With the return of Tim Lambesis, San Diego metalcore band returns with a heavy, angst-filled single, “My Own Grave,” their first new music in six years. 

San Diego metalcore band As I Lay Dying are back following a six-year hiatus.  In the music biz, a six-year hiatus feels like an eternity, particularly in this day in age.  The ‘Christian’ metal band has had a reason to be ‘out of the picture’ for a minute.  The band’s frontman, Tim Lambesis, just reunited with the band following imprisonment.  Why? He was accused of trying to hire someone to kill his estranged wife.  Deep stuff.  Nonetheless, the band returns with a new single, “My Own Grave.”

Expectedly, “My Own Grave” is quite heavy from the start.  After an instrumental introduction builds up, Lambesis enters the picture with heavy, angered vocals: “…It’s clear I lost my way / Deceit, decay / Decomposing.” After setting the tone with the intro, the verse is nothing short of wild, chocked-full of angst. It’s loud and in-your-face, and while the vocals aren’t ‘crystal clear,’ the raw emotion is.  Listening alongside the lyrics, it’s clear that Lambesis admits he’s made his share of mistakes, ‘digging his own grave’ in essence.

The most decipherable line that is sung comes at the end when he sings, “So now I know there is no one else to blame,” which leads into the melodic chorus.  The contrast served up on the chorus is stark, given the intensity of the preceding verse as well as the verse that follows.  On the chorus he sings:

“Buried alive inside my own grave

And there’s no one else to blame

Buried alive inside my own grave

Inside my own grave.”

Beyond the verses and the choruses, there’s also a bridge section, where Lambesis further dramatizes his own live burial.  “Beneath my pride crushing me / Beneath my lies collapsing,” he sings, continuing, “But we are still alive.”

Final Thoughts

If you are in need of an angst-filled, heavy, personal metalcore record, As I Lay Dying successfully supplies one with “My Own Grave.” It balances the wild with the melodic, blends personal lyrics with hard-hitting rock, and ultimately compels. #Rock on.

As I Lay Dying • My Own Grave – Single • As I Lay Dying • Release: 6.8.18

Photo Credits: As I Lay Dying