Despite the controversy, As I Lay Dying are having a successful return as they recently wrapped up their U.S. tour and currently on a European trek. Frontman Tim Lambesis has now issued a statement via social media on his outlook from his vicious past. Last summer, the group shared a discussion video explaining their overall return. It was back in 2013 Lambesis was arrested for attempting to hire a hitman to have his wife killed. The singer pleaded guilty in 2014 and by December of 2016, he was released from prison. Now, in his statement, Lambesis has clarified that those who support the band are not supporting the person he once was.
Read his full statement below:
“I stand against who I became in my past and am pursuing a new purpose in the rebirth of AILD. We collectively are.
- People who support AILD are not supporting the person I once was, because part of my life’s work now is to undo the hurt I’ve caused and to help others in addiction. Instead, I think AILD fans are supporting the belief that people can change.
- I will never be able to undo my greatest mistake, but I believe it’s better to do something rather than give up.
- AILD collectively condemns all forms of domestic abuse and violence. Its aftermath is one of pervasive, long-lasting hurt and there is no acceptable excuse or defense for such behavior. Our agenda as a band is to actively back and work with organizations who offer support to those who are emotionally suffering and in pain. Whether it be from a history of abuse, hardship, or mental illness—pro-activity in healing and recovery is at the core of what this band is now.
- Tonight we’ll play the biggest headline show of our career (topping our second biggest headline show earlier on this same tour). Our fans in Germany did not know this when they bought their tickets, but we will be donating a portion of proceeds from our show to HeartSupport; an organization we believe in that functions to provide emotional support and counseling to young adults caught in cycles of addiction, depression, sexual abuse, and family turmoil. Our mission is to continually seek and implement ways to facilitate positive, meaningful change in the world around us.
- For now, we don’t want to miss out on bringing purpose into our biggest moment yet. We’ve been given a second chance we thought we’d never have again and we certainly don’t take it for granted.
Sincerely,
Tim”
