As They Sleep

As They Sleep is an American extreme metal band from Detroit, Michigan. They have released two albums and an EP.

As They Sleep
Background information
Also known asATS
OriginDetroit, Michigan
GenresExtreme metal, melodic death metal, deathcore
Years active2003–present
LabelsSolid State, Luxor
Websiteastheysleep.com
MembersAaron Bridgewater
Barry Gomez
Nick Morris
Derek Kosiba
Tony Lukitsh
Past membersPaul Burkett

Shortly after releasing their first album, As They Sleep signed to metal label Solid State Records.[1] They released their second album, Dynasty, on November 23, 2010. Mixed by Jason Suecof (Job for a Cowboy, August Burns Red, Whitechapel) at Audio Hammer Studios, the album has one music video. Since then, they have toured with bands such as Becoming the Archetype, Living Sacrifice, The Showdown and To Speak of Wolves.[2][3]

Since the release of the album, Dynasty has received very positive feedback.[4][5][6][7]

History

According to vocalist Aaron Bridgewater, the band formed in 2003 as a three piece and the other two members joined later.[8] They released an independently released self-titled EP in 2005. The band signed to Luxor Records soon after the release.

Their debut album, Blacken the Sun, was released on October 28, 2008 under Luxor Records. Produced by the band's own guitarist, Nick Morris, owner of Cloud City Studios (The Black Dahlia Murder, Walls of Jericho). Blacken The Sun was moderately successful and defined the band's unique death metal style.[2] After Blacken the Sun, the band signed to Solid State Records. Their highly acclaimed second album, Dynasty[4][5][6] was released in 2010, before leaving Solid State, and re-signing to Luxor.

Bridgewater stated in a recent interview that the band's new album will be titled, The Hallowed Abstract.[8]

Name

The band's name is a metaphor, as Bridgewater said in an interview with CCM Magazine. Here is the full quote:

"As They Sleep is a metaphor for going above and beyond to succeed, kind of like in warfare. When the enemy sneaks into camp in the middle of the night to take you out as you sleep, [you’ve got to do] whatever it takes to prevail."[9]

The band has been wondered to be a Christian, most likely due to being signed on Solid State Records, a record label with both secular and Christian bands.[10] The band leaves it up to their listeners to determine this.[10] Bridgewater stated

"We do get the 'Are you a Christian band?' question a lot, I think mainly because we're on Solid State... I have Christian roots from my childhood and I carry it with me today and I'm sure some people that read the lyrics would say it kind of reflects in the music. As far as individual beliefs, some of us have more Christian roots than others. Faith does play a part in what we're doing, but we're still a death metal band and we want to deliver death metal the way it's supposed to be. We don't have anything satanic in our music. There's no profanity in the music, either. We could go on tour with Deicide and get along with those guys just as much as we'd go on tour with Demon Hunter and get along with those guys. There's really no reason why you shouldn't get along just because your lyrical content or beliefs might be different than somebody else's.[10]

Band members

Current members[11]

  • Aaron Bridgewater – vocals (2003–present)
  • Derek Kosiba – bass (2003–present)
  • Barry Gomez – guitar (2003–present)
  • Nick Morris – guitar (2003–present)
  • Tony Lukitsh – drums (2009–present)

Former members[11]

  • Paul Burkett – drums (2003-2009)

Session musicians[11]

  • Steve Longworth – piano (2008)
Timeline

Discography

Studio albums[11]

EPs[11]

  • As They Sleep (2005)

Music Videos

  • "A Thousand Deaths" (2009)
  • "Oracle of the Dead" (2011)

References
  1. zMETALlica. "As They Sleep Signs To Solid State Records". Metal Underground. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  2. Staff(s). "As They Sleep". Last.fm. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  3. xFiruath. "Living Sacrifice Comments On "Very Metal Christmas" Tour with Becoming the Archetype". Metal Underground. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  4. Steve (November 18, 2010). "As They Sleep - Dynasty review". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  5. heavy2thebone2 (November 28, 2010). "As They Sleep - Dynasty review". Metal Underground. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  6. Reimer, Wayne (November 27, 2010). "Dynasty". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  7. Reimer, Wayne (December 14, 2010). "As They Sleep Interview". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  8. Bridgewater, Aaron (December 9, 2015). "Hot Butter Podcast Episode 70 - As They Sleep". Interviewed by Brett & Adam. Hot Butter Podcast. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  9. Argyrakis, Andy (November 12, 2010). "Rock Spotlight From CCM Magazine: As They Sleep". CCM Magazine. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  10. Pelt, Doug Van (January 21, 2011). "As They Sleep Extended Scenes". HM Magazine. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  11. ShroudOvSerpents (October 30, 2008). "As They Sleep". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
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