This release is something you won't find in stores. Honestly, I am not sure exactly why this exists, but it does. I received a package from Metal Blade Records around the time of this release when I worked for 89.1 WSFX FM, and included was a bunch of CD-R three song samplers with professional text artwork on the top of the band name, label contact information, copyright information, as well as the track list. Clearly it was to promote the release of As I Lay Dying's at-the-time latest release Shadows Are Security.
Well, regardless, this is a nice sampler CD to have. It features three cuts off the latest album, and they are some great choices for metal radio air play. The EP shows the band has progressed their sound, and drifted away from the emo-esque sounds found on the previous album Frail Words Collapse. The new vocalist is definitely a welcomed addition and fits the music so much better then the previous one. The singing has also improved over the last release, which is blatently obvious during the chorus of the song "Confined".
The music is harder, even more technical, and much more mature since the band's start. This sampler definitely shows that As I Lay Dying's new album Shadows Are Security is going to be pretty good. it's just too bad that the sampler did not feature the single off the album, "The Darkest Nights". But, since this is just a CD-R with pressed text on it the label used to build hype for the album, it's not something that holds any collectable value since it could easily be duplicated. Oh well, it'll just remain something nostalgic from my radio days I suppose...
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