Austrian Death Machine

As I Lay Dying’s controversial frontman Tim Lambesis continues to see bandmates leave his projects, with Austrian Death Machine drummer Brandon Short now announcing his departure from the group.

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The saga began last month when As I Lay Dying guitarist Ken Susi, bassist Ryan Neff, and drummer Nick Pierce all announced they would be quitting the band, citing clashes with personal morals amid the band’s turbulent history. Days later, longtime guitarist Phil Sgrosso followed suit, leaving Lambesis as the sole remaining member of the band.

On Nov. 5, Lambesis issued a statement, agreeing that claims of an “unhealthy environment” from the now-departed bandmembers were accurate, and admitting that it became “difficult to figure out even the smallest details” as tensions mounted within the group.

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Alongside noting that the statements from his former bandmates were released “in response to rumors” amid what he described as a “chaotic time”, Lambesis asserted that As I Lay Dying would continue, and noted he “fully supports” their decisions and that “my door will always remain open to discussing anything directly.”

Now, Lambesis’ Austrian Death Machine – a largely solo side project designed as a thrash medal parody and tribute to Arnold Schwarzenegger films – has lost its drummer, with Brandon Short announcing his exit.

Short, who had been a touring member of the group since 2023, shared his departure statement on Instagram on Friday (Nov. 15).

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to step away from Austrian Death Machine,” Short wrote. “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.

“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.

“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.”

Founded in 2000, As I Lay Dying rose to prominence as a Grammy-nominated act but became embroiled in controversy in 2013 when Lambesis was arrested and, in 2014, sentenced to prison for attempting to hire a hitman to kill his then-wife, Meggan Lambesis. Lambesis pleaded guilty in the case and served two years of a six-year sentence.

Lambesis formed Austrian Death Machine in 2008, releasing the band’s debut album, Total Brutal, that same year. While As I Lay Dying reformed in 2017 following his release from prison, Austrian Death Machine did not make a comeback until 2023, with fourth album Quad Brutal arriving in February 2024.