Thrash metal band Space Chaser premiered the video for its latest single to kick off the week.
The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘Juggernaut’ Monday. The video features the band performing its new single in what looks like some sort of industrial factory type of setting as a backdrop. That footage is complimented with a story of a rather large armored vehicle making its way across an alien landscape, firing at anything that moves as the song plays over the whole.
The band talked about the video’s concept and how it works with the song in a prepared statement:
“Freeze your ass off in a Berlin club for two days and assemble a disrupted desert landscape from another planet? We thought that was a fantastic Space Chaser idea!,” The statement reads. “Together with our buddies from Peregrine Films we brought the Juggernaut – the merciless, warmongering monster – to life and sent him on a destructive journey. In well known “sci-fi meets thrash metal” style, we deliver the matching short film for our song “Juggernaut” and headbang our brains out along the way. Watch out that you don’t get buried under the tank chains! BOOM!”
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Juggernaut’ will resonate almost immediately with audiences. The riffing lends itself so easily to comparison to works from the likes of Accept, Testament, and the band’s Metal Blade Records label mates in Artillery. Even with this in mind, the arrangement still boasts its own identity separate from those acts’ works, making it all the more engaging and entertaining.
‘Juggernaut’ is featured in Space Chaser’s 2021 album, Give Us Life.
Courtesy: Metal Blade Records
In other news, Space Chaser is scheduled to head out on a brief nine-day tour Thursday in Osnabruck, Germany. The short tour run is scheduled to last through March 11 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The tour’s schedule is noted below:
02.03.22 DE Osnabrück Bastard Club 03.03.23 DE Oberhausen Kulttempel (Thrash Speed Burn Festival) 04.03.23 NL Arnhem Willemeen 05.03.23 BE Bree Ragnarock 06.03.23 DE Siegen Vortex 07.03.23 DE Wiesbaden Schlachthof 08.03.23 DE München Backstage 09.03.23 AT Wien Viper Room 10.03.23 DE Leipzig Bandhaus 11.03.23 NL Eindhoven Welcome to Hell Festival
More information on Space Chaser’s new video and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
And then there were two. Phil’s Picks is officially down to two year-ender lists on the music side as the countdown to the year’s end itself continues. The first of this year’s last two music year-ender lists comes today in the form of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.
This year’s list is packed with content from so many established and new acts. From up-and-coming hard rock act Antisaint to veteran thrash band Exodus to guitar virtuosos Gus G. and John 5 and more, this year has seen so many great hard rock and metal records. Suffice it to say there has been so much great hard rock and metal this year that it has been extremely difficult to compile this list, but it was created.
As with every list from Phil’s Picks, this collection features the year’s top 10 new releases and five additional honorable mention titles for a total of 15. Those honorable mention titles are just as deserving of applause as the other featured works. Without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks’ 2021 Top 10 New Hard Rock & Metal Albums list.
PHIL’S PICKS’ 2021 TOP 10 NEW HARD ROCK & METAL ALBUMS
1. Accept – Too Mean To Die
2. Atreyu – Baptize
3. Exodus – Persona Non Grata
4. Michael Schenker Group – Immortal
5. U.D.O. – Game Over
6. Artillery – X
7. Gus G. – Quantum Leap
8. John 5 – Sinner
The Three Tremors – Guardians of the Void
Antisaint – Vaticinate
Bullet For My Valentine – Bullet For My Valentine
A Killer’s Confession – Remember
The CEO – Redemption
Tremonti – Marching in Time
Skarlett Riot – Invicta
That’s it for this year’s hard rock and metal albums. While even the hard rock and metal community has wrapped things for this year, things are already gearing up for 2022, with new releases already coming from the likes of up-and-coming hard rock act Bloodywood, veteran acts Hammerfall and Annihilator, and even from Saxon and Stabbing Westward. That’s all just in the first quarter of 2022, too.
In other words, the first half of the new year is already gearing up to be very exciting for all the hard rock and metal fans out there. Until then though, there’s still one more music year-ender list from Phil’s Picks this year before the attention turns over to the best of this year’s new TV and movie releases. Stay tuned!
Veteran thrash metal outfit Artillery returns Friday with its latest album, X. The title is a representation of the album being its tenth full-length studio recording. Coming more than two years after the band released its ninth album, The Face of Fear, the band’s latest album will appeal to any of the group’s established audiences. It will also appeal to any thrash metal aficionado. That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements. They will be discussed shortly. The record’s lyrical themes play just as much into its appeal and will be discussed a little later. The album’s production rounds out its most important elements. It brings everything together and will be discussed later, too. Each item noted here plays its own important part to the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make X a strong statement about Artillery ten albums and almost four decades into its life.
