As I Lay Dying was formed in February 2001 and within 3 months their first release was recorded and it was released by Pluto Records in June of the same year. Like most American bands they toured a lot after that release and in 2002 a split-cd with American Tragedy was recorded and released. In February 2003 Metal Blade Records showed an interest in them and a deal was inked.

So far the introduction, now let`s discuss the music for that is what we`re here for. On “Frail Words Collapse” we hear a combination of metal and hardcore (also known as metalcore) and this does nog sound bad at all. In fact it sounds rather good. The combination between hardcore and metal has of course been made more than once in the past, but As I Lay Dying still manage to sound fresh and inventive. They explore the lighter side of death metal and mix this with song structures and rhythms remeniscent to hardcore. Each track has its own vibe and the album is diverse enough to keep the attention to it the whole 39 minutes. Singer Tim Lambesis has a fine throat which brings the tracks to a higher level, most of the times it`s a grunt-like scream but at times he manages to convince with his clean voice.

The production is good enough but I don`t like the drum sound that much, maybe it`s a matter of taste but the dry production of especially the snare doesn`t fit the music too well. As I said, just a matter of taste. The absolute highlight of the album is “Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier”, a very emotional spoken and sung track with tension building up to a heavy climax. The lyrics all have a religious/Christian undertone but it is in a very implicit way, so we’re not being preached at. One thing that struck me as very funny is the fact that this Christian band are label mates with God Dethroned, Vader, Cannibal Corpse and the likes. It doesn’t bother me nor does it bother them but I think it’s a bit strange for both sides.

Metal Blade is trying to broaden their band roster and with this Christian metalcore band they sure have succeeded. As I Lay Dying are a very interesting band and a worthy addition to the Metal Blade stable.