[Originally rejected by Diamhea, Encyclopaedia Metallum]
I am not a huge fan of metalcore. Lamb of God sticks out from the rest due to its addictive groove combined with ridiculously odd drum works and they are enjoyable to listen to every occasionally. A friend of mine from the high school recommended that I check out All That Remains because according to him, the song “Six” is the heaviest shit since Blaspherereion. I investigated his perniciously bold claim. While the song does have a fair share of fast blast beats and some homoerotic screams, that is all there is to it.
However, I traced the band’s history and back catalogue. I mean, let’s face it; even if I am no fan of All That Remains, knowing a thing or two about them is a getaway ticket from being labeled as dumbass ignorant elitist. Then I stumbled upon the very first full length in the form of “Behind Silence and Solitude”, listened to it, and was surprised to know how different the band was back then before they go apeshit mainstream. Most songs are far more structured and well-defined compared to their later efforts, with melodic death metal elements making a strong presence throughout. Of course, the hardcore attitude and predilection are there, but both have been overshadowed by commanding performances from each band member. The opening track is simply one of the immediate highlights from this record and thanks to the slightly low production value, the riffs do not sound any rawer than they already are. The drums are also quite strong but they are not too pushed upfront in the mix although the cymbals are quite suffocated at best. The latter is not necessarily a bad thing nonetheless. There is some blast beats too but they are only used on a minor scale. If only the songwriting allows more room for some brutal blasts, this album is definitely a winner.
The rhythms are minimally striking; they are not too shabby but they are not show-offs either. The solos on this debut are nothing spectacular. However, where they are used, they make the songs sound a lot better as it added more colors to otherwise grey hue. The band extensively employs lead guitars to a greater effect, bringing All That Remains closer to being Gothenburg-inspired death metal outfit than metalcore. To make it interesting, the band has some nice acoustic section in “Clarity” and “Home to Me” that quickly bring to mind early Dark Tranquillity more than anything else does.
Also worth mentioning is “Erase” with its varied drumming style and chord progressions that I can bang my head to every time. The solo on this track is what I described as endemically American; it is so full of metallic bravado (similar to the ones in “Home to Me”). There is nothing to complain about the bass since each track is held together with the particular instrument acts like a soft cushion on which the songs sit comfortably.
Philip Labonte vocals are unlike the horrendous atrocity we hear today. On this record, he leans more toward death metal side than hardcore. What makes this album a lot better is the fact that Labonte growls without clean singing, making Behind Silence and Solitude quite a solid melodic death metal record. He is able to sing with conviction and passion, which is a plus because you can hear honesty coming out from the speakers as he growls his way through.
Behind Silence and Solitude is not a great album by any means but it is a certainly unique release that nobody seems to pay any attention. I think it is better that way despite the fact All That Remains have become a mockery in the metal scene, victimized by many as a group of musicians facing midlife crises writing emo bitches’ lyrics that are poorly dressed as metal. Personally, this is the ONLY All That Remains’ album worth buying and listening to, if only if, you have a penchant for American melodic death metal. Don’t worry, there are no Brokeback Mountain-esque shrieks on this debut, just death grunts through and through. Recommended while it is raw.
However, I traced the band’s history and back catalogue. I mean, let’s face it; even if I am no fan of All That Remains, knowing a thing or two about them is a getaway ticket from being labeled as dumbass ignorant elitist. Then I stumbled upon the very first full length in the form of “Behind Silence and Solitude”, listened to it, and was surprised to know how different the band was back then before they go apeshit mainstream. Most songs are far more structured and well-defined compared to their later efforts, with melodic death metal elements making a strong presence throughout. Of course, the hardcore attitude and predilection are there, but both have been overshadowed by commanding performances from each band member. The opening track is simply one of the immediate highlights from this record and thanks to the slightly low production value, the riffs do not sound any rawer than they already are. The drums are also quite strong but they are not too pushed upfront in the mix although the cymbals are quite suffocated at best. The latter is not necessarily a bad thing nonetheless. There is some blast beats too but they are only used on a minor scale. If only the songwriting allows more room for some brutal blasts, this album is definitely a winner.
The rhythms are minimally striking; they are not too shabby but they are not show-offs either. The solos on this debut are nothing spectacular. However, where they are used, they make the songs sound a lot better as it added more colors to otherwise grey hue. The band extensively employs lead guitars to a greater effect, bringing All That Remains closer to being Gothenburg-inspired death metal outfit than metalcore. To make it interesting, the band has some nice acoustic section in “Clarity” and “Home to Me” that quickly bring to mind early Dark Tranquillity more than anything else does.
Also worth mentioning is “Erase” with its varied drumming style and chord progressions that I can bang my head to every time. The solo on this track is what I described as endemically American; it is so full of metallic bravado (similar to the ones in “Home to Me”). There is nothing to complain about the bass since each track is held together with the particular instrument acts like a soft cushion on which the songs sit comfortably.
Philip Labonte vocals are unlike the horrendous atrocity we hear today. On this record, he leans more toward death metal side than hardcore. What makes this album a lot better is the fact that Labonte growls without clean singing, making Behind Silence and Solitude quite a solid melodic death metal record. He is able to sing with conviction and passion, which is a plus because you can hear honesty coming out from the speakers as he growls his way through.
Behind Silence and Solitude is not a great album by any means but it is a certainly unique release that nobody seems to pay any attention. I think it is better that way despite the fact All That Remains have become a mockery in the metal scene, victimized by many as a group of musicians facing midlife crises writing emo bitches’ lyrics that are poorly dressed as metal. Personally, this is the ONLY All That Remains’ album worth buying and listening to, if only if, you have a penchant for American melodic death metal. Don’t worry, there are no Brokeback Mountain-esque shrieks on this debut, just death grunts through and through. Recommended while it is raw.
No comments:
Post a Comment