Austrian Death Machine drummer Brandon Short left Tim Lambesis’ side project after the recent As I Lay Dying controversy.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to step away from Austrian Death Machine,” Short said 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. Although it feels necessary, it’s one I made after deep reflection as these events began to unravel.”
He continued, “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 rocker revealed.
Brandon added, “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 drama started last month when three members of As I Lay Dying—guitarist Ken Susi, bassist Ryan Neff, and drummer Nick Pierce—said they were leaving the band due to personal disagreements. A few days later, guitarist Phil Sgrosso also quit, and Lambesis became the only remaining member of the band.
On November 5, Lambesis released a statement on Instagram and said, “Hi everyone, I needed some time to process all that has happened recently with AILD. As I reflect, I certainly agree that there was an unhealthy environment that made leaving for a new tour with the previous lineup unrealistic.”
The frontman explained, “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. It saddens me to think about the behaviors, communication, and patterns of interaction that led up to the tour cancellation.”
“Phil and I no longer saw eye to personally, creatively, or financially. Discussions during this time prompted his decision to depart first, with each of the touring members deciding to leave shortly after, as they were not interested in going on without him,” Tim further shared.
As I Lay Dying will play their first festival of 2025 at Welcome to Rockville on May 16 with Lambesis as the only current member.
