All That Remains
AntiFragile


2.0
poor

Review

by Philthereaper USER (16 Reviews)
February 1st, 2025 | 78 replies


Release Date: 01/31/2025 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Poseur metal's latest hit

A misclassification has long plagued the understanding of true metal enthusiasts: the genre known as metalcore. Metalcore is not true metal, nor will it ever be; it is a diluted blend that caters to mainstream tastes, more rightly termed poseur metal. Poseur metal lacks the authenticity, raw power, and unfiltered aggression that true metal embodies. Instead, it presents a watered-down version that appeals to those who do not grasp the complexities of authentic metal. The rise of poseur metal bands has led to a distortion of the genre, undermining the purity cherished by metal fans. It is crucial to recognize poseur metal for what it truly is: a weak attempt to adopt the metal aesthetic without embracing its fundamental principles.

Enter All That Remains, a band that has long navigated the thin line between genuine metal and poseur metal. With their latest album, "Antifragile," they deliver ten tracks that, while occasionally touching upon the essence of true metal, ultimately fall into the traps of poseur metal. The album opens with "Divine," a track that symbolizes the band's struggle to escape the confines of poseur metal. Its structure is formulaic, adhering to the predictable patterns typical of the genre. The riffs, though skillfully played, lack the innovation and ferocity of true metal. The vocals shift between melodic singing and harsh screams, a characteristic of poseur metal that doesn't capture the guttural intensity of authentic metal vocals.

Next is "Kerosene," a track that, despite its fiery title, fails to spark any real excitement. It exemplifies poseur metal's tendency toward superficial aggression, offering an illusion of intensity that lacks depth. The guitar work, although technically adept, lacks the soul and passion that true metal artistry demands. The drumming feels mechanical, devoid of the organic spontaneity that enlivens metal compositions. This track highlights the limitations of poseur metal, which prioritizes aesthetic over musical substance.

The title track, "Antifragile," aims to express resilience and strength. However, it is hindered by the conventions of poseur metal that the band struggles to surpass. With clichéd lyrics, predictable instrumentation, and an overall lack of the complexity found in true metal, it captures the band's ongoing challenge to establish their identity in a genre that lacks authenticity. "Forever Cold" further illustrates the constraints of poseur metal. The track attempts to evoke desolation and bleakness but is rendered ineffective by polished production and a formulaic structure. Its emotional impact is shallow, failing to resonate deeply. The song epitomizes poseur metal's inability to express genuine emotion, presenting instead a sanitized and commercially viable imitation.

The album ends with "Blood & Stone," a track that shows hints of potential but ultimately falls into the same traps as the rest of the album. While its heavier moments suggest an understanding of true metal dynamics, these instances are brief and overshadowed by the band's reliance on poseur metal conventions. The result is a song that lacks direction, balancing between authenticity and artifice without fully committing to either.

Antifragile illustrates the limitations of poseur metal. Although All That Remains displays technical skill and occasional signs of genuine metal sensibility, they are ultimately restricted by the genre they occupy. The album serves as evidence that, regardless of a band's intent, poseur metal can never attain the authenticity, raw power, and unfiltered aggression that characterize true metal. It is a genre that, by its very nature, remains a pale imitation, perpetually on the outskirts of the metal hierarchy.

Metalcore is not metal; it is inauthentic and superficial, and in fact, fake poseur ***e.



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user ratings (67)
3.1
good

Comments:Add a Comment 
artiswar
February 1st 2025


15975 Comments


poseur metal... lol

William21
February 1st 2025


950 Comments


I wouldn't actually be surprised if this isn't that good, but this is also the dumbest review I've read on here in a while

AnimalForce1
Contributing Reviewer
February 1st 2025


1280 Comments


First of all, if you took a shot for every time this review used the phrase "poseur metal", you would be blackout drunk and possibly dead or on the way to dying of alcohol poisoning.

Secondly, this whole "purity cherished by metal fans" and "complexities of authentic metal" stuff is quite possibly the most pretentious shit I've read on any music site ever, and that's saying a hell of a lot

Emim
February 1st 2025


36593 Comments


That first paragraph is worthy of incarceration

FearThyEvil
February 1st 2025


18920 Comments


"poseur metal... lol"

I can't tell if you're making fun of him using that wording or not but poseur is just another term for poser so it's not wrong in its usage.

Tundra
February 1st 2025


10330 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I don't neg anyone's review and this review is wrongly neg bombed. Review is funny af and presents some fantastic points to ponder.

GiaNXGX
February 1st 2025


5744 Comments


unironically, tis probably > new mastodon, anselmo has nr sold out


GiaNXGX
February 1st 2025


5744 Comments


wat in t *thesis statement s that opening sentence

artiswar
February 1st 2025


15975 Comments


@FearThyEvil

I don't know man it just makes me physically cringe and squirm. Feels like something I'd read on here circa 2012

BAT
February 1st 2025


2031 Comments


in old sputnik it was called 'mallcore'

Tundra
February 1st 2025


10330 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Funny ass review, fuckin epic

veninblazer
February 1st 2025


18767 Comments


So how much does Labonte sing about how he hates trans people and "the woke" on this

jrlikestodance
February 1st 2025


3473 Comments


All That Remids

veninblazer
February 1st 2025


18767 Comments


All That Rightwings

botb
February 1st 2025


18858 Comments


This album title/cover art is such a hilarious combo. Big “they laugh at me because I’m different, I laugh at them because they’re alllll the saaaame” energy.

Phil’s favorite movie is Joker for the wrong reasons

artiswar
February 1st 2025


15975 Comments


The title is so bad haha

Spec
February 1st 2025


40669 Comments


this isn’t true metal? im out

jrlikestodance
February 1st 2025


3473 Comments


Def can see Phil loving the Joker on a serious level lol

artiswar
February 1st 2025


15975 Comments


The Fall Of Ideals was pretty prophetic, this band fell off so hard after that album

jrlikestodance
February 1st 2025


3473 Comments


It has some good songs for sure but idk if it's aged as well for me as others in the melodic metalcore space



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