Overcome

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Taking a stand against the shifting trend towards ever more brutal and uniform metalcore that besets them from all sides, All That Remains actually took measures to increase the dynamic and textural diversity that already figured in their songwriting with 2008's Overcome — their fourth and arguably most accessible album yet. As has been the case throughout the Massachusetts quintet's career, the creative charge here is led by founding vocalist Phil Labonte, who consistently prioritizes clean-singing over savage growling and, for his efforts, successfully squeezes a few surprisingly catchy choruses and lyrics out of would-be singles such as "Two Weeks," "Forever in Your Hands," and "Believe in Nothing." His bandmates, meanwhile, see their instrumental contributions held ever in check by each song's optimal delivery; with Oli Herbert's flashiest guitar work saved exclusively for his consistently memorable solos (see "Before the Damned" and "Chiron," in particular), Jason Costa's typically busy percussive foundations never getting out of hand, and rhythm guitarist Mike Martin and bassist Jeanne Sagan holding own the backbeat with efficient reliability. Yes, the stylistic specter of Killswitch Engage still looms over many of the band's moves (as it does over much of the surviving New England metalcore scene, let's be frank), and a few less impressive songs ("Do Not Obey," "Relinquish," "A Song for the Hopeless") fail to leave a strong impression. But for all intents and purposes, Overcome offers very dependable melodic metalcore in the spirit of All That Remains' albums past, without succumbing to outright stagnation. And what's wrong with giving fans what they expect, after all?