by Stewart MasonA metalcore act from the small upper Midwestern city of Grand Rapids, MI, Still Remains avoid the taint of sounding like every similar young band in their chosen style by prominently using synthesizers alongside the unison-riff guitars. As a result, their music has a strong similarity to European symphonic power metal acts such as Nightwish, giving the group a strong following both on the Continent and among North American fans of the style. Still Remains formed in 2002 with an original lineup of singer T.J. Miller, guitarists Steve Schallert and Jordan Gilliam, keyboardist Zach Roth, bassist Evan Willey, and drummer Cameron Macintosh (soon replaced by A.J. Barrett). Following a self-released EP debut, 2003's Dying with a Smile, Still Remains made their full-length debut with 2004's If Love Was Born to Die. A major personnel change followed, with Schallert and Gilliam replaced by new guitarists Mike Church and Jordan Whelan for the band's Roadrunner Records debut, 2005's Of Love and Lunacy. Yet another major personnel shift followed the release of that album, with Barrett leaving to join Christian metalcore act the Showdown, replaced by Adrian Green. Roth and Willey also exited in 2006, replaced by keyboardist Ben Schauland and bassist Steve Hetland, leaving Miller the sole original member remaining. After extensive tours in Europe and the United States, Still Remains worked with producer Steve Evetts to record their second studio album, 2007's The Serpent.