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Guitar Greats
& More!


Dead_End

My Summer band - dead end
(From left to right: Andrew Fath or myself (Guitar/volcals), Bryant McNamara (Drums), Gary Graham (Bass)).


In my opinion, the following bands are some of the new age greats leading the way in hard hitting heavy metal.


All That Remains!
One of the hardest hitting and most influential bands around today is All That Remains.  Their latest release, "The Fall of Ideals," sold 75000 copies over the U.S. and got great reviews.  (http://www.rocknworld.com/features/06/All-That-Remains.shtml) Their entire band consists of the most talented metal musicians I've seen in a long time, especially lead guitarist Oli Herbert.  Myself being a guitarist, I can appreciate the hard work and dedication Oli has put into his solos.  One of the most compelling solos Oli has composed is the solo from "It Dwells in me," track 3 from "The Fall of Ideals."  Oli isn't the only one getting his input with the guitar though, Mike Martin (the other guitarist from All That Remains) pulls off an intense muscle binding solo in the final track of "The Fall of Ideals."  What a way to end an album!  Now, I'm not one to leave any instrument untouched, so let's talk about the drums and bass.  "This Calling" and "Become the Catalyst" are great examples of the fast, accurate and overall crazy drumming provided by
Jason Costa.  And yes, I know, in metal bands the bass is rarely heard and isn't looked at very often but recognition is needed!  The song "Six," also featured on Guitar Hero 2, presents a chance for us to listen to the bass and it does not disappoint.  After the amazing intro, verse and chorus, the song leads into a soft melodic break and it is easily the most impressive part of this song.  Now before I forget, the singing/screaming... what can I say... it's perfect for All That Remains.  I can't even imagine them with another singer, Philip Labonte does it all!  He can sing the chorus lines and scream in high and low pitches, do you know how rare that is?  Overall, All That Remains is easily my favourite band and will stay that way until they decide that blues is more their style. 



Oli_Herbert
A Picture my buddy Derek took at an All That
Remains concert in Regina at The District.
(The guy soloing is Oli.)













All_That_Remains
All That Remains at present times.
(From left to right: Jeanne Sagan (Bass), Mike Martin (Guitar), Philip Labonte (Vocals), Jason Costa (Drums),
Oli Herbert (Guitar)).
(http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526359/20060316/all_that_remains.jhtml)




Suggested Listening:

1) All That Remains - This Calling/Not Alone
2) Soilwork - Stabbing the Drama
3) In Flames - Take This Life
4) Slipknot - Before I Forget
5) Arch Enemy - Enemy Within
6) Killswitch Engage - Rose of Sharyn
7) Shadows Fall - What Drives the Weak
8) Threat Signal - A New Beginning
9) Haste the Day - When Everything Falls
10) Lamb of God - Pathetic
11) Silent Civilian - Funeral