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As I Lay Dying (band)

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As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying performing at 2007's With Full Force festival.
As I Lay Dying performing at 2007's With Full Force festival.
Background information
OriginSan Diego, California, USA
GenresMetalcore, melodic death metal,[1][2] thrash metal[3][4]
Years active2000–present
LabelsMetal Blade, Pluto
MembersTim Lambesis
Jordan Mancino
Phil Sgrosso
Nick Hipa
Josh Gilbert
Past membersNoah Chase
Aaron Kennedy
Evan White
Jason Krebs
Clint Norris
Websitewww.asilaydying.com

As I Lay Dying is a ChristianExtreme Metal band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by their vocalist Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist/clean vocals Josh Gilbert.[5][6][7] Signed to Metal Blade Records, As I Lay Dying has released six studio albums, one split album, and two compilation albums.

As I Lay Dying's fourth studio album, An Ocean Between Us peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200, and number 1 on the Top Rock chart. The band has performed at Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Soundwave Festival, Sounds of the Underground, Warped Tour, Bloodstock Open Air and Taste of Chaos. In 2007, As I Lay Dying won the "Ultimate Metal God" award from MTV2 at the first annual "All That Rocks" special, was named "Artist of the Year" at the San Diego Music Awards in 2005,[8] 2007[9] and 2008,[10] and was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for the song "Nothing Left".[11] Their fifth studio album, The Powerless Rise was written over a three-year period and was released in May 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. The band's sixth album, Awakened, was released on September 25, 2012.

History

Formation, debut album and split album (2001–2003)

After leaving the band Society's Finest where he played guitar, vocalist Tim Lambesis formed As I Lay Dying in 2000.[12] Starting out as a duet with drummer Jordan Mancino after they first met as a band in February 2001, the title of the band was taken from the novel of the same name by William Faulkner although there is no correlation between the band's musical theme to the theme of the novel.[13][14]

Pluto Records took interest and offered As I Lay Dying a recording contract. After accepting the offer, one month later the band entered the studio to record their first album Beneath the Encasing of Ashes, which was released in June 2001. In 2002. The band recorded five songs for a split album through Pluto Records, with San Diego heavy metal band American Tragedy. As I Lay Dying realized it needed to expand to a five-piece to include another guitarist and a bassist. Mancino commented "we started going on tour and we needed obviously more people than that."[15] Since they had no "solid" members besides Tim Lambesis and Jordan Mancino, the band recruited friends to perform with them and from there on the group encountered several line-up changes; bassist Noah Chase departed from band in 2001, Brandon Hayes and his subsequent replacement Aaron Kennedy departed in 2003; soon after forming the band The Tokyo Smash in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[15]

Frail Words Collapse (2003–2004)

Lead vocalist, Tim Lambesis

During early 2003, when As I Lay Dying's contract with Pluto Records expired, the band from there undertook realization of their opportunity to pursue other record labels. After extensive touring and an increase in popularity, As I Lay Dying was offered a record deal with Metal Blade Records in March 2003.[16]

In July 2003, the band's second studio album, Frail Words Collapse was released. Produced by Lambesis, the album peaked at number 30 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart, and number 41 on the Top Heatseekers chart.[17] William York of Allmusic thought the band "doesn't really add anything new to the mix from a musical standpoint" with the release, although praised it for being "solid enough and well executed, and the production is adequate."[18] Sherwin Frias of Jesus Freak Hideout had similar sentiments and commented "As I Lay Dying didn't exactly break many boundaries in making this record", but praised that each song is "executed so well (and with such precision) that nary a song misses its target."[19] Touring followed to promote the album with the bands Himsa, Shadows Fall, The Black Dahlia Murder, Killswitch Engage, In Flames, Sworn Enemy, and Hatebreed. Music videos for the songs "94 Hours" and "Forever" received rotation on networks such as Fuse and MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.

