Austrian Death Machine – Triple Brutal (Artery Recordings)
Sunday, 4th May 2014
Sure to be overshadowed by Tim Lambesis’s pending incarceration for the attempted murder of his ex-wife, Triple Brutal, the third Austrian Death Machine salvo is actually quite enjoyable. Not enjoyable enough to prop up its rating for more deserving bands, but the shtick works. And that shtick is Arnold Schwarzenegger-themed jams set to the tune of “brutal” metalcore that on the surface, is merely an extension of As I Lay Dying. Lest we forget what the project is about anyway: “Fun.” Surely Lambesis could use some of that right now…
Eighteen jams here on Triple Brutal (the band’s third), all performed solely by Lambesis (who has handled guitar work on As I Lay Dying albums in the past). The Arnold impersonator (supposedly a long-time friend of Lambesis) is spot-on, and in small doses, rather funny, like on the opening intro “Neah, 1, 2,” as well as “I Hope I Leave Enough Room For My Fist” and “You Lack Discipline (There Is No Bathroom).” And some of the musical ideas have traction, specifically “Prepare to Be Conquered,” which could work its way around the general trappings of metalcore, and “I Know Why You Cry,” which has a healthy dose of The Black Dahlia Murder-tinted action.
Curiously, a host of guest appearances that were announced prior to Lambesis’s arrest are nowhere to be found in the accompanying bio. Whether visible metal lads such as Jamey Jasta, Jason Suceof and former God Forbid guitarist Doc Coyle asked to be omitted is moot at this juncture, but their participation is part of the allure with Austrian Death Machine. Nevertheless, Triple Brutal gets the job done; a temporary respite from all the negative attention, if anything…
Austrian Death Machine official site