Artillery has seen a number of highs and lows over the course of its nearly 40 year life. From the breakups and reunions, to the new albums and lineups, this veteran thrash metal act has been there and done that. Now with its aptly-titled 10th album, X, the band shows that it still has more highs to reach. That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements in question are everything that listeners have come to expect from the band. Right from the album’s outset, the guitar riffs offer audiences influences of Slayer and Judas Priest in one in ‘The Devil’s Symphoony.’ The shredding solos and the powerhouse verses pair with the equally solid time keeping, bass, and equally powerful vocals (including the choruses) to make the song a strong, familiar approach that will keep listeners engaged and entertained.
The arrangement featured in ‘Force of Indifference,’ a late entry to the album, does just as much to show the power of the record’s musical arrangements. As with the album’s opener, this song boasts a clear Slayer influence alongside a more melodic power metal approach. The key to remember here is that while the noted influences are there, the song is not just a rehashing of ‘The Devil’s Symphony’ or any of the works that are presented between the two works. It is its own intense thrash composition that boasts its own power. Yes, the variances are subtle, but a close listen reveals them and in turn makes for plenty of appreciation for the song in whole.
‘Mors Ontologica,’ an even later entry to the album, is one more example of the importance of the album’s musical arrangements. The thrash element is just as prevalent here as in any of the album’s songs. In the case of this song though, the variance is more audible. In the case of this song, the Slayer influence is replaced more by a vintage Metallica/Megadeth influence alongside the band’s equally prevalent power metal stylistic approach. The result of the blending here is another unique work that will engage and entertain the band’s fans just as much as thrash fans in general. When this arrangement, the others examined here and the rest of the album’s musical content is considered together, the whole of the record’s musical side leaves no doubt as to its role in the album’s success. Even with all that the album’s musical arrangements do to keep the record appealing, they are only a part of what will engage and entertain the noted audiences. The record’s lyrical content adds its share of interest to its presentation.
Lyrically speaking, X touches on a variety of topics. From a social topic, such as that presented in ‘In Your Mind, to concerns about charitable giving in ‘Beggars in Black Suits,’ to religious fanaticism with Satanism in ‘The Devil’s Symphony,’ the album proves to cover a lot of ground. Front man Michael Bastholm said of ‘In Your Mind,’ that the song is “about the thoughts you have when you feel that the other person has an awfully specific assumption of you, which you know is wrong.” Everybody has been in this position at least once, meaning this message is accessible. The statement is made clear right from the song’s outset as Bastholm sings, “I guess it all makes sense/There is every proof and evidence/That all you think is true/That all is clear between me – me and you.” The cynicism and frustration which Bastholm noted in his statement is made fully clear here. Its clarity is increased in the song’s second verse, which finds Bastholm’s subject singing, “There is a need to be sure/You think there is a real good cure/To control under lock and key/To realize what makes – makes me, me.” The song’s third and fourth verses add even more to the discussion as they continue in similar fashion. All things considered, the song proves to be a work that will resonate with most listeners what with its relatable theme and presentation thereof.
‘Beggars in Black Suits’ takes on an equally real topic in the matter of knowing where one’s money goes when one makes charitable contributions. This is a very real topic, as the media has raised questions in recent years about how much money contributed to, say, The Salvation Army, actually goes to benefit the needy. Bastholm said of this song, “All these media persons and politicians beg us to pay for this or that cause, without us having any security that our money goes into the right pockets,” he said. “Often, we see this money end up in the wrong hands, and therefore the title, ‘Beggars In Black Suits.’” Just as with the case of ‘In Your Mind,’ the topic broached here is presented in a relatively accessible fashion. That is made clear in the song’s lead verse, which finds Bastholm singing, “You – hold your hands forth, honesty in your eyes/You – speak those soft words, all filled with lies.” The song’s second verse makes the statement just as clear, as Bastholm sings, “How – can you wear those honest, pleading caring eyes/When – all you want is for us, to believe your lies?” The song’s third and final verse puts the accent to the statement, as Bastholm sings, “Now – we really know you, despise you to the core/We – will make sure that you, shall be no more.” Again, reports have made their way through various media outlets in recent years questioning just how much money given to charities actually benefits the needy. This song voices the frustration that so many have felt when they learned that the money in question might not have gone to where they were led to believe it would go. It makes this song just as accessible for listeners as ‘In Your Mind’ while also showing even more, the variety in the album’s lyrical content.
