All That Remains is a band that works hard. They have seemingly been touring perpetually since the release of their debut record Behind The Silence and Solitude in 2002, and have been a part of Ozzfest, played the Wacken Festival in Europe, and now the Mayhem Festival in 2009 just to crack the surface of where this band has been. And as the band’s sound progresses, they have paved a very long and successful road out before them. I sat down with Jeanne Sagan (Bass) backstage at this year Mayhem Festival in Phoenix to ask about their current tour and the new record Overcome.

Sean: How many shows have you played so far on this tour?

Jeanne: I believe this is the fifth one.

Sean: And I assume this is instantly your favorite one so far. (Note: at this point in the day it was 116 degrees outside.)

Jeanne: (laughs) oh yes the weather is beautiful outside! I hope I don’t fall over during the first song. I have been drinking water all day and I don’t know if it’s really helping much.

Sean: So how has this new album been received by fans?

Jeanne: We have had a very positive response to it from all of the fans. It has been a lot of fun to play our new stuff. We have two songs being played on the radio right now which is kind of a new thing for us, this genre doesn’t seem to get much radio time.

Sean: The bands sound has changed quite a bit from the first record to the newest one. It started as something very raw and brutal to something more melodic and accessible. Was this a conscious effort?

Jeanne: It was just a natural progression for the band. We didn’t sit there and say, “Alright, this song we are writing with all clean vocals and these melodies”, it was whatever felt right for that song or that particular part. And that’s the way we have been going about things for the last two records, at least since I have been part of the band.

Sean: And with those last two records since you have joined the band have you felt like you have found “your sound”?

Jeanne: We are very happy with how this last record (Overcome) came out in that we reached the goal of the band; it sounded what we wanted it to sound like. So for any one to say this record is more “mainstream” or whatever word you want to use as a band we are really thrilled with the finished product. I think that’s what matters to us.

Sean: and as a band I guess staying true to what you want to do is what really matter at the end of the day is what is most important.

Jeanne: Exactly. And even when doing that we made it onto rock radio without even having to do a cover song (laughs)

Sean: Is this tour just one big group of friends?

Jeanne: It’s a big awesome dysfunctional family. We have been friends a few bands like God Forbid and Killswitch Engage for a long time. This metal world becomes so small, we all seemed to have toured or worked with each other before. It was really cool the first day of the tour to see all of these familiar faces that have accepted you into this big group of friends.

Sean: How is it being surrounded by all of these, well, dudes? (Laughs)

Jeanne: Sometimes I think I’m a little out of the loop with all of the gay jokes that are tossed around. There is a lot of “bro-mance” as we call it, there is a lot of high fives and guys slapping each others butts. I’m not quite sure what that’s all about! (Laughs) But other than that it’s totally cool.

All that Remains bravely went on later that afternoon with the mid-day sun beating at there face’s and played on of the best sounding, most intense sets of the whole day. The crowd response was fantastic to the new songs as they also played some of their old favorites. Be sure to check them this summer on the Mayhem tour and later this fall as they embark on yet another long stretch on the road in support of their new album, Overcome.

For more info on All That Remains please visit their Myspace www.myspace.com/allthatremains

Click here to purchase the new album Overcome!