“An Ocean Between Us” is the fourth studio album by As I Lay Dying.
It’s a follow up to 2005’s “Shadows Are Security” and it should send the Christian metalcore merchants to a new level!

As I Lay Dying are one of several bands at the forefront of the metalcore scene but with this album you can see that these guys are not afraid to push the limits of their sound and always keep things moving, for example, “Nothing Left” takes elements of death metal and thrash metal, the double kick drums and the killer riffs, and combines them with the vocal talents of Tim Lambesis and the skills of new bass player, Josh Gilbert.

As opposed to their last album, “An Ocean Between Us” is much more lyrically diverse, dealing with destruction, love and self confidence to name but a few. The title track is possibly the best song on the album, with the powerful chorus, “Is this your salvation? Is this all you can give? I will not stand in reflection of someone else’s dream”. “Within Destruction” shows off their punk and hardcore influences, with really fast beats but at the same time a strong sense of melody, with a fair share of double bass thrown in for good measure.

“Forsaken” is a fairly typical metalcore track, with verses that are heavy as an anvil but then choruses that have passionate and infectiously catchy melodic lyrics, however As I Lay Dying manage to make it sound different from the other bands out there. The rest of the album sees the band experimenting with different styles and tempos, but still staying firmly within the metalcore genre. However stand out tracks have to be “Bury Us All”, “The Sound Of Truth” and “Wrath Upon Ourselves”. They even manage to get away with an instrumental track towards the end, “Departed”, which is all guitar orientated but sounds quite like Rush or Dream Theater.

This album is defiantly the one that will see As I Lay Dying join the big hitters of American metal. They will be at the same level as Killswitch Engage, Lamb Of God and Shadows Fall very soon!

Let us know your views on An Ocean Between Us

Track Listing

Separation
Nothing Left
Ocean Between Us
Within Destruction
Forsaken
Comfort Betrays
I Never Wanted
Bury Us All
Sound Of Truth
Departed
Wrath Upon Ourselves
This Is Who We Are

Line Up

Tim Lambesis - Vocals
Phil Sgrosso - Guitar
Nick Hipa - Guitar
Jordan Mancino - Drums
Josh Gilbert - Bass