As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying is one of many, many bands to throw their hat into the Swedish-influenced metal-hardcore ring in the early 2000s, joining fellow metal-label signees as God Forbid and Shadows Fall (Century Media) and Killswitch Engage (Roadrunner). Frail Words Collapse is a solid example of its genre, carrying the stereotypical hallmarks of harmonized dual-guitar riffing (often reminiscent of In Flames or Iron Maiden), heavy double-bass drumming, and roaring vocals that occasionally slip into a melodic, clean-voiced emo style. There are also a few more dissonant, "technical" passages that nod toward Converge and their ilk. The songs here are solid enough and well executed, and the production is adequate (if a little too clean and digital sounding). This album will appeal mostly to devoted fans of the genre who are looking for another slight variation on the In Flames-influenced metal-hardcore style. ~ William York, Rovi