By Inheritance is one of the greatest thrash metal records ever produced, and a top 5 thrash album for me, so when I  listened to Artillery’s first album in 10 years, I had very high expectations. Upon listening to When Death Comes the first time around, I was as shocked as seeing USA beat Spain today in international soccer. There have been some quality comebacks over the last 5 years from legendary thrash acts like Exodus, Heathen, Sadus, Laaz Rockit and many more, but none of these bands and their latest outputs can come close to touching the quality of When Death Comes. Somehow, I had a gut instinct that this album would be awesome, but I don’t think I grasped just how much of an impact it would have on me, which is ultimately why I posed my statement comparing soccer to metal. So why the shock?

Well, knowing When Death Comes would be good is one thing, but realizing just how far ahead Artillery has almost always been and STILL are is really something to behold. You see, for those who may not be familiar with this band, Artillery are one of those amazing thrash bands from the 80’s who were never able to really gain momentum in the mainstream metal community much like Heathen in America (Artillery hail from Denmark). In 1999, the band released B.A.C.K. which was an incredible release, and showed that the band hadn’t lost a step despite having not released an album since 1990’s By Inheritance. Even still though, after making this comeback, the new breed of metal fan still didn’t seem to find appreciation. So now we are back in 2009, 10 years later with Artillery giving it another go with fresh vocalist Søren Nico Adamsen, along with the same tried and true Artillery riffs.

Søren Nico Adamsen has to be noted for his efforts for the single purpose of being able to live up to the immense reputation of Flemming Rönsdorf. Every album that has come out of the Artillery camp has featured Flemming on vocals, making his pipes the signature of the band, so when Artillery made the move to feature a new vocalist, and listening to how seamlessly Søren makes the transition to really turn the band into his own, you can’t help but smile as an Artillery fan. As for the riffs, Michael and Morten have made sure to keep the other signature sound of the band intact. While the Middle Eastern influences of By Inheritance aren’t as prevalent (”Uniform” being the exception), we are presented with a much more in your face, well produced album that is more akin to latter day Destruction with more melody. No worries though folks, this is still undeniably Artillery we are listening to.

Like American soccer, Artillery are the underdogs of thrash metal, and always have been. It amazed me upon first listening to this just how well preserved a band can be despite not being very active for well over a decade with a short ride in the middle, but at the same time, I was anticipating such. Will When Death Comes by the awakening the band probably hopes for given the warmer climate for metal these days? As much as I wish for that possibility, I just don’t see the extreme metal minded fans of today being interested in this. The only hope  for When Death Comes to really make an impact would be for the thrash revivalists (ala Municipal Waste) to jump on the bandwagon and push for a wider international release than this will inevitably receive. Nevertheless, hardcore fans will persevere on behalf of Artillery, myself included. Success in metal has never come in the number of units sold, its all about how many hearts and minds you can win over with your mind blowing riffs. If dollars were written in satisfied fans, I think Artillery would be rich men.

AMAZING

Top Tracks: 10,000 Devils, The End, When Death Comes

Similar Artists: Destruction, Laaz Rockit, Heathen

1.    When Death Comes
2.    Upon My Cross I Crawl
3.    10.000 Devils
4.    Rise Above It All
5.    Sandbox Philosophy
6.    Delusions Of Grandeur
7.    Not A Nightmare
8.    Damned Religion
9.    Uniform
10.    The End

Søren Nico Adamsen – Vocals
Michael Stützer – Guitars
Morten Stützer – Guitars
Peter Thorslund – Bass
Carsten Nielsen – Drums

http://www.myspace.com/artillerythrashmetal

http://www.metalmind.com.pl/

Review by CODY