Metal Underground.com

Bam! It was the only word I could come up with as I first listened to As I Lay Dying’s first single, “Nothing Left.” For a first time listener, I was doubtful a band of hardcore and death roots (metalcore) could come up with intelligent songwriting, catchy riffs, and melodic subtle tones. But here it is.

Much of the delight from As I Lay Dying to their fans has been the speed of blistering guitars from Hipa and Sgrosso. In their third outing, one of the smartest moves was to put in producer Adam Dutkiewicz. Reason: the specific production, sharp and considerably over-produced guitar work, and vocal strength create a new sound for As I Lay Dying. Dutkiewicz brought a new, thrash sound to the band and this fan hopes they keep the sound. I guess Metal Blade Records are doing them well.

From the intro song, with its beautiful dual guitar serenade to the last piano sounds on the last track, each song connects like bridges. Can anyone argue that “Nothing Left” is not a good back to school, drive crazy anthem? I doubt it. But die-hard fans don’t be scared; As I Lay Dying also has its metalcore vocals for you, ripping through every song furiously until the melodic chorus. Of course, with any album comes a few filler tunes that maybe a toss up as to whether to put them on the final album track listing or not. With an album like “An Ocean Betwwen Us,” it is clear that As I Lay Dying will tune their focus into more melodic thrash and hardcore metal, then turn back into their original roots of mayhem and intolerable insanity. Keep it comin’, this metal fan screams, keep it coming!