Band Exodus: As I Lay Dying Loses Three Members in One Week

The slow-motion collapse of what’s left of As I Lay Dying keeps unraveling. It began with bassist and clean vocalist Ryan Neff deciding to call it quits earlier this week. Then their manager, Alex Kendrick, decided to pack up and leave. Now, guitarist Ken Susi—a former Unearth member—and drummer Nick Pierce have followed suit, announcing their departures. This isn’t a band; it’s a game of musical chairs where no one wants to sit down anymore.

Susi posted a statement on social media, painting a grim picture of his departure. He admitted his “morals had been tested to a breaking point” and described the whole ordeal as “the saddest ending” to what could have been the band’s big redemption arc.

“My time playing with As I Lay Dying has come to an end today. I leave with so much gratitude for everyone who followed and supported me from my days in Unearth to this era of my career. I jumped into the AILD camp with full knowledge of the heightened dramatic history but had a drive to just play great music with great friends. Unfortunately, my personal morals have recently been tested to a breaking point, and it’s now the saddest ending to what could have been the greatest second chance for this band.

“Ryan Neff is receiving a lot of backlash for stepping down first, and I regret not sharing this decision sooner and standing confidently with my friend—he’s a flawless musician and an even better person. I’ll miss you all on this stage, and I look forward to seeing you on the next one. Anyone looking for a guitar player? My resume is ready.”

If that wasn’t enough drama for you, Pierce made his own Instagram announcement, framing his exit as necessary for preserving his “personal health and integrity.” Because nothing screams “band camaraderie” like fleeing for your well-being.

“As of now, I am no longer playing drums for As I Lay Dying. This is far from being the ending I anticipated, and I feel I need to distance myself from the band in an effort to retain my personal health and integrity.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who followed and supported me throughout this journey. My goal has and always will be to create unforgettable memories with my friends and write music that will truly resonate with our fans. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished on the road touring, as well as writing and recording drums for the new album.

“Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue my drumming career and pursue what I love most, which is making music. My touring and session schedule is now actively open for new opportunities.”

For those keeping score, that’s three musicians and a manager abandoning ship within a week. If Susi’s mention of “the greatest second chance” wasn’t already obvious, this band was always dangling by a thread.

Ryan Neff was the first to go, breaking the news last Friday. He kept his exit statement short, thanking fans and vaguely describing it as the right move for his “personal and professional journey.” Manager Alex Kendrick followed shortly, clarifying that he left on good terms and boiled his departure down to one stark reason: “there’s just no work.”

For those unfamiliar with this circus, the band attempted a comeback in 2018, after frontman Tim Lambesis served two and a half years in prison for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his then-wife. Because what better way to rebuild a reputation than slapping together a new album? Their latest effort, Through Storms Ahead, is set to drop on November 20, with a European tour scheduled to kick off just before. Well, at least that was the plan. Several venues have already started saying the tour’s canceled. What a shock.

As of now, there’s no official word on whether this will mark the end for As I Lay Dying or if Lambesis will keep the ship afloat by duct-taping some new musicians together. If history is anything to go by, the next press release might as well come with a “help wanted” sign. Anyone else looking to play in a band held together by duct tape and bad decisions?

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