As I Lay Dying - ShadowsAre Security

Mon 20th Jun, 2005 in Music Reviews

As I Lay Dying are quickly gaining a reputation as being one of the best metal acts in the United States, thanks in equal parts to their fantastic 2003 release Frail Words Collapse and also for the simple fact that they are really bloody good at delivering uncompromising metal. Well, except for the odd moment or two on this album, new release Shadows Are Security.

The sound is crisper on this album than its predecessor and it makes As I Lay Dying’s ruthless delivery all the more impacting. This is clear from the get-go, with opener Meaning In Tragedy’s soaring guitars and frantic double kicks sounding freaking amazing. Of course, I have no idea what vocalist Tim Lambesis is saying, er, roaring, but I don’t care because it sounds so good. Besides, the lyrics are printed in the album sleeve, if curiosity gets the better of me.

But then, surprise number one (of thankfully not many) rears its head in track two, Confined, where there is actually some singing. At this point, I would like to state that this does not transform the song into any sort of god-awful emo track – the band are far, far too brutal for that – but it is a surprise, and when this singing reappears on The Darkest Nights, I actually do find myself muttering a few ‘no, no, no’s.

Repeating Yesterday has my jaw a-dropping at the softly plucked guitars amongst a smattering of cymbals and slow drumming. Huh? But then, in the background a machinated voice mutters some unintelligible lines and then Lambesis commences his yelling once more. The conclusion is this: As I Lay Dying can create effective slow(er) songs…if Lambesis maintains his growling rather than opting for singing. The singing sounds slightly awkward for a band whose driving force is their relentless intensity.

Thankfully, the remainder of the album is absolutely kick-arse. Take Losing Sight for example. A merciless death growl kicks things off (awww yeah) and the guitars hearken back to an ‘80s metal sound. There is no breather on this song whatsoever.

The Truth Of My Perception is all about breakneck drumming, broken up with occasional chugging guitar and melodic guitar solos further down the line, while Empty Hearts contains short bursts of guitar and drums, reminiscent of Fear Factory circa Obsolete, before some mean ‘80s riffing kicks in.

Illusions begins with a fuzz intro that increases in volume and intensity until powerful, aggressive drumming and searing guitars kick in. It is easily one of the most brutal and chaotic songs on the album – a perfect encapsulation of the menace that As I Lay Dying is capable of. The build-up towards the end of the song is so good that I listen to the track at least three more times.

Any fears I held that this album wouldn’t be as good as Frail Words Collapse were quickly laid to rest. Sure, I did one or two double-takes, but make no mistake – at the end of the day As I Lay Dying is ferocious as hell and I for one loved every minute of it.