Review Summary: 2008s Overcome is an aggressive, tactile, and well produced album that any fan of the genre is sure to enjoy.
All That Remains’ 2008 release, Overcome, has been much anticipated since The Fall of Ideals from two years prior. Adam Dutkiewicz, who produced the bands first two albums, has been replaced by Jason Suecof of Trivium, Chimaira, and DevilDriver fame. A different formula is sure to breed a new sound, right?
Overcome’s lineup is as follows:
Philip Labonte – Vocals
Mike Martin – Guitar
Oli Herbert – Guitar
Jeanne Sagan – Bass
Jason Costa – Drums
As an avid All That Remains fan since their initial debut, I was highly skeptical upon hearing of a new producer for this album. I went into this one cold having not listened to any of the preview tracks that the band posted on their MySpace page months in advance.
As I popped it into my CD player for the first time, my face lit up like Gary Coleman in Toys ‘R Us. The first track opens with a slow, threatening melody mixed with the standard machine-gun double bass as it fades into an extremely intricate rhythm guitar part. Phil comes in with some noticeably deeper vocals as used in The Weak Willed of 2006s The Fall of Ideals. The chorus kicks in and we experience the new producers first big influence: The cleans.
Phils cleans have transformed into something of a new beast. They’re quite a bit lighter and more harmonized than in previous albums. At first glance, they may sound a bit too light for some unforgiving fans of the band. They dance on the line between whiney and wonderful. Thankfully, they never cross that line. The shrill edge that were used to simply isn’t there anymore. Fortunately, they’re used very sparingly and in excellent moderation. Don’t worry, his growls and screams are still as menacing as ever. Cue change number two: the production value.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that the guitars are the dominating force here. The vocals are layered deep within the song so they’re not overpowering. The drums and guitars have twice the volume in some tracks which is a breath of fresh air. No longer are we straining our ears to hear that face melting solo or ear splitting double bass. The lead work in this album is as ear piercing as it would be live. Olis pinch harmonics in Overcome could slay a dragon.
Speaking of the lead guitar, Oli must have studied with the best of the best in the past albums two year overlap. If there’s anything marginally different in terms of composure, it’s the lead guitar. When mixed with the new production formula, the guitar solos in this album are by and large the best in the genre. Unearth, are you taking notes? Certain lead parts in some of the songs will leave you in a dazed and confused state of disarray. Mike Martins rhythm parts are equally as impressive.
Jason Costa is renowned to be a tremendous drummer, and his display in Overcome is certainly no exception. The rabbit feet are in full force here as most songs feature some exceptional double bass. They come through just as thick as the guitar and provide the perfect undertone for an instrument driven album. If you’re not banging your head to this match made in heaven, you’re either Helen Keller or comatose.
I can’t find much to complain about here, as this album rubs me just the right way. The only reason I held back and gave it a four is due to the fact that the album lacks a traditional melodic ballad and Phils newfound vocals may be hard to adapt to (though they aren’t present enough to really sway my opinion). Jason Suecof is a welcome addition as far as mixing, production, and song direction goes. Overcome is just a work of art all the way around.
No matter which way you look at it, there is no reason this shouldn’t be in your CD rack at home if you’re a fan of the band and genre. By the time of the album is over, your ears will be writing you thank-you notes laden with Starbucks giftcards.
Overcome gets a 4/5 from this metalhead.
[via TrevorSmithOnline.com]
