Once considered the crown jewel of Metalcore, As I Lay Dying has had a turbulent career that has seen them constantly fighting back to the top, while never quite reaching the same heights as their former selves. The struggle has not been without good reason, as the band’s lead singer, Tim Lambesis, has been a constant source of agony and drama for the band since being arrested in 2013 for attempting to hire an undercover cop to kill his then-wife. The remaining members of the band would go on to form Wovenwar with Shane Blay of Oh, Sleeper until Tim’s release from prison in late 2016. The band would reunite in 2017, with Nick Hipa, Phil Sgrosso, Josh Gilbert, and Jordan Mancino all returning, eventually releasing Shaped By Fire in 2018. This would be the final time this lineup worked together, as many of the members slowly started stepping away from the band due to Tim's toxicity and the clear indication that he had not changed in the slightest. Phil would remain for the time being. Tim and Phil would go on to recruit new members for As I Lay Dying, eventually crafting Through Storms Ahead. History would repeat itself though, as every member and even the touring manager all left less than a month before the album’s release, citing similar reasons for leaving the band behind: Tim’s toxicity.

It’s always difficult to separate the art from the artist, especially when the artist is certifiably deranged. It’s important to remember though that in this situation, an entire team of good people worked to create this record, and their contributions should not go unlistened and uncelebrated because of the actions of one sociopathic, narcissistic lead vocalist. Through Storms Ahead is a Metalcore force to be reckoned with, only weighed down by the delusions of Tim and his lyrics. Despite that, there’s a twisted enjoyment in being able to point and laugh at Tim lyrically making a fool of himself. His inability to recognize that he’s the problem is disheartening but it does not make me empathetic toward him.

The record kicks off with a slick intro track (much like “Separation” from An Ocean Between Us) that leads into one of my favorite tracks on the record: “A Broken Reflection”. This track is a badass introduction to the record that sets the tone for what to expect. It also serves as our introduction to Ryan Neff (of Miss May I fame) on clean vocals and bass guitar. Ryan showcases his prowess early, offering a vocal balance opposite Tim that works like past As I Lay Dying records. Lyrically, the song has themes of self-acceptance and letting go of your past flawed self, which kicks off the hilarity focusing on these lyrics coming from such an out-of-touch megalomaniac. The lack of self-awareness is only outdone by the following track, “Burden”. “Burden” is another top pick for me musically, but lyrically it’s ridiculous. Tim whines about carrying the burdens of his actions, acting as if he has changed, which we know now is far from the truth. It’s a shame that Tim’s lyrical talent is wasted here because the lyrics without the baggage of knowledge are stellar. Phil Sgrosso shines on guitar, instantly creating a classic-sounding As I Lay Dying track with Nick Pierce matching his energy on drums. Ryan and Tim keep up, offering a back-and-forth reminiscent of the band at their best. The bridge into breakdown is a one-two gut punch of thunderous metal, with the solo swooping in to knock you off your feet. “We Are The Dead” follows this up, featuring Tom Barber of Chelsea Grin and Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail. It’s a hard-hitting banger of a track that I also want to highlight. I was a little torn with this one while listening, as I felt like it sounded a little overproduced, but it oddly works for the song. The drums, vocals, and guitars are bone-crunching heavy and the guest vocalists leave nothing on the table, picking the carcass clean. Finally, the last track I specifically want to call out is “Strength to Survive”. The main riff on this song features a simple but effective groove that you can tap your foot to and bob your head, with some flair from Phil. Ryan Neff is the vocal standout for this track, with Tim feeling more like a supporting character, but not without offering some valuable grit to the song’s sound. Phil’s solo is rapid and soaring and a highlight of the track.

I wanted to keep my list of song highlights as short as I could, which was tough when we’re talking about an As I Lay Dying record, but I do want to take the time to at least give some honorable mentions that are worth checking out (though honestly, the whole record is a must-listen). “The Cave We Fear To Enter” is a song clearly designed to be a new classic from the band. It has all the hallmarks of a classic As I Lay Dying song while remaining new and fresh. “Tales From Nothing” is a well-balanced final track for the album that showcases each member. Tim also gives us one more opportunity to shake our heads at his writing, with this song talking about how Tim sees the world expecting him to falter and go back to his old ways, and how everyone else lacks mercy. Tim obviously ignored the irony of what he was writing.

As I Lay Dying does not make a bad record, and Through Storms Ahead continues that tradition. It surpasses its predecessor, Shaped By Fire, but it’s not quite as good as An Ocean Between Us or The Powerless Rise (both Metalcore Masterpieces in my opinion). It stands on its own as a Metalcore record that is better than most of what is put out currently and stands tall in the As I Lay Dying discography. This is a possible future classic record for the band that is stunted by controversy, resulting in it likely never receiving the recognition it deserves. I truly hope that one day Tim can find the light and stop pushing those closest to him away. His art will continue to suffer if he doesn’t find a way to resolve his demons, and the Metal scene will lose another staple.

Score: 4/5