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Year : 2018
Style : Thrash Metal
Country : Denmark
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video
Size : 128 mb
Bio:
Denmark’s Artillery is easily appointed one of Europe’s earliest exponents of thrash metal, and the band’s contribution to the bourgeoning genre is difficult to ignore. The Danish quartet successfully managed to fuse an abrasive brutality with technicality and strong melodies, with the noteworthy guitar leads of the Stützer-brothers as well as the remarkable vocals from Flemming Rønsdorf serving as highlights.Due to Artillery’s demos being well distributed, the band gained worldwide recognition even before the release of their first official album; and band’s studio albums all assume a position as classics in the thrash genre. However, due to lack of support from labels and internal band disputes, Artillery never really achieved their big breakthrough.Artillery was formed in the Copenhagen suburb of Taastrup, Denmark in early 1982 by lead-guitarist Jørgen Sandau [former roadie of Mercyful Fate] and drummer Carsten N. Nielsen [ex The Mortuary] who joined forces with vocalist Per Willem Onink, lead-guitarist Michael Stützer [ex Silvercross/Unicorn/Voodoo/Devil’s Symphony] and bassist Morten Stützer [ex Unicorn/Voodoo/Devil’s Symphony].In December 1982, the band cut the 4-track demo We Are the Dead and subsequently performed a few local gigs. The music was at time cut from a traditional metal template, quite similar to the one of Mercyful Fate.However, around June 1983 Onink was asked to leave as Artillery was searching for a vocalist with a different type of voice, and around September 1983 Artillery duly employed vocalist Carsten Lohmann [ex Bang Blues Band]. At this time the music had turned much more raw and abrasive, purveying the direction which would later be entitled thrash metal.In July 1984, Artillery entered Ole Erlings Lydstudio in order to record the 4-track demo Shellshock – and the final product was released in August, and in October 1984 the band recorded four new tracks for the demo Deeds of Darkness in the same studio. Things didn’t work out with Lohmann, though, and Artillery began searching for a new frontman. The band in fact tried their luck with a female and two other guys; among them were Mickey Finn, who would later play an important role in the band’s history.Artillery eventually found the perfect member in Flemming Rønsdorf whose raunchy vocals provided the band with the right identity. Around this time, Sandau decided to assume a position as rhythm-guitarist, leaving it up to Michael to handle all leads.In January 1985, Artillery entered the El Sound Studio, Copenhagen, Denmark and cut the demo Fear of Tomorrow with producer Freddie Wolf. The product was released in March. The band was likewise featured on the Speed Metal Hell compilation album with the song “Hey Woman” from that demo.In May-July 1985, Artillery returned to the El Sound Studio, Copenhagen, Denmark, and this time with producers Nis Bogvad and Lars O. Christiansen, and the band subsequently recorded Fear of Tomorrow. Out on Neat Records, the album was met with rave reviews.That summer, Artillery headlined a successful tour in Belgium and Holland and even played at the famed Dynamo Festival in Eindhoven, before indulging themselves in support slots for Slayer and King Diamond in the end of the year.In September-October 1986, Artillery recorded Terror Squad [again in El Sound Studio], but the album was delayed beyond reason, and frustration within the band grew when tour offers, among others with Exodus, were turned down since the album wasn’t released. Carsten N. Nielsen eventually lost faith in the band that played with drummer Henrik Quaade for three weeks. The increased tension, unfortunately, led to the split-up up of Artillery, and Morten Stützer and Quaade subsequently formed Furious Trauma. Michael Stützer formed Missing Link. In 1987, Neat finally released Terror Squad, and the album yielded critical acclaim.In 1988, Artillery was offered to play at the Next Stop Soviet programme, being one of the first outside rock acts to perform in the Soviet Union, alongside fellow Danes Sort Sol. Consequently, Rönsdorf, the Stützer-brothers, Sandau and Nielsen began rehearsing for this task by playing live in their native Denmark but following a show in October Sandau