Metal Blade Records are keeping the YouTube hits flowing now that they have released a slew of music DVD and live performances from their bands. While the heavy and dark stuff tends to be the forefront of Metal Blade Records, I enjoy the metalcore aspect of their roster. Both Unearth and As I Lay Dying have composed some decent live performance DVD's in the past few years and due to the fact that I don't own a Blu-Ray player, it's nice to see these video uploaded in 720p online!
That being said, another gem of the Metal Blade store. As I Lay Dying compiled THREE DVD's into a bundle package they call "This Is Who We Are". The DVD's comprise of the band's past history, present live performance and the (at the time) future of the band. Aside from the major headlines that Tim Lambesis has been causing with his murder-for-hire scheme, the band has really been in the spotlight of metal since their release of "Frail Words Collapse" and their climb to victory. Seeing them at least 3-4 times now live, I know how intense and energetic their live performances are. These DVD's are almost throwback memories now of myself swinging away in the moshpit. Enjoy!
"This Is Who We Are" was released on April 24th, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. It was certified Gold in the US and platinum in Canada by May, 2009.
Disc #1 - Main Documentary:
This complete band history includes in depth artist interviews and commentary, interviews with friends and family, as well as observations and road stories from colleagues and bands that have worked with and befriended AS I LAY DYING since the band's inception.
1. Intro (00:00:00)
2. The Past (00:02:55)
3. Beneath the Encasing of Ashes (00:09:04)
4. American Tragedy Split EP (00:16:06)
5. Frail Words Collapse (00:28:07)
6. Shadows Are Security (00:56:58)
7. An Ocean Between Us (01:32:49)
8. The Present (01:45:29)
"I'm completely honored to have our DVD reach so many people in only its first week out. Needless to say, it's a great achievement for our band, but it also goes to show that metal music has been opening new doors. Regardless of what mainstream media pushes, there are enough diehard fans out there to make something like this happen." -Tim Lambesis
Disc #2 - Live Performances:
Over an hour and a half of live performances captured at AS I LAY DYING's Southern California shows in November 2008 including the Jumping Turtle, The Grove, and Seacoast Community Church, international festivals, including Wacken Open Air and With Full Force, and U.S. festival Cornerstone.
1. Intro (00:00:00)
2. Falling Upon Deaf Ears (Seacoast Community Church) (00:02:38)
3. Forever (Seacoast Community Church) (00:06:55)
4. Meaning in Tragedy (The Jumping Turtle) (00:16:53)
5. The Darkest Nights (The Jumping Turtle) (00:22:53)
6. Separation (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:32:11)
7. Nothing Left (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:33:19)
8. An Ocean Between Us (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:36:58)
9. Within Destruction (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:41:21)
10. Forsaken (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:45:54)
11. Distance is Darkness (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:51:20)
12. I Never Wanted (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:53:55)
13. The Sound of Truth (The Grove of Anaheim) (00:58:35)
14. 94 Hours (Cornerstone) (01:13:33)
15. Through Struggle (Wacken Open Air) (01:18:52)
16. Reflection (With Full Force Festival) (01:23:03)
17. Confined (Wacken Open Air) (01:26:25)
"It's hard to believe that we've been a band for as long as we have yet have never released an official DVD documenting our first seven years. As a result, we've included so much content that you hardly have to like our music to be entertained. With that said, it feels good knowing how many diehard fans over the years have supported our band and their simple enjoyment of our music has given us the chance to see the world!" -Tim Lambesis
Disc #3 - Music Videos + Bonus Features:
Music Videos:
1. Nothing Left (00:00:00)
2. The Sound of Truth (00:04:01)
3. Within Destruction (00:08:24)
4. Confined (00:12:20)
5. Through Struggle (00:15:41)
6. The Darkest Nights (00:19:40)
7. Forever (00:23:48)
8. 94 Hours (00:28:35)
Bonus Features:
1. Band (00:31:42)
2. Meaning (01:04:05)
3. Moves (01:14:04)
4. Fans (01:21:41)
5. Crew (01:29:23)
6. Entertainment (01:44:58)
7. Pacific Adventures (01:56:55)
Extra Live Performances:
1. Elegy (02:03:25)
2. Empty Hearts (02:07:51)
Three-DVD sets are not assembled for people who can either take a band or leave a band; they are designed for the ultra-devoted fans who live and breathe that band. And As I Lay Dying have had plenty of fans, both Christian and non-Christian, who really are that passionate -- which made the arrival of This Is Who We Are in April 2009 long overdue. This three-DVD set includes a documentary on the first DVD, live performances on the second DVD, and videos and various bonus features on the third DVD. It's a lot to absorb, certainly, but then, As I Lay Dying have plenty of followers who are enthusiastic enough to watch all three DVDs from start to finish and not get bored. One of the things that This Is Who We Are addresses is the fact that As I Lay Dying are a Christian band with a strong connection to the secular metal world. Indeed, the San Diego residents have toured with secular metal bands extensively -- they are hardly a band that only tours with other Christian bands -- and they have attracted plenty of secular and non-Christian followers who will no doubt eat This Is Who We Are up. So what's their secret? The fact that they aren't overbearing about their Christianity doesn't hurt; even though As I Lay Dying are coming from a Christian perspective lyrically, fans who are atheists or agnostics and fans who practice religions other than Christianity don't find them off-putting. And the fact that they have an attractive sound (metalcore/alternative metal with elements of Scandinavian-style death metal) is a plus. This Is Who We Are isn't recommended to casual listeners, although fans who have been following As I Lay Dying religiously (so to speak) will welcome its arrival. -All Music
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