by Emily Myer
Daily Lobo
After six years and two albums, members of All That Remains have finally hit a high point.
All That Remains is known as a metalcore band, although lead singer Philip Labonte doesn't care what people see it as.
"I really don't sweat what people are going to call us," he said. "It's like, 'Whatever, we're a metal band at the end of the day.'"
Labonte originally sang for another metalcore band, Shadows Fall. All That Remains was merely a side project for all of the members.
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Labonte was thrown out of Shadows Fall not long after starting All That Remains.
"We didn't see eye-to-eye. They were more rock 'n' roll, and I was more metal," Labonte said. "We still talk when we're all in town."
The band got off to a good start, building a fan base through concerts with original singer Labonte, guitarist Oli Hebert, bassist Dan Egan, drummer Mike Bartlett and guitarist Chris Bartlett. They recorded Behind Silence and Solitude in 2000 but did not release it until 2002.
One after another, production companies showed interest but later decided not to release the album.
"We couldn't get the timing right," Labonte said. "We couldn't get the right label at the right time."
Just before recording the Behind Silence and Solitude, Labonte's father died of cancer.
"It was pretty all-consuming," he said. "It was the only thing I thought about, so not just one song is about him. All of the songs have something about either our relationship or how I felt about it, about his passing."
After finally releasing Behind Silence and Solitude and going on a few tours, All That Remains hit yet another rut. Labonte said Egan left because of financial reasons, and the band asked guitarist Bartlett to leave. The drummer also broke his arm near the end of the tour.
During this tumultuous time Labonte decided to try out for another band, Killswitch Engage. He didn't make it, but Bartlett's arm healed, and they found two new members.
All That Remains acquired bass player Matt Deis and guitar player Mike Martin for its second album, This Darkened Heart. The sound is reminiscent of Iron Maiden and Metallica and is much cleaner than Behind Silence and Solitude.
Labonte said the new band members aren't better than the old ones, just different.
"I think it was more of a subtraction than an addition," he said. "Chris was a great guitar player but I think he thought a little bit more for his solos instead of our songs."
He said the focus is now more on the group than the individual.
It finally seems All That Remains is stable and happy.
"I think everybody's very happy with the place we're in," Labonte said. "We do have a lot more work to do. There are so many more things we want to accomplish and stuff, but everyone's really happy to be in the band and on the road. The morale of the band is at one of its highest levels ever."
All That Remains is touring with Gwar and Dying Fetus in the "Mock the Vote" tour. Labonte said members of Gwar named the tour.
"Gwar kind of mocks everything," he said. "Seeing as how this was an election year, they kind of had to mock the vote now, didn't they?"
Labonte said the bands' performances are lively.
"It's a pretty high-energy show," he said. "We get up there and try to go all out, try to have fun and try to get everyone involved. If they know the lyrics, I'll be down front singing along with them."
COMING ATTRACTION
Mock the Vote Tour with Gwar, Dying Fetus and All That Remains
Sunshine Theatre 120 Central Ave.
Thursday 7 p.m.
$15 and $20
