ALL THAT REMAINS

All That Remains
The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Modern Metalcore

1. As a Standard-Bearer of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal

Since its formation in 1998, All That Remains has played a core role in the movement known as the "New Wave of American Heavy Metal" (NWOAHM). From an early sound heavily influenced by Melodic Death Metal, to their monumental success during the golden age of Metalcore in the mid-2000s, and their approach toward Hard Rock and Arena Rock for commercial success from the 2010s onward, to the tragic death of a founding member and their return to an Independent status, their career has been full of turbulence.

2. Band History (Biography)

The history of All That Remains is not merely a list of member changes and album releases. It is a story of adapting to a changing music market, confronting personal tragedies, and searching for an artistic identity.

2.1 Dawn: Formation and Early Exploration (1998-2003)

2.1.1 Departure from Shadows Fall and Formation

The story begins in 1998 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The band's founder and sole remaining original member to this day, vocalist Philip Labonte, was already a known figure in the local metal scene at the time. He served as the original vocalist for Shadows Fall, one of the most important bands of the NWOAHM, and participated in their cult-classic album "Somber Eyes to the Sky."

However, due to musical differences, Labonte was fired from (or asked to leave) Shadows Fall. This setback became the driving force behind forming a new band. He gathered members to realize his own vision—a sound that was more melodic yet maintained the aggression of death metal. The lineup assembled consisted of guitarists Oli Herbert and Chris Bartlett, bassist Dan Egan, and drummer Michael Bartlett.

The addition of Oli Herbert was an especially crucial element that decided the band's fate. He would later become the band's primary songwriter, taking on the role of providing lyrical guitar melodies backed by classical music and theory to contrast Labonte's aggressive vocals.

2.1.2 The Impact of the Debut Album "Behind Silence and Solitude"

On March 26, 2002, the band released their debut album "Behind Silence and Solitude" through Prosthetic Records. The musical style of this period was vastly different from the All That Remains style known today.

• Pure Melodic Death Metal: This album contains absolutely no "clean vocals" (singing parts), which would later become a trademark of All That Remains. Labonte uses growls and screams throughout the entirety, and the song structure takes a death metal approach that emphasizes riff progression over the verse-chorus format.
• The Aesthetics of Twin Leads: The twin guitar harmony by Oli Herbert and Chris Bartlett showed influences from Iron Maiden and early In Flames, immediately drawing attention in the Massachusetts underground scene.
• The Uniqueness of the Lineup: This work is the only studio album to feature original guitarist Chris Bartlett and bassist Dan Egan. Following their departure, the band would steer towards a more modern metalcore sound.

2.2 Turning Point: Establishment and Evolution of Sound (2004-2005)

2.2.1 "This Darkened Heart" and the Encounter with Adam Dutkiewicz

On March 23, 2004, the second album "This Darkened Heart" was released. This work marked several important turning points for the band.

First was bringing in Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz as producer. Adam D was a leading figure of the metalcore sound at the time, and under his production, the band's sound evolved into something tighter and more refined. The drum sound became more modern, and the guitar separation improved.

Second was a major lineup change. Mike Martin joined as a guitarist, and Matt Deis (known for later joining CKY) joined as a bassist. Mike Martin was a student of Oli Herbert, and their guitar combination became extremely solid. Also, Matt Deis played the piano in addition to the bass, giving the songs new depth.

2.2.2 The Dawn of the Metalcore Style

In "This Darkened Heart," the band began to establish the style that would become the foundation of their later success.

• Introduction of Clean Vocals: Unlike the debut work, Labonte began introducing melodious clean vocals in the chorus parts. However, it was not as pop-oriented as in later works, but functioned purely as an element to emphasize the sorrowful atmosphere of the songs.
• Production of Music Videos: Music videos were produced for three songs, "This Darkened Heart," "Tattered on My Sleeve," and "The Deepest Gray," and were aired on MTV2's "Headbangers Ball," successfully gaining them nationwide recognition.

2.3 Golden Era: Becoming the Champions of Metalcore (2006-2009)

During this period, All That Remains transcended the boundaries of the genre, reaching their peak both commercially and critically.

2.3.1 The Masterpiece "The Fall of Ideals" (2006)

On July 11, 2006, their third album "The Fall of Ideals" was released. This album is widely recognized as one of the "holy scriptures" in the metalcore genre.

