Shadows Are Security

In early January 2005, As I Lay Dying entered the studio to record a follow-up to their 2003 full-length Frail Words Collapse.{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying recording new album | website=Lambgoat | date=January 5, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/4312/as-i-lay-dying-recording-new-album/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} Tracking would take place at Big Fish Studio in Encinitas, California, where the group recorded their last album. Mixing would occur in England with Andy Sneap. A release date was not provided, but the album was expected to be released later in the year.

The band toured extensively in the lead-up to, and following, the album's release: touring North America with Throwdown and All That Remains early 2005,{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying, Throwdown, ATR tour | website=Lambgoat | date=February 14, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/4495/as-i-lay-dying-throwdown-atr-tour/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} performing on the "Hot Topic Second Stage" at Ozzfest 2005,{{cite web | title=Ozzfest 2005 details announced | website=Lambgoat | date=March 15, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/4635/ozzfest-2005-details-announced/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} heading to Europe as part of the "Hell On Earth European tour" alongside Evergreen Terrace, Heaven Shall Burn, Agents Of Man, Neaera, and End Of Days,{{cite web | title=AILD, Evergreen Terrace, etc. tour (Europe) | website=Lambgoat | date=June 9, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/5035/aild-evergreen-terrace-etc-tour-europe/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} and joining Slipknot and Unearth for "The Final Volume" tour.{{cite web | title=Slipknot, As I Lay Dying, Unearth tour | website=Lambgoat | date=August 26, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/5374/slipknot-as-i-lay-dying-unearth-tour/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} On June 24, 2005, the band played a CD Release Show in San Diego at Soma with Eighteen Visions, No Innocent Victim, and others.{{cite web|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050601031119/http://www.asilaydying.com/ |archive-date=June 1, 2005 |title=FRI. JUNE 24 - SAN DIEGO, CA @ SOMA, SD CD RELEASE SHOW w/ Eighteen Visions, No Innocent Victim, and more |access-date=January 13, 2025 |url=http://www.asilaydying.com/}}

Speaking on the recording process for the upcoming record in an interview to MTV.com, Lambesis said the band was less-rushed than when recording Frail Words Collapse. Lambesis praised Mancino's drumming, and noted that the guitar work on the upcoming album was more technical than prior releases. In an interview with the Great Falls Tribune, Lambesis said he hoped the album would be remembered as more of a "classic metal album" than a metalcore album, given the percise guitar work and lack of token breakdowns.{{cite web|url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050810/LIFESTYLE/508100305/1024/NEWS01 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20051124062051/https://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050810/LIFESTYLE/508100305/1024/NEWS01 |title=Metal core fad fading, band's vocalist fears |date=August 10, 2005 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-date=November 24, 2005}}

Lambesis has referred to the record as a concept album.{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2007 |title=What happened to Clint and who's the new guy? |url=http://www.asilaydying.com/about.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123084739/http://www.asilaydying.com/about.html |archive-date=January 23, 2008 |access-date=January 14, 2025 |publisher=asilaydying.com}} Speaking on the meaning behind the album's title, Lambesis explained:

{{Blockquote |text=it just deals with the false sense of security we find in the things that we're taught and the way that most of us live, moreso instinctual and driven by our emotions and our feelings. To me, those things are like shadows. They're there one minute and gone the next. So one of the main themes of the record is how we need to change our entire sense of security and what it is that we've learned from our education systems and churches and all kinds of social norms and moral systems.{{cite web | last=Ailes | first=Drew | title=As I Lay Dying interview | website=Lambgoat | date=November 6, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/features/interviews/73/as-i-lay-dying-interview/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}}}}

On April 30, 2005, the album's opening track "Meaning in Tragedy" was released exclusively via the Ozzfest.com website.{{cite web|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050507033010/https://www.ozzfest.com/media.html |archive-date=May 7, 2005 |url=https://www.ozzfest.com/media.html |date=April 2005 |title=OzzFest 2004}}{{cite web | title=Tracks from both the upcoming The Black Dahlia Murder and As I Lay Dying albums are available here. | website=Lambgoat | date=April 30, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/bits/747/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}}{{cite web | title=New AS I LAY DYING, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Tracks Posted Online | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=April 30, 2005 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/new-as-i-lay-dying-the-black-dahlia-murder-tracks-posted-online | access-date=January 10, 2025}}

