AS I LAY DYING and Jordan Mancino Part Ways: Legal Drama and New Drummer Nick Pierce
Drummer officially leaves As I Lay Dying following legal battles.
- Jordan Mancino has officially split from As I Lay Dying, opting for lawyer-only communication for the past two years.
- Nick Pierce, formerly of Unearth, joins the band as the new drummer and has already recorded a new track with them.
- The band stated their driving force remains intact, expressing gratitude for Mancino’s past contributions while moving forward without him.
Jordan Mancino, the drummer who had been with As I Lay Dying since the early days, seems to have permanently checked out. Not in a quiet, amicable way either—this one comes with lawyers, statements, and all the usual mess you’d expect when band relationships implode. After Mancino declared he wouldn’t be joining the band for their tour with Whitechapel and Shadow of Intent, the group brought in Nick Pierce, formerly of Unearth, to fill the slot. Apparently, they even recorded a new song with him—because nothing says “moving on” like hitting the studio with someone else.
Now the band has dropped their version of events. Let’s just say they aren’t sugarcoating it. According to their statement, Mancino “ex-communicated himself” two years ago, refusing direct communication with the rest of the group and opting for the charming alternative of lawyer-to-lawyer interactions. If this doesn’t scream drummer gone corporate, I don’t know what does.
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The band claims they made several attempts to patch things up, offering to meet, jam, or even just talk. All they got back, though, was radio silence—until legal documents showed up, with Mancino requesting a payout to officially leave the band. Classy.
As I Lay Dying framed the split as a business necessity rather than a personal grudge. They explained that continuing as a functional band—or let’s face it, business—was impossible with a member refusing to communicate or contribute. And honestly, they’re not wrong. How do you keep the wheels turning when one of the drivers has bailed out of the car?
Their statement hammered home the idea that the rest of the team—the ones writing songs, booking tours, and handling merch—remain fully committed. In their words, “The driving force of AILD is still intact.” Translation? We’re fine without him, thanks.
Still, they threw in a polite nod to Mancino’s legacy, recognizing his drumming on early albums as a key part of the band’s rise. And sure, he probably deserves that recognition. But the final line—“We’ll forever be grateful for his contributions and the good times we shared”—sounds more like a farewell card than a genuine sentiment.
Meanwhile, Nick Pierce steps in with fresh energy. Recording a new track before even hitting the road? That’s a power move. It’s like the band is saying, “Don’t worry about Mancino—we’ve got this.”
In the end, this split feels less like a dramatic breakup and more like a business restructuring. You know, if the business was a metalcore band and the CEO decided to work remotely… permanently. As I Lay Dying appears ready to carry on without Mancino, leaving behind two decades of collaboration in favor of progress. Whether that gamble pays off will depend on what Pierce and the rest of the band deliver next.
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Band leader to rebuild from scratch following mass member departures.
