BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: San Diego metalcore unit As I Lay Dying formed in early-2001 under the moniker "Life Once Lost." The group, which included ex-members of Society's Finest, The Frontline, Nothing To Lose, and Edge of Mortality, would record a demo early in their career, but also endured numerous personnel changes at the time. Looking for a label, "Life Once Lost" would send its material to Texas-based Pluto Records (Society's Finest, Evelynn). An appealing offer by Pluto encouraged the band to solidify its line up, as well as a name change to As I Lay Dying. The results would be a new home and the group's debut full-length, "Beneath The Encasing Of Ashes," a blistering metalcore record that exuded emotion and was reminiscent of ZAO's "Where Blood And Fire Brings Rest"-era. AILD would then embark on numerous tours in support of the new album, playing shows with the likes of Poison the Well, Fall Silent, ZAO, Curl Up And Die, Living Sacrifice, and Bloodlet. Following its extensive touring schedule, the unit would return to the studio in early-2002 to record several new tracks for a split CD with San Diego neighbors American Tragedy for Pluto. With an even greater emphasis on melody and tempo variations, As I Lay Dying should appeal to fans of melodic metalcore with a hint of European flair.
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