We caught up with Tim Lambesis, frontman of As I Lay Dying, during the Mountain View stop of the 2012 Rockstar Mayhem Festival. With a new album on the way and a wealth of experience behind him, Tim shared his thoughts on songwriting, rehearsals, spirituality, and the constantly evolving world of heavy metal.l.
Capital Chaos TV: So, you live out in San Diego, is that right?
Tim Lambesis:
Yeah—I’ve been there since I was seven, so close enough. It’s a great, great town.
Capital Chaos TV:
After traveling the world, you really get to appreciate it, huh?
Tim Lambesis:
Absolutely. I actually know for sure now—it’s paradise.
Capital Chaos TV: You’ve got a new record coming out?
Tim Lambesis:
Yeah, it drops on September 25th. This whole tour is building up to that release.
Capital Chaos TV: Does the album have a name?
Tim Lambesis:
Yeah, it’s called Awakened.
Capital Chaos TV:
All new songs?
Tim Lambesis:
Yep. Eleven brand-new tracks. Our last release was more of a compilation, but this one is a full-length album. Honestly, I think it’s our best work. Everyone says that about their new record, but we genuinely believe it. We’ve fine-tuned our sound and matured as songwriters.
Capital Chaos TV: Do you guys write together or separately?
Tim Lambesis:
We usually start by writing separately and emailing ideas back and forth. After months of touring, the last thing we want to do is hang out in someone’s spare bedroom to write. So we each create ideas individually, and when something sticks, we come together and finalize it as a band.
Capital Chaos TV:
Do you rehearse a lot before tours?
Tim Lambesis:
Not really. For this tour, we only practiced one song—the new one. The rest of the set we’ve played so many times, we just went for it. Nothing prepares you like actually being on stage. You can rehearse perfectly in a room, but once you’re performing, that’s when you really find out what works.
Capital Chaos TV:
Do you know all the songs in your catalog by heart?
Tim Lambesis:
Mostly, yeah. I’ve had moments where a lyric slips because something in the crowd distracts me—but it’s rare.
Capital Chaos TV: Everyone’s heard about Randy Blythe being jailed in Czechoslovakia. Do you ever invite fans on stage?
Tim Lambesis:
Yeah, we’ve had experiences like that. The whole situation is absurd. I heard he may have been released already—but who knows what’s accurate. Either way, it’s great publicity for Lamb of God.
Honestly, if I had to sit in jail for a few days and it meant that kind of promotion for our band… why not? He’s probably making more money in jail than out! Bands tour for months to promote something, and he gets massive coverage in just a few days.
Capital Chaos TV: Is As I Lay Dying a reference to Jesus?
Tim Lambesis:
No, it’s not. Funny enough, I’ve never been asked that before. I guess it could be interpreted that way, but it wasn’t intentional.
Capital Chaos TV:
Do you think God gives us everything we need—or do we have to do the work ourselves?
Tim Lambesis:
I think people should change everything they have the power to change. When you’ve done everything you can and your resources are exhausted, then you pray. A lot of people treat spirituality like a magic genie, while others see it as a psychological support system to deal with life and loss.
Regardless of whether you think things happen naturally or by God’s will, we’re all given physical and mental abilities—why not use them?
Tim Lambesis remains one of metal’s most thoughtful and dynamic frontmen. With Awaken releasing on September 25th, fans can expect powerful new music and deeper insight into a band that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.
Stay tuned for more interviews and tour coverage on Capital Chaos TV.
Watch the full video interview below
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Categories: As I Lay Dying, Interviews, Music
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