• Perfect Balance: Under the production of Adam Dutkiewicz, the band achieved a perfect fusion of aggressive riffs, breakdowns, and catchy, anthemic choruses. The transition from Labonte's intense scream at the beginning of "This Calling" to the liberating vocals in the chorus spawned many followers.
• Media Mix Success: The inclusion of the track "Six" in the music rhythm game "Guitar Hero II" was a defining moment in the band's career. This spread the band's name to gamers and younger demographics outside of metal fans, greatly boosting sales.
• An Ironclad Lineup: During this period, Jeanne Sagan joined as bassist, and her stage presence and backing vocals became a new charm for the band. For drums, Shannon Lucas (who later joined The Black Dahlia Murder) participated in the recording of "The Fall of Ideals," but Jason Costa joined for the tour and subsequent activities, completing the golden, long-lasting lineup (Labonte, Herbert, Martin, Sagan, Costa).

2.3.2 "Overcome" and the Advance into the Mainstream (2008)

In September 2008, they released their 4th album, "Overcome." With this album, the band clearly aimed to advance into the mainstream rock market.

• Smash Hit Single "Two Weeks": This song became a radio hit that went beyond the traditional metalcore framework. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and #38 on the Modern Rock chart, achieving the remarkable feat of being certified Platinum (sales of over 1 million units) by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
• Mixed Reactions: On the other hand, some early fans criticized the refined production and simplified song structures as "selling out" to commercialism. However, the band maintained their stance of "writing the songs we want to write," successfully opening up a new fan base as a result.

2.4 Stability and Change: As Kings of Radio Rock (2010-2017)

In the 2010s, the band further pushed their hybrid style of "heavy metal" and "radio rock," continuing to secure steady popularity.

2.4.1 Chart Success: "For We Are Many" and "A War You Cannot Win"

• "For We Are Many" (2010): Debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200 chart. This is one of the band's career highs on the album chart. It was evaluated as a well-balanced work that produced single hits like "Hold On" while maintaining metalcore aggressiveness.
• "A War You Cannot Win" (2012): The band pursued an even more melodious direction. "Stand Up" reached #1 on the Active Rock radio chart. It also included power ballads like "What If I Was Nothing," which became a gold-certified hit, though the death metal elements receded further.

2.4.2 Jeanne Sagan's Departure and "The Order of Things"

In September 2015, following the release of the album "The Order of Things," bassist Jeanne Sagan, who had been one of the band's iconic figures for about 10 years, announced her departure. Her departure was amicable and cited personal reasons, but it made fans feel the end of an era. Aaron Patrick of Bury Your Dead joined as her replacement.

2.4.3 Experimental Work "Madness" (2017)

In 2017's "Madness," they brought in Howard Benson as producer, showing experimental approaches not seen before. Electronic elements and synthesizers were introduced in the title track "Madness" and "Safe House," and they made an attempt to cross genre boundaries by doing a heavy cover of country superstar Garth Brooks' classic "The Thunder Rolls."

2.5 Tragedy: The Death of Oli Herbert and "Victim of the New Disease" (2018)

2018 became the harshest year for the band.

2.5.1 Return to Roots with "Victim of the New Disease"

In late 2018, the band was preparing to release their 9th album, "Victim of the New Disease." This work was produced as one of the heaviest and most aggressive albums in the band's history, turning completely away from the softer route of the previous album "Madness" and reminiscent of their early days with "The Fall of Ideals" and "This Darkened Heart." Songs like "Fuck Love" and "Wasteland" proved that the band still possessed sharp metal fangs.

2.5.2 The Sudden Death of Oli Herbert

However, on October 17, 2018, just before the album's release, tragedy struck. The news that founding member and guitarist Oli Herbert, who alongside Labonte was the soul of the band, had passed away at the young age of 44 sent shockwaves around the world.

• Circumstances of Discovery: He was found dead at the edge of Hydeville Pond on his property in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.
• Cause of Death and Investigation: Initially thought to be an accidental death, the Connecticut medical examiner's toxicology report revealed unprescribed antidepressants and sleep aids (such as olanzapine and zolpidem) in his system, and the cause of death was ruled as "drowning." The police deemed the circumstances of his death "suspicious" and launched an investigation that included the possibility of homicide.
• Suspicions and Will: Just one week prior to his death, Oli's will was rewritten to make his wife, Elizabeth Herbert, the sole heir, and issues regarding the beneficiary of his life insurance were reported, sparking various speculations. As of 2025, the investigation into this case is still ongoing (unsolved), leaving many mysteries behind.