Several music videos were released for the album: including a video for the song "Confined" in June 2005,{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying's new video for "Confined" is now available online. | website=Lambgoat | date=June 6, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/bits/829/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} a video for the song "Through Struggle" in September 2005, and a video for the song "The Darkest Nights" in March 2006.{{cite web | title=The new As I Lay Dying video (for "The Darkest Nights") has been posted. | website=Lambgoat | date=March 3, 2006 | url=https://lambgoat.com/bits/1313/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} The video for "Confined" made its MTV2 Headbangers Ball world-premiere on June 4, 2005.{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING: 'Confined' Video To Receive 'Headbanger's Ball' Premiere | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=June 2, 2005 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-confined-video-to-receive-headbanger-s-ball-premiere | access-date=January 10, 2025}} The video was shot at an abandoned Air Force base in Tustin, California.{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING Frontman Talks About Upcoming Album | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=May 27, 2005 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-frontman-talks-about-upcoming-album | access-date=January 10, 2025}} Over 14 hours of footage was shot in the rain for the video. The video for "Through Struggle" was directed by Lex Halaby, who had previously directed videos for Killswitch Engage and Mudvayne." The video was shot at the abandoned meat locker Morell Meats Lot near downtown Los Angeles.{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying shoot new video | website=Lambgoat | date=September 28, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/5523/as-i-lay-dying-shoot-new-video/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} In 2019, the band would release a live music video for "Confined," shot as part of their 2018 European headlining tour.{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying Release "Confined" Live Video | website=Theprp.com | date=August 20, 2019 | url=https://www.theprp.com/2019/08/20/news/as-i-lay-dying-release-confined-live-video/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}}

As with prior release Frail Words Collapse, the album's artwork and design were provided by Jacob Bannon.{{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}}

In promotion of the album, vocalist Tim Lambesis was interviewed at MTV Studios for Headbanger's Ball on June 16, 2006.{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING: Fans Needed For MTV2 'Headbanger's Ball' Taping | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=June 14, 2006 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-fans-needed-for-mtv2-headbanger-s-ball-taping | access-date=January 10, 2025}} A "handful" of the band's fans were invited to attend the interview at MTV's studios in New York City.

Bassist Clint Norris, who joined the band in 2003, but was not involved in the song-writing process for either Frail Words Collapse or Shadows Are Security,{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING Frontman Explains Bassist Change | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=August 3, 2007 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-frontman-explains-bassist-change | access-date=January 10, 2025}} would depart following the album's release, in November 2006.{{cite web | title=Bassist Clint Norris has reportedly left As I Lay Dying. | website=Lambgoat | date=November 10, 2006 | url=https://lambgoat.com/bits/1921/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}}

On January 26, 2018, the album was re-released on limited-edition vinyl.{{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 10, 2025}}

Lambesis revealed in a 2022 interview on Chris Garza's podcast that he considers his vocals on the album the weakest of his career, as he tracked them all in one take after leaving them until the final two days of recording.{{cite podcast |host=Garza, Chris |date=October 17, 2022 |title=49: Tim Lambesis As I Lay Dying |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/49-tim-lambesis-as-i-lay-dying/id1551076579?i=1000582862068 |work= |publisher= |time=19:45 |access-date=January 11, 2025}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = Allmusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r777700|pure_url=yes}}|title=Shadows Are Security - As I Lay Dying|publisher=Allmusic}}

| rev2 = Blabbermouth.net

| rev2score = 6.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=332|title=CD Reviews|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930225800/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=332|archive-date=2007-09-30}}

| rev3 = Cross Rhythms

| rev3score = {{Rating|9|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/As_I_Lay_Dying/Shadows_Are_Security/13645/|title=As I Lay Dying - Shadows Are Security|publisher=Cross Rhythms}}

| rev4 = Exclaim!

| rev4Score = Slightly unfavorable{{Cite web |last=Deneau |first=Max |title=As I Lay Dying - Shadows Are Security |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/as_i_lay_dying-shadows_are_security |date=August 1, 2005 |access-date=April 11, 2023 |publisher=Exclaim!}}

| rev5 = MusicOMH

| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070507002130/https://www.musicomh.com/albums/as-i-lay-dying_1106.htm |archive-date=May 7, 2007 |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/as-i-lay-dying_1106.htm|title=As I Lay Dying - Shadows Are Security|publisher=MusicOMH}}

| rev6 = Imperiumi

| rev6Score = {{Rating|5|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.imperiumi.net/index.php?act=albums&id=3794|publisher=Imperiumi|author=Miika Ruokokoski|title=Levyarviot: As I Lay Dying - Shadows Are Security|date=September 7, 2005 |access-date=October 8, 2012}}

| rev7 = Jesus Freak Hideout

| rev7score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying, "Shadows Are Security" Review | website=Jesusfreakhideout.com | date=January 12, 2025 | url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ShadowsAreSecurity.asp | access-date=January 13, 2025}}

| rev8 = Punk News

| rev8score = {{Rating|7|10}}{{cite web | title=Shadows Are Security | website=Punknews.org | date=June 14, 2005 | url=https://www.punknews.org/review/4077/as-i-lay-dying-shadows-are-security | access-date=January 13, 2025}}

| noprose = yes

}}

Commercially, the album was the band's first to chart on the Billboard 200, debuting (and peaking) at #35 with sales of 33,000. The album would spend 9 weeks on the charts.{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying's new album charted at #35 on the Billboard 200 with sales of 33,000. | website=Lambgoat | date=June 23, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/bits/871/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}} As of July 29, 2005, the album had sold 82,000 copies.{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING And SHADOWS FALL Are OZZFEST's 'Next Generation' | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=July 29, 2005 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-and-shadows-fall-are-ozzfest-s-next-generation | access-date=January 10, 2025}} As of January 2006 the album had sold 174,000 copies.{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING: Early Recordings To Be Reissued | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=January 30, 2006 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-early-recordings-to-be-reissued | access-date=January 11, 2025}} As of March 2006, the record had sold 192,000 copies,{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING Set Release Date For Reissue Of Early Recordings | website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET | date=March 27, 2006 | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/as-i-lay-dying-set-release-date-for-reissue-of-early-recordings | access-date=January 11, 2025}} and as of September 2007, the album had sold 275,000 copies.{{cite web|url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1210|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120523221251/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=1210|url-status=dead|title=AS I LAY DYING An Ocean Between Us (Metal Blade) |date=May 23, 2012|archive-date=May 23, 2012|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=June 9, 2018}}

Reception to the album was mixed. While some reviewers praised the number of different musical styles the band had blended together, as well as the improved production and contributions of new members, others felt the release was generic Melodic metalcore, lacking experimentation.

