Frail Words Collapse

On January 20, 2003, As I Lay Dying announced via the band's website (then hosted by the independent record label Pluto Records to which they were signed){{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying | website=Pluto Records | url=https://www.plutorecords.com/artist/as-i-lay-dying/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}} that recording for their upcoming LP would begin on February 9.{{cite web|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20030608075711/http://www.plutorecords.com/asilaydying/main.html |url=http://www.plutorecords.com/asilaydying/main.html |archive-date=June 8, 2003 |title=As I Lay Dying}} Due to studio scheduling conflicts, the start of recording was delayed until February 21.{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying recording delayed | website=Lambgoat | date=February 18, 2003 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/2214/as-i-lay-dying-recording-delayed/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}

After consistent touring,{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying Lyrics | website=Christian Song Lyrics | url=http://lyrics.christiansunite.com/artist_358.shtml | access-date=January 9, 2025}} on March 4, 2003, As I Lay Dying announced they'd signed with Metal Blade Records, and that they were recording their new full-length album set for a June release, titled "Frail Words Collapse."{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying signs with Metal Blade | website=Lambgoat | date=March 2, 2003 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/2248/as-i-lay-dying-signs-with-metal-blade/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying: Maestros of metalcore seek a second act with 'Powerless' tour | website=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | date=April 30, 2010 | url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/lifestyle/2010/04/30/i-lay-dying-maestros-metalcore-seek-second-act-powerless-tour/14912324007/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}} The band shared on March 15 that they had finished recording, and that the mastering process had begun. At the end of April, the band announced the release date for "Frail Words Collapse" was set for July 1, 2003.

On April 30, the band posted two singles to the now-defunct website mp3.com, where "94 Hours" became the top-downloaded and top-streamed metal track.{{cite web | title=Still On Top At mp3.com! | website=bravewords.com | date=July 24, 2003 | url=https://bravewords.com/news/as-i-lay-dying-still-on-top-at-mp3-com | access-date=January 9, 2025}}

In May, the band toured with The Death Campaign in promotion of the album.{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying, The Death Campaign dates | website=Lambgoat | date=May 29, 2003 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/2472/as-i-lay-dying-the-death-campaign-dates/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}} Following the record's release the band would tour heavily over the remainder of 2003 and throughout 2004 in support of the album, touring North America with Haste in late 2003,{{cite web | title=Haste and As I Lay Dying tour dates | website=Lambgoat | date=August 21, 2003 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/2672/haste-and-as-i-lay-dying-tour-dates/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}} with Every Time I Die, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Scarlet in spring 2004,{{cite web|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040324134857/http://asilaydying.com:80/ |archive-date=March 24, 2004 |title=Nothing you have witnessed before will prepare you for such sheer shock! |date=2004 |url=http://asilaydying.com/ |access-date=January 9, 2025}} as well as In Flames and Killswitch Engage in spring 2004,{{cite web|title=More Killswitch Engage, In Flames, As I Lay Dying Dates |date=April 1, 2004 |url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=8174 |access-date=January 9, 2025}} with Himsa, Shadows Fall, and Remembering Never in Summer 2004,{{cite web | title=Shadows Fall, As I Lay Dying, Himsa, etc. tour | website=Lambgoat | date=April 29, 2004 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/3322/shadows-fall-as-i-lay-dying-himsa-etc-tour/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}} and Europe in late 2004 with Lamb of God and Throwdown.{{cite web | title=Lamb Of God, AILD, Throwdown dates (Europe) | website=Lambgoat | date=September 30, 2004 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/3941/lamb-of-god-aild-throwdown-dates-europe/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}

An "unofficial" music video for the track "Forever" was released on March 11, 2004, via MentalSuplex Productions.{{cite web | title=Check out As I Lay Dying's new video for the track "Forever" here. | website=Lambgoat | date=August 1, 2004 | url=https://lambgoat.com/bits/292/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}{{cite web|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040326202022/http://mentalsuplex.com/ |url=http://mentalsuplex.com/ |archive-date=March 26, 2004 |title=Forever Music Video ~ March, 11 2004 |date=March 11, 2004 |access-date=January 23, 2025}} MentalSuplex Productions was also involved in the filming of the official "Forever" music video, filmed on April 15 at Soma in San Diego. The "official" "Forever" video was directed by Derek Dale.{{cite web | title=Forever ( Bunus DVD ) Directed by Derek Dale -... | website=AllMusic | date=June 14, 2005 | url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/forever--bunus-dvd--directed-by-derek-dale-mt0000755324 | access-date=January 24, 2025}}{{cite web | title=Forever (OFFICIAL VIDEO) | website=YouTube | date=March 6, 2024 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlbqpVkyJ6U | access-date=January 24, 2025}} A music video for the track "94 Hours" was released in 2005.{{cite web | title=94 Hours (2005) | website=IMVDb | url=https://imvdb.com/video/as-i-lay-dying/94-hours | access-date=January 23, 2025}} Again directed by Derek Dale, the video was produced by Ray Blanco, both of Generator Productions.

