ALL THAT REMAINS AT THE WELLMONT THEATER IN MONTCLAIR
After 15 years, The Fall of Ideals is still a go to album for many classics. All That Remains hit the road about 9 weeks ago to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of The Fall of Ideals. Last Wednesday night they made their stop in Montclair, NJ. The venue of choice: the Wellmont Theater, and they made damn sure that if you weren’t inside, you could hear them outside from the streets!
Tour support came from newcomers Tallah followed by Varials. Both groups are on the much harder death metal side with their own unique twists. Miss May I would take the stage next, and what a way to get the crowd wild and moving before the boys from ATR made their way out. I saw Miss May I for the first time down in Lancaster at the Christmas Burns Red Festival in 2019. I was immediately hooked. The riffs, the catchy hooks, the heavy vocals to the melodies and epic smashing choruses; how could you not be hooked?! They played a mix of old and new tunes. The energy they deliver is one in its own. There is this power that smacks you in the face when Levi Benton (lead vox) jumps up on the risers and just immediately connects with the crowd. The entire band was constantly rocking and head banging as they made sure to touch every part of that stage. As if it was one of their own headlining shows, Miss May I had delivered nothing but 110% and left the crowd wanting even more. That is how you set up the stage for the headlining act!
Now, I have been to hundreds of shows - all genres, from full bands, to single stars, to DJs solo with their turn tables. I have done the outside festivals. I have done plenty of indoor concerts from small venues to huge stadiums. If you have ever attended a show at the Wellmont Theater, you know the sound is top of the line and crystal clear. I have to say, as All That Remains hit the stage, I have never heard something so loud, yet so clear, in quite some time! The band currently consists of Phil Labonte (last original member), Matt Deis, Mike Martin, Jason Costa, and Jason Richardson. ATR has gone through many changes over the years, as well as facing some departures and losses to the band. This has only kept the core strong and the band moving forward with constant new success. Going back to an album like The Fall of Ideals brought back such classics as “Six”, “Not Alone”, and “This Calling”. As bands grow over the years and produce more and more songs, it’s always a hope that you will get to hear one of your older favorite tunes at that show. This show gave us not only those from The Fall of Ideals, but a beautiful encore featuring “Chiron”, “What If I Was Nothing?”, and “Two Weeks”. So, not only did we get a full album played live, but some of ATR’s other mega hits that all the fans love as well. The show only grew stronger, louder and crazier as the night went on. This tour has come to an end, but with ATR still strong and continuing to hit the roads in the near future, make sure to grab yourself a ticket and check them out live for yourself! Until next time, keep rocking!