AS I LAY DYING - Destruction Or Strength (OFFICIAL TRACK)

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A message from AS I LAY DYING:

These are concerning and unprecedented times. Amidst the uncertainty of how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, or how severe its impact will be, there are countless people desperately struggling to weather the storm.

In an effort to make a positive contribution to our communities and the people closest to us, we are releasing a unreleased from our Shaped By Fire album sessions called "Destruction or Strength". It will be available on all streaming platforms and digital retailers, including Bandcamp as a “pay what you want” download. We will also be selling a t-shirt featuring the single artwork.

Listen + download:

Purchase the t-shirt:

All proceeds from both will be aggregated and donated to the following:

AILD Road Crew
Travel restrictions and responsible social-distancing measures have crippled the entire live event industry. While touring is a substantial part of a bands’ income, it is the entire source of financial sustenance for the hard working and talented crew it depends upon. A portion of everything raised will be distributed to our techs and production staff to help alleviate the financial strain of lost income and work opportunity. We love these people as family and want to help them though this the best we can.

Feeding San Diego
With the closures of all schools in our state, Feeding San Diego is being extremely pro-active in distributing food to support students who previously relied on free and reduced priced school meals as their primary source of nutrition. Feeding San Diego is also continuing their efforts in providing hunger relief to senior citizens, low-income families, and all of the workers in our local hospitality, service, and tourist industries who are facing financial hardships from unemployment. The remainder of everything raised will be sent as a monetary contribution to this organization, to assist them in serving the hunger needs of our community.

We recognize this is an uneasy climate for everyone right now so there is no pressure to contribute. At the very least, we hope sharing unreleased music will have a positive impact for those of you excited to hear it.

Please be safe and kind to one another. We will get through this together.

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DESTRUCTION OR STRENGTH (LYRICS)

whether locked up or on top of the world
i felt the same sense of unrest
pursuing numbers
the approval of others
outward illusions of success
just an illusion (illusion)
an illusion masking restlessness
all ending in a downward spiral

rock bottom is all relative
some people lose their homes
and others lose their heart
the sad truth is i lost them both
‘cause i perilously chose
to compromise my soul
i could not see past all the distraction
(distraction, destruction)
until everything to hide behind...
until everything to hide behind was gone

now that everything is gone
i’m free, free to see without distraction
there’s nowhere left to hide
as i face what is inside
what is inside

now changing the like the tide
devoid of peace but now finding
what brings serenity
and what can be centering
but it’s not the things it used to be
because they have been taken
and cannot be retrieved
now that everything to hide behind
(distraction, destruction)
until everything to hide behind was gone

now that everything is gone
i’m free, free to see without distraction
there’s nowhere left to hide
as i face what is inside
what is inside

what is left (what is left)
when you take it all away (when you take it all away)?
a battle between desolation and sorrow
leaving behind destruction or strength
destruction or strength
destruction or strength

whether locked up or on top of the world
i felt the same sense of unrest
but now it’s gone

now that everything is gone
i’m free, free to see without distraction
there is nowhere left to hide
as i face what is inside
what is inside

whether locked up or on top of the world
i felt the same sense of unrest
but now it’s gone
(what is inside)
just an illusion
an illusion masking restlessness

[ComradeCrab]

These guys and Lamb of God are the kings of "if it's not broken, don't fix it." Perfect every time.

[CyclonicNinja]

As I lay Dying: comes out with a new song
My Neck: Ah shit, here we go again

[HappyAutopsy]

Everyone at home:
AILD: Can i offer you a new song in this trying time?

[jay-cilc]

Sweet of them to release a unreleased song with this whole coronavirus that going around band never disappoints

[charleshauger]

Man!
This band has been number 1 to me and always will. I love their creativity and energy they put into every song.

[minecraftsteve]

Such a beautiful message. This band has been getting me through such a tough time, even after the band broke up

[waterproof]

Seriously those guitars are absolutely sick! Especially on the chorus. Nick and Phil are legendary

[wellsbibo]

Definitely "more of the same" but that's not an issue when "best in the game" is normal for these guys. If they stray too far from their sound, people get annoyed. If they remain true to their sound, people get annoyed. You can't please everyone. Rock on, guys!

[n.]

Whether locked up or on top of the world
I felt the same sense of unrest
Pursuing numbers
The approval of others
Outward illusions of success
Just an illusion (illusion)
An illusion masking restlessness
All ending in a downward spiral

Rock bottom is all relative
Some people lose their homes
And others lose their heart
The sad truth is i lost them both
‘cause i perilously chose
To compromise my soul
I could not see past all the distraction
(distraction, destruction)
Until everything to hide behind...
Until everything to hide behind was gone

Now that everything is gone
I’m free, free to see without distraction
There’s nowhere left to hide
As i face what is inside
What is inside

Now changing like the tide
Devoid of peace but now finding
What brings serenity
And what can be centering
But it’s not the things it used to be
Because they have been taken
And cannot be retrieved
Now that everything to hide behind
(distraction, destruction)
Until everything to hide behind was gone

Now that everything is gone
I’m free, free to see without distraction
There’s nowhere left to hide
As i face what is inside
What is inside

What is left (what is left)
When you take it all away (when you take it all away)?
A battle between desolation and sorrow
Leaving behind destruction or strength
Destruction or strength
Destruction or strength

Whether locked up or on top of the world
I felt the same sense of unrest
But now it’s gone


Now that everything is gone
I’m free, free to see without distraction
There is nowhere left to hide
As i face what is inside
What is inside

Whether locked up or on top of the world
I felt the same sense of unrest
But now it’s gone
(what is inside)
Just an illusion
An illusion masking restlessness

[PKDCGA]

How I missed this last year is beyond me, but this is so good. Love that little "an ocean between us" riff thrown in there.
AILD never disappoints.

[shamelessoftherandom]

Last night I had a terrible argument. I was very sad and I was crying.
It happend at 8-9pm
Now it's 9am, but i'm still listening this song...gives me lots of power and makes me calmer..
Thank you, As I Lay Dying, an other ass kicing song..❤️ can't stop playing this❤️🤘

[xanderzombie]

*Anyone going through struggle, blaring this on top of the highest mountain top for the world to hear* Powerful af, as someone who has seen them several times live, so happy to see these guys back together

[AndreFolvanko]

As I Lay Dying, Lamb Of God, Trivium, Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[stephenvanbellinghen]

this song reflects personal struggles i've been having myself recently. I love it

[mavenjr]

Most consistent band I have ever listened to. I'm okay with that. I love it.

[synyska]

This song makes me want to break in someone’s house and toast all their bread and put it back in the bag

[dhaviationfanatic]

Hopefully they play this song live and Roots Below in the future

[tolgakoncagul]

1 year passed since virus affected our lives, this song hits different now.More meaningful and powerful.

[JayBadloss]

Been with you guys since "94 hours"and will be "forever" even "through the darkest nights" and when there's "nothing left" but "an ocean between us" and we feel like we are all. "condemned" we must find
" a greater foundation" within ourselves and become "shaped by fire" or it Will come down to the
"destruction or strength" of us all.

Thank you guys for all the great music...its gotten me through and been tjere for me through so much...and I was so happy to see and hear you guys were sble to get back together. You guys are special....i will always be a fan even " as I lay dying".

-jay BaDLoSs

[osssshhh]

As of 8pm tonight we are not clapping for our hard working doctors and nurses, they are clapping coz i played this full blast all day.