andPOP Interviews As I Lay Dying

(andPOP) - As I Lay Dying is not your typical metal band. They do have heavy guitars, quick riffs and powerful screams. They even have a moniker that shares the brutality of traditional metal band names like Slayer and Iron Maiden. But in many other ways As I Lay Dying stray away from the conventions of metal music.

As I Lay Dying is known for their fusion of hardcore and metal, and their ability to appeal to both audiences. The band was formed in 2001 in San Diego, where they were one of the few metal bands playing shows in a town known for its large local hardcore scene.

Because several of the members had previously played in hardcore bands, they had a lot of friends in the hardcore scene, and ended up playing shows with them. As I Lay Dying gained respect not only for their powerful live shows, but also for the Christian values that they expressed in their lyrics.

Since then, they have toured constantly – they're currently on tour supporting their 2007 album An Ocean Between Us with August Burns Red and Misery Signals. Along the way, they have gained fans of metal, hardcore and Christian music.

But As I Lay Dying's lead singer Tim Lambesis explained that he is not trying to preach his Christian faith, and that he is not asking others to believe. Instead, he is simply writing what he knows.

"For anyone who really believes in something," Lambesis told andPOP, "they'll never be able to separate that from what they do. Our approach has always been to write about what is in our hearts and to write about our experiences.

"If I wanted to spread Christianity I would have gone to bible school and done a speaking tour."

Their metal peers have always respected them, if not for their beliefs then for the sheer brutality of their music. Taking reference points from Swedish and thrash metal, As I Lay Dying have become more and more technically impressive as they have matured as a band.

"We're definitely entertained by both aggression and a more technical approach," Lambesis said. It's just more fun for us."

With their new album, Lambesis said his vocals have become more melodic but "the aggressive speed and the overall energy is darker and more thrash influenced."

Although As I Lay Dying are influenced by other metal bands, they aren't content to fit the mold. Metal music has always been intrinsically tied to blood and gore. Audiences show up to see bands wearing mutilated masks, to be sprayed with fake blood and hear as many references to Satan and death as possible.

As I Lay Dying avoid this traditional – and what some might consider cheesy – metal persona, trading it in for lyrics that are uncharacteristically positive for their genre. According to Lambesis, this helps a lot of fans identify with them.

"Lots of fans are thankful they have found a band that is not that negative metal stereotype," Lambesis said.

However, As I Lay Dying are attempting to make music for all types of fans.

"I want people to relate [to our lyrics]," Lambesis said. "I think they can, whether they have the same world view as I do or not."

Lambesis said that he feels blessed for the opportunity to tour and spend his time making a type of music that usually doesn't pay the bills.

"We'll definitely be touring and playing music until we can't anymore," he said.

They have played large touring festivals all over North America and Europe like Ozzfest, Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos.

"The energy from a big show is sometimes unmatchable. The roar of a crowd is a great feeling." Lambesis said, then pausing to add, "but sometimes small shows are better."

This time around As I Lay Dying will be hitting up clubs, like they have in the past on smaller scale tours with the likes of Evergreen Terrace and Hatebreed.

They will bring the show to the Phoenix in Toronto on May 14.