Three members suddenly depart controversial band with lead singer convicted of hiring hitman-Brooke Ivey Johnson-Entertainment – Metro

Tim Lambesis is the final remaining member of of As I Lay Dying after mass exit (Picture: Christie Goodwin/Getty Images)

Metalcore band As I Lay Dying is once again mired in conflict as three members suddenly leave the band.

Their exits mean only lead singer Tim Lambesis remains in the band.

Departing members Ryan Neff, Ken Susi, and Nick Pierce had all joined the band in 2022, hoping to bring a fresh start to the group after Lambesis’ release from prison.

The singer was convicted in 2014 for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his then-wife.

The band first made a controversial comeback in 2018, reuniting with Lambesis five years after he was arrested in 2013 for attempting to hire a hitman to murder Meggan Murphy Lambesis, who he had split from a year earlier.

Lambesis met with an undercover agent, giving the agent $1000 (£734) in expenses, pictures of wife Meggan, her address and a code to get through her gate. It’s claimed he also agreed to paying $20,000 (£14.6k) for the hit.

The band first formed in 2000(Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The vocalist initially pleaded not guilty to solicitation of murder, but changed his plea to guilty in February 2014.

Lambesis – who has since remarried – was sentenced to six years in prison in May that year – he was later released on parole in December 2016.

Ryan Neff, formerly of Miss May I, was the first to announce his exit from the group this week.

Sharing his decision on Instagram, Neff explained that he had ‘reflected deeply’ and ultimately decided that leaving the band was the best choice for his ‘personal and professional journey.’

He also expressed appreciation for the support from fans of As I Lay Dying.

‘For me, this decision comes down to keeping my integrity intact,’ Neff wrote. ‘I’m grateful for the experiences and everyone who supported me.’

Soon after Neff’s departure, guitarist Ken Susi and drummer Nick Pierce followed, with Susi expressing disappointment in what he termed a ‘saddest ending.’

Susi acknowledged that he had been aware of the ‘dramatic history’ surrounding Lambesis and the band’s challenges in recent years.

He said: ‘I was drawn to the opportunity for a second chance for this band, but my personal morals have been tested to a breaking point.’

He praised Neff, who had been criticized for being the first to step down, stating, ‘Ryan is a flawless musician and an even better person, and I regret not joining him sooner.’

Nick Pierce also issued a statement emphasising his need to prioritise ‘personal health and integrity.’

Lambesis was convicted in 2014 of attempting to hire a hitman to kill his then-wife (Picture: Frank Hoensch/Redferns)

‘For me, music is about creating unforgettable memories with my friends and sharing music that resonates with fans,’ Pierce shared. ‘Leaving was a hard but necessary choice.’

As I Lay Dying has long been a divisive name in metalcore. Formed in 2000, the band gained popularity for its Christian-themed lyrics, though this identity was challenged when Lambesis publicly renounced his faith in 2012.

His subsequent arrest and conviction only deepened the divide between fans and critics. Lambesis has attempted to reform both his life and his image since his release.

The band’s upcoming album Through Storms Ahead is set to drop on November 15, marking their eighth studio release.

However, with the sudden departure of three of its core members, the future of the band remains uncertain.

Despite the departures, Lambesis has expressed his intent to carry on with the album release as planned.

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