Ask Still Remains about their second album The Serpent and what the last two years have been like, and they’ll begin by telling you how much they’ve grown as people and musicians. “I’ve grown up a lot,” explains vocalist T.J. Miller. “I haven’t been afraid to write about things that I might have only alluded to on the last record. My lyrics have always been personal, but the new stuff is deeper, subjects I needed to and wanted to get out.”

Produced by Steve Evetts and mixed by Logan Mader, The Serpent palatably demonstrates the culmination of the last two years of Still Remains’ efforts and experiences. Together with T.J. and guitarist Jordan Whelan, guitarist/backup vocalist Mike Church, drummer Adrian “Bone” Green, keyboardist Ben Schauland and bassist Stephen Hetland, Still Remains has written their best music to date. “The creative process for this record was very different from the last one,” explains T.J. “Jordan, Mike, Bone and I really worked together on this album. Everyone had input into all aspects of the recording process. Who we are, what we like and what we listen to shine through. This album is a true collaboration.”

Examples of the success of that collaboration couldn’t be more apparent than on songs like ‘Stay Captive’ (the album’s first video track), ‘Anemia In Your Sheets’ and ‘Sleepless Nights Alone’. All are aggressive yet melodic and refined glimpses into the band’s psyche and rich history of influences. “I feel like I’ve come into my own as a vocalist,” T.J. remarks. “Since I was a kid I have always been singing. On this record I explored that more than on Of Love And Lunacy. The singing is stronger and the screaming is more brutal. My vocal range has grown.”

Other tracks like ‘Dancing With The Enemy’ and ‘The Wax Walls Of An Empty Room’, capture the band’s progress and diversity of talent and influences. The band’s personality shines through both in the music and the lyrics. “Both of those songs are truly personal songs to me,” illuminates the vocalist. “A broken relationship between best friends was the inspiration behind ‘Dancing With The Enemy.’ ‘The Wax Walls Of An Empty Room’ is about a lesson I learned in regard to finding strength and happiness in the midst of suffering.”

While not completely deviating or alienating, The Serpent showcases the band’s growth and potential without losing the foundation they have worked so hard to create. “One of the things we loved about working with Steve Evetts is that he really forced us to bring out the best in ourselves,” Jordan says. “If something wasn’t right we did it until it was done right. No studio tricks, just hard work until we got it perfect. I can’t imagine working with another producer. He has a way of bringing out raw emotion in us. I’m still growing and learning who I am personally and musically,” he goes on to confess. “I couldn’t be happier with the results of this new record. It’s been a lot of hard work, but was worth every minute.”