Social concerns are just a portion of what Artillery takes on in its new album’s lyrical themes. The band also takes on religious fanaticism in ‘The Devil’s Symphony.’ According to Bastholm, while the song and its lyrics present a dark topic, it is not meant to make people think the band promotes Satanism. Rather, it is about “that almost exhilarating feeling of being against established convictions and beliefs. It is not a song about us being Satanic or anything like that, though.” The song examines that fervency by examining all the things that those types do, from using inverted crosses, to burning incense, to almost making the writings of Levay and others their theology. So on the surface, the song is an examination of the people who partake in the religion in question. On a deeper level, one could argue that it is just as much about people in general who are so fanatical about their given religion, but at the same time so uneducated. It is a truly unique way to approach a familiar rock and metal lyrical theme. To that point, the song proves to be one more example of the album’s varied lyrical themes and the overall importance of said content. To that end, this song, the others examined here join with the rest of the album’s lyrical themes to show clearly the importance of said content. Even with that in mind, there is still one more item to examine. That item is the album’s production.
The production of X is important because of its role in the album’s general effect. As has already been noted earlier, the musical arrangements featured in this album are everything that audiences have come to expect from the record. That means that they are rather intense from one song to the next. In other words, there is a lot going on, between the instruments, vocals, and other noted additions to the songs. The attention paid to every minute detail of each arrangement ensures that the songs are each expertly balanced. The result is that every song is fully engaging and entertaining in terms of its musical and lyrical content. The end result of that overall appeal is that listeners will agree X lives up to expectations and that it is among the best of this year’s new hard rock and metal albums.
Artillery’s new forthcoming album, X, is a solid new offering from the veteran thrash outfit. It is a presentation that shows the band is still looking to reach plenty of highs. Listeners will agree that the album is itself a new high for Artillery. That is proven in part through its musical arrangements. The record’s musical arrangements are everything that longtime fans have come to expect from Artillery, but are still original in terms of their sound from one to the next here. A close listen proves that true through the subtle differences heard in each song. The lyrical themes featured throughout the album are themselves important to the album’s presentation because of their varied topics and accessibility. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements, bringing everything together. This is done through the expert balance of every element in each arrangement. It ensures listeners’ engagement and entertainment in its own right. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered, they make X another impressive offering from Artillery that is also among the best of this year’s new hard rock and metal albums. X is scheduled for release Friday.
More information on X is available online now along with all of Artillery’s latest news and more at:
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Artillery debuted the video for its latest single this week.
The band debuted the video for its single, ‘Turn Up the Rage’ Wednesday. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming album, X. The band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘In Thrash We Trust‘ last month.
The video for ‘Turn Up The Rage’ features the band performing its new single in what looks like a brewery type background. The song’s musical arrangement is a heavy, driving work that will appeal to any vintage thrash metal fan.
The lyrical theme featured in Artillery’s new single comes across as a statement about the frustration felt at discovering the reality of someone who does not seem to be who and what he or she seems.
X is scheduled for release May 7 through Metal Blade Records. The album will come less than three years after the release of the band’s then latest album, The Face of Fear, and less than a year after the release of its latest single, ‘The Last Journey.’
X will release on a variety of platforms, each listed below.
– ltd. digipak-CD (incl. 2 bonus tracks) – 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive) – blood red / blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies) – viole(n)t blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies) – blue / red / white melt splatter vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
The album’s full track-listing is noted below.
X track-listing 1. The Devils Symphony 2. In Thrash We Trust 3. Turn up the Rage 4. Silver Cross 5. In Your Mind 6. The Ghost of Me 7. Force of Indifference 8. Varg I Veum 9. Mors Ontologica 10. Eternal Night 11. Beggars in Black Suits
More information on Artillery’s forthcoming album is available online now along with all of Artillery’s latest news and more at:
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Artillery will release its latest album this spring.
The band is scheduled to release its new album, X — its 10th album — May 7 through Metal Blade Records. The album will come less than three years after the release of the band’s then latest album, The Face of Fear, and less than a year after the release of its latest single, ‘The Last Journey.’
X will release on a variety of platforms, each listed below.
