Ex As I Lay Dying Drummer Nick Pierce Opens Up On His Exit And Tim Lambesis

Former As I Lay Dying drummer Nick Pierce has spoken in detail about his decision to leave the band, placing responsibility squarely on vocalist Tim Lambesis in a new interview with METAL DRUMMERS UNITED.

Pierce joined As I Lay Dying in 2022, stepping into the lineup alongside guitarist Ken Susi and bassist/vocalist Ryan Neff, that version of the band would unravel just two years later, with Pierce becoming the third member to exit in 2024.

At the time, he cited the need to step away “in an effort to retain my personal health and integrity.”

His departure came amid growing controversy surrounding Lambesis, following leaked footage involving Lambesis and his then wife Dany Ciara, accusations and counter accusations between the two surfaced publicly throughout late 2024 and into early 2025, pulling the band back into a cycle of scrutiny it has never fully escaped.

In the interview, Pierce explained that he and his bandmates were aware of Lambesis’ past, including his 2014 prison sentence, but chose to give him another chance.

A second chance

“We were willing to give him that second — or second and a half chance — or whatever you want to call it… We kind of blindly went into it hoping for the best and hoping that Tim had changed.”

Pierce described the early rehearsals as genuinely exciting, recalling how tight the band felt musically.

“After playing that first song together… we were like, ‘Holy f*ck this is sick.’”

However, that optimism didn’t last, Pierce said Lambesis ultimately squandered the trust placed in him.

“We gave Tim that second chance. That was my second chance to Tim. He fcking blew it. Completely fcking blew it.”

He went on to compare the situation to friendships he’s maintained with people who have overcome addiction or incarceration, stressing that second chances can work when accountability follows.

“In this As I Lay Dying situation, not at all the f*cking case. It’s a special exception and it definitely went south.”

Pierce also revealed how abruptly everything collapsed.

“I found out the band was breaking up on my birthday… within 24 or 48 hours time, I went from thinking that I was going on tour in Europe… to finding out that the band was falling apart, all because of the sh*t that Tim had done.”

While Pierce said he wishes Lambesis would seek help, he made it clear he has no interest in revisiting the situation further.