Looking for heavy? Look no further than As I Lay Dying's sophomore effort Frail Words Collapse. Recorded using an older lineup (only vocalist Tim Lambesis and drummer Jordan Mancino remain in the band's current incarnation), this record is a much rougher sounding and less radio-friendly version of a band that has gained much critical acclaim lately. Where Shadows Are Security was a much sleeker and slightly more palatable record, Frail Words Collapse offers a much more acerbic look at what many consider to be the most brutal band in Christian metalcore.

As I Lay Dying lays it all on the line on this record and it is apparent at first listen. This band is unrelentingly heavy and brutally punishing on each track and although clean, emo choruses have snuck into their music of late, very little traces of that can be found here. Vocalist Tim Lambesis shreds into each song with an unremitting fury that is matched only by the rest of his bandmates. Frail Words Collapse is an impressive display of As I Lay Dying's unparalleled approach to metalcore and this band manages to keep things as heavy and as direct as possible without falling into the trap of writing the same-sounding song over and over.

Granted, nothing new is presented here and As I Lay Dying didn't exactly break many boundaries in making this record, yet each track is executed so well (and with such precision) that nary a song misses its target. This is metalcore the way metalcore fans like it - no frills, no gimmicks and most importantly, no emo! All you get with this band are the dueling guitars, the heavy riffs, and the scorching vocals. If this is your idea of a perfect band, then by all means pick up this record - all else should steer clear. This is the kind of record that could just rip your face off!

- Review date: 3/29/06, written by Sherwin Frias