As I Lay Dying - Ocean Between Us (CD)

Who Says Christians Can't Rock?

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Aug 30, 2007

Pros: The band sounds as tight as ever on this record.

Cons: The lyrics are, at times, somewhat cryptic. This is a problem, though, that many bands have when writing music. They seem to have a problem just coming out and say what they mean with their lyrics.

As I Lay Dying has returned. It has only been two years since this band released its previous album, 'Shadows Are Security.' In that time, the band has won numerous awards in their home state of California, and even an award from Yahoo; the &...quot;Who's Next" award. That award, along with all the others, was well deserved, and this new album more than proves it. The band's members--Jordan Mancino (Drums), Tim Lambesis (Vocals), Phil Sgrosso (Guitar), and Nick Hipa (Guitar)--are something of an anomaly in the music industry. They are a group of young men who may sound like something that was spawned from the pits of Hell itself. But they are the farthest thing from that. Collectively, they are not a "Christian Band", but they are devout Christians. It is rare for a band such as this to become so big in the mainstream. Yes there are other well known "Christian Bands" out there such as Demon Hunter, Dead Poetic, Project 86, Becoming The Archetype, etc. but none of those bands has made it as big as As I Lay Dying. Project 86 and Demon Hunter are likely the only bands who are currently anywhere near AILD. Now, with the release of "An Ocean Between Us", As I Lay Dying is no longer "Who's Next." They have truly established themselves in the music industry. This could be due to any number of reasons. But the band has shown real growth on this record. Rather than simply screaming through every song, vocalist Tim Lambesis actually begins to show some real musical chops when he starts singing--yes singing--on this album. It actually sounded very controlled, much like the rest of the band. That tightness may very well be thanks in large part to the help of three of the biggest names in the metal community--Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage, All That Remains), Colin Richardson (Fear Factory, Machine Head, God Forbid) and Andy Sneap (Arch Enemy, Nevermore, Stuck Mojo, Killswitch Engage, Fozzy). And for thsoe who buy records for lyrics, just as much as music, there are plenty of chances to decipher what exactly Lambesis is trying to get across with his prose. There are some easier ones, however, in the album's title track and "Within Destruction." The prior is another of the typical songs about lost love, while the latter is seeminly more centered around one's personal faith. Whether it was their assistance, or a personal growth in the band, collectively, As I Lay Dying has never sounded better. There are few, if any, signs of the band's past on this record. There are, however, plenty of signs to give fans of AILD hope for many more albums to come. Read more Less