Oh, Tim Lambesis, can things get any worse? Your band has basically decided to move on without you, you are awaiting sentencing for up to 9 years and now your one solo release is backfiring.
When the announcement came that the Austrian Death Machine album was going to see the light of day, many people, myself included felt it might be a bit inappropriate given the circumstances. The one shining light that made it somewhat acceptable was that all proceeds from the record would go to a charity named World Vision Charity who define themselves as “a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide.”
Well, guess what? The charity has never once even heard from Lambesis or anybody involved with the project. Noisey reached out to the charity and got this response back:
“[W]ith artists and other celebrities we require thorough vetting before entering into partnerships,” Sheryl Watkins, World Vision’s senior communications officer, tells Noisey in an email. Lambesis can still make donations to the organization under the radar, Watkins says, but she adds that, as of the album’s release, neither Lambesis nor the band had established an account with World Vision or any formal relationship with the charity.
“Unfortunately, in this case neither Mr. Lambesis or the band approached World Vision before stating that proceeds of the record would benefit us,” she says. “Regrettably, we’ve found over the years that individuals and businesses will make that claim, and not follow through. Our legal department is currently looking at the band’s website to determine our next steps.”
Well, that isn't good. Certainly, you'd think somebody would clear it with the charity beforehand. To make matters worse, fans who crowdfunded the album, and helped have it made, have taken to the Austrian Death Machine page to complain they haven't received ANY version of the album, digital or physical. Here is a screenshot obtained by Lambgoat:
Obviously, this is not good press for the band or the label that decided to put out the record, Artery Recordings. For their part, Artery reached out to Lambgoat with a statement trying to explain matters:
"We came into the picture a few months back licensing the record with Tim and we have been also helping with making sure the kids all got their packages. Every person who contributed either got mailed a package that included download links or have been notified there are a few things still coming. The only people that have not been sent packages are people that were suppose to get USB sticks and or the Vinyl packages. These items are still in production. Also if the people input the wrong mailing address and or email address of course their packages aren't their yet. People on indiegogo can also contact Tim's team there if there are still any issues with not getting their packages and we are doing are best to track it. Our friends are MerchNow have printed and mailed the packages for us and if I really have to post a ton of tracking numbers online to prove Artery helped get these kids their packages i will. Myself and the company I work for have always done legit business and have always done the right thing. We have a pretty solid track history as many can agree with.
"Also to address the matters of Tim's royalties going to charity. The World Vision charity is the charity Tim chose for the money to go to. Seeing that is it only 5 days after the release of the album i haven't received any money from sales yet. When we do statements the charity will be receiving a check in the mail from the team and everything will be done as we said it would. Why would i contact a charity before we had money to give them?
"People also ask why we got involved with licensing the record. Tim has been a friend for a long time. The opportunity to help release this record and get people their campaign packages was something i wanted to do. Tim stated he wanted to give his money from the sales of the record to charity and i see that being a very awesome thing. This is why I got involved.
"For those of you who haven't gotten your indiegogo packages can submit on the page and Tim's team will help you out."
Of course, the charity donation could still be coming "under the radar" once sales checks come in, but the whole thing about the fans seems a bit weird to me. I can't imagine ALL those fans entered incorrect email addresses in order to get the album. Based on all the negative publicity Lambesis has been getting, you'd think "his team" would work extra hard to avoid any blunders. I guess not.
