I’m still stunned. . . Tim Lambesis, the frontman for one of my favorite metal bands, As I Lay Dying, was arrested on May 7th for soliciting a hitman to kill his wife, though the hitman was actually an undercover detective. Last week Lambesis was released (May 30th) on $2 Million bail. He has another hearing on June 10 and could face up to 9 years in Prison. Lambesis has pleaded not guilty; his lawyer said that steroids clouded his judgment. Check out the before and after pic. . .
No doubt many will look at the style of music that Lambesis performs and contend that the metal genre is so full of hatred that there is nothing surprising about this news. Yet Lambesis is an outspoken Christian and the band’s music contains a lot of Christian themes (some fairly overt). Apparently though, he recently told his wife in an email that he no longer loved her and no longer believed in God.
I have only seen As I Lay Dying in concert once. This was several years; they were performing at the House of Blues in Las Vegas with Shadows Fall. In many ways it was a typical metal show. Yet it was one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had at a concert (and I’ve been to many!). It started when I was in line to buy my ticket. Standing directly in front of me in the ticket line was the drummer of As I Lay Dying. I was so stoked and shocked that I was standing right behind him! So I mustered up the courage to introduce myself and extol the wonders of his double-bass kick abilities. He was happy that I recognized him, and I just asked, what are you doing in line for your own show?! He told me that his girlfriend couldn’t get a free ticket so he went to buy one for her. I thought to myself: couldn’t you give the money to her? Or maybe to someone else so that they could take care of this for you?! I couldn’t believe that the drummer of a heavy-hitting metal band would do that right before his show. Then, when I got inside, I walked over to the merch table, and I was stunned even further. Standing at the merch folding T-shirts was none other than Tim Lambesis! I walked up to him thinking that at any moment he would run away and asked him why on earth he would be folding merch before his show. He just told me that he enjoys hanging out with the fans. I couldn’t believe it. So we proceeded to chat about the band’s history, it’s musical influences, and the themes in the lyrics—since no one was around and Tim continued to fold merch. Tim described the church that they were a part of and the inspiration they find in Christ. Of course, the concert was great; when they performed “Forever” and “94 Hours” I was ecstatic. It was an absolutely great experience. Since then they solidified themselves as one of my top favorite bands.
With the recent news about Lambesis’ attempt to kill his wife, I’ve been completely shocked. As I reflect on my experience meeting him in light of the recent events, I’m reminded of something he told me about the song “Behind me lies another fallen soldier” off of the album, Frail Words Collapse. Lambesis said that the song was intended as a worship song. The lyrics of this song are so apt at the moment. I post them here as a conclusion to this post. With all the uncertainty and confusion surrounding this news, my prayer is that Lambesis would recall these lyrics; lyrics he has performed a thousand times.
I wanted to bring you all that is in my heart
I wanted to give you my everything
But I’ve failed you
I’ve failed you so many times
How can I stand here
How can I stand here before you
How can I stand here before you
When I begin to steal
What only belongs to you
What only belongs to you
I am able to bring you
Nothing that isn’t already yours
I am so ashamed, I’m so ashamed
Of what I ever called my own
Take what I have, take these broken remains
What can I give to you that you don’t already deserve
You laid down your life when I refused to give mine
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