With the release of Shadows Are Security, As I Lay Dying has solidified itself as one of the top billings in metalcore, the other notables being Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Lamb of God. And while all of these bands share many similarities, two things set AILD apart: all five members are professing Christians and their message is nothing but positive. Love is the theme of the new album, and as much as the band – vocalist Tim Lambesis in particular – has struggled over the past couple of years, the connotation throughout is simply “Hey, there’s light up ahead!”
From the second opening track “Meaning In Tragedy” kicks in, the most noticeable difference between Shadows... and 2003’s Frail Words Collapse is the production quality. And it’s not so much that Frail... was poor in that department; it’s just that this new sounds so great. With Lambesis at the production helm, and new guitarist Phil Sgrosso and engineer/co-producer Steve Russell (P.O.D., Blindside) helping out, everything sounds crisp, clean, and heavy.
“Empty Hearts” shreds like Slayer, complete with Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman-like guitar solos. “Control Is Dead” features ZAO vocalist Dan Weyandt, and the alternating, back-and-forth delivery between he and Lambesis is truly amazing and inimitable to hear. Musically, album closer “Illusions” even sounds like something from ZAO’s Where Blood And Fire Bring Rest. Jordan Mancino’s drumming is incredible throughout, HM readers’ “Favorite Drummer” truly evolving into one of the genre’s best. And newcomers Sgrosso, Nick Hipa (guitar), and Clint Norris (bass) prove there’s more to any great band than just one or two main songwriters.
In the 80’s, hair bands ruled. The 90’s had grunge. Nu-metal reigned supreme for the latter part of that decade as well. Now, people keep talking about metal being on the cusp of “the next big thing.” I don’t think metalcore will gain wide acceptance like the aforementioned genre-defying tags of yesteryear, but it should be interesting to see who has what it takes for a career of longevity. Not long after you read this, As I Lay Dying will be playing primo slots on Ozzfest’s second stage. How’s that for a shot at permanence?
3.5/5
Similar sounding releases
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2005The Burning SeasonThe Haze Of Infatuation
2004Mortal TreasonA Call to the Martyrs
2004Officer NegativeThe Death Campaign Project
2005Haste the DayWhen Everything Falls
2005Between the Buried and MeAlaska
