Artillery-Terror Squad

Metal Mind
1987/2008


When Denmark’s Artillery released their debut “Fear of tomorrow” in 1985 they were actually well ahead of the majority thrash bands of the time. They had their direction planned out plus they knew how to blend speed and heaviness into a veritable assault. Unfortunately they were slightly overlooked and the production on the debut could have been better, but it was still a classic thrash album. By 1987 the thrash scene was changing because the number of bands playing the style had multiplied a lot over just two years. Still Artillery got even better despite not getting their due. On Terror Squad they attack their material with an even greater ferocity than on the debut. If anything they are even heavier and louder plus even a little more confident. The production was certainly better this time around and that only helps with overall effect. Artillery should have been one of the leaders of the scene because they had everything together while other bands were still trying to figure it out. In my book this is a must hear album due to the thoroughly aggressive approach and the ease with which they just peel off the rapid fire bursts. There is no doubt than they had their share of influence on other bands as well. This re-issue includes eight bonus tracks including demos of “Terror Squad” and some early tracks with Carsten Lohmann handling the vocals. The quality on the bonus tracks varies from okay down to rough, but bonus tracks are always welcome. This is a true thrash masterpiece that has held up very well for being twenty-one years old.