Tim Lambesis, frontman of metalcore veterans AS I LAY DYING, has shared a deeply personal statement reflecting on recent challenges in his life and career while expressing gratitude for fans’ birthday wishes.
His statement is as follows: “Last year’s birthday was the worst of my entire life.
“I was carrying more anxiety and depression than I’d ever known — feeling trapped, threatened, and unsure if there was even a safe way to make the changes I desperately needed.
“It was dark. And the thought of wishing I had never been born was something I wrestled with more than I’d ever admit.
“But facing that fear forced huge transformations in both my personal and professional life.
“Slowly, the weight started to lift, and meaningful connection with the people closest to me began to give me life again.
“This year looks completely different. I’m in a place where I genuinely appreciate — and feel appreciated by — the people around me. There’s a deeper level of friendship in my life than I’ve ever known, and a sense of peace I’ve been missing for most of my life.
“I get to have weekly dinners with my whole family. I fall asleep knowing my needs are met without having to plead, over-explain, or even ask.
“That community lines up beautifully with the personal work I’ve been doing — sometimes alone, sometimes with the guidance of someone who really knows what they’re doing. And on top of that, I get to finish writing all the music I started earlier this year with a group of guys I’ve known for a long time — guys who took the time to understand me even more deeply when I was at my lowest.
“They deserve to be part of the good things ahead. Thank you to everyone who reached out for my birthday.
I’m sorry for the slow replies — social anxiety still sneaks up on me, especially with the pressure of our phones — but your messages meant the world. “I felt loved. And I’m grateful.
This comes amid a productive period for the band. Last month, they released “Echoes,” the first single to feature the latest lineup, followed just last week by a second new track, “If I Fall.” Lambesis shared his optimism about the band’s future in a statement accompanying “Echoes”: “As the only primary songwriter on every AILD album, I’m always going to a find a path forward for this catalog of music that I’m so passionate about. But sometimes things come together even better than expected. I’m incredibly grateful for my new bandmates. In addition to being incredibly talented, they genuinely care about my well being and the band we are now all a part of.”
The lineup overhaul follows a turbulent period for the band. In late 2024, Phil Sgrosso, Nick Pierce, Ken Susi, and Ryan Neff all announced their departures. Lambesis himself has been a controversial figure over the years, with leaked footage earlier in 2024 allegedly showing him mistreating his dog, followed by additional videos depicting domestic altercations with his third wife, Dany. Lambesis later filed a restraining order against her, citing years of alleged abuse, and claimed that some footage was leaked in retaliation after his divorce.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.