Amidst deep sorrow, the band decided to push forward with releasing the album, which became Oli's final work, and going on tour. Labonte stated, "Oli wouldn't want the band to stop," choosing to move ahead.

2.6 A New Chapter: The Addition and Departure of Jason Richardson (2019-2025)

2.6.1 The Addition of Genius Guitarist Jason Richardson

To fill the massive void left by Oli Herbert, the band welcomed Jason Richardson (formerly of Born of Osiris and Chelsea Grin), one of the premier technical guitarists in the modern metal scene, as a touring member, before officially bringing him on in February 2019.

Richardson's addition breathed new life into the band. His virtuosic technique not only replicated Oli's complex solos but further elevated the band's performance capabilities. However, right after he joined, the global pandemic hit, forcing the band's activities to come to a standstill.

2.6.2 Return to Independent Status and "Antifragile"

After a long period of silence and searching for a new label transition, the band made a major decision. They announced that they were leaving Razor & Tie, their home for many years, to operate completely under an independent (self-managed) structure.

Starting in 2024, they released consecutive singles "Divine," "Let You Go," and "No Tomorrow," and on January 31, 2025, they released their highly anticipated 10th studio album, "Antifragile."

• Lineup Reorganization: During the making of this album, bassist Aaron Patrick departed, and former member Matt Deis rejoined. Furthermore, longtime drummer Jason Costa left in 2023 for "personal reasons," and Anthony Barone (formerly of Shadow of Intent) joined as his replacement.
• Album Reception: "Antifragile" was generally well-received favorably by critics and fans as a work that honored Oli Herbert's legacy while fusing Jason Richardson's technical elements with Matt Deis's groove.

2.6.3 Jason Richardson's Departure

However, in July 2025, half a year after the release of "Antifragile," Jason Richardson announced his departure from the band. The reason for leaving was to "focus on his solo project," and the band emphasized that it was an amicable split. As a result, he departed leaving "Antifragile" as his sole studio album contribution.

2.7 Present and Future (2025-2026)

As of 2026, All That Remains stands at a new crossroads.

• 2026 Tour: A headline tour across the United States has been announced from April to May 2026. Supporting acts include Born of Osiris and Dead Eyes. Ironically, Born of Osiris is the band that Jason Richardson used to be in and was fired from, making this tour lineup a major talking point among fans.
• Absence of a New Guitarist: As of early 2026, a replacement lead guitarist for Jason Richardson has not been officially announced. However, based on social media videos and fan speculation, Ken Susi (formerly of Unearth, As I Lay Dying) is cited as the most likely candidate.

Having overcome numerous hardships, the band continues to survive, truly embodying the title of their album "Antifragile" (the quality of becoming stronger through shocks and stress).

3. Detailed Analysis of Member Lineup (Members)

The history of the band heavily relies on the personalities of its members. Here, we detail the backgrounds and roles of the key members.

3.1 Current Members (As of 2026)

Name	Role	Active Period	Detailed Profile
Philip Labonte	Lead Vocals	1998-Present	The face of the band and the only original member. He formerly served as the original vocalist for Shadows Fall. He is highly trusted within the industry, having stepped in for Killswitch Engage's Howard Jones on tour in 2010, and also filling in for Five Finger Death Punch's Ivan Moody. Politically, he openly identifies as a Libertarian and often causes controversy with statements opposing gun control and advocating for free speech, but his straightforward attitude is also reflected in the band's lyrical world.
Mike Martin	Rhythm Guitar	2002-Present	The backbone of the band. Since joining in 2002, he formed an ironclad guitar team alongside Oli Herbert. He doesn't play flashy solos, but supports the band's heaviness with tight rhythm guitars and riff work. He was a former student of Oli, and they had a master-pupil relationship.
Matt Deis	Bass, Backing Vocals	2003-2005 2022-Present	A returning, highly skilled bassist. After participating in the early classic "This Darkened Heart," he left to join CKY. Later, in 2022, he returned for the first time in about 17 years as Aaron Patrick's replacement. He uses Dingwall basses and is a multi-instrumentalist who can also play the piano. He also has international recognition working as a bassist for the Japanese band BABYMETAL's backing band, the "Kami Band."
Anthony Barone	Drums	2024-Present	A new-era drum machine. Joined as Jason Costa's replacement. He has a history of playing in technical death metal bands like Beneath the Massacre and Shadow of Intent, and his superhuman speed and precision give the band a new driving force.