In a 2005 interview with Metal Underground, Lambesis called the song "94 Hours" his favorite song to play live, noting it was emblematic of the sound the band was going for.{{cite web|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=12929 |title=Interview With Tim Lambesis From As I Lay Dying |author=darkstar |date=April 3, 2005 |access-date=January 9, 2025}} He additionally called "Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier" one of his favorite As I Lay Dying songs.

Frail Words Collapse features several re-recorded songs from the band's earlier releases, including the songs "Forever", "The Beginning" and "The Pain of Separation" from the split album As I Lay Dying / American Tragedy, as well as a re-recording of the song "Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier," which appeared on the band's debut studio album Beneath the Encasing of Ashes.{{cite web | title=Split | website=Pluto Records | url=https://www.plutorecords.com/release/split-2/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}{{cite web | title=Beneath The Encasing Of Ashes | website=Pluto Records | date=June 12, 2001 | url=https://www.plutorecords.com/release/beneath-the-encasing-of-ashes/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}

The album's artwork and layout were provided by Jacob Bannon, who would go on to provide artwork for the band's next three full-length releases.{{cite web | last=Aversionline | first=Andrew | title=Review: As I Lay Dying "Frail Words Collapse" CD | website=Aversionline | date=June 30, 2003 | url=https://www.aversionline.com/view/as-i-lay-dying-frail-words-collapse-cd | access-date=January 9, 2025}}{{cite web | title=Interviews (hardcore and metal) | website=Lambgoat | url=https://www.lambgoat.com/features/interviews/as_i_lay_dying.aspx | access-date=January 9, 2025}}{{cite web | title=Jacob Bannon Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mor... | website=AllMusic | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jacob-bannon-mn0000239524#credits | access-date=January 14, 2025}}

The album has sold 250,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.{{citation needed|date=December 2017 |reason=The only source I can find for this is a write-up on Apple Music}}

The album's title is derived from a lyric in the song "Falling Upon Deaf Ears."{{citation needed |date=January 2025}}

On January 26, 2018, the album was re-issued on limited-edition vinyl by Metal Blade Records, alongside Shadows Are Security.{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING 'Classic' Albums Getting Re-Issued | website=Lambgoat | date=January 4, 2018 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/29320/as-i-lay-dying-classic-albums-set-for-re-issue/comments/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}

{{Music ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r646378|pure_url=yes}}|title=Frail Words Collapse - As I Lay Dying|website=Allmusic}}

| rev2 = Exclaim!

| rev2score = Highly favorable{{cite web|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707203050/http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/as_i_lay_dying-frail_words_collapse |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |last=Pratt|first=Gregg|title=As I Lay Dying - Frail Words Collapse|url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/as_i_lay_dying-frail_words_collapse|work=Exclaim!|publisher=Ian Danzig|accessdate=January 9, 2025 |date=September 2003}}

| rev3 = HM Magazine

| rev3Score = Highly favorable{{cite web|last=Rhorer|first=Sean|title=As I Lay Dying - FRAIL WORDS COLLAPSE|url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/reviews/album/a/as_i_lay_dying0803.php|work=HM Magazine|accessdate=10 May 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515211658/http://www.hmmagazine.com/reviews/album/a/as_i_lay_dying0803.php|archivedate=15 May 2008}}

| rev4 = Jesus Freak Hideout

| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/FrailWordsCollapse.asp|title=As I Lay Dying, "Frail Words Collapse" Review|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout}}

| rev5 = Imperiumi

| rev5Score = {{Rating|6.5|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.imperiumi.net/index.php?act=albums&id=1030|publisher=Imperiumi|author=Niko Kaartinen|title=Levyarviot: As I Lay Dying - Frail Words Collapse|date=2003-06-23|accessdate=October 8, 2012}}

| noprose = yes

| rev6 = Lambgoat

| rev6score = {{Rating|7|10}}{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING 'Frail Words Collapse' Album Review | website=Lambgoat | date=November 29, 2011 | url=https://lambgoat.com/albums/510/as-i-lay-dying-frail-words-collapse/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}}

| rev7 = PunkNews.org

| rev7score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web | title=Frail Words Collapse | website=Punknews.org | date=December 3, 2004 | url=https://www.punknews.org/review/3518/as-i-lay-dying-frail-words-collapse | access-date=January 10, 2025}}

}}

Commercially, the album was As I Lay Dying's first to chart, peaking at No. 30 on Billboard{{'}}s Independent Albums chart and No. 41 on the Top Heatseekers chart.{{cite web | title=Biography, Music & News | website=Billboard | date=July 2, 2005 | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/as-i-lay-dying/chart-history/tlp/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}} As of April 2005, the album has sold over 118,000 copies in the United States, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan. As of January 2008, the album had sold over 210,000 copies.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123084739/http://www.asilaydying.com/about.html |url=http://www.asilaydying.com/about.html |archive-date=January 23, 2008 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |title=As I Lay Dying |date=2008}}

The album was favorably-received by critics: receiving praise for the incorporation of the Swedish-influenced gothenburg sound, elements from different genres like emo clean-voice choruses, and passages of Converge-influenced technicality. Other reviewers, however, took umbrage with the album's production, and others noted the album did little to advance the genre.

