The Auron MacIntyre Show When Politics Meets Metal | Guest: Phil Labonte | 2/27/26
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Feb 27, 2026 Phil Labonte, lead singer of All That Remains and political commentator, chats about his rise in metal and how conservative views fit in the scene. He recounts musical beginnings, shifts in metal’s sound and production, and debates culture, gatekeeping, and why right-leaning creators face promotion challenges. Short, candid, and focused on music-meets-politics tensions.
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From Teen Guitarist To Metal Frontman
- Phil Labonte started on guitar at 14 and moved from backup growls to lead vocals after learning false-cord techniques.
- He joined Shadows Fall as their singer, then returned to writing guitar-driven material that became All That Remains.
How Early Metalcore Accidentally Shaped Mainstream Sound
- All That Remains and Shadows Fall didn't set out to mainstream metal; they were creating a fresh sound combining melodic Swedish metal and hardcore breakdowns.
- That hybrid (sung choruses + screams) later became a template many bands adopted, even unknowingly.
The Internet Killed Music Gatekeeping
- The internet destroyed the old 'underground' gatekeeping by making niche music instantly accessible via search and streaming.
- As a result, exclusionary gatekeepers lost practical power to control who hears heavy music.