As I Lay Dying // Shaped By Fire
As I Lay Dying // Shaped By Fire
Released: September 20, 2019
Genre: Metalcore, Metal
For fans of: Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, August Burns Red
Is it good? As I Lay Dying is back baby!
I can’t believe the time has finally come to review another As I Lay Dying album. It seemed increasingly unlikely as the years went by that one of my all-time favorite bands would ever make music again, but against all odds, ‘Shaped By Fire’ is finally here and it’s the band’s strongest release since ‘An Ocean Between Us’.
You literally cannot overstate As I Lay Dying’s importance to metalcore. They were there at the start, pioneering an entirely new style of music, laying the groundwork for an explosive new sound. Simply put, AILD is one of the very few bands that could ever possibly be considered the kings of metalcore. In terms of bands who continue to add to their legacy, it’s really just down to them, Killswitch Engage, and August Burns Red.
After a six year gap since their last album, it’s fitting that ‘Shaped By Fire’ seeks to summarize AILD’s career by combining their most successful styles. It returns to the slightly grittier feel of their earlier music while incorporating massive choruses, something they really began to excel at on their last two albums.
Although I’ll always personally prefer their early material, AILD has transitioned into a more mature metalcore style perfectly. They haven’t abandoned their heaviness at all, they’ve just found an appealing way to present it to an even wider audience. The result is a straightforward album that immediately tells you what these guys are all about. Most importantly, at a time when I’m constantly disappointed by my favorite bands turning their back on heavy music, AILD doubled down on what they do best: straight up metalcore.
Tim’s absence from music hasn’t seemed to affect his vocals at all. He powerfully transitions through a wide range of screams and keeps up with the breakneck pace of the tracks as the band continually sprints forward. It still surprises me how few people know that less than a month before he was arrested for attempting to pay an undercover cop to kill his wife, Tim released an EP from his side project band called Pyrithion where he was exploring his heavier, darker side. It’s great that he’s still embracing the heaviness and I hope he continues pushing his boundaries.
I may have a soft spot for AILD, but there is no denying their talent or importance. I understand people may not want to support the band due to Tim’s past actions, but Tim served his time and seems remorseful for what he did. I believe everyone deserves a second and I’m happy that he was able to pick up the pieces of his life, regroup, and continue as a better man.
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