decided to take his leave, for what reason Morten Stützer switched to the lead-guitar – the band was assisted for these slots by session-bassist Peter Thorslund [ex Apocalypse/Force Majeure]. Artillery performed five sold-out Russian gigs, but over-enthusiastic fans incited a vicious backlash from security forces and Artillery was properly banished as being a decadent influence.In May 1989 Artillery employed bassist Michael ‘Romchael’ Rasmussen [ex Hatred] who was however by August given the red card due to his lack of enthusiasm. Thorslund subsequently became the new member of Artillery, while Rasmussen joined Furious Trauma. Later that year, the quartet entered Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen with producer Flemming Rasmussen [of Metallica fame] and recorded the 2-track demo Khomaniac.In January/February 1990, Artillery recorded By Inheritance with Flemming Rasmussen in Sweet Silence. Out on Roadracer Records, the album yielded much attention from the press as well as fans of the genre. However, the release of the album lacked substantial support from the label, hence little touring and in August Michael Stützer left Artillery, reactivating Missing Link. Artillery thus continued with only one guitar player in the shape of Morten Stützer.In September Rønsdorf likewise left Artillery to be replaced by John Mathiasen [ex Avalon]. In December Carsten N. Nielsen bowed out of Artillery as well, and the band thus contiued with guitarist Samir Belmaati [ex Furious Trauma] and drummer Henrik Quaade.In June 1991, the band played a second time on the Roskilde Festival. In the end of 1991, Artillery cut the 4-track demo Mind Factory, which was never released. Benny Dallschmidt then replaced Quaade in the band.In 1992, Mathiasen was substituted with Mickey Finn of the early audition, but the band eventually split up, and Morten Stützer, having his hands free, joined his brother Michael in Missing Link.In 1998, the Danish label Mighty Music released the compilation Deadly Relics, which contained the band’s demos, except We Are the Dead. At the same time, the Stützer-brothers and Rönsdorf reactivated Artillery as the musicians performed a show at a venue in Copenhagen with help from Peter Thorslund and drummer Sven Olsen [from Missing Link]. Support came courtesy of 4Q, featuring Jørgen Sandau and Carsten N. Nielsen. Artillery then chose to continue as a trio.In July/August 1999, Artillery signed with Danish label Diehard Music; entering Starstruck Studio, the band recorded the Bo Lund-produced B.A.C.K. with former Invocator-drummer Per M. Jensen [ex Geronimo/Extreme Feedback]. Morten Stützer also took care of the bass. In August 1999, Artillery played at Wacken Open Air, Germany with help from Peter Thorslund and Per M. Jensen.In November 2004, Artillery performed another local show with assistance from HateSphere’s rhythm section, bass player Mikael Ehlert [ex Human Erupt] and drummer Anders Gyldenøhr [ex Pixie Killers/Grope].In 2007, Metal Mind Productions issued the 4-CD box set Through the Years, including all four studio albums as well as demo material and rare leftovers. Limited to 2000 hand numbered copies, the albums were remastered on gold discs.In late 2007, Michael and Morten Stützer reunited with Peter Thorslund and Carsten N. Nielsen, and since Flemming Rönsdorf remained uninterested in putting his strength into the band, Artillery finally recruited Søren ‘Nico’ Adamsen [ex Starrats/Crystal Eyes/Maladaptive/Twinspirits]. In 2008, the band began performing both national and international gigs, playing material from past albums.On March 8th, 2008, Artillery recorded the live CD/DVD One Foot in the Grave, The Other One in the Trash at the MetalMania Festival in Katowice, Poland for Metal Mind Productions. Not long after that Artillery began playing new tracks live and announced their plans to record a new studio album.In March/April 2009, Artillery recorded 13 tracks for the album When Death Comes at Medley Studios with producer Søren Andersen. The album was released on Metal Mind Productions in June.2011 now sees the release of their latest efforts, titled My Blood, released in March. The band are hitting the road throughout the year to melt faces and wreck some necks as one might expect from these Danish Thrash legends.After touring in the US and South America Josua Madsen replaced former drummer Carsten Nielsen.
