Grammy-nominated Metalcore standouts As I Lay Dying have been a defining act of the 21st Century with their inspired combination of grindcore, thrash and death metal, all of which are tied together by Christian themes and catchy hooks. Inspired by classic metal acts like Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, Iron Maiden, and Metallica, the San Diego quartet have not been free of controversy -- in 2014, the band split up when lead singer Tim Lambesis was sentenced to prison -- but they have since reunited and continue to release albums and tour throughout North America and Europe.
Formed as a trio in 2001, the initial As I Lay Dying lineup consisted of Lambesis, drummer Jordan Mancino and guitarist Evan White. Their debut LP was Beneath the Encasing of Ashes followed by a split CD with fellow metalcore band, the American Tragedy, in 2002. In 2003, As I Lay Dying signed with Metal Blade and released that year's sophomore album, Frail Words Collapse.
After the release of Frail Words Collapse, White left the lineup and was replaced by two guitarists: Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa. Bassist Clint Norris also joined the band at that time. Together, the band recorded their third album, 2005's Shadows Are Security. In 2006, As I Lay Dying released their first compilation album, A Long March: The First Recordings. That summer, they toured with metalcore peers GWAR, In Flames, Trivium, and Cannibal Corpse.
Bassist Clint Norris soon left the lineup and was replaced by Josh Gilbert, and in 2007 the band released their fourth studio album: This Is Who We Are. Three years later, they followed it up with 2010's The Powerless Rise. In 2011, to commemorate their 10th anniversary as a band, As I Lay Dying released their second compilation album, Decas, which featured covers of Slayer and Judas Priest.
In 2013, the band shared their sixth studio album, Awakened, which was produced by Bill Stevenson. That same year, Lambesis was arrested and while awaiting trial released the album Triple Brutal under his side project Austrian Death Machine. After Lambesis was sentenced to six years in prison in 2014, the remaining band members -- Mancino, Sgrosso, Hipa, Gilbert, and vocalist Shane Blay -- formed a different project under the name Wovenwar.
In June 2018, As I Lay Dying reunited and performed their first show in five years at the SOMA Sidestage in their hometown of San Diego.
Since then, As I Lay Dying has signed with Nuclear Blast, toured, and released an album, 2019's Shaped By Fire. Catch As I Lay Dying when they come to a city near you.
