As I Lay Dying (band)

As I Lay Dying
As I Lay Dying performing at With Full Force, 2007.
Background information
Also known as	AILD
Origin	San Diego, California, USA
Genre(s)	Metalcore
Years active	2000−present
Label(s)	Metal Blade Pluto
Associated acts	Point of Recognition Austrian Death Machine Year One
Website	www.asilaydying.com
Members
Tim Lambesis Jordan Mancino Phil Sgrosso Nick Hipa Josh Gilbert
Former members
Noah Chase Aaron Kennedy Evan White Jason Krebs Clint Norris

As I Lay Dying is a Grammy-nominated^[1] metalcore band from San Diego, California named after the identically titled novel by William Faulkner.^[2] Formed in 2000 by Tim Lambesis and having completed their first Line-up in 2001, the band's line-up consists of vocalist Tim Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino, lead guitarist Nick Hipa, rhythm guitarist Phil Sgrosso, and bassist Josh Gilbert, all of whom are Christians.^[3][4][5] Signed to Metal Blade Records, As I Lay Dying has released four studio albums, one split album, and one compilation album.

As I Lay Dying's 2007 release 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, 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 2008 ^[6] and was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for the song "Nothing Left".

History

Beneath the Encasing of Ashes 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.^[7] Starting out as a duet with drummer Jordan Mancino after they first met as a band in February 2001, Lambesis said the band's name comes from the novel As I Lay Dying written by William Faulkner.^[5][8]

Record label Pluto Records took interest and offered AILD a recording contract. After accepting the offer, one month later the band entered the recording studio to record its first album Beneath the Encasing of Ashes, which was released in June 2001. In 2002, the band recorded five songs for a split album on Pluto Records, with San Diego heavy metal band American Tragedy. The band 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."^[9] Since they had no "Solid" Members beside Tim Lambesis and Jordan Mancino, the band recruited Friends to play with them, so the band experienced several line-up changes; Bassist Noah Chase left in 2001, and his subsequent replacement Aaron Kennedy departed in 2003. Guitarist Evan White left in 2003, as did Jason Krebs in the same year.^[9]

Frail Words Collapse (2003−2004)

As I Lay Dying's contract with Pluto Records had expired and the band was free 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.^[10] The band accepted the offer and Pluto Records owner Brian Cobbel was supportive of the band moving to Metal Blade. Lambesis commented "since we've been on the label, they've really gone out of their way to market us differently than they've marketed other bands in the past and have really pushed us as a newer sound for the label."^[11]

In July 2003, the band's second studio album, Frail Words Collapse was released. Produced by Lambesis, the album peaked at number 30 on the Top Independent Albums, and number 41 on the Top Heatseekers chart.^[12] 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."^[13] 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."^[14] 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 the networks of FUSE and MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.

Shadows Are Security (2005−2006)

As I Lay Dying entered Big Fish recording studio in Encinitas, California in January 2005 to records its third studio album. Shadows Are Security was released in June, and debuted at number 1 on the Top Independent Albums. It was the band's first release to enter the Billboard 200 at number 35.^[12] 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."^[15] 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'."^[16] Guitarist Phil Sgrosso recorded Bass on the Album, to get the recording finished in the given time.

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.^[17] 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.^[18] In the summer of 2006 As I Lay Dying closed the Sounds of the Underground Festival.^[19]

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 the Top Independent Albums, and 129 on the Billboard 200.^[12] 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 proved unsuccessful. Lambesis received demo tapes from a band called This Endearing, featuring bassist Josh Gilbert. Lambesis wanted to "sit on it" and wait for the band to record more material. However, This Endearing disbanded and Gilbert flew in and was recruited as the new bassist.^[7]

An Ocean Between Us (2007−present)

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.^[20] Co-produced by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and As I Lay Dying, and mixed by Colin Richardson, the album received generally positive reviews. 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.^[21] 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."^[22] 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.^[23] This album is argued by some to be more of a thrash and heavy metal album, and less of a metalcore album than Frail Words Collapse and Shadows are Security, although some elements of metalcore still shine through.

To promote the album, As I Lay Dying performed at the Warped Tour 2007 in August,^[24] and toured through Europe in September with Darkest Hour, Himsa, and Maroon.^[7] The band was awarded "Ultimate Metal God" by MTV2's "All That Rocks",^[25] 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 are playing some of the 2008 Warped Tour, as well as the Taste of Chaos UK 2008 Tour with headliners Atreyu.^[26]

Christian faith

Although As I Lay Dying is often considered a Christian 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."^[3] He also mentioned that the lyrics to most songs "are about life, struggles, mistakes, relationships and other issues that don't fit entirely in the spiritual category."^[3]

Tours

2006

In summer 2006, As I Lay Dying headlined the Sounds Of The Underground Tour, they played with In Flames, Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Shadows Fall, It Dies Today, Gwar, Trivium, Evergreen Terrace, The Chariot, Terror, Behemoth, Job For A Cowboy, and Through The Eyes Of The Dead.

2007

In summer of 2007, As I Lay Dying performed at the 2007 Warped Tour. In the fall of 2007, they headlined the An Ocean Between Us Tour with support from All That Remains, Haste the Day, and Through the Eyes of the Dead.

2008

In spring of 2008, As I Lay Dying joined the lineup of Soundwave during February and March 2008 in Australia alongside bands Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Bleeding Through, Haste the Day, and Carpathian.

In summer of 2008 the band made a one-month appearance again on the 2008 Warped Tour from its June 20 to July 18 dates. In addition, As I Lay Dying headlined Cornerstone, Sonshine, and Revelation Generation Festival. They also played at Lifelight, Wacken Open Air, and Bloodsock Open Air, and Dubai Desert Rock Festivals.

In fall of 2008, beginning 8 November 2008, As I Lay Dying headlined the "Rockstar Taste of Chaos" tour in Singapore, with Story of the Year, and A Vacant Affair as their supporting act. As I Lay Dying also headlined a show in Anaheim, California on November 21 with Bring Me The Horizon, Terror, and Born of Osiris. The Show was filmed for a first ever As I Lay Dying DVD. They will be closing their 2008 tour with their performance in Jakarta, Indonesia on November, 30th.

Band members

As I Lay Dying performing at the Hellfest Summer Open Air, 2006

Current

• Tim Lambesis − lead vocals (2000−present)
• Jordan Mancino − drums (2000−present)
• Phil Sgrosso − Lead guitar (2003−present)
• Nick Hipa − Rhythm guitar (2004−present)
• Josh Gilbert − Bass guitar, vocals (2007-present)

Former

• Noah Chase - bass (2001-2002)
• Brandon Hays - bass (touring member,2002-2003)
• Aaron Kennedy - bass (2003)
• Clint Norris - bass, vocals (2003-2006)
• Evan White - lead guitar (2000-2002, 2003)
• Tommy Garcia - lead guitar (2002-2003)
• Chad Ackerman - rhythm guitar (2002) (touring member, now in Chapter 14, Destroy the Runner, and Austrian Death Machine)
• Jasun Krebs - rhythm guitar (2003)
• Chris Lindstrom - rhythm guitar (touring member 2003-2004)
• Tyler Jackson - vocals

Discography

Albums

References

External links

• As I Lay Dying official site
• As I Lay Dying at Metal Blade Records
• As I Lay Dying interview with Phil Sgrosso on Skartnak.com (French)
• MTV News interviews Tim Lambesis about his side project, Austrian Death Machine