Following the recent mass departure of members from the Metalcore band AS I LAY DYING, allegedly due to the toxic environment created by vocalist and founding member Tim Lambesis, his side project, AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE, seems to be facing a similar fate.
The Thrash Metal/Metalcore band AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE, which was revived in 2021 after Tim Lambesis’ release from prison, is now left with Lambesis as its sole member, as drummer Brandon Short officially resigned on Friday, November 15, 2024.
In his official statement on social media, Brandon Short refrained from revealing details about the situation but mentioned:
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to step away from AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE. For the sake of my mental well-being and personal beliefs, and in light of the recent developments surrounding the AS I LAY DYING camp and Tim, this has become an inevitable step for me. Although it feels necessary, it’s one I made after deep reflection as these events began to unravel.”
Brandon Short also pointed out Tim Lambesis’ repeated promises to improve, stating:
“The repeated promises, the endless cycle of “I’ll do better”—words that once gave me hope—have turned into a broken record that has brought no real change. Instead, I found myself trapped in a pattern that eroded my trust and my well-being. This cycle has reached into my personal life, affecting my mental health in ways I can no longer ignore.”
The decision to leave was influenced by Short’s need to stay true to his principles and move forward with dignity. He thanked everyone who supported him through AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE’s latest album, concluding his statement with:
“To walk away from something I cherished so deeply, that once felt like a fulfilled dream, is incredibly painful. I grew up listening to AS I LAY DYING and AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE, never imagining that one day I’d be part of this world that meant so much to my younger self. But dreams can come at an unexpected cost, and that cost has proven to be too great. My integrity and character have been called into question in a way I can no longer accept, especially with what has come to light and being in utter disbelief.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who enjoyed my drumming on AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE’s latest album—it was a project I poured so much effort and pride into. To all who supported me and came out to the shows in Europe, thank you for being part of that incredible experience. Here’s to embracing new adventures and creating even more music that resonates. The best is yet to come!”
