Immutable All That Remains Discuss ‘The Order Of Things’

Fifteen years have passed since ‘All That Remains’ made their first real appearance on the Hard Rock/Metal music scene and after so many years of touring, sold out concerts and past albums that have brought them into the higher ranks, they return with their much anticipated seventh album to bring into discussion ‘The Order of Things’.

If there was no confirmation regarding the successful music producer/notorious joker, Adam D (guitarist for Killswitch Engage) not being behind the soundboard for this particular album, then it would be more than noticeable to the listeners that the ‘metal core’ quintet have not only had the bolts on their instruments tightened, but through their musical composition, have altered their sound from a racing metal-filled fiasco to a chug-heavy sound, usually associated with the musical realms of alternative rock. In this case, the band have recruited none other than Josh Wilbur [Lamb of God, Gojira, Hatebreed] who has polished these already recognisable performers into what sounds to be a rather unique music release.

A strong message coursing through each song depicts the concept of life being very similar to the immutable law of nature. An example being if you were to throw a pebble into a river, it may cause a ripple but the current will always correct itself. The theory that our decisions in life have already been predetermined and the outcome will always be the same, restricts us from ever having any real control over our lives.

Regardless of this however, we still have the choice of what our reaction will be to the events that follow, granting us ‘a certain amount of peace from embracing the truth’, earlier quoted by singer Phil Labonte when interviewed prior to the album release. In this case, the group discuss common topics such as relationship troubles, loss of idolised generations as well as the concept of uninterrupted perpetuate time.

The album opens with an unprecedented angelic piano playing through to be joined by a rich guitar echo, slowly built upwards by a steady synthesized beat before a huge guitar slide kicks the door down and ushers in that old familiar sound with some new guitar licks thrown in. ‘This probably wont end well’ is the title of this opening head banger but should not convince the listener when comparing the statement to the album, that the band do not continue to follow the catchy fluidness of Oli Herbert and Mike Martin’s interlocked guitar work, not forgetting the strong footwork of Drummer Jason Costa & steady foundation of Bass guitarist Jeanne Sagan. A powerful opening and a great start to their new material with Phil Labonte’s grinding voice passionately empowering every note.

The songs to follow, including ‘The greatest generation’, ‘For you’ and ‘Pernicious’, feature a range of old-school galloping riffs and incredibly memorable guitar solos. Through all the praise however, various songs contain lyrics that are so congested within the narrow walls of certain time signatures, that they seem too cluttered to fully digest. The end of this twelve-piece collection leaves the listener in a similar fashion to which it made an entrance, with a compilation of melancholic piano notes to ride out on.

All That Remains have gone above and beyond to make their opinions apparent throughout their new album, and show exactly how far they have come as artists. Their attempt to make their disputed subjects perfectly clear to their targeted audience, is in any case, a successful one. That what they are attempting to voice ‘is literally The Order of Things’.

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Words by Nathan Roach

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