Album Review: Artillery - Raw Live (At Copenhell)
Reviewed by Gareth Pugh
Thrash legends Artillery are now into their fourth decade of existence, but strangely this is only the second live album they have released. Recorded at the band’s 2022 performance at the Copenhell metal festival in Denmark, it unfortunately marked the last performance of drummer Josua Madsen, who tragically passed away the following year in a car accident, and the band have released this in honour of their fallen comrade.
Not only was this the last set of the sadly demised sticksman, but it also marks the final release with vocalist Michael Bastholm Dahl and guitarist Kraen Meier, who have both since left the Danish thrashers, Meier had joined as a live replacement for founding member Morten Stützer (RIP) and also both wrote for, and performed on the last album ’X’, while Dahl has been a long-term member having joined the band in 2012 and appeared on four studio albums.
For the setlist itself, the band chose an excellent mix of both newer and classic material, which mostly focuses on the latest album ‘X’, and arguably their most popular release ‘By Inheritance’, with a smattering of others from all eras of their back catalogue. ‘The Devil’s Symphony’ the opener on the aforementioned ‘X’ begins the show in blistering style, what is immediately apparent is the energy and enthusiasm the band has, mostly driven by the pounding percussion of Madsen, he sets the tone and the rest of the band take up the task with gusto. ‘By Inheritance’ itself is up next and its remarkable how Dahl can emulate the siren like wails of original singer Flemming Rönsdorf, and although he’s not quite as unhinged as his predecessor was, he more than makes up for it with the passion of his performance.
Both old and new material work well in the live situation, with new material such as ’10,000 Devils’, ‘Legions’ and newbie ‘In Thrash We Trust’ holding their own with the likes of ‘Bomb Food’ and ‘Terror Squad’, although it has to be said that the old classics ‘The Challenge’ and especially the brilliant ‘Khomaniac’, with its crowd participation and extended instrumentation section that are the real show stealers. The sound is suitably ‘real’ with a raw, yet crystal clear production, in fact longtime producer Søren Andersen admitted only a few levels had to be adjusted to get the finished product.
This is a fitting tribute to Joshua Madsen who absolutely put his heart and soul into this gig, and it also sits well as a line under this chapter of Artillery, who have now recruited 3 new members and are hopefully looking to a bright future, in the meantime this is one hell of a live album and a great addition for long term admirers, and also a splendid place to start for new fans as well. Enjoy!
