365 Days of Metal: Tunes From Mr. Universe

Day 21

Austrian Death Machine - Total Brutal

Band Origin: San Diego, California, USA
Genre: Metalcore / Thrash
Label: Metal Blade
Running Time: 38 minutes
Release Date: July 22, 2008

Best Part: So do you want more of a GNNNyyyyyaaaaaarg! or Aaarrrrrrrrgggggg!

Favorite Tracks: I am a Cybernetic Organism Living Tissue Over (Metal) Endoskeleton, Get To The Choppa, and It's Not A Tumor

Grade: 4.0

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Total Brutal in 20 words or less:

30 plus minutes of Metal featuring your favorite Asutrian Death Machine, Ahhhhhhhnold - well, close enough.

The Band:

Austrian Death Machine is the side project of As I Lay Dying vocalist, Tim Lambesis, which in his own words is meant to be an outlet of pure testosterone and stupidity. The focal point of the band is of course Arnold Schwarzenegger and all of its tracks are named and based off of his movies. Ahhhhhnold is portrayed by Chad Ackerman, vocalist of Destroy the Runner, all guitar work, bass and drums are provided by Lambesis. The only part of Austrian Death Machine which is not lead by Lambesis are the songs many guitar solos, which appear on every track. These solos are provided by a long list of guest guitarists, including the likes of Kris Norris of Darkest Hour, Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage, and Eyal Levi and Emil Werstler of Daath.

Austrian Death Machine's second album released in 2009 is entitled Double Brutal, and is a two disc record featuring original material, and a CD made entirely of covers.

Jay's Take on Total Brutal:

The first thing to keep in mind about Austrian Death Machine is that first, it is a parody and tribute album about The Governator and second it's all about aggression, ridiculousness and guest guitar solos. Taking all of these things in mind, this is not an album for metal purists, it's meant to be listened to with a grain of salt. But regardless of this, the album goes down quite well. Lambesis puts considerable effort into the record, considering he provides nearly everything on this record, including the kitchen sink. Ackerman's protrayal of Ahhhnold, in his minor skits with Lambesis are what makes this record hilarious, and really provide some breathing room between the fast paced and testosterone filled tracks on the album. The great thing about both of Austrian Death Machines albums are the guest solos. Every song has a solo, and the majority are performed by a different guitarist, adding a little flavor to each track. Ackerman even mocks listeners on the fourth track, pointing out whiners claiming the songs sound the same - which they do, they're all brutal! But rest easy, the record doesn't bleed together at all, the record is based primarily on a thrash metal feel, but each track is distinguishable, either stylistically or in one shape or form from the other.

Sample of the Day:

Some music, and some parody.





- J