AS I LAY DYING have announced a new performance at Zappa Tel Aviv on March 23, a move that has quickly sparked criticism given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The band, led by founding vocalist Tim Lambesis, has faced questions from fans and critics about their decision to play in Israel amid the current war. Responding to one comment under the announcement, the group stated: “Just to be clear, we are traveling across the world to perform with some of our friends in another great band for people that see past government control and want to unite over music.”
They added: “If disagreeing with the government meant I could not perform music, then I would not be able to play music in my garage or my home studio. there wouldn’t be able to be any AILD music at all.”
This controversy follows previous debates over the band’s choice to schedule performances in Russia during that country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The tour marks a continuation of the 20th-anniversary celebrations for their landmark 2005 album, Shadows Are Security. Last October, the band, led by founding vocalist Tim Lambesis, performed three shows in Russia. The strong response to those dates has encouraged them to expand the tour, which now features several arena performances across the region.
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