3.2 Notable Former Members

• Oli Herbert - Lead Guitar (1998-2018)
  Founding member. The musical pillar who composed the majority of the band's songs. Having a background in classical music, his style of fusing neo-classical shredding with lyrical melodies was the very sound of All That Remains. His death was an immeasurable loss to the band.
• Jason Costa - Drums (2007-2023)
  The drummer who supported their golden era. Known as one of the few drummers to play metal with a traditional grip (regular grip), his unique groove and blast beats were essential to the band's sound. Left due to "deeply personal reasons."
• Jeanne Sagan - Bass, Backing Vocals (2006-2015)
  A member from "The Fall of Ideals" to "The Order of Things." She boasted immense popularity among fans for aggressively playing alongside the male members and providing chorus work that supported their harmonies. She has distanced herself from the music industry since leaving.
• Jason Richardson - Lead Guitar (2019-2025)
  A young genius who bore the heavy responsibility of replacing Oli Herbert. He contributed greatly to the production of the album "Antifragile" and helped modernize the band. Amicably departed in 2025.
• Aaron Patrick - Bass (2015-2021)
  Joined as Jeanne Sagan's replacement. Utilizing his experience from Bury Your Dead, he supported the band with solid playing.

4. Discography

All That Remains has released 10 studio albums to date. Each album symbolizes a different stage in the band's evolution.

4.1 Behind Silence and Solitude (2002)

• Release: March 26, 2002
• Label: Prosthetic Records

Overview: The band's origin. Unlike their current metalcore style, this work was heavily influenced by Nordic (especially Gothenburg-style) melodic death metal. There are no clean vocals at all, and Labonte's death voice dominates the entire album.

Key Tracks:

• "Behind Silence and Solitude": The title track. The twin guitar harmony is beautiful, a song that dictated their early direction.
• "Clarity": Features a complex riff structure.

4.2 This Darkened Heart (2004)

• Release: March 23, 2004
• Label: Prosthetic Records
• Producer: Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage)

Overview: The first tag-team with Adam D. The sound production improved dramatically, and their identity as metalcore began to be established. The partial introduction of clean vocals can be seen.

Key Tracks:

• "This Darkened Heart": Sorrowful melodies and aggressive riffs coexist. A music video was produced.
• "The Deepest Gray": One of the live staples. The chorus hook is powerful.
• "Tattered on My Sleeve": A song that emphasizes an emotional side.

4.3 The Fall of Ideals (2006)

• Release: July 11, 2006
• Label: Prosthetic Records
• Producer: Adam Dutkiewicz

Overview: A renowned masterpiece often called the band's magnum opus. Aggression, melody, and production all bore fruit at the highest level. An album that symbolizes the peak of the metalcore boom.

Key Tracks:

• "This Calling": A legendary track right from the opening scream. The PV was also included on the "Saw III" soundtrack.
• "Six": Gained worldwide recognition by being included in "Guitar Hero II". Features high-speed alternate picking and breakdowns.
• "The Air That I Breathe": Has a beautiful chorus melody, a song that highlights the contrast between the band's "quiet" and "dynamic" sides.

4.4 Overcome (2008)

• Release: September 16, 2008
• Label: Prosthetic Records / Razor & Tie
• Chart: Billboard 200 Peak #16

Overview: A work that increased catchiness, aiming for a wider appeal. It was commercially highly successful, but drew mixed reactions from early fans.

Key Tracks:

• "Two Weeks": The band's biggest hit. Put on heavy rotation on the radio and received Platinum certification.
• "Chiron": A song geared towards metal fans where Oli Herbert's guitar technique shines.
• "Forever in Your Hands": A ballad-style track that introduces acoustic guitars.

4.5 For We Are Many (2010)

• Release: October 12, 2010
• Label: Prosthetic Records / Razor & Tie
• Chart: Billboard 200 Peak #10

Overview: Recorded a career-high in terms of chart performance. A work that aimed to fuse the pop elements of the previous album with their early heaviness.

