The founder of Arnold Schwarzenegger parody band Austrian Death Machine has been arrested in Southern California in a sting operation for allegedly attempting to arrange the murder of his estranged wife, according to the San Diego County sheriff's department. Tim Lambesis, 32, was arrested Tuesday and has been charged with three federal counts, including solicitation of another to commit murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit crime, as reported by various news outlets. Is it possible that Lambesis tried to murder his wife because she was a bigger fan of A.D.M.'s rival band ArnoCorps?
While fans of the metal singer react in shock, members of ArnoCorps were less surprised by the news. Since the announcement of Austrian Death Machine in 2008, many in the press have suggested their concept was stolen from underground action-adventure hardcore rock act, ArnoCorps. Do Lambesis' actions in copying another band reveal a villainous character flaw?
"As we've always said, ArnoCorps are a rescue team, not assassins, so we are glad it appears tragedy was avoided and no one got hurt," Holzfeuer, lead singer and founder of ArnoCorps told TheArnoldFans.com, addressing Lambesis' alleged attempt to hire an assassin. "I can't speak to his guilt or innocence in attempting a Douglas Quaid-style divorce at all. I can only offer insight into his bastardization of heroic Austrian action adventure tales and exploiting ArnoCorps' efforts."
Tim Lambesis launched Austrian Death Machine 7 years after ArnoCorps had been performing live internationally. ArnoCorps had garnered critical acclaim, especially in the UK press, long before Austrian Death Machine was launched. Meanwhile, Lambesis was already very successful and well-known for his Grammy-nominated metal band As I Lay Dying. Able to leverage the resources of metal juggernaut Metal Blade Records for a full-blown advertising campaign and world wide distribution of his solo side project Austrian Death Machine, he appears to have made every effort to sweep ArnoCorps under the rug, a band whose appeal was often based on being a truly unique and original act.
"We're a decidedly underground band, and I admit we've never attempted mainstream success. We appeal to a niche audience that appreciate depth in their music and a unique live experience and all these things. We embrace metaphor, heroic archetypes, motivational themes and inspirational messages while exploring modern interpretations of ancient alpine myth. We're really not intended for low foreheads or choir boys, let me tell you. We've turned down opportunities to become a much more well-known because we viewed those opportunities as being at the expense of our original vision. I have to admit at times it was a little disheartening to be compared to a one-dimensional commercial novelty act such as Austrian Death Machine."
"It's been pretty surreal, the past few years. Fans report to me all the goings-on with his project. While he would claim he wasn't copying ArnoCorps, I was told he totally transformed to be more like us. For the past decade, ArnoCorps espoused the virtues of working out, nutrition, motorcycling, all these things. Over time, he's adopting these things for his own, even suddenly going from a skinny guy to bulking up, giving workout advice, come on, even growing a beard like mine, buying a motorcycle, talking about pro wrestling on social media right after we did a performance with WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. He even launched his own crowdfunding campaign immediately after ArnoCorps had The Fantastic EP successfully funded on Kickstarter! Unbelievable."
TheArnoldFans was the first website to introduce ArnoCorps, 13 years ago. We're happy to be able to announce their upcoming release of The Fantastic EP at Slim's in San Francisco on Friday, June 14th. Join us there! The new record will feature fantastic tales relating to Hyborian Age and fantasy. Tracks include a re-written Crom (Strong On His Mountain), Conan the Destroyer, King Conan (Crown of Iron), Red Sonja, Hercules and a song called Exactly which reveals the origin of many phrases used in the Conan the Barbarian DVD commentary track! Tickets for the EP release performance are on sale now, at the following link:
http://tickets.slims-sf.com/events/315460/ArnoCorps
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