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By Pete Wadeson I know it's virtually impossible, but, try to imagine a time when Metallica weren't massive. Almost incomprehensible, isn't it? But there was a time when, like all other bands who practice for hours on end in the hope of securing that all important record deal, that they to went through the days of constant struggle, recording demos and playing every dingy rock club that would book them. Why this trip back to the start of one of the world's biggest rock bands? Well, contrary to popular belief, Metallica didn't start or invent the thrash metal movement, neither did it solely originate from the Bay Area. Like any musical style, thrash had its origins and pioneers in many countries who enthusiastically started a whole new movement from the underground up that unbeknown to them at the time would take the sterile big hair, spandex clad metal scene of the early 80's by the scruff of the neck and turn it into a globally exciting new musical movement now known as thrash metal.
Formed in Copenhagen, Denmark way back in 1982, they were one of the first bands to turn it up to ten, play heavy, fast metal with a punk attitude. After several demos, the band attracted the interest of Neat Records, home at the time of another of both thrash and death metals godfathers, the uncompromising trio - Venom. At last Artillery had their launch pad & released the debut album "Fear Of Tomorrow" in 1985. Quickly gaining a strong European fan base, the band released the now almost classic "Terror Squad" album in 1987. Though hailed as a landmark release by the press, suprisingly, Neat seemingly gave it little promotion leaving the band disillusioned and after discreetly demoing a whole albums worth of material, severed all ties with Neat to sign with Roadrunner Records. Quickly entering Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, the very same studio Metallica used to record "Ride The Lightning," they produced the musically accomplished "By Inheritance." Again the press heaped praise on the release and it looked as if Artillery were set to take that next step up. However once again the band found themselves in the frustrating situation of seeing a "master work" disappear with little promotion or tour support. With this final straw and bitterly disappointed, the band split in 1991. An all too familiar tale that many bands past and present can associate with. Fast forward almost 10 years and Artillery have reformed with one of the best genuine thrash albums you're likely to hear. Released on the Danish label, Diehard Records, "B.A.C.K." is a fitting title for an album that if there be any justice will see the trio achieve much deserved success. Now comprising the familiar trio of Michael Stutzer (guitar), Flemming Ronsdorf (vocals) and Morton Stutzer (guitar/bass), founder member and guitarist Michael Stutzer is keen to talk on Artillery past and present. "I know it may sound strange, but, I'll start with explaining why the band disappeared. We'd had lots of label trouble, especially with Roadrunner, who promised so much but didn't do much to support our third album "By Inheritance." Flemming has basically had enough by this time & wanted to leave but we never seemed to say "right, that's that, the end of the band." It was more of a case of we drifted apart to work on other projects." These other projects led Michael and Morton to form another band who made a couple of albums which they released independently and were only made available in Denmark. Not the sort of stuff that was going to set the world alight but by Michael's own admission he was quite happy to be out of the hassle and politics that can surround any band embroiled in a stifling record deal. All was to change when Michael was approached by a small Danish underground metal label called Mighty Music who expressed an interest in releasing a compilation of previously unreleased Artillery demo tracks and rarities. After some consideration, Michael Stutzer began to see their could be a valid reason to re-form the band. "We'd all kept in touch and we all agreed as tio what we should put on the album. The album was called "Deadly Relics" and came out in 1998. The reaction it got from people old and new to us was amazing. The old fans who've stayed loyal loved it, but it was only after we did a gig in Copenhagen to promote its release that we realized there was a whole new audience out there receptive to what we're doing. We only played four songs and the place was absolutely packed. It happens some represenitives from Diehard were in the audience and straight after the set came up to us backstage to see if we'd be interested in doing a reunion album. It really did happen so fast!" I offer the question that they must have been hesitant to get involved so suddenly like that after the hassle they'd experience with other labels. "Yeah, it was something we considered carefully, but I knew in myself that the time wasa right to get it back together. Flemming was the one who was most hesitant but as soon as we got into the studio, it just clicked." For the album, the band recorded in their hometown of Copenhagen at Starstruck Studio, owned by Anders Lundemark of Konkhra. Not suprisingly, they recruited the help of Konkhra drummer Per M. Jensen for the recording sessions and thrash guru Andy Sneap was enlisted to mix the album to give Artillery's brand of thrash the typical late 90's early Y2K sheen without losing any of the raw power and brutal riffing that permeats the whole album. "It was great to work with those guys from Konkhra and there's nobody better for this type of metal than Andy Sneap for overseeing mixing. We decided to get Andy after hearing what he'd done on the Testament album. We're really pleased with the overall sound of "B.A.C.K" and it's been receiving excellent feedback, especially from Germany. We were knocked out when we saw it was voted best album in Rock Hard Magazine." I ask Michael how he sees the band now in comparison to when they first began. "Well, we basically just played very fast when we first started in 1982 and people used to say we sounded like a faster Motorhead, but, later, we got into bands such as Accept and Exodus who we really got into because of the power. I remember hearing "Fast As A Shark" by Accept and thinking that's the way to go, with more power and aggression. But, Black Sabbath have and still are great influences of mine." Another facet of Michaels involvement in the Danish music scene is the fact he also has his own radio show. Michael Stutzer, a DJ? "Yeah, it's great fun and I've actually been doing it for quite awhile now and I have a show called "Terror Squad." I named it that for obvious reasons. It goes out all over Denmark and I do interviews with current rock bands and I can play anything I want. I also have another show called "Terror Squad Special" on which I feature a special band each show. So, I have a good mixture." As the interview comes to a close, Michael's keen to further discuss the bands plans for the future in particular, they will be touring in support of the album and are already being lined up for a few European summer festivals. "We're definitely going to be playing live and Per will be doing the live gigs so we'll work around his schedule with Konkhra. Our old bassist is coming back and we're already booked to play the Wacken festival in Germany and we'll be on the bill of the Rockslide festival as well. We're all very excited. I'd also like to say a big thanks to magazines such as yourselves who remember the band and it's great that you feel we're still worth listening to after all these years." Worth listening to? You bet, as "B.A.C.K." is undeniably a class release that shows the band are sounding and thrashing better than ever. It's also good to see someone like Michael Stutzer not only producing metal with his own band, Artillery, but helping other new bands to gain airplay and bringing them to the attention of his listeners via his radio rock show. A pretty unique situation. "B.A.C.K. is out now on Diehard Records." Copyright 2000, BallBuster, The Official Int'l Underground Hard Music Report |
Originally, this movement was bred from the underground of tape trading and independent fanzines who supported these bands who were considered "too heavy" for the mainstream rock press of the time. I'm sure many young readers of Ballbuster won't even remember the bands that were whipping up a storm over in mainland Europe in the early 80's. A time when Metallica & even Slayer didn't have record deals. One such band was Artillery.
