Metalcore veterans AS I LAY DYING have officially concluded the recording process for their highly anticipated ninth studio album, with a tentative release date set for early 2027 under the Napalm Records banner. The forthcoming record will follow their 2024 LP, "Through Storms Ahead." In a novel approach to fan engagement, the band is inviting their dedicated fanbase to participate in the final track selection for the album, offering two distinct new songs, "Polarized" and "Retribution," as a preview of their evolving sound. These tracks are slated for release on Tuesday, September 15, and are being considered for inclusion on the final album.
The announcement came directly from AS I LAY DYING vocalist Tim Lambesis in a video message released on Tuesday, September 8. Lambesis detailed the band’s recording sessions, which yielded twelve songs with the intention of narrowing down the final selection to ten. "We’ve had a lot of conversations amongst us trying to figure out what those 10 songs are, and we figured we should bring you guys in on the conversation," Lambesis stated. This collaborative approach underscores a shift in how the band intends to connect with its audience for this pivotal release.
Lambesis elaborated on the stylistic divergence presented by the two preview tracks. "’Polarized’ is quite a bit more melodic, mid-tempo, a little bit more singing, but still very heavy and driving," he explained. "And then ‘Retribution’ is just fast, dark and heavy, no singing at all whatsoever. So those are the two ends of the spectrum. We figured we’d start there, see what you guys thought, and most of the rest of the record lives somewhere in between. But we wanna bring you guys in to just give us your feedback so we can make these final decisions together." This strategy allows fans to directly influence the final tracklist, potentially shaping the album’s overall reception and identity.
The band’s recent activity includes the release of two singles last year, "Echoes" and "If I Fall." These tracks marked a significant moment for AS I LAY DYING, serving as the debut for their current lineup. This ensemble brings together seasoned talent and fresh energy, comprising Tim Lambesis on vocals, Chris Clancy on bass and clean vocals, Bill Hudson on guitar, Don Vedda on guitar, and Tim Yeung on drums. This configuration represents a new chapter for the band, following a series of lineup changes over the past eight years that have left Lambesis as the sole original member.
A Legacy of Sound and Shifting Terrains
AS I LAY DYING has carved a significant niche in the metalcore genre, known for their intricate musicianship and emotionally charged lyrical content. Their breakthrough album, "Shadows Are Security," released in 2007, is widely regarded as a landmark in the genre, influencing countless bands that followed. The band recently concluded the 2026 leg of their Russian tour, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of "Shadows Are Security." This tour, launched in Russia last fall, proceeded despite ongoing international tensions related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a decision that has drawn attention given the broader trend of Western artists avoiding performances in the country.
During an interview conducted in Russia, Lambesis addressed the possibility of new material echoing the sonic landscape of "Shadows Are Security." He revealed that early songwriting explorations had indeed produced tracks reminiscent of that era. "One of the songs I wrote early on in the process that I was sending to [AS I LAY DYING bassist/clean vocalist] Chris [Clancy] spoke to, we gave the demo the title of ‘Throwback’ because it felt very much like it belonged on the ‘Shadows Are Security’ record," Lambesis shared. He noted that while the song might incorporate more modern technical elements due to the evolution of the genre, its core sentiment aligns with the beloved album. This suggests a potential for stylistic continuity alongside innovation on the upcoming record.
Bassist and clean vocalist Chris Clancy corroborated Lambesis’s account, recalling his reaction to the "Throwback" demo. "I remember when [Tim] sent me that demo and he said, ‘Oh, it might be a bit too old school.’ And I hit play. And it just gave me this [feeling of] nostalgia, like, ‘I haven’t heard anything like this in 20 years.’ It just had this whole thing—it captured you," Clancy commented. He emphasized that the song’s organic creation, without immediate commercial considerations, contributed to its authentic feel.
Navigating Internal Dynamics and External Scrutiny
The formation of the current AS I LAY DYING lineup followed a period of significant upheaval within the band. In late 2024, four members simultaneously announced their departures: longtime guitarist Phil Sgrosso, drummer Nick Pierce, guitarist Ken Susi, and bassist/vocalist Ryan Neff. Sgrosso’s exit on October 30, 2024, came just days after Pierce and Susi, and less than two weeks after Neff. This exodus led to the cancellation of the band’s 2024 European tour, "Through Storms Ahead," which had been scheduled to commence on November 15, 2024.
Lambesis, as the sole constant member, has expressed his dedication to continuing the AS I LAY DYING legacy. He previously stated, "As the only primary songwriter on every AS I LAY DYING album, I’m always going to find a path forward for this catalog of music that I’m so passionate about. But sometimes things come together even better than expected. I’m incredibly grateful for my new bandmates. In addition to being incredibly talented, they genuinely care about my well being and the band we are now all a part of." This sentiment highlights the importance of his current collaborators in revitalizing the band’s artistic direction and personal dynamics. The new formation is described as infusing the band with "renewed vitality and artistic momentum," with each member contributing a unique voice and refined musicianship to craft a sound that is "both familiar and forward-thinking, rooted in legacy, but boldly reaching into new territory."
The band’s recent history has also been marked by considerable public scrutiny stemming from Lambesis’s past legal issues and personal controversies. In January 2025, home security footage was leaked, allegedly showing Lambesis striking and kicking his dog out of frustration. In November 2024, a series of leaked videos purportedly depicted Lambesis experiencing violent outbursts in the presence of his third wife. Lambesis subsequently issued a statement asserting he had filed a restraining order against his wife, accusing her of three years of physical and mental abuse. He has also suggested that allegations against him resurface during periods of career resurgence, stating in December 2024, "Old stories resurface only when my life and career move forward again." Lambesis maintains that he is "not interested in drama or attention" and that "the music either stands on its own or it doesn’t."
Lambesis’s most significant legal entanglement occurred in 2014 when he was convicted for his role in a murder-for-hire plot against his estranged first wife. He was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to soliciting an undercover police officer to act as a hitman. He was released on parole on December 17, 2016, after serving approximately two and a half years. Following his release, AS I LAY DYING played their first show with Lambesis in five years in June 2018 and released a new single. Lambesis issued a lengthy apology on the band’s Facebook page at the time.
The band’s return also reignited discussions from 2014, when guitarist Nick Hipa publicly denounced Lambesis as a "sociopathic narcissist in definite need of rehabilitation." In April 2025, during an appearance on the "BREWtally Speaking" podcast, Susi claimed that Lambesis leveraged his incarceration to cultivate a public persona of redemption and rehabilitation for his fanbase.
Implications and Future Trajectory
The decision by AS I LAY DYING to involve fans in the track selection process for their upcoming album is a noteworthy strategy in an era where direct artist-fan interaction is increasingly valued. By offering "Polarized" and "Retribution" as distinct sonic representations of the album’s potential directions, the band is not only soliciting feedback but also building anticipation and a sense of ownership among their core audience. This approach could foster stronger fan loyalty and potentially mitigate any divisive reactions to the album’s final tracklist, as the fans themselves will have had a hand in its curation.
The context of the band’s recent lineup stability and the ongoing discussions surrounding Lambesis’s personal history add layers of complexity to this new album cycle. The band’s ability to move forward artistically, while navigating these external factors, will be a key element in their narrative. The success of the new lineup and the reception of the upcoming album will likely be closely watched within the metalcore community, assessing whether the band can continue to innovate and maintain relevance while addressing its past and its evolving sound. The tentative early 2027 release date allows ample time for further promotion and fan engagement leading up to the album’s launch.
