Drummer Nick Pierce Leaves As I Lay Dying Citing Health Concerns
Band faces lineup crisis as three members leave within days.
- Drummer Nick Pierce leaves As I Lay Dying, citing a need to protect his personal health and integrity.
- Three members, including bassist Ryan Neff and guitarist Ken Susi, have quit the band in under a week, leaving only Tim Lambesis and Phil Sgrosso.
- Pierce plans to continue his drumming career and is now actively looking for touring and session opportunities.
As I Lay Dying seems to be unraveling faster than a cheap sweater at a metal merch stand. The band now consists of just Tim Lambesis and Phil Sgrosso, as drummer Nick Pierce becomes the latest member to exit stage left. First, it was bassist Ryan Neff, who slipped away with barely a peep. Then the tour manager followed, fueling whispers that the band’s European tour was toast. And earlier today, guitarist Ken Susi declared he was done, citing his “personal morals” being tested to the breaking point.
Now Pierce has decided he’s had enough, offering a statement that feels all too familiar. According to him, this wasn’t the ending he envisioned, but stepping away was necessary to protect his health and integrity.
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Here’s what he had to say in his own words:
“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.”
If you’re keeping track, that’s three members gone in less than a week. And no word yet from Lambesis or the band about this sudden implosion. But at this point, how long can they really stay quiet? When three out of five members bail in rapid succession, fans are going to demand some answers—or at least a pulse check.
Pierce, like Susi, makes it sound like the split wasn’t just professional but deeply personal. Words like “health,” “integrity,” and “morals” keep popping up like bad omens in a fortune cookie. Sure, “second chances” are nice, but it seems this particular reunion tour was heading straight for the rocks.
The bigger question now is what’s left of As I Lay Dying. Can Lambesis and Sgrosso realistically rebuild the band when most of the lineup seems eager to cut and run? Or are we witnessing the slow, messy end of a group that already burned one bridge too many?
For now, Nick Pierce seems ready to move on, leaving his drum throne wide open. If nothing else, he’s walking away with his dignity intact—an achievement that’s starting to feel like a rare commodity in this band’s history.
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Tim Lambesis moves forward with the band’s name after mass departures and internal dysfunction.
