Interview with Phil Labonte of All That Remains
By Marc Halverson
Crave: I was just getting off the phone with Keith Buckley from Every
Time I Die as you called.
Phil: Those guys are awesome! I am stoked to see them on Sounds of
The Underground and I think their new record “Gutter
Phenomenon” is going to be incredible. I like their sound.
Crave: How excited are you about being a part of Sounds of the
Underground?
Phil: We are really excited about it and it is going to be a great tour.
There are a lot of great bands on the tour and again, I am really
looking forward to seeing Every Time I Die and Unearth.
Crave: I spoke with you a few months back and you had not had much
time to work on any new material due to non-stop touring since
the release of “This Darkened Heart”. In the last few months
have you had any time to write any new material?
Phil: Yes, we pretty much have 2 new songs completed. One of the
new songs we have written sounds more along the lines of ‘The
Deepest Gray’ off of “This Darkened Heart”. The new material
have been working on is as heavy has “This Darkened Heart” but
much more aggressive. I feel that “This Darkened Heart” was a
solid album but it was missing the aggressiveness in certain
elements that will definitely be on the new record. The addition of
Josh Venn from Blood Has Been Shed has definitely brought a
new element to our sound and you will hear that on the new
material we have been working on. Also, the songs are focused
heavily on drumming. Mike Bartlett has amazing feet and our
new material is much more focused on drums than on “This
Darkened Heart”.
Crave: When do you anticipate on hitting the studio to begin recording
the new album?
Phil: We have already booked time in January to hit the studio. We
are working with Adam Dutkiewicz from Killswitch Engage. We
feel very comfortable working with him and personally, I think
he is the best producer going right now and there are a lot of
great ones. He challenges you to get the best sound and to play it
over and over until it is right. For example, we will finish playing
a part and he will ask us what we think. We will tell him we
thought it was pretty good. He will just stare at us and shake his
head and emphatically say, nope! Other than that, he is great to
work with and I think he is best producer out there right now.
Crave: Who are some bands that you like and think people should be
listening to?
Phil: Acacia Strain. They are very heavy but still have their own thing
going that is refreshing to hear right now. All the bands on
Prosthetic Records are good. I really like 3 Inches of Blood with
their power metal approach. Also, Every Time I Die have a great
rock n’ roll attitude with a technical side to them.
Crave: What plans do you have after Sounds of the Underground and
before you hit the studio in January next year?
Phil: We will be touring as much as possible. We will take a month off
before Christmas and then get ready to hit the studio and focus
on our new record.
Crave: Thank you for your time and see you at Sounds of the
Underground in July.
Phil: Thank you and take care.
