Tracks:

Meaning in Tragedy
Confined
Losing Sight
The Darkest Nights
Empty Hearts
Reflection
Repeating Yesterday
Through Struggle
The Truth of My Perception
Control is Dead
Morning Waits
Illusions

When I reviewed their last album I said I was looking forward to hearing more from As I Lay Dying in the future. Well, the wait has been worth it.

As I Lay Dying are taking death metal to a whole new level. I hesitate to even refer to them as death metal, because that tag is really too constrictive for them. The vocals remain safely within the realm of death metal (though there are sometimes clean vox as well) but the music is so much more than traditional death metal. I really don't know who I could compare them to musically, but while still very heavy it is also very melodic and riff oriented.

What they do is working just fine for me, but I think on their next release I'd like to hear more of the clean vocals mixed in with the harsh vocals, ala Beyond the Embrace's "Insect Song." Mind you, I don't want them to get rid of the harsh vocals; I just would like to hear it mixed up more with clean vocals. That seems to give the music more dynamics, making the harsh vocals even harsher when laid alongside clean vocals.

The production on this disc is very slick. It sounds great. I wish more bands could produce albums that sound this good.

As I Lay Dying are now part of the American metal elite, leading the vanguard with Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, and Beyond the Embrace.

Tracks:

94 Hours
Falling Upon Deaf Ears
Forever
Collision
Distance is Darkness
Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier
Undefined
A Thousand Steps
The Beginning
Song 10
The Pain of Separation
Elegy

"Frail Words Collapse" is the second release by As I Lay Dying, and their first for Metal Blade. I haven't heard this band before, but I like their name, and the CD's artwork is such that it compels me to try this band.

It is immediately apparent by the melodic lead playing on the first track that this is no ordinary death/thrash style band. Not only is the guitar melodic, it is clear and placed in the mix in a way that allows for distinct notes to be heard. No wall of noise here. But before you start thinking this band is weak, let me say that everything else is completely brutal.

While I can make out many of the words (due in part to years of deciphering metal lyrics), this guys voice is harsh enough to be used as sandpaper (yes, that is good.)

There's plenty of double bass to keep tempo in the mosh pit. The bass drum sounds a little clicky and could maybe do with a little more low end, but as it is it stands out against the rest of the music. I really like the production on this disc, everything is nice and clear and sits well in the stereo spectrum.

What's this? On track 3, "Forever", I am noticing some clean backing vocals. How very un-death-like. This CD sounds like a nice hybrid of At The Gates-style Gothenburg death and American superthrash like Killswitch Engage. (Hear that Buke? You should like this band!)

Halfway through the CD, and I must say I am impressed by As I Lay Dying. For a band that I have not heard of, and for their first major release, this is pretty damn good. It doesn't get stale as some releases of this style do, because things change up just enough that they keep you guessing. I just heard some more clean vocals, and now track 6, "Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier", starts off clean and sounding like a possible 3 Doors Down song. But have no fear, it gets heavier. It's those little changes in dynamics that make the difference between standard fare and something a bit more special.

Song 10, called "Song 10", is another track that shows the band has heart as well as skull-splitting drive. The song is half over before it actually gets heavy. The calm before the storm.

My advice to you is to pick up this CD, and go out and support this great new band on the road, I believe they are out on tour right NOW. If this CD is any indication of what they are capable of, I look forward to their future releases. Good luck!