AS I LAY DYING's Tim Lambesis on New Album: “As Passionate as Ever”

Tim Lambesis, the ever-controversial voice behind AS I LAY DYING, let slip in a recent chat with the Today’s Boondoggle podcast that the band’s next studio album is set to land later this year (2024). This upcoming release is their first rodeo with the new lineup, featuring Lambesis alongside longtime guitarist Phil Sgrosso, drummer Nick Pierce (formerly of UNEARTH), bassist-vocalist Ryan Neff (MISS MAY I), and guitarist Ken Susi (also UNEARTH). Quite the revolving door, isn’t it?

Talking about the album’s tone, Tim delivered what some might call a humble flex. “We’re not one of those bands who, years in, start churning out watered-down records,” he said. “This one has intense parts, intricate melodies, and guitar work that still packs a punch.” According to him, it’s their way of proving the fire’s still burning. Bold claim—let’s hope the record backs it up.

Production-wise, the album had a split approach. “We worked on it ourselves for about a year before handing it over to a producer for mixing,” Lambesis shared during a separate interview at Graspop Metal Meeting. Translation? A year of DIY tinkering followed by a pro polish job. Sounds promising—or like a potential tug-of-war over creative control. Time will tell.

With new blood in the band, the sound has naturally evolved. But not too much, apparently. Tim was quick to point out that the songwriting core remains himself and Phil, with contributions from former bassist Josh Gilbert in the past. The fresh faces? They’re providing “a breath of fresh air,” as Lambesis put it. And no, you’re not imagining it: every other sentence seems to circle back to UNEARTH or MISS MAY I. Guess it’s comforting to stick with the familiar.

Lineup Shuffle: The revolving door of AS I LAY DYING has been spinning for years now, but the changes felt particularly dizzying during the pandemic. According to Lambesis, Ken Susi joined around 2020, while Nick Pierce and Ryan Neff came aboard more recently. Why the shake-up? Well, former drummer Jordan Mancino and bassist Josh Gilbert had their own reasons for leaving—ranging from “internal issues” to joining SPIRITBOX. And let’s not forget guitarist Nick Hipa, who described his departure as a way to escape what he called a “superficial pursuit.”

The Elephant in the Room: No AS I LAY DYING update would be complete without acknowledging Tim Lambesis’ sordid history. His infamous murder-for-hire conviction in 2014 put the band on ice for a while. Released in 2016, Lambesis staged a comeback, offering lengthy public apologies and even rekindling the band’s flame in 2018. Not everyone bought into the redemption arc, though—former bandmate Hipa once called Tim a “sociopathic narcissist” in desperate need of rehab. Awkward.

The new album follows 2019’s “Shaped By Fire”, an album that marked their first big step back onto the scene. For fans wondering what’s in store, the band did drop a teaser track, “Roots Below”, back in 2021. If that song’s leftover B-side status is any indication, the new record could be a mixed bag—or a full-on reinvention. Either way, it’s hard not to keep watching, if only for the drama.

With their tumultuous history, lineup changes, and Tim’s never-ending quest for redemption, AS I LAY DYING is clearly betting big on this release. Whether it’s a return to form or just another page in their long-running saga of controversy, one thing’s certain: it won’t be boring. Stay tuned.

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