Tim Lambesis’ side project loses drummer after As I Lay Dying controversy

As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis’ side project Austrian Death Machine has lost their drummer Brandon Short – find out more below.

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Last month (October 24), bassist Ryan Neff, guitarist Ken Susi and drummer Nick Pierce, all of whom joined Lambesis’ As I Lay Dying in 2022, announced they were quitting the band, citing “personal morals”.

That was then followed by the departure of guitarist Phil Sgrosso, who had been part of the San Diego metalcore group since 2003, leaving Lambesis as the sole remaining member. At the time, Sgrosso said the departures were due to the band no longer offering “a healthy or safe environment for anyone involved—whether creatively, personally, or professionally. After witnessing some concerning patterns of behaviour, I’ve realised that I can no longer, in good conscience, enable further actions that could negatively affect anyone working within this space.”

Now, it appears that the issues within As I Lay Dying have spread to Lambesis’ Arnold Schwarzenegger-themed band Austrian Death Machine, with drummer Brandon Short announcing his exit. Short wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Short continued: “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.”

Tim Lambesis has yet to address Short’s departure, but early this month shed light on the As I Lay Dying situation. He said in a lengthy statement: “As I reflect, I certainly agree that there was an unhealthy environment that made leaving for a new tour with the previous lineup unrealistic. It had become difficult to figure out even the smallest details, and I admit I can stick strong to my vision for the future of AILD even when others think it should go another direction.”

Lambesis added that he “fully supports” all of his former bandmates’ decisions, and said his “door will always remain open”. He also said he “looks forward to building a new team, and creating an atmosphere that is supportive, positive and fosters a creative environment”.

As I Lay Dying are still set to release their eighth studio album, ‘Through Storms Ahead’, on November 15 via Napalm Records. The record features the recorded work of now ex-members Neff, Susi, Sgrosso and Pierce, along with guest appearances by Slaughter to Prevail‘s Alex Terrible and former Lorna Shore vocalist Tom Barber.

Lambesis was sentenced to six years in prison for plotting to kill his wife back in 2014. He pleaded guilty to paying a police officer posing as a hitman $1,000 (£630) to kill his then-wife, Meggan Lambesis. After being released in December 2016, Lambesis took to the band’s official Facebook page to post a lengthy statement, “apologising to everyone” for his actions.

The vocalist then reunited with the San Diego band in 2018, who released their first new song in six years with ‘My Own Grave’ and announced details of a homecoming show that summer. Longtime guitarist Nick Hipa would leave the band in 2020, with drummer Jordan Mancino and bassist Josh Gilbert following suit in 2022.