Shadows Are Security (2005–2006)

Rhythm guitarist, Phil Sgrosso

As I Lay Dying entered Big Fish recording studio in Encinitas, California in January 2005 to record their third studio album. Shadows Are Security was released in June, and debuted at number 1 on the Independent Albums. It was the band's first release to enter the Billboard 200 at number 35.[17] and sold about 275 000 copies. Wade Kergan of Allmusic called it "one of the strongest releases of 2005," and commented that new guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa, make the band "stronger."[20] Rod Smith of Decibel Magazine commented "Tim Lambesis’ finely honed roar in bittersweet instrumental matrices augmented by occasional clean vocals by bassist Clint Norris. Guitarists Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa whip up a melodic cyclone on 'The Darkest Nights'."[21] Guitarist Evan White had quit the band due to personal reasons after his mother had died. All the clean vocals were sung by Dave Arthur of Kings to You, because they sounded more powerful in the studio than Clint Norris'.[22]

Bassist, Josh Gilbert

As I Lay Dying began touring to promote the new record by making appearances at Hell on Earth, Winter Headline Tour, Ozzfest, and a tour with Slipknot and Unearth. The band was on the second stage alongside Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, Mastodon, The Haunted, and It Dies Today. At the fee of $75,000 the band could have chosen to perform on the headliners stage but refused the offer as they thought it was "not worth the money."[23] The band raised its profile in 2006 through its support slot on the Taste of Chaos tour in the US alongside bands such as Deftones, Thrice, Dredg, Funeral for a Friend and Story of the Year.[24] In May 2006, Beneath the Encasing of Ashes and the songs from the split album were re-released as A Long March: The First Recordings through Metal Blade Records. The album contained the original and re-recordings of the songs from the split album, and was released as the band preferred to re-release the material rather than have fans pay large sums of money to listen to early releases. The re-release peaked at number 3 on Independent Albums, and 129 on the Billboard 200.[17] In the summer of 2006 As I Lay Dying closed the Sounds of the Underground Festival.[25] Bassist Clint Norris left the band on good terms in November 2006 with the desire to focus on his marriage. The band auditioned ten bassists, although none proved successful. Lambesis received demo tapes from a band called This Endearing, of which bassist Josh Gilbert was a part. Lambesis wanted to "sit on it" and wait for the band to record more material. However, This Endearing disbanded and Gilbert was then recruited as As I Lay Dying's new bassist.[12]

An Ocean Between Us (2007–2009)

Lead guitarist, Nick Hipa

In 2007, As I Lay Dying started recording a new album titled An Ocean Between Us, which was released on August 21, 2007. Debuting at number 8 on the Billboard 200, and number 1 on the Top Rock chart with first-week sales of 39,000, the album was the highest charting release for the band.[26] Co-produced by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and As I Lay Dying, and mixed by Colin Richardson, the album received generally positive reviews.[citation needed] Christa L. Titus of Billboard commented "Whatever the differences between As I Lay Dying's personal desires and what its fans demand, this album surely acts as a bridge," praising the song "Comfort Betrays" for its guitar solo.[27] Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net described the album as "a well-rounded and often thrashy metalcore album, as the band has struck an effective balance between aggression and accessible melodies."[28] Thom Jurek of Allmusic praised the band for expanding its musical range by including melodic choruses and clean vocals such as they had previously done on Confined from Shadows Are Security.[29] It was the first time for bassist Josh Gilbert to be featured on an As I Lay Dying record since the time of the departure of previous bassists, Evan White and Clint Norris.

To promote the album, As I Lay Dying performed at the Warped Tour 2007 in August,[30] and toured through Europe in September with Darkest Hour, Himsa, and Maroon.[12] The band was awarded "Ultimate Metal God" by MTV2's "All That Rocks",[31] and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of "Best Metal Performance" for the song "Nothing Left". Other nominees included Slayer (who won the award), King Diamond, Machine Head, and Shadows Fall. They played some of the 2008 Warped Tour, as well as the Taste of Chaos UK 2008 Tour with headliners Atreyu.[32]

On April 9, 2009, their DVD This Is Who We Are was released in Europe. On April 14, 2009, it was released in United States. Almost a month after its US release, it was certified Gold in the country alone.[33]

The Powerless Rise and Decas (2009—2011)

On September 28, 2009, As I Lay Dying announced that 6—7 songs had already been written for their then upcoming album, which followed onward to November 23 where Josh Gilbert announced through Twitter that half of the record was recorded. As I Lay Dying announced the title of their new album The Powerless Rise.[34]

On May 7, The Powerless Rise was posted in its entirety through MySpace Music. The streaming lasted until May 10.[35] The album was officially released on May 11, 2010 and received generally positive critical acclaim, with one critic saying "Fans of metalcore in general, and As I Lay Dying in particular, will be more than satisfied with The Powerless Rise, as the band's gradual progression and consistency makes this their best album."[36]

In 2010 the band toured in support of The Powerless Rise headlining the majority of their shows. In spring doing a US tour with Demon Hunter, blessthefall and War of Ages. Then in the summer headlining The Cool Tour across the US. Then As I lay Dying embarked on a fall headlining tour across USA/Canada featuring All That Remains, Unearth and Carnifex. They then flew over to Europe for a last year headlining tour with Heaven Shall Burn, Suicide Silence, and Sylosis. In February 2011 the band headlined a US tour featuring Winds of Plague and After the Burial. The band toured late April early May with Trivium in support of Disturbed on the Music as a Weapon tour in Australia and New Zealand, then at the end of May and beginning of June they headlined a few dates with Heaven Shall Burn.

