Three members of San Diego metalcore band As I Lay Dying have abruptly exited the band, citing clashes with personal morals amid the band’s turbulent history.
Guitarist Ken Susi, bassist Ryan Neff, and drummer Nick Pierce shared statements this week detailing their reasons for his departure, leaving just controversial frontman Tim Lambesis and guitarist Phil Sgrosso in the lineup.
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In a statement posted on social media on Oct. 24, Susi explained that his morals had been “tested to a breaking point.”
“My time playing with As I Lay Dying has come to an end today. I leave with so much gratitude for everyone who followed and supported me from my days in Unearth to this era of my career,” Susi wrote. “I jumped into the AILD camp with full knowledge of the heightened dramatic history but had a drive to just play great music with great friends.”
He added, “Unfortunately, my personal morals have recently been tested to a breaking point, and it’s not the saddest ending to what could have been the greatest second chance for this band.”
This follows a post by bassist Ryan Neff, who left on Oct. 18, calling it “the right step for my personal and professional journey.”
Susi had noted in his announcement that Neff had received “a lot of backlash for stepping down first.” He added, “I regret not sharing this decision sooner and standing confidently with my friend — he’s a flawless musician and an even better person. I’ll miss you all on this stage, and I look forward to seeing you on the next one. Anyone looking for a guitar player? My resume is ready.”
Neff reflected in his own statement, “As of today, I have made the decision to leave As I Lay Dying,” Neff wrote via Instagram. “This choice comes after much reflection, and I believe it is the right step for my personal and professional journey. I am grateful for the experiences and connections I’ve made during my time with the band. Thank you to all the fans for your support.”
Drummer Nick Pierce joined them in departing, also citing personal reasons in his own statement. “As of now, I am no longer playing drums for As I Lay Dying,” Pierce wrote. “This is far from being the ending I anticipated, and I feel I need to distance myself from the band in an effort to retain my personal health and integrity.”
It follows the band’s touring manager, Alex Kendrick, also announcing his departure. In a now-deleted tweet, Kendrick wrote: “I no longer work for AS I LAY DYING – I do not wish to be asked questions nor will I answer any. I’ve made life long memories that will never be forgotten but my chapter of the book has completed. I wish everyone the best of luck and clearly I’m still rocking with Phil out here.”
Founded in 2000, As I Lay Dying rose to prominence as a Grammy-nominated act but became embroiled in controversy in 2013 when Lambesis was arrested and, in 2014, sentenced to prison for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his then-wife, Meggan Lambesis. Lambesis pleaded guilty in the case and served two years of a six-year sentence.
After his release in 2016, the band reunited in 2018 with a mix of original and new members. However, tensions lingered. Former guitarist Nick Hippa, along with drummer Jordan Mancino and bassist Josh Gilbert, previously left in 2020. Since then, Susi, Pierce, and Neff joined the lineup, only to now announce their exits.
At the time of writing, Lambesis has not addressed the departures, and the future of As I Lay Dying remains uncertain. Their eighth album, Through Storms Ahead, is still set for release on Nov. 15.