This Is Who We Are (Live)

Album Review

Three-DVD sets are not assembled for people who can either take a band or leave a band; they are designed for the ultra-devoted fans who live and breathe that band. And As I Lay Dying have had plenty of fans, both Christian and non-Christian, who really are that passionate — which made the arrival of This Is Who We Are in April 2009 long overdue. This three-DVD set includes a documentary on the first DVD, live performances on the second DVD, and videos and various bonus features on the third DVD. It's a lot to absorb, certainly, but then, As I Lay Dying have plenty of followers who are enthusiastic enough to watch all three DVDs from start to finish and not get bored. One of the things that This Is Who We Are addresses is the fact that As I Lay Dying are a Christian band with a strong connection to the secular metal world. Indeed, the San Diego residents have toured with secular metal bands extensively — they are hardly a band that only tours with other Christian bands — and they have attracted plenty of secular and non-Christian followers who will no doubt eat This Is Who We Are up. So what's their secret? The fact that they aren't overbearing about their Christianity doesn't hurt; even though As I Lay Dying are coming from a Christian perspective lyrically, fans who are atheists or agnostics and fans who practice religions other than Christianity don't find them off-putting. And the fact that they have an attractive sound (metalcore/alternative metal with elements of Scandinavian-style death metal) is a plus. This Is Who We Are isn't recommended to casual listeners, although fans who have been following As I Lay Dying religiously (so to speak) will welcome its arrival.