All That Remains
There are lots of stories about a group looking for a new lead singer. Everybody knows the drill. There's a lengthy round of auditions. And just when it looks like the group might never find the right singer or have settle on someone they're not entirely happy with, the perfect person appears. With the vocalist dialed in, the group goes on to fame and fortune. But what about the guys not chosen? Do they spend their nights behind a convenience store counter pondering what might have been? Or kick their dog and fellow band mates as they struggle in lesser groups? No doubt some do just that, but not the ex-Shadows Fall vocalist, Phil Labonte.
According to Killswitch Engage bassist Mike D'Antonio, Labonte was the "runner-up" to Howard Jones to become the group's frontman. Even though Jones got the job, there doesn't appear to be any animosity. Labonte admits that Jones was "the better vocalist" of the two. But the story doesn't end there. Labonte's backing vocals are heard on Killswitch Engage's "Alive Or Just Breathing" ("Self Revolution") and "The End Of The Heartache" ("Hope Is..." and "Irreversal").
Not letting rejection get him down, Labonte launched All That Remains. Along the way, the Massachusetts based group had no less than three bass players before the arrival of Jeanne Sagan. One bassist, Josh Vern, only lasted one show before it was discovered he had a severe drug problem. Another ex-bassist, Mike Deis, moved on to the Alt. Metal/Punk/Grunge band, CKY.
Only Labonte and guitarist Oli (Oliver) Herbert are original members. Guitarist Mike Martin joined after the group's '02 debut "Behind The Silence And Solitude." And following a succession of drummers (including Mike Bartlett and Shannon Luca), Tim Yeung was hired for live shows and sessions.
All That Remains released their debut to enthusiastic praise which yielded tour opportunities. Sophomore effort "This Darkened Heart" ('04) led to another trek while a stint on the '06 Ozzfest tour coincided with the release of "Fall Of Ideals." The album contained "The Calling," with two videos. One incorporated footage from Saw III. The song was the lead single off the soundtrack. Also, "Six" was a bonus track in the video game Guitar Hero II.
All That Remains has been called a Baby Killswitch. Though comparisons are unavoidable, All That Remains has some unique twists. Herbert's guitar work is the group's drawing card. On the three studio albums his playing is both stunning and driven. In addition, there are different accents (styles, instruments, arrangements, etc.) from one album to the next.
All That Remains debut, "Behind The Silence And Solitude," is impressive, especially "From These Wounds" and set closer "One Belief." The power and violent roar is all there. Labonte is a talented, if fairly typical, Metalcore vocalist. If there's a complaint, and it's a small one, some tracks are redundant. "Follow" and "Clarity" are nearly the same song.
"The Darkened Heart" features acoustic guitar on the lead track, "And Death In My Arms" and "Regret Not." The appealing "Focus Shall Not Fail" is a heavy, slower track. Turns out, these are but diversions as the group knifes for the juggler on "Vicious Betrayal" and Passion."
Just as the acoustic embellishments marked "The Darkened Heart," the Metalcore and Rock-style vocal trade-offs, between the verse and chorus, typify "The Fall Of Ideals." "The Calling" has the majestic force expected of a lead track. Easy to see why it landed in Saw III. The riff propelled "Six" will challenge any would-be air-guitarist. "Whisper (I Hear You)" is another slower track that makes an impression while "Air That I Breathe" is All That Remains at their explosive best.