Guitarist/vocalist Phil Sgrosso has newly issued a statement regarding his exit from As I Lay Dying. That San Diego, CA metalcore band imploded across social media last week, with bassist/vocalist Ryan Neff exiting on October 18th, followed by guitarist Ken Susi and drummer Nick Pierce this past Thursday, October 24th.
Their individual statements made clear that all was not well in the camp, with Susi stating of his departure, “Unfortunately, my personal morals have recently been tested to a breaking point, and it’s now the saddest ending to what could have been the greatest second chance for this band.”
Pierce‘s exit statement carried a similar tone to that of Susi‘s, in part stating: “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.”
While Neff, Susi and Pierce were recruited to join the band in 2022, Sgrosso, instead held rank from 2003 to 2014. He later rejoined the outfit after their vocalist Tim Lambesis infamously served several years in prison after being caught in a murder-for-hire plot that found him attempting to have his wife at the time killed back in 2013.
As such, Sgrosso was the last member of that classic lineup of the group to stick beside Lambesis up until now. Sgrosso indicated last week that business and ‘bureaucracy’ were preventing him from addressing his status in the band.
It seems that business has now been resolved, as Sgrosso took to the internet today, October 30th, to issue the below statement:
“Hey everyone,
Thank you for your patience as I took time to gather my thoughts before speaking on the current state of As I Lay Dying.
With recent events, including the departure of band members and the cancellation of our European tour ahead of a new album release, it’s clear we’re in a difficult and serious situation.
Simply put, recent actions have shown that As I Lay Dying no longer offers a healthy or safe environment for anyone involved—whether creatively, personally, or professionally. After witnessing some concerning patterns of behavior, I’ve realized that I can no longer, in good conscience, enable further actions that could negatively affect anyone working within this space.
For these reasons, I feel it’s in my best interest to completely distance myself, both creatively and personally, from As I Lay Dying.
I also want to share my full support for Ryan, Ken, and Nick, who made the choice to step away recently. I’m grateful for our accomplishments and friendship over the past 3 years.
With 21 years that I have dedicated to this band, it does not sit well with me to leave or abandon what I’ve considered to be my “life’s work.” I don’t feel that I, or others, should be forced out like so many have in the past.
After all that’s been put into this, I believe that with the right adjustments and restructuring, our music can continue to thrive and explore new possibilities in a healthier environment.
Over time, As I Lay Dying has been held back by dysfunction, and I feel that it’s no longer my responsibility to bear that burden.
Thank you to everyone who has shown support for me and the music of As I Lay Dying. I’m looking forward to putting my energy and creativity into new, more positive ventures in the near future.
–Phil Sgrosso“
This latest meltdown of the band’s roster came about ahead of a since scrapped European tour, which the band themselves have yet to comment on. However, the opening bands and venues involved have since confirmed its cancelation. A November 15th release date for the band’s eighth studio album, “Through Storms Ahead“, had also been set
With Sgrosso out, the group are down to only vocalist Tim Lambesis, who has yet to issue a proper statement in regards to the As I Lay Dying‘s current situation.
Last week saw rumors of domestic violence and infidelity surrounding Lambesis and his current wife Dany spread like wildfire in light of all the departures and tour cancelation. Dany has since denied those rumors in a statement of her own issued on October 24th.