Representative Albums: "By Inheritance," "When Death Comes," "Fear of Tomorrow"
Biography
Denmark's Artillery were one of the many quality European thrash metal bands that never seemed to catch a break. Formed in 1982 in the Copenhagen suburb of Taastrup by brothers Michael (guitar) and Morten Stytzer (bass), Artillery recorded demos that quickly became a hot commodity on the heavy metal tape-trading circuit. Then a booming worldwide network, this important underground community was also responsible for launching the careers of eventual giants like Metallica and Anthrax, who may have otherwise been doomed to obscurity. In Artillery's case, replacing original singer Carsten Lohmann with Flemming Ronsdorf proved to be the catalyst they needed, as the latter's very distinctive vocals (alternately gruff and piercing à la compatriot King Diamond) helped them to stand out from the pack. Rounded out by guitarist Jorgen Sandau and drummer Carston Nielson, the band soon inked a deal with British metal label Neat, which issued an influential couple of albums in 1985's Fear of Tomorrow and 1987's Terror Squad. All the while, the group toured throughout Europe on many package metal bills, including a lengthy jaunt sponsored by the Danish government that took them to the far reaches of the Soviet Union. Understandably, Artillery went down a storm with the rock-starved Soviet kids, but authorities were less impressed, eventually sending them packing by way of one-way tickets on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
Guitarist Sandau quit shortly after their return and the band set about looking for a new deal with anyone but the troubled Neat Records, eventually signing with Roadrunner, for whom they recorded 1990's ambitious By Inheritance in an attempt to break away from thrash metal's increasingly confined boundaries. New bassist Peter Thorslund was brought aboard at this time so that Morten Stytzer could switch to guitar, but with inner-band tensions escalating by the day, Artillery eventually split the following year. Little was heard from the band's alumni for the next decade, but when their influential early demos were packaged for release on 1998's Deadly Relics, Ronsdorf and the Stytzer brothers decided to attempt a comeback. Drafting drummer Per M. Jensen (later of the Haunted), Artillery returned in 1999 with the appropriately named B.A.C.K. LP, which -- modern studio techniques aside -- remained true to the technical thrash sound of their early days. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Peter Thorslund
Morten Stützer
Michael Stützer
Carsten Nielsen
Søren Adamsen
Former members
Per Onink
Carsten Lohman
John Mathias
Mickey Find
Jørgen Sandau
Samir Belmaati
Anders Gyldenøhr
Per M. Jensen
Henrik Quaade
Benny Dallschmidt
Flemming Rönsdorf
Michael "Romchael" Nielsen
Mikael Ehlert
Artillery is a Danish technical thrash metalband. They participated in the early development of the genre, and their highly energetic, riff-centric and often fast-paced music is similar in style to that of Coroner, Megadeth and Sabbat from the same era.
The band formed in 1982 in Taastrup, a suburb to Copenhagen. The members were guitarists Jørgen Sandau and Michael Stützer, bassist Morten Stützer, drummer Carsten Nielsen and singer Carsten Lohmann. The group recorded the demos Shellshock and Deeds of Darkness in 1984.
Artillery's first commercial debut came in early 1985 with the inclusion of the song "Hey Woman," on Volume One of the Speed Metal Hell compilation series which was released on New Renaissance Records. Later that year, Carsten Lohmann left and was replaced by Flemming Rönsdorf. Later the same year, Artillery recorded a third demo, Fear of Tomorrow, signed with Neat Records, and released their first album, also titled Fear of Tomorrow. In 1986, Carsten Nielsen was contacted by Quorthon of Bathory asking him if he was interested in drumming for Bathory. Nielsen turned down the offer since he thought Artillery would become a much bigger band than Bathory. Their second album, Terror Squad, was released in 1987.
Guitarist Jørgen Sandau left the band in 1989. Bassist Morten Stützer took over his position, lending the bass to recruit Peter Thorslund. Their third album, By Inheritance, was released in 1990 on both LP and CD, by Roadrunner Records. Artillery disbanded in 1991, some of the members pursuing musical projects of their own during the rest of the 1990s.
Following the 1998 release of an Artillery compilation CD, Deadly Relics by Mighty Music, featuring a mix of old demo recordings and two songs from the 1989 promotional tape, the band reformed to record a fourth album, B.A.C.K, which was released in 1999 by Die Hard Music.
In 2007, the band released a limited edition 4-CD boxset entitled Through the Years, which contains the band's four studio albums and all their demo material.
On November 6, 2007, Michael Stützer confirmed on the official Artillery website that they were once again active, have concerts booked, and are rehearsing their old songs (along with new material). A new studio album is in consideration.[1] However, longtime Artillery singer Flemming Rönsdorf is not involved, and the band is auditioning new singers.[2]
On November 27, It was confirmed through the website [3] and through the official newsletter, that singer Søren Adamsen will be the new frontman. [4]
The official Artillery website was updated recently, stating that Artillery would tour around various locations in Europe during 2008, and would record a live DVD during the MetalMania Festival in Katowice, Poland.[5]
In April, 2009 the band released two songs from their upcoming album "When Death Comes". They are available at: [6]
Discography
Michael Stützer, the guitarist, during concert at The Rock in Copenhagen, 2008
Demo and Promotion Tapes
1982 – We Are the Dead – demotape
1984 – Shellshock – demotape
1984 – Deeds of Darkness – demotape
1985 – Fear of Tomorrow – demotape
1989 – 1989 promo – promo tape
1991 – The Mind Factory – demotape
LPs and EPs
1985 – Speed Metal Hell – compilation LP/MC (New Renaissance)
