Nadat op 18 oktober bassist Ryan Neff al vertrok, gevolgd door gitarist Ken Susi en drummer Nick Pierce op 24 oktober, heeft nu ook gitarist Phil Sgrosso besloten om As I Lay Dying te verlaten. Het enige overgebleven lid is zanger Tim Lambesis.
Sgrosso zat als langste van de vier in de band, van 2003 tot 2014, terwijl de andere drie zich na 2022 bij de club voegden. In de statements van de verschillende leden stond onder andere “mijn persoonlijke moraal is onlangs tot het breekpunt op de proef gesteld” en “Ik moet afstand nemen van de band om mijn persoonlijke gezondheid en integriteit te behouden“. Het statement van Sgrosso luidt als volgt:
Hey everyone,
Thank you for your patience as I took time to gather my thoughts before speaking on the current state of As I Lay Dying.
With recent events, including the departure of band members and the cancellation of our European tour ahead of a new album release, it’s clear we’re in a difficult and serious situation.
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.
For these reasons, I feel it’s in my best interest to completely distance myself, both creatively and personally, from As I Lay Dying.
I also want to share my full support for Ryan, Ken, and Nick, who made the choice to step away recently. I’m grateful for our accomplishments and friendship over the past 3 years.
With 21 years that I have dedicated to this band, it does not sit well with me to leave or abandon what I’ve considered to be my “life’s work.” I don’t feel that I, or others, should be forced out like so many have in the past.
After all that’s been put into this, I believe that with the right adjustments and restructuring, our music can continue to thrive and explore new possibilities in a healthier environment.
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.
Thank you to everyone who has shown support for me and the music of As I Lay Dying. I’m looking forward to putting my energy and creativity into new, more positive ventures in the near future.
–Phil Sgrosso
Dankzij zanger Tim Lambesis is de band in 2014 al eens uit elkaar gevallen omdat hij destijds een huurmoordenaar had ingehuurd om zijn vrouw te vermoorden, wat helaas voor hem een undercover agent bleek te zijn. Hij moet hiervoor zes jaar de gevangenis in maar kwam in 2016 voorwaardelijk vrij vanwege goed gedrag.
Vorige week gingen er al geruchten over huiselijk geweld en ontrouw rondom Lambesis en zijn huidige vrouw Dany rond. Dany heeft die geruchten echter ontkend in een eigen verklaring die ze op 24 oktober heeft uitgegeven:
I am writing this statement to address the recent rumors circulating on social media regarding my husband, Tim Lambesis, and the allegations of domestic violence. It has come to my attention that false claims have been made, suggesting that my husband has harmed me.
I want to make it unequivocally clear that these allegations are completely false. My husband has never caused harm to me in this manner, and I am deeply saddened by the unfounded rumors that have emerged during this challenging time for his band. There has never been an incident that warrants such accusations. We have had our relationship issues like many other couples, but nothing to the degree of domestic violence or what is being portrayed online.
It deeply saddens me that I find myself in a position where I must publicly explain my personal life and relationship because of flat out lies. It is completely unjust that everything spread the way it did and nobody even considered my voice to be heard through it all. This is unfair to both Tim and I and our relationship.
It is disheartening to witness how quickly misinformation can spread and the impact it can have on individuals and families. I ask that you respect our privacy during this time and refrain from perpetuating these harmful rumors any further.
Of er ooit duidelijk komt in wat er precies allemaal gaande is blijft afwachten.
