Artillery (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | June 1, 1982 in Taastrup, Denmark |
| Founder | Carsten Nielsen, Jørgen Sandau |
| Defunct | 1991, 2000 |
| Fate | Reunited multiple times (1998, 2007) |
| Headquarters | Taastrup , Denmark |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, compilation albums, box sets |
Number of employees | 5 (current lineup) |
| Website | www |
Artillery is a thrash metal group from Denmark, widely acknowledged as trailblazers within the Danish thrash metal movement due to their vigorous, riff-centric, and high-velocity sound. Following the release of three albums and extensive tours throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the band dissolved in 1991. They reunited in 1998, disbanded again in 2000, and reassembled once more in 2007, maintaining activity to this day.
History
Established in June 1982 in Taastrup, a suburb near Copenhagen, Artillery was founded by drummer Carsten Nielsen and guitarist Jørgen Sandau. The band rehearsed alongside Mercyful Fate and Metallica, which influenced their musical style. Prior to becoming Artillery, the Stützer brothers had formed Devil's Symphony in 1980; the name changed to Artillery, inspired by Tank’s song "Heavy Artillery". The definitive lineup featured guitarists Jørgen Sandau and Michael Stützer, bassist Morten Stützer, drummer Carsten Nielsen, and vocalist Carsten Lohmann. Early demo recordings included "We Are the Dead" (1983), "Shellshock," and "Deeds of Darkness" (1984).
Their commercial introduction came with the track "Hey Woman" on the Speed Metal Hell compilation in 1985. After Lohmann left, Flemming Rönsdorf took over vocal duties. That same year, they signed with Neat Records and launched their debut album Fear of Tomorrow. Their sophomore effort, Terror Squad, was released in 1987. When guitarist Jørgen Sandau departed in 1989, Morten Stützer transitioned to guitar while Peter Thorslund joined as bassist. The band’s 1990 album By Inheritance, issued via Roadrunner Records, included the track "7:00 from Tashkent," inspired by their performance in Uzbekistan. The group disbanded in 1991.
Following the compilation release of Deadly Relics in 1998, Artillery reunited to produce B.A.C.K (1999) under Die Hard Music but separated again in 2000. In 2007, they issued a box set titled Through the Years, compiling all studio albums alongside demos.
In November 2007, Michael Stützer announced the band's comeback without longtime vocalist Flemming Rönsdorf; Søren Adamsen stepped in as the new singer. This formation recorded When Death Comes (2009) and My Blood (2011). Drummer Carsten Nielsen exited in 2012 and was succeeded by Josua Madsen; later that year, Michael Bastholm Dahl replaced Adamsen on vocals. Under Metal Blade Records, they released Legions in November 2013, followed by Penalty by Perception three years later.
In July 2018, Artillery announced their forthcoming album The Face of Fear, which was released that November. Founding guitarist Morten Stützer passed away unexpectedly in October 2019; Kræn Meier took over his role as guitarist, allowing the band to continue performing. They subsequently released "The Last Journey" (2020), a tribute featuring former vocalists Flemming Rønsdorf and Søren Adamsen.
On 7 May 2021, Artillery unveiled their tenth studio album titled X, recorded at Medley Studios in Copenhagen and supported by an international tour. As of June 2022, work on their eleventh album is underway.
Tragically, on 8 March 2023, drummer Josua Madsen died following an accident involving a bus.
Musical style
Eduardio Rivadavia from AllMusic highlights the band's distinctive sound, characterized by intricate, riff-driven compositions paired with clear vocal delivery. This signature style stands apart from the shifting trends in genre production, underscoring the group's unwavering creative vision.
Band members
Current lineup
- Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals (1982–1987, 1988–1990, 1998–present)
- Peter Thorslund — bass guitar, backing vocals (1988–1989, 1989–1992, 1998–2000, 2007–present)
- Frederik Kjelstrup Hansen — drums (2023–present)
- Martin Steene — lead vocals (2023–present)
- René Loua — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2023–present)
Studio albums
- Fear of Tomorrow (1985)
- Terror Squad (1987)
- By Inheritance (1990)
- B.A.C.K. (1999)
- When Death Comes (2009)
- My Blood (2011)
- Legions (2013)
- Penalty by Perception (2016)
- The Face of Fear (2018)
- X (2021)
Compilation albums
- Deadly Relics (1998)
- In the Trash (2019)
Box sets
- Through the Years (2007)
Live albums & DVDs
- One Foot in the Grave – The Other One in the Trash (2008)
- Raw Live (At Copenhell) (2024)
External links
- Official website
- Khomaniac – complimentary demo MP3 track from Deadly Relics, hosted by Mighty Music
- Articles with short description
- Danish thrash metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1982
- Musical groups disestablished in 1991
- Musical groups reestablished in 1998
- Musical groups disestablished in 2000
- Musical groups reestablished in 2007
- Danish musical quintets
- 1982 establishments in Denmark
- Metal Mind Productions artists
- Metal Blade Records artists
- Neat Records artists
- Roadrunner Records artists