Album:
Artillery is perhaps one of the most iconic and reliable thrash metal bands out there, and definitely one of Denmark’s finest. Their three first records rank among the best of all time in the genre for me and a LOT of people – my favorite being ‘By Inheritance’ (1990), which I put easily in my top 10 thrash albums – and since their second comeback in 2007, guitarist brothers Morten and Michael Stützer and company have been putting out full lengths on a steady basis. ‘The Face of Fear’, fifth effort since that comeback and third one with Michael Bastholm Dahl on vocals, continues to trumpet and spread the word about the band’s rich history by mixing old with new.‘The Face of Fear’ continues where the good ‘Penalty by Perception’ (2016) ended in terms of songwriting and atmosphere, which comprises of intertwining elements of the traditional euro thrash metal scene and some of their particular tricks with large chunks of the bay-area style of playing, especially when it comes to pace and riff selection. The classic Artillery side comes out to play right away as the title track starts. “The Face of Fear” is fast, prolific and heavy enough to remind us of the band’s heydays. One of the best tracks here.“Crossroads to Conspiracy” continues the onslaught and surfaces the Yankee thrash metal style of play that Artillery often borrows from, as the flow of the song and the defying nature of the performance have many similarities to the more direct approach seen in the American thrash vein.This can be noticed unmistakably and more prominently in “Sworn Utopia”, which showcases some Mustaine-esque riffs and especially vocal lines, courtesy of a loose and less-aggressive Dahl, especially in the chorus. It features an awesome verse and bridge, but the chorus is actually a little less impactful and more mechanical.Songs like “New Rage” and “Through the Ages of Atrocity” are somewhat different than the other punchy, faster track. The pair is heavier, more cadenced and Peter Thorslund’s bass lines have an outstanding role here, kind of what D.D. Verni is used to do with Overkill.And as nothing is ever perfect, strange choices and uninspired sections unfortunately are also present. “Thirst for the Worst” is just passable. Weird and melodic, has some cool riffs and leads, but is a little different from what Artillery commonly delivers.The weakest point of the album, though, is when the duo “Pain” and “Under Water” comes in. The movement of Americanizing the band’s sound feels a little bit like a marketing move rather than a natural course in songwriting. “Pain” is not bad, but this pasteurizing of music can be a little far-fetched. The sense of brutality and even some power metal elements added to Artillery throughout the years are somewhat neutered to fit this formula, and “Under Water” is just a filler instrumental song with nothing to add, at the end of the day.While the most fragile portion of the record is the final one, it’s also where the awesome “Preaching to the Converted” is. It’s powerful and visceral and has marvelous drum work and crushing riffs. It is by far the song that best suits the overall instrumental in Artillery’s new era alongside the title track, and definitely the tune with the best solo.Ending the album is a couple of rerecorded versions of previously released tracks, “Mind of No Return” and “Doctor Evil”. The former is a less organic and more melodic version of the track from the 1982 demo ‘We Are the Dead’. It fails to grasp the power and relevancy of the original, but it’s a nice addition to the fans, nevertheless. “Doctor Evil”, though, is completely skippable, as the original song is just 5 years old (originally released in the 2013 album ‘Legions’) and not a great one to begin with; I really don’t get why they rerecorded this.The addition of two young bloods in Josua Madsen (drums) and Michael Bastholm Dahl works wonders since 2012. Visceral riffs and Dahls’ performance compensate for the not so great production and some small mishaps when combining old, tried and true European thrash elements with some American modernity, but a legendary act like Artillery kicks the shit out of that without problems.All in all, the Stützer brothers deliver a good effort once again in ‘The Face of Fear’, with some really strong moments and catchy songwriting. While it won’t touch the band’s best moments, its firepower is strong enough to earn it a respectable place in such a legendary career; recommended.
Line Up:
Morten Stützer Bass (1982-1988, 1999), Guitars (lead) (1989-1991, 1998-2000, 2007-present) - See also: ex-Missing Link, ex-Furious Trauma, ex-Abracadabra, ex-Devil's Symphony, ex-MyWife, ex-Unicorn, ex-Voodoo
Michael Stützer Guitars (lead) (1982-1991, 1998-2000, 2007-present) - See also: ex-Missing Link, ex-Abracadabra, ex-Devil's Symphony, ex-Unicorn, ex-Voodoo
Peter Thorslund Bass (1988-1991, 2007-present) - See also: ex-Force Majeure, ex-Apocalypse, ex-Charisma
Josua Madsen Drums (2012-present) - See also: ex-Consumned, ex-Dennis Develin, ex-Club Hell
Michael Bastholm Dahl Vocals (2012-present) - See also: Ripe, ex-Renégadeth, Mercyful Diamond, ex-Indoctrination, ex-L.A.W.
Tracks:
01. The Face Of Fear
02. Crossroads To Conspiracy
03. New Rage
04. Sworn Utopia
05. Through The Ages Of Atrocity
06. Thirst For The Worst
07. Pain
08. Under Water (Instrumental)
09. Preaching To The Converted
10. Mind of No Return (Re-Recorded) (Bonus Track)
11. Doctor Evil (Re-Recorded) (Bonus Track)
+ Video "The Face Of Fear" (Official Video)
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