As I Lay Dying – Through Storms Ahead
Reviewed by Georgina Strilakos
Review Score 8.5
As I Lay Dying is a metalcore band from San Diego, California. Since the band’s inception in 2000, they have become massively influential in the scene, especially due to their combination of heavy riffing, melodic elements, and powerful breakdowns. Their new album, “Through Storms Ahead,” will be released on November 15, 2024, through Napalm Records. Despite his rocky and controversial past, Tim Lambesis managed to bounce back and retain his status as one of the most influential figures in the metalcore scene. The band’s upcoming album will feature 11 songs, including the singles “Burden,” “Whitewashed Tomb, “We Are The Dead,” and “The Cave We Fear To Enter,” which are already available on streaming platforms.
Right off the bat, the single “Burden” stands as an example of As I Lay Dying’s ability to inject melody into everything they do, while still retain power. The vocals alternate between aggressive sections and melodic hooks, and the guitars remain relentless, while still providing memorable riffs and impressive leads.
“We Are The Dead” also offers an interesting taste of the album to come, as it also has two collaborators in the line-up: Alex Terrible and Tom Barber. Because of this, the song has a grittier, more modern approach that’s less melodic but just as powerful and gutsy. “Whitewashed Tomb” is an example of the band’s fondness for old-school metal influences, combining modern melodic hooks with creamy distortions and timeless guitar licks.
The other song that’s currently available, “The Cave We Fear To Enter,” is just as powerful and dynamic, highlighting the overall direction that fuels this album. Overall, “Though Storms Ahead” appears to be one of the band’s most polished studio works to date; by no means is the group giving up on its core strength, preserving the elements that made the band stand out in the first place.
Track Listing
1. Permanence
2. A Broken Reflection
3. Burden
4. We Are The Dead (feat.Alex Terrible, Tom Barber)
5. Whitewashed Tomb
6. Through Storms Ahead
7. The Void Within
8. Strength To Survive
9. Gears That Never Stop
10. The Cave We Fear To Enter 05:07
11. Taken From Nothing