That’s what Tim Lambesis, front man of metalcore pioneers As I Lay Dying, probably thought as well when he created a whole music project around this muscle-packed former Mr. Universe. And he, Tim Lambesis, did not hesitate with big words: “Austrian Death Machine is exactly what you should hear from a heavy band: a continuously fast paced tempo you can always circle pit to, the obvious build up to a breakdown you'll know how to mosh to, classic sing alongs to pile up and sing along with, a guitar solo in every song.” Check, check, check and check... review done.

Well, that would have been too easy! Mr. Lambesis, who recorded all instruments himself, formed Austrian Death Machine as a pure side project but as silly as the idea sounds, as great the result: kick ass thrash/death with cooler riffs than Arch Enemy will ever write and indeed a solo in every song (man, I love this guy already). All tracks are quotes from Schwarzenegger movies (whoever matches them up first gets a cookie) such as “If If Bleeds, We Can Kill It” or “Get To The Choppa” and are pumped up with the most hilarious lyrics ever. As a real side project, it wasn’t enough to stuff all the ideas he couldn’t use for his main band into 11 tracks, Lambesis also recorded little interludes with Ahhnold, the alias of an Austrian accent alter ego of the before-mentioned Terminator, to round up the whole concept. As funny as this is the first few rounds, it gets quite annoying after a while (skip button is a blessing). Altogether, it doesn’t change much of the fact though that Total Brutal is by far the most fun thrash record I’ve heard in a while. Start moshing already!!!

written by Juliane John

Playing time: 38:27