Key Tracks:

• "Hold On": A catchy single fit for the radio.
• "The Last Time": A fine track with an impressive melodic riff.

4.6 A War You Cannot Win (2012)

• Release: November 6, 2012
• Label: Razor & Tie

Overview: The album that approached "radio rock" the most. It has a strong aspect of being vocal-centric, and metalcore elements receded.

Key Tracks:

• "Stand Up": An anthem that hit #1 on the rock radio charts.
• "What If I Was Nothing": A pure ballad. It became a hit, receiving gold certification.

4.7 The Order of Things (2015)

• Release: February 24, 2015
• Label: Razor & Tie
• Producer: Josh Wilbur

Overview: Changed producers, altering the texture of the sound. It has many songs with the theme of "criticism," and Labonte's lyrics became more direct.

Key Tracks:

• "This Probably Won't End Well": A melodic and epic rock number.
• "No Knock": One of the heaviest tracks in the band's history, a mosh number for live shows.

4.8 Madness (2017)

• Release: April 28, 2017
• Label: Razor & Tie
• Producer: Howard Benson

Overview: An experimental work. It incorporated electronics and pop production techniques.

Key Tracks:

• "Madness": Boldly utilizes synthesizers.
• "The Thunder Rolls": A heavy metal cover arrangement of Garth Brooks' country song, which became a huge talking point.

4.9 Victim of the New Disease (2018)

• Release: November 9, 2018
• Label: Razor & Tie

Overview: Oli Herbert's final work. Calling for a return to roots, brutal screams and riffs similar to their early days were resurrected.

Key Tracks:

• "Fuck Love": A highly aggressive number decorating the first track.
• "Everything's Wrong": A song typical of Oli, where melodic aspects and heaviness are fused.

4.10 Antifragile (2025)

• Release: January 31, 2025
• Label: Independent
• Producer: Josh Wilbur

Overview: Their first new release in 7 years and a completely self-produced album. Features Jason Richardson's technical guitar playing and the return of Matt Deis.

Key Tracks:

• "Divine": Released in 2024 as the first original song after Oli's death, making a strong impression of their revival.
• "No Tomorrow": While possessing radio-friendly aspects, it is given modern sound production.
• "The Piper": A track where one can fully enjoy Richardson's virtuosic soloing.

5. Touring History and Live Performances

All That Remains' fame was built through a grueling tour schedule and consistent live performances.

5.1 Major Festival Appearances

• Ozzfest: Their appearance at the 2006 Ozzfest was a major catalyst for All That Remains to leap into the mainstream metal scene. Their performance on the second stage received high praise alongside DragonForce and Hatebreed.
• Warped Tour: Although primarily a punk and emo festival, All That Remains participated as a metalcore representative and succeeded in appealing to fan bases of different genres.
• Mayhem Festival: In the 2010s, they climbed to a position where they performed on the main stage alongside titans like Slipknot and Disturbed.

5.2 2026 Tour "Spring 2026 U.S. Tour"

In 2026, the band is embarking on a massive North American tour.

• Schedule: Kicking off on April 29 in Albany, NY, and continuing through to a triumphant return show on May 23 at "The Palladium" in Worcester, MA.
• Supporting Acts: Born of Osiris and Dead Eyes. Born of Osiris, in particular, is the band that former guitarist Jason Richardson used to be in, making this fateful lineup a focal point of attention.
• New Structure: Expectations are high for their performance under a new structure, including a new guitarist (rumored to be Ken Susi, etc.) following Jason Richardson's departure.

6. Immortal Legacy and Future Outlook

The history of All That Remains spanning more than a quarter of a century is a microcosm of modern American metal. All That Remains started as an underground death metal band, stood at the pinnacle of the metalcore boom, experienced commercial success and criticism from their pivot to radio rock, and was struck by the ultimate tragedy of their founding member's death.

However, the release of their 2025 album "Antifragile" and the transition to being independent powerfully declare that the band is not finished yet. With Philip Labonte's unwavering leadership, the stable foundation of Mike Martin, and the addition of highly skilled members like Matt Deis and Anthony Barone, the band will continue to reign over the scene in 2026 and beyond as an "antifragile" entity (one that is not merely resilient, but grows stronger from shocks). The story of All That Remains transcends mere musical activities and embodies human resilience in the face of adversity.