On November 8, 2011, As I Lay Dying released a compilation album called Decas in honor of their decade as a band. The album featured three new, original songs; four covers including songs originally by Slayer, Judas Priest and Descendents; a re-recorded medley of pieces from several songs taken from the band's debut Beneath the Encasing of Ashes; and four remixes, each of one song from each of their albums since Frail Words Collapse. The album's first track, "Paralyzed", was released as a lyric video on September 13, and as a free download on iTunes on November 7, the day before the album's release. The band embarked on the "A Decade of Destruction" tour coinciding with the release of the album, running from November to December 2011.

Awakened (2012-present)

In January 2012, As I Lay Dying entered the studio with producer Bill Stevenson (NOFX, Rise Against, Anti Flag) and began working on material for their sixth album.

On January 25, it was announced that they will be playing Mayhem Festival 2012 with Slipknot, Slayer, Motörhead, Anthrax, The Devil Wears Prada, Asking Alexandria, Whitechapel, Upon A Burning Body, I, the Breather, Betraying the Martyrs and Dirtfedd.

On June 22, the band announced on the Metal Blade Records website that their sixth album would be titled Awakened and was released on September 25. The album's first single, "Cauterize", was released June 25.[37] It was made available on the band's website as a free download for 24 hours and then purchasable the day after. On September 12, As I Lay Dying released their second single "A Greater Foundation" and a music video to go with it.

Announced roughly around September that the band will be playing in South Africa for the RAMFEST festival in March 2013

Musical Style

Just like its contemporaries Unearth, Killswitch Engage etc,As I lay dying can be described musically as a combination of Hardcore punk and Gothenburg style of Melodic death metal

Christianity

As I Lay Dying has stated on numerous occasions that all of the members of the group are Christians.[38] When asked if they're a Christian band or Christians in a band, Tim Lambesis stated on the band's FAQ, "I'm not sure what the difference is between five Christians playing in a band and a Christian band.[5] If you truly believe something, then it should affect every area of your life. All five of us are Christians. I believe that change should start with me first, and as a result, our lyrics do not come across very 'preachy.' Many of our songs are about life, struggles, mistakes, relationships and other issues that don't fit entirely in the spiritual category. However, all of these topics are written about through my perspective as a Christian."[5] During an August 2010 radio interview, Lambesis once more made a statement regarding the band and his faith, expressing that his world view as a Christian "always comes across in our lyrics in some way or another".[39]

Band members

Discography

As I Lay Dying discography
Studio albums6
Live albums0
Compilation albums2
Music videos15
Singles11
Studio albums
Date of release Title Label Billboard 200 peak UK peak
June 12, 2001 Beneath the Encasing of Ashes Pluto — —
July 1, 2003 Frail Words Collapse Metal Blade — —
June 14, 2005 Shadows Are Security 35 —
August 21, 2007 An Ocean Between Us 8 —
May 11, 2010 The Powerless Rise 10 172[41]
September 25, 2012 Awakened 11
Compilation albums
Date of release Title Label Billboard 200 peak
May 16, 2006 A Long March: The First Recordings Metal Blade 129
November 8, 2011 Decas 61
Split albums
DVDs

Official Music Videos

  • "94 Hours" (Frail Words Collapse) − 2003 YouTube
  • "Forever" (Frail Words Collapse) − 2004 YouTube
  • "Confined" (Shadows Are Security) − 2005 Youtube
  • "Through Struggle" (Shadows Are Security) − 2005 YouTube
  • "The Darkest Nights" (Shadows Are Security) − 2006 YouTube
  • "Nothing Left" (An Ocean Between Us) − 2007 YouTube
  • "The Sound of Truth" (An Ocean Between Us) − 2008 YouTube
  • "Within Destruction" (An Ocean Between Us) − 2008 YouTube
  • "I Never Wanted" (An Ocean Between Us) – 2009 YouTube
  • "Parallels" (The Powerless Rise) – 2010 YouTube
  • "Anodyne Sea" (The Powerless Rise) – 2011 YouTube
  • "Beyond Our Suffering" (The Powerless Rise) – 2011 YouTube
  • "Electric Eye" (Decas) – 2011 YouTube
  • "Paralyzed" (Decas) – 2012 YouTube
  • "A Greater Foundation" (Awakened) - 2012 YouTube

