As I Lay Dying vocalist Tim Lambesis recently spoke out to comment on the sudden departure of four members: guitarist Phil Sgrosso, drummer Nick Pierce, guitarist Ken Susi, and bassist/vocalist Ryan Neff. In a message posted on Instagram, Lambesis discussed the internal tensions that led to this separation and the group’s current difficulties.
An “unhealthy” atmosphere within the group
In his message, Lambesis admits that a “unhealthy atmosphere” reigned within As I Lay Dying, making collaboration difficult within the previous group. “It has become difficult to manage even the smallest details,” he confides, recognizing that he can be inflexible on the group’s long-term vision, even if his partners sometimes had different ideas. This divergence of vision contributed to the departure of Sgrosso, who was the first to leave the group, subsequently leading the other members of the group.
Phil Sgrosso, in his own statement, explained that As I Lay Dying no longer represented an environment “healthy or secure”both creatively and personally. He added that he could no longer “guarantee certain actions” having negative repercussions on the group’s employees. For his part, Nick Pierce invoked the need to preserve his “personal health and integrity” leaving the training, while Ken Susi spoke of “moral difficulties” which pushed him to distance himself.
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A reconstruction and an imminent album
Despite these departures, Lambesis remains optimistic and assures that As I Lay Dying is not over. “As I Lay Dying was founded on perseverance and determination,” he declared, stressing that he is ready to “rebuild a team” and create an environment “positive and creative” for the future of the group. This statement comes as As I Lay Dying prepares to release its eighth album, Through Storms Aheadon November 15 via Napalm Records.
The album will include tracks such as Burden, The Cave We Fear To Enter and the single We Are The Deadwhich features the voices of Alex Terrible (Slaughter To Prevail) and Tom Barber (Chelsea Grin, Darko). Despite the cancellation of the European tour, the album’s release remains planned, offering fans a new opportunity to discover the band’s sonic evolution.
A past marked by internal conflicts
Internal conflicts are nothing new for As I Lay Dying. In 2022, drummer Jordan Mancino had already retired due to “unresolved internal issues”. This departure, followed by that of Sgrosso and the other members, is part of a series of internal tensions exacerbated by the controversial past of Lambesis, imprisoned in 2014 for attempted murder of his ex-wife. Since then, Lambesis has faced the challenge of regaining the trust of his colleagues and fans.
