Labonte takes blame for All That Remains 'failure'

All That Remains frontman Phil Labonte has accepted the blame for what he sees as the failure of last album A War You Cannot Win.

Despite the commercial success of their sixth title, he said it “sucked” – and insisted the band had “a lot of songs that are better” for upcoming release The Order Of Things.

Now Labonte tells Revolver: “It was mostly me. I think I could have done better. I could have had stuff that was a little more compelling – especially in some of the heavier songs. So I wasn’t super-pumped about it.”

But he continues: “This record will make a significant statement about what we can do as a band. I think it’s going to do really good things for us.”

The vocalist believes metal has lost its edge and needs more people who’ll act as antagonists – and he’s ready to fill the role.

“There are no more bad guys,” he says. “It’s become so competitive, and so hard to be in a band that can make a living – everyone’s for the right opinion and they say the right things, or don’t say anything at all.

“If the metal world is looking for a bad guy, I’ll be that guy.”

The Order Of Things is released on February 23 via Razor & Tie.

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.