As I Lay Dying speak out on band members leaving and album being removed from streaming
As I Lay Dying have spoken out on the recent departure of its band members, along with the removal of its 2019 album ‘Shaped By Fire’ from streaming platforms.
Earlier this month, the metalcore band’s three members – bassist Ryan Neff, guitarist Ken Susi, and drummer Nick Pierce – announced their split from the band, which is fronted by Tim Lambesis. All three musicians were additions to the band in 2022 following the departure of longtime band members Nick Hipa, Josh Gilbert and Jordan Mancino.
Neff was the first to publicly announce his depature on October 18, stating that it was the “right step for my personal and professional journey”.
Last Thursday (October 24), Susi revealed in an Instagram post that he decided to leave after he felt his “personal morals” were “tested to a breaking point”, alluding to “the saddest ending to what could have been the greatest second chance for this band.” On the same day, Pierce stated that his departure was made “in an effort to retain my personal health and integrity”.
Now, the band have issued a statement addressing these events – but not without first talking about ‘Shaped By Fire’, which they claim had disappeared from streaming after the end of a five-year distribution deal. It was first reported by Lambgoat on October 25, a day after Susi and Pierce issued their statements on social media.
“The album has reverted back to being owned by the band,” the band’s statement reads. “It will be put back online, but we just need a moment for the processing to take place.”
As for the departures, the band have chosen to withhold any further information for the time being, writing: “We are still sorting through details of what is going on within AILD and will have more details for you soon.”
As I Lay Dying are still set to release their eighth studio album, ‘Through Storms Ahead’, on November 15 via Napalm Records. The record features the recorded work of now ex-members Neff, Susi, and Pierce, along with guest appearances by Slaughter to Prevail‘s Alex Terrible and former Lorna Shore vocalist Tom Barber.
Frontman Lambesis was sentenced to six years in prison for plotting to kill his wife back in 2014. He was sentenced after pleading guilty to paying a police officer posing as a hitman $1,000 (£630) to kill his then-wife, Meggan Lambesis.
After being released in December 2016, Lambesis took to the band’s official Facebook page to post a lengthy statement, “apologising to everyone” for his actions.
The vocalist then reunited with the San Diego band in 2018, who released their first new song in six years with ‘My Own Grave’ and announced details of a homecoming show that summer. Longtime guitarist Nick Hipa would leave the band in 2020, with drummer Jordan Mancino and bassist Josh Gilbert following suit in 2022.
Last week (October 22), the band’s touring manager Alex Kendrick also announced that he had quit his role. In a now-deleted tweet, Kendrick wrote: “I no longer work for AS I LAY DYING – I do not wish to be asked questions nor will I answer any. I’ve made life long memories that will never be forgotten but my chapter of the book has completed. I wish everyone the best of luck and clearly I’m still rocking with Phil out here,” (as per BraveWords).
At the time of writing, As I Lay Dying consists of two members, Lambesis and guitarist Phil Sgrosso.
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Daniel Peters
NME
