Year: 2021
Total Time: 45:44
Label: Metal Blade

Tenth album by Danish veteran Thrashers ARTILLERY, who have almost forty years of career on their backs. It may never have been one of Thrash Metal’s biggest names but their career is considered at least dignified. Their new album is entitled “X” and its creation was marked by a very tragic event for the band, as in 2019 Morten Stützer, the band’s guitarist and brother of Michael Stützer (the band’s other guitarist), passed away. Through this tragic situation the Danes found the mental reserves and the strength to continue, so two years later they offered us their new record.

The first two songs “The Devil’s Symphony” and “In Thrash We Trust” are a dynamic start with their Thrash Metal character and create positive prospects and expectations for the continuation. Which moves on quality paths with Thrash Metal being the heart of ARTILLERY’s sound, imagine a similar approach as TESTAMENT have in their latest albums. But Danes also enrich their music with elements from Heavy and Power Metal, while Michael Bastholm Dahl’s vocals are not as rough as you’d expect but cleaner and more “accessible”. A typical example is the ballad “The Ghost Of Me” in which they sound like a more Heavy Metal version of SCORPIONS, something that worried me about the sequel. Fortunately, however, “Force of Indifference” and the songs that follow are furious and Thrashy.

Through the tragic events and the pandemic ARTILLERY come out stronger offering us a remarkable Thrash Metal album with the spirit of the 80s. A band that over the years has stayed true to its roots and every time we know what we are going to hear from them just pure, fast and “catchy” Thrash Metal, with the Danes not afraid to sound also and more melodic. So those who like this sound do not skip this album and you will see that you will be pleasantly reward.

Rating: 7/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: ARTILLERY – Facebook Page