As I Lay Dying

Formed in early 2001 to realize the developing musical vision of ex-Societys Finest guitarist Tim Lambesis, As I Lay Dying first took shape as a trio, with (now-former) guitarist Evan White and drummer Jordan Mancino rounding out the lineup. One month into their lifespan, the group hit the studio to record their first album, Beneath The Encasing Of Ashes, released that June by Pluto Records. As I Lay Dying caught the touring bug shortly afterward, and started what to this day remains a pattern.

Released by Pluto in August of 2002, As I Lay Dyings split CD with fellow San Diegans American Tragedy offered the first sign of where the band was headed. Touring as relentlessly as ever behind their latest effort, As I Lay Dying found themselves landing on the radar of several prominent record labels, with Metal Blade ultimately sealing the deal in March of 2003and the bands Metal Blade debut, Frail Words Collapse, dropping on an unsuspecting public that July.

Long story short: Produced by Lambesis, Frail Words Collapse crystallized everything As I Lay Dying had been working toward into a massive knockout blow. Even though mainstream acceptance still eluded them, it didnt matter: Sonically, the band had united the classic Göthenburg soundthe punch-press rhythms, snarling vocals and melancholy riffs of seminal Swedish bands like At The Gateswith the chugging heartbeat of modern hardcore, launching themselves into the forefront of a new scene of metal bubbling under in the U.S. With each tour came new fans, who told their friends, who told their friends, who told Well, you get the idea.

Enter 2005. Strengthened by the road, creatively on fire, and with their lineup both solidified and contributing equally to the songwriting process, As I Lay Dying enter Big Fish Studios in Encinitas, California (the same place theyd recorded Collapse), at the beginning of January. With Lambesis at the production helm, along with help from bandmate Phil Sgrosso, and engineer/co-producer Steve Russell once again behind the boards, the quintet sequestered themselves until spring and emerged with their leanest, meanest and most focused effort yet, Shadows Are Security.