William York, reviewing for Allmusic, stated that the record "doesn't really add anything new to the mix from a musical standpoint," but also praised it for being "solid enough and well executed" with "adequate" production.{{cite web | title=Frail Words Collapse | website=AllMusic | date=July 1, 2003 | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/frail-words-collapse-mw0000036420#review | access-date=January 9, 2025}} Exclaim! reviewer Greg Pratt reviewed the album as "Highly favorable," praising Lambesis' vocal range, and referring to the album as "excellent for a genre overpopulated with total rubbish."{{cite web|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707203050/http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/as_i_lay_dying-frail_words_collapse#selection-695.3-695.13 |url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/as_i_lay_dying-frail_words_collapse |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |title=As I Lay Dying Frail Words Collapse |author=Pratt, Greg |date=September 2003}}

HM Magazine praised the band's new release, stating "Few bands bringing the nu-hardcore sound into their music have done it this well. As I Lay Dying have delivered when it mattered most," adding that the band's evolving sound could be compared to Deftones in addition to Converge.

Lambgoat reviewer Graham Landers praised Metalblade Records for singing a band outside of the traditional metal genre, but found Frail Words Collapse to be overproduced. The review was fairly dismissive of the record, but hopeful for the direction of the band, with Landers concluding "As I Lay Dying are just enough of what I like in metalcore to keep me interested and eagerly awaiting their next move. With a more live-sounding recording, these guys could easily have what it takes to write a stellar record. Although not found within these twelve tracks, I have high hopes for this band and look forward to our next meeting, be it a new album or live show." Landers defined the band's sound on the album as "Hopesfall and Killswitch Engage collaborating (minus the clean singing) on a record with some metal session musicians."

The album's legacy is positive; in 2012 Loudwire named the song "Forever" as the 30th-best metal song of the 21st century.{{cite web | last=Sciarretto | first=Amy | title=No. 30: As I Lay Dying, 'Forever' – Top 21st Century Metal Songs | website=Loudwire | date=September 4, 2012 | url=https://loudwire.com/as-i-lay-dying-forever-top-21st-century-metal-songs/ | access-date=January 9, 2025}} In 2020, Loudwire listed "Frail Words Collapse" at number 10 on its list of the 25 best metalcore albums of all-time, stating "As I Lay Dying’s 'Frail Words Collapse' is a landmark album for metalcore and heavy music. Combining riffs a la At the Gates with sung elements from the likes of Poison the Well into a potent mixture, the band laid the groundwork for future inspiration to other groups."

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Re-recorded version, originally appeared on:

| all_writing = As I Lay Dying

| title1 = 94 Hours

| length1 = 3:11

| title2 = Falling Upon Deaf Ears

| length2 = 2:31

| title3 = Forever

| extra3 = As I Lay Dying/American Tragedy

| length3 = 4:43

| title4 = Collision

| length4 = 3:11

| title5 = Distance Is Darkness

| length5 = 2:39

| title6 = Behind Me Lies Another Fallen Soldier

| writer6 = As I Lay Dying, Jon Jameson

| extra6 = Beneath the Encasing of Ashes

| length6 = 3:03

| title7 = Undefined

| length7 = 2:17

| title8 = A Thousand Steps

| length8 = 1:46

| title9 = The Beginning

| writer9 = As I Lay Dying, Tommy Garcia

| extra9 = As I Lay Dying/American Tragedy

| length9 = 3:29

| title10 = Song 10

| length10 = 4:16

| title11 = The Pain of Separation

| extra11 = As I Lay Dying/American Tragedy

| length11 = 2:57

| title12 = Elegy

| length12 = 4:47

| total_length = 38:44

}}

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes.

As I Lay Dying

• Tim Lambesis – vocals, keyboards, production
• Evan White – guitars, bass, production
• Jordan Mancino – drums

Additional musicians

• Dylan Plymale – guitars
• Tommy Garcia – backing vocals on "94 Hours"
• Johnny Upton – sung vocals on "Forever"
• Jarrod – sung vocals on "Distance Is Darkness"

Additional personnel

• Steve Russell – engineering, mixing
• Dan de la Isla – assistant engineering, mixing
• Brad Vance – mastering
• Brandon O'Connell – pre-production
• Jacob Bannon – artwork

{{Reflist}}

{{As I Lay Dying}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2003 albums

Category:Albums with cover art by Jacob Bannon

Category:As I Lay Dying (band) albums

Category:Metal Blade Records albums