AllMusic rated the album at 3 1/2 stars. AllMusic reviewer Wade Kergan commented on the blend of different popular music styles the band had incorporated in the record's sound, including: Nu Metal, Swedish death metal, Thrash metal, and emo, joking that the combination "would lead metal purists to call for an old-fashioned record burning",{{cite web | title=Shadows Are Security | website=AllMusic | date=June 14, 2005 | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/shadows-are-security-mw0000343238 | access-date=January 10, 2025}} and adding writing "these are things that shouldn't work on a metal record, but As I Lay Dying have proven here that they can." Kergan called the release one of the strongest of 2005, adding that new additions Sgrosso, Hipa, and Norris had made the band stronger.

Exclaim! reviewer Max Deneau felt the record was an advancement over the "generic" sound of Frail Words Collapse, both in terms of production and sung vocals, he added "failure to provide much experimentation or variation upon the melodic metalcore formula will prevent them from expanding their fan base to the extent that they potentially could". Blabbermouth reviewer Scott Alisoglu praised the album's production, calling the record overall "solid", but indistinguishable from the sound of other metalcore bands like Unearth or Killswitch Engage.

The band were voted "Artist of the Year" at the 15th-annual San Diego Music Awards.{{cite web | title=As I Lay Dying win San Diego Music Award | website=Lambgoat | date=September 16, 2005 | url=https://lambgoat.com/news/5482/as-i-lay-dying-win-san-diego-music-award/ | access-date=January 10, 2025}}{{cite web | title=AS I LAY DYING Win 'Artist Of The Year' Award At San Diego Music Awards | website=bravewords.com | date=September 16, 2005 | url=https://bravewords.com/news/as-i-lay-dying-win-artist-of-the-year-award-at-san-diego-music-awards | access-date=January 13, 2025}}

{{Track listing

| total_length = 43:23

| all_writing = As I Lay Dying

| title1 = Meaning in Tragedy

| length1 = 3:13

| title2 = Confined

| length2 = 3:12

| title3 = Losing Sight

| length3 = 3:24

| title4 = The Darkest Nights

| length4 = 3:52

| title5 = Empty Hearts

| length5 = 2:49

| title6 = Reflection

| length6 = 3:12

| title7 = Repeating Yesterday

| length7 = 4:02

| title8 = Through Struggle

| length8 = 3:59

| title9 = The Truth of My Perception

| length9 = 3:06

| title10 = Control Is Dead

| length10 = 2:56

| note10 = featuring Daniel Weyandt

| title11 = Morning Waits

| length11 = 3:56

| title12 = Illusions

| length12 = 5:48

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Limited edition bonus DVD

| title1 = Falling Upon Deaf Ears

| length1 =

| title2 = 94 Hours

| length2 =

| title3 = A Thousand Steps

| length3 =

| title4 = Elegy

| length4 =

| note4 = written by Kyle Fehr

| title5 = Reflection

| length5 =

| title6 = Distance Is Darkness

| length6 =

| title7 = Collision

| length7 =

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Special edition DVD content

| title1 = Behind The Shadows: The Making of Shadows Are Security

| length1 =

| title2 = Confined

| note2 = music video

| title3 = Through Struggle

| note3 = music video

| title4 = The Darkest Nights

| note4 = music video

| title5 = Behind the Scenes featurettes on all three videos

| length5 =

}}

Notes

• "Illusions" is a re-recording of a song from the As I Lay Dying/American Tragedy split album.

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

As I Lay Dying{{cite web | last=Bosso | first=Joe | title=Interview: As I Lay Dying's Nick Hipa talks new album, Awakened | website=MusicRadar | date=September 19, 2012 | url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-as-i-lay-dyings-nick-hipa-talks-new-album-awakened-561421 | access-date=January 10, 2025}}

• Tim Lambesis – harsh vocals, production
• Nick Hipa – guitar, backing vocals
• Phil Sgrosso – guitar, backing vocals, bass, production
• Jordan Mancino – drums

Additional musicians

• Dave Arthur – sung vocals
• Daniel Weyandt – additional vocals on "Control Is Dead"

1.{{note|a}} CD liner notes contain explanations of each song's lyrics, provided by vocalist Tim Lambesis.

{{reflist}}

{{As I Lay Dying}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2005 albums

Category:Albums with cover art by Jacob Bannon

Category:As I Lay Dying (band) albums

Category:Metal Blade Records albums