– ltd. digipak-CD (incl. 2 bonus tracks) – 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive) – blood red / blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies) – viole(n)t blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies) – blue / red / white melt splatter vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
In anticipation of the release of X, Artillery debuted the album’s lead single, ‘In Thrash We Trust‘ Thursday. The song’s musical arrangement is a full-on thrash metal opus, living up to the song’s title.
While information was not provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release distributed about the song and album’s debuts, the theme is obvious. It is in its own right, a tribute thrash metal itself, nothing more.
Guitarist Michael Stutzer addressed the band’s approach to the song and album during a recent interview.
“We wanted to have the typical Artillery trademarks, like the riffs and hook lines in the usual combination together with aggression and melody,” he said. “We always try to combine melodic thrash metal with elements from the heavy sounds of the 70s and the 80s, and this time with new elements in some of the songs,” “We don’t have to push ourselves hard when we’re writing a record because we love what we’re doing.”
‘In Thrash We Trust’ is just one of the 11 total songs featured in X. The album’s full track-listing is noted below.
X track-listing 1. The Devils Symphony 2. In Thrash We Trust 3. Turn up the Rage 4. Silver Cross 5. In Your Mind 6. The Ghost of Me 7. Force of Indifference 8. Varg I Veum 9. Mors Ontologica 10. Eternal Night 11. Beggars in Black Suits
More information on Artillery’s forthcoming album is available online now along with all of Artillery’s latest news and more at:
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Artillery is paying tribute to one of its own with its latest single.
The band kicked off the weekend Friday by debuting its new single, ‘The Last Journey.’ The song is a tribute to late Artillery member Morten Stutzer, who died in October 2019. The band announced last month that it was going to release the single, which features guest vocals from the band’s former front men, Flemming Ronsdorf and Soren Adamsen.
The band’s new single is an interesting new offering in part because of its musical arrangement. The arrangement takes a noticeably different turn from the band’s existing body of work. Instead of the heavy, guitar driven arrangements for which it has come to be known, this work instead takes elements of power metal and 80s hair metal to form its musical foundation.
On the surface, the combined elements again make for quite the intriguing presentation. Of course, considering that the song is a musical eulogy of sorts, it makes more sense that it would take a different approach from its existing works.
The song opens, stating, “I am looking at you for the last time/And I know you can’t stay/You are moving to a better place/So far away…Memories are strong/I never lose them/They can steal away your life forever/But they can’t steal your dreams/A dark cloud’s on my heaven/So far from me/Alone with you near me/The son runs deep/In my bones/Through the pain/I know you’re gone/But I will carry on.” Some of the lyrics here are slightly difficult to understand due to the manner in which the vocals are delivered, but the message is clear. The song’s second verse adds to the statement, with comments about “the loss of you” and more. Again, some of the lyrics are difficult to decipher sans lyrics to reference. Even with that in mind, enough is still understood along with the knowledge of the song’s lyrical theme, that the impact of the lyrical and musical content together is not lost.
‘The Last Journey’ is accompanied by a B-side, a cover of Metallica’s ‘Trapped Under Ice.’ This song is more along the lines of what audiences have come to expect from Artillery, stylistically speaking. Artillery’s take on the song stays true to its source material while also giving the composition a new kickstart with the more intense vocals and production.
The songs are available on vinyl in Europe and everywhere else digitally. The vinyl is available in three pressings, noted below.
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Artillery will pay tribute to one of its own next month.
The band is planning to release its new single ‘The Last Journey’ on Oct. 16. The song is a tribute to its late member Morten Stutzer. Its debut will come a year after the passing of Stutzer’s death.
Former Artillery front men Flemming Ronsdorf and Soren Adamsen make guest appearances on the song. It will release on vinyl and digital. The band’s cover of Metallica’s song ‘Trapped Under Ice’ will accompany the song as a b-side.
The vinyl release will be available on three different pressings, noted below. Pre-orders are open in Europe.
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This year has been a truly productive time for the metal community. Veteran acts, up-and-comers and even the underground have produced offerings that have given the metal masses more than enough reason to put their horns in the air all year long. The most notable acts who have released standout albums this year include, and are not limited to from All Hail The Yeti, Judas Priest and Artillery just to name a few bands.
Keeping this in mind, rock and metal critics the world over will have to agree that developing a list of the year’s top new hard rock and metal offerings was a monumental task. That was especially the case for this critic. This critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums features new albums from bands from both sides of the Atlantic and from the mainstream and the underground.
Taking the top spot in this year’s list from Phil’s Picks is none other than the British prog-metal outfit TesseracT, Sonder. The band’s latest offering is both musically and lyrically a truly in-depth offering that holds its own in the metal community and the prog community.
Second place this year goes to Florida’s own Nonpoint. The band’s aptly-titled X is a powerhouse offering from the veteran hard rock band that shows Nonpoint as a band at the top of its game both musically and lyrically.
Judas Priest takes the bronze this year with its new album Firepower. This one was not an easy choice to make, as Nonpoint, Judas Priest and TesseracT are all outstanding bands in their own right. Firepower harkens back to some of Judas Priest’s best work from days long gone, and is such a welcome album. With lyrics that pay tribute to the military, that make a bold statement of standing up for one’s self and more, it is that much stronger, so it was not with ease that the album ended up in third.
Also featured in this year’s list are new albums from Artillery, All Hail The Yeti and Soulfly just to name a few more. As always, the top 10 albums are the main list while the five that follow are all honorable mention titles. With all of this in mind, here is Phil’s Picks 2018 Top 10 New Hard Rock and Metal Albums.
PHIL’S PICKS 2018 TOP 10 NEW HARD ROCK & METAL ALBUMS
TesseracT — Sonder
Nonpoint — X
Judas Priest — Firepower
Between The Buried and Me — Automata
Soulfly — Ritual
Sevendust — All I See Is War
All Hail The Yeti — Highway Crosses
Exmortus — The Sound of Steel
Artillery — The Face of Fear
The Amsterdam Red Light District — Sapere Aude
Ice Nine Kills — The Silver Scream
Black Label Society — Grimmest Hits
Unearth — Extinction(s)
Atreyu — In Our Wake
Zardonic — Become
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It’s hard to believe, but in a little more than a month, 2018 will officially over, and 2019 will be here. It goes without saying that this year has been another impressive one for the metal community, with powerful new releases from acts, such as Soulfly, Tesseract and Nonpoint just to name a few acts. Though the year is almost over, the year’s stream of new releases is not yet over. Veteran metal outfit Artillery released its latest album The Face of Fear on Nov. 16, and it will make critics’ decisions on their year-ender lists that much more difficult. That is because the Danish band’s ninth full-length studio recording’s far-reaching appeal among thrash and metal fans alike. This is evidenced right from the album’s outset in its opener/lead/title single. ‘Sworn Utopia’ does just as much as the album’s title track to support that statement, and will be discussed shortly. Much the same can be said of ‘Preaching To The Converted,’ which will also be discussed later. Each song shows in its own way, what makes The Face of Fear yet another strong addition to this year’s already outstanding list of new hard rock and metal albums. When they are considered along with the album’s other songs not noted here, the whole of the record’s 11-song, 45-minute a work that every thrash and metal purist will appreciate.
Artillery’s latest full-length studio recording, The Face of Fear continues what is for the veteran Danish metal outfit, a long-running tradition of success. It is a work that will appeal to a wide range of thrash and metal purists from the band’s homeland to America and beyond. That is proven in part through the album’s opener/title track/lead single. ‘The Face of Fear’ is an important opener and addition to the album considering the state in which the world currently exists. As the band noted in a discussion on the song’s lyrical content, “the song is about dealing the end of man by himself. We create our own phobia about the destruction of the world, but remain disrespectful to the globe.” Front man Michael Bastholm illustrates that message here, singing right off the top, “The world is gonna fall,” adding in the chorus, “Under crimson skies/Our hopes and dreams, they die/This reality/Why can’t we see.” Additionally, he sings, “No heeding the signs/No wait for tomorrow/Ready between the lines/the face of fear/The scenes will be erased/The trials that we face/Miasma amber mist/the face of fear/It whispers in your ear/It all will end in tears.” From here, Bastholm reprises the song’s chorus, driving home even more, the song’s blatant warning of what we as a species are doing to the planet. The song’s official video serves to illustrate Bastholm’s message even more, featuring images of warplanes dropping bombs, missiles being fired, power plants spewing gases into the atmosphere and mushroom clouds, clear-cut forests and mounds of trash piled up in a landfill. The images, coupled with the song’s intense lyrical message makes The Face of Fear a star wake-up call of what truly is fear-inducing.
