Concert, the show is held in partnership with Cureapalooza and hosted by Govin Brown, with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Get tickets at THIS location.
This announcement marks a major hometown moment for the band as they continue with their cross-Canada summer tour, lighting up festivals with their signature blend of raw power and refined musicianship.
See all dates below:
07.26.25 Kitchener, ON @ Wayback Festival
08.02.25 Mulhurst Bay, AB @ Pigeon Lake Music Festival
08.08.25 Bala, ON @ The Kee to Bala
08.09.25 Woodstock, ON @ Cowapalooza
08.16.25 Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena with Creed
08.19.25 Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place with Creed
08.20.25 Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome with Creed
08.22.25 Niagara on the Lake, ON @ Jackson Triggs Amphitheater
08.23.25 Picton, ON @ Rock the County Music Festival
10.23.25 Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Concert Hall
Tickets for all summer dates at THIS LOCATION
Tickets for Toronto’s Rest of the Story Album Launch Concert go HERE