References

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  2. ^ Ramirez, Carlos. "Top 10 Christian Metal Bands". Noisecreep. AOL. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  3. ^ Laban, Linda (May 18, 2010). "As I Lay Dying's Tim Lambesis: Our New Record Is a Grower". NoisecreepOL. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  4. ^ Nishimoto, Rei (March 21, 2011). "California Metalfest V: A Truly Memorable Night – Live Review". Noisecreep. AOL. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "As I Lay Dying FAQ". asilaydying.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  6. ^ Tauschke, Steve (May 4, 2008). "As I Lay Dying interview". truepunk.com. Archived from the original on July 01 2008. Retrieved June 20, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Interview With Tim Lambesis From As I Lay Dying". Metalunderground.com. April 3, 2005. Archived from the original on December 19, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "As I Lay Dying wins San Diego Music Award".
  9. ^ "As I Lay Dying named Artist of the Year at San Diego Music Awards".
  10. ^ "As I Lay Dying News – As I Lay Dying Wins Artist of the Year Award at [[San Diego Music Awards]]". idiomag. September 26, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  11. ^ "As I Lay Dying Nominated for 2008 'Best Metal Performance' Grammy". PunkTV.ca. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2008.
  12. ^ a b c "What happened to Clint and who's the new guy?". asilaydying.com. August 3, 2007. Archived from the original on January 23, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  13. ^ 3:13 am. "Interview With Tim Lambesis From As I Lay Dying – in Interviews". Metal Underground.com. Archived from the original on January 02 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Omowale, Karma (August 16, 2005). "We're just grateful that there are so many people out there who care about our band". fourteeng.com. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  15. ^ a b Christie, Dixon. "As I Lay Dying Interview with Jordan Mancino in Support of Their 2006 Release, Shadows Are Security". punktv.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  16. ^ Ailes, Drew (November 6, 2005). "As I Lay Dying interview". lambgoat.com. Archived from the original on January 01 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ a b c "As I Lay Dying Artist Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ York, William. "Frail Words Collapse Allmusic review". Allmusic. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  19. ^ Frias, Sherwin (June 29, 2003). "Frail Words Collapse JesusFreak Hideout review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Kergan, Wade. "Shadows Are Security Allmusic review". Allmusic. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  21. ^ Smith, Rod. "On Shadows Are Security, As I Lay Dying's good works come back like friendly ghosts". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  22. ^ As I Lay Dying "Shadows Are Security" Special Edition Bands on Fire
  23. ^ Rodríguez, Carlos. "Nick Hipa interview". leviatan-magazine. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
  24. ^ "Taste Of Chaos 2006 More Bands Announced". MetalUnderground.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Sounds of the Underground 2006". soundsoftheundergroundtour.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Hasty, Katie (August 29, 2007). "'High School Musical 2' Hangs On Atop Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  27. ^ Titus, Christa. "An Ocean Between Us – Billboard review". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  28. ^ Alisoglu, Scott. "An Ocean Between Us – Blabbermouth review". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Jurek, Thom. "An Ocean Between Us – Allmusic review". Allmusic. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
  30. ^ "Warped Tour 2007 band listing". April 4, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  31. ^ "There Are None Higher, Ultimate Metal God: As I Lay Dying". MTV. Retrieved December 22, 2007.
  32. ^ "Kerrang! Atreyu to headline Taste Of Chaos 2008". .kerrang.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  33. ^ "Gold & Platinum – December 03, 2010". RIAA. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  34. ^ "San Diego Ca". As I Lay Dying. Archived from the original on February 5, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
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  37. ^ http://www.metalblade.com/english/news.php
  38. ^ Artist Detail – As I Lay Dying. – GMC
  39. ^ "As I Lay Dying radio interview". The Full Armor of God Broadcast. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  40. ^ "As I Lay Dying drummer forced to sit out South American shows". Blabbermouth.net. March 3, 2009. Archived from the original on March 06 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/100522cluk.txt
  42. ^ "As I Lay Dying: This Is Who We Are DVD details revealed". Blabbermouth.net. February 26, 2009. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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