Surprisingly, nearly all members of the metalcore band As I Lay Dying have left the group, citing an “unhealthy environment” under frontman Tim Lambesis’ leadership. The exodus began last month when bassist Ryan Neff, guitarist Ken Susi, and drummer Nick Pierce announced their decision to quit the band, citing “personal morals” as the driving factor behind their departure. This was quickly followed by the exit of longtime guitarist Phil Sgrosso, who had been with the San Diego-based group since 2003.
As I Lay Dying “no longer offers a healthy or safe environment for anyone involved—whether creatively, personally, or professionally,” according to Sgrosso’s statement on social media. He added that after “witnessing some concerning patterns of behavior,” he could no longer, “in good conscience, enable further actions that could negatively affect anyone working within this space.”
Now, Lambesis, the sole remaining member, has addressed the string of departures, acknowledging the “unhealthy environment” that led to the band’s demise.
“As I reflect, I certainly agree that there was an unhealthy environment that made leaving for a new tour with the previous lineup unrealistic,” Lambesis stated. He admitted that it had become “difficult to figure out even the smallest details” as tensions mounted within the group, with Lambesis stubbornly sticking to his own “vision for the future of AILD even when others think it should go another direction.”
The frontman also addressed his fractured relationship with Sgrosso, revealing that the two “no longer saw eye to eye personally, creatively, or financially.” This rift ultimately precipitated Sgrosso’s departure, which then prompted the other members to follow suit.
Lambesis acknowledged the “chaotic time” that led to the public statements being “rushed out” in response to “rumors.” However, he maintained that his “door will always remain open to discussing anything directly” and that he “fully supports” his former bandmates’ decisions to leave.
Despite the turmoil, As I Lay Dying is still set to release their eighth studio album, “Through Storms Ahead,” on November 15th. The record will feature contributions from the now-departed members, as well as guest appearances by artists like Slaughter to Prevail’s Alex Terrible and former Lorna Shore vocalist Tom Barber.
For Lambesis, this latest upheaval represents yet another chapter in the band’s tumultuous history. The frontman faced a six-year prison sentence in 2014 for plotting to kill his then-wife, a scandal that significantly impacted the band’s career.
Since his release in 2016, Lambesis has sought to rebuild As I Lay Dying, reuniting with former members and releasing new music. However, Sgrosso’s scathing departure statement suggests that the band’s internal discord has escalated to an untenable level for those involved.
As the band prepares to forge ahead with a new lineup, the onus will be on Lambesis to heed the warnings of his former bandmates and cultivate a supportive, positive, and creatively nurturing environment. The future of As I Lay Dying hangs in the balance, with the frontman now tasked with the challenge of restoring trust and stability to the beleaguered metalcore outfit.