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By Mark Hensch
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As I Lay Dying is a fitting choice of name for their style of music, modern hardcore. Modern day hardcore is very far removed from its roots, having evolved from what was basically a more jagged sounding style of punk and into a sloppier, more emotional version of heavy metal. Sadly, the genre's evolution has appeared to have faltered in recent years. The trademark pounding double bass drums, high yet realistic (at least compared to typical metal growls) screams, and cultural baggage are so defining many hardcore bands struggle to find a place in a genre lacking in originality and crowded in bands all sounding similar. Hardcore is becoming so stagnant in fact that often, the hardcore shows seem to be more and more about vegans, straight-edging, and hardcore dancing.

Now granted, these are all noble causes dear to my heart, but after seeing how much metal has progressed in the last few years I was hoping some innovation would overlap into the hardcore scene. Currently one of the most respected bands in the genre, with street cred lacking in even many older acts, As I Lay Dying proves that hardcore might be in mortal peril, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dead yet. The band peppers their music with slight experimentation that hopefully will progress into full-blown change, both for the band, fans, and hardcore music as a genre. It is however, still largely basic modern hardcore, done to the best of ability, and combined with their willingness to improvise, this creates a worthy album in the shape of Frail Words Collapse.

How is it that As I Lay Dying has gained so much stroke within the hardcore community? To understand, one must look at the band’s short history. Formed relatively recently in 2001, the band has already done things that many other hardcore bands would kill for. 

Starting out on Pluto Records, As I Lay Dying released Beneath The Encasing of Ashes and actually outsold all other offerings in the Pluto catalog. To date, it is still the top seller for the label, followed not far behind by their split EP, the 2002 Pluto Records As I Lay Dying/American Tragedy Split. Sometime after all of this, As I Lay Dying defected to Metal Blade Records, and released Frail Words Collapse on July 1st, 2003. The success hasn’t ended with that footnote either; the band had the most downloaded metal song on MP3.com for 6 months running, and media outlets ranging from MTV to Fuse have reacted very kindly to videos for songs like “94 Words” and “Forever.”

With a new album almost completed for a early fall release, it seems like a good time to take a look back at one of the most popular hardcore albums of the last year. Many hardcore kids may view this as an oxymoron; however, with every hardcore show I attend it seems there are more AILD shirts and mentions as the band as a favorite amongst many of my fellow concert goers. Take all of this with a grain of salt; it could very well just represent the local tastes present here, and not the whole of the hardcore underworld’s perceptions. However, I am going to try my best to prove to all of you valued readers why AILD might deserve such recognition. 

First track “94 Words” is one of the more popular songs by AILD, having received considerable rotation in video form on the various music channels. There aren’t any surprises here; it’s straightforward, structured, and seamless modern hardcore. “Falling Upon Deaf Ears” is a graduate of the music college with a major in hardcore and a minor in thrash metal. With it’s bombarding breakdowns and it’s snazzy little solo that makes the song stand out, this is a strong track. 

“Forever,” the band’s current single of sorts, features hardcore that manages to be almost poppy. The backup vocals shine, proving that not all acts in the hardcore genre have to remain screaming their lungs out. 

“Collision” is more thrash laced hardcore, and a dang good track. “Distance is Darkness” is a gem that finds vocalist Tim Lambesis stretching his vocal range to a wide list of screams, yowls, and screeches. The backing vocals (from guitarists Nick Hipa and Phillip Sgrosso) are top-notch singing, and the guitar parts are experimental, rambling, and varied. The beat is well provided in all its tempo changes, bassist Clint Noris and drummer Jordan Mancino combining to form one of the tightest rhythm sections I have heard in any band in any genre. 

“Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Solider” is that genius “acousti-core” first made famous by bands like Poison the Well and From Autummn to Ashes. A winding and soft interlude bursts into an ambient flower of baroque sound; Lambesis hits more stellar hardcore vocals on this standout and fresh track. 

“Undefined” is a return to the more straightforward hardcore from the CD’s start; it is just like everything else in terms of the band’s hardcore. It is, in a nutshell, tight, polished, and superb. The drum breakdowns on this song are a work of double-bass art. 

“A Thousand Steps” is filler that is basically just straightforward hardcore over piercing riffs and sledge drumming. 

“The Beginning” is an upbeat thrash tune that will be the most enticing to newer hardcore fans that used to listen to more mainstream music. 

“Song 10” is more innovation in the form of another twisting passage of dissonant and soft guitars eventually snapping into pummeling hardcore soundscapes after a (thankfully) lengthy intro that is purely instrumental. 

“The Pain of Separation” is a largely forgettable hardcore tune, but closer “Elegy” is a cool hybrid of hardcore drumming and thrash metal guitar riffs and combos that are almost danceable. 

Regardless of whether or not you are a true hardcore fan, As I Lay Dying is varied just enough to suit more unique and far-reaching tastes. While keeping the meat pounder double-bass drums and the near constant screaming, not to mention a fair number of jagged and sharp guitar riffs, the band is essentially like 99.9% of other hardcore acts at it’s soul. It’s body however shows a little more difference, playing around with strange fuzzy distortions on the music to add a new twist to breakdowns (see “Elegy”), wandering, mellow guitar pieces, and actual singing. The band also has once again, an insanely tight rhythm section in bassist Clint Noris and drummer Jordan Mancino; Mancino in particular is especially talented, or so it seems to my ears. The mild-thrash influences on the guitar parts are a welcome addition too, and though vocalist Tim Lambesis doesn’t do anything that will make him a rock god, his vocals are consistent, passionate, and just plain good. All of this, combined with the strangely loyal fanbase, make AILD an electrifying and highly entertaining act. In the cut and paste genre of hardcore, bands like AILD prove hardcore might be dying, but it isn’t anywhere near dead yet.

As I Lay Dying - Frail Words Collapse
1. 94 Words
2. Falling Upon Deaf Ears
3. Forever
4. Collision
5. Distance is Darkness
6. Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Solider
7. Undefined
8. A Thousand Steps
9. The Beginning
10. Song 10
11. The Pain of Separation
12. Elegy
 
 

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