As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis has responded to the recent departure of his fellow band members. In a statement posted to Instagram, Lambesis said he supports “each of the guys’ decisions to leave,” adding that he agrees that “at this time it is best for everyone.”
In October, guitarist Ken Susi, drummer Nick Pierce, and bassist Ryan Neff — all of whom were recent additions to the band — separately said they were leaving the hardcore band. Shortly thereafter, longtime guitarist Phil Sgrosso announced he left the band amid a “difficult and serious situation.”
Lambesis infamously spent nearly three years in prison after pleading guilty to soliciting an undercover cop to murder his then-wife and relaunched the band in 2018 after his release from prison. He is currently the sole member of As I Lay Dying.
“I needed some time to process all that has happened recently with AILD,” Lambesis wrote on Instagram. “As I reflect, I certainly agree that there was an unhealthy environment that made leaving for a new tour with the previous lineup unrealistic. It had become difficult to figure out even the smallest details, and I admit I can stick strong to my vision for the future of AILD even when others think it should go another direction.”
He continued, “It saddens me to think about the behaviors, communication, and patterns of interaction that led up to the tour cancellation. Phil and I no longer saw eye to personally, creatively, or financially. Discussions during this time prompted his decision to depart first, with each of the touring members deciding to leave shortly after, as they were not interested in going on without him. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the order in which everything was made public, as some statements were rushed out during a chaotic time in response to rumors.”
Regarding the future of As I Lay Dying, Lambesis said the band will release their eighth studio LP, Through Storms Ahead, on Nov. 15. He added that he looks “forward to building a new team, and creating an atmosphere that is supportive, positive, and fosters a creative environment.”
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When announcing his departure from As I Lay Dying, Sgrosso said, “Simply put, recent actions have shown that As I Lay Dying no longer offers a healthy or safe environment for anyone involved—whether creatively, personally, or professionally. After witnessing some concerning patterns of behavior, I’ve realized that I can no longer, in good conscience, enable further actions that could negatively affect anyone working within this space.”
He added, “Over time, As I Lay Dying has been held back by dysfunction, and I feel that it’s no longer my responsibility to bear that burden.”