The coupling of the song’s straight forward warning in its lyrical content and the visuals, which drive the song’s message home even more does plenty to make ‘The Face of Fear’ an important addition to The Face of Fear. That is because of the clarity that they create together. While they are obviously an important part of the song, they are not its only important elements. The song’s musical arrangement is just as important to discuss as its lyrical theme. Bastholm’s power metal vocal delivery style set against the song’s old school thrash arrangement creates an interesting dichotomy for which audiences have already shown their appreciation. One could argue that juxtaposition harkens back to a style made popular by acts, such as Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax in the early 1980s. Keeping this in mind, the combination of the song’s musical arrangement, its lyrical content and even its visual content clearly shows why ‘The Face of Fear’ is an important to its namesake album. It is just one of the examples of what makes the album in whole another successful offering from the band, too. ‘Sworn Utopia,’ which comes a little later in the album’s run, is another example of the album’s strength.
‘Sworn Utopia’ stands out in its own way in the overall picture of The Face of Fear in part because of its own musical arrangement. As with the album’s title track (and so many of the album’s other songs), Bastholm’s power metal vocal delivery style couples with the thrash style approach that is so prevalent throughout the album for another powerhouse arrangement. The song’s bridge conjures clear thoughts of Megadeth while the verses and chorus add a touch of Judas Priest influence. Again, that collection of musical influences, which throws listeners back to the heyday and thrash (and power) metal cannot be ignored in its importance. It is only one part of what makes the song, though. The song’s lyrical content is just as important to discuss here as the song’s musical content.
The song starts off with the ringing of church bells before Bastholm and company launch into the song, with Bastholm singing, about altar confessions, priests’ celibacy, altar boys and faith put to the test. He even goes so far as to directly indict the church (apparently the Catholic church) as he sings, “Your law’s religion/Dramatic and vile/Imprisonment…like a child/You must stay absent from glory and joy.” Little doubt is left as to the song’s target, considering what can be deciphered from Bastholm’s rapid fire delivery. If any doubt left at this point, his further statement of “For all I care/Make your peace/But don’t you take/It out on kids.” At this point, there is no doubt left as to the song’s lyrical topic. It is a full-on indictment of the Catholic church and the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the church. Given, it’s not the first time that a band ever took on any religious establishment, but considering the reality of the issue and its importance, it is another pressing matter. To that end, the fashion through which Bastholm addresses the issue here is powerful in its own right. The addition of the fury in the song’s musical arrangement helps to illustrate the urgency with which the issue must be addressed and the importance of the matter. When both elements are considered together, they make the song another clear example of The Face of Fear’s strength. Even with this in mind, ‘Sworn Utopia’ is still not the last example of what makes The Face of Fear another positive offering from Artillery. ‘Preaching to the Converted’ shows just as much as ‘The Face of Fear’ and ‘Sworn Utopia’ The Face of Fear’s strength.
‘Preaching to the Converted’ is another full-throttle trash opus that fans of the genre will welcome with arms wide open. Right from the song’s outset, the old school Megadeth and Metallica influences are on full display, as is even a touch of Exodus. That is evident in the screaming guitar solos and solid time keeping from the drums. Lyrically, the song comes across as a socio-political commentary of sorts. This is inferred as Bastholm sings of people being “shackled” by politicians, those in positions of power “feeding lies” to the populous and mind control of sorts created, again, by those in power. It is an interesting work that is certain to generate plenty of discussion if it has not already done so. Discussions aside, it can be said with certainty that this is another work that indicts those in power for what they are doing to the masses. That includes the world’s political leaders and maybe even military leaders. Again, it is not the first time that a band has taken this road, but it is no less powerful here than in other acts’ presentations. To that end, that message, coupled with the song’s full force musical presentation makes the song in whole yet another clear example of what makes The Face of Fear another welcome offering from Artillery. It still is not the last song that can be cited in supporting that statement, either. One could just as easily cite the seemingly tongue-in-cheek nature of ‘Dr. Evil,’ the direct discussion of what goes around comes around in ‘Crossroads To Conspiracy’ and the warning about the dangers of alcoholism in ‘Pain,’ the album’s strength becomes that much clearer. The somewhat Dio-esque ‘Thirst For The Worst’ adds even more depth to the album as does the Metallica-esque sound of ‘New Rage’ and its seeming message about someone who has been wronged. Between all of those songs and the works directly discussed here, the whole of The Face of Fear clearly shows itself to be another welcome offering from Artillery that shows this band still has plenty of ammunition.
Artillery’s ninth new album The Face of Fear is a strong new statement from the veteran metal outfit. It is a work that from start to end, shows this band can still hold its own with any of today’s up-and-coming metal acts. This is evidenced right from the album’s outset in the warning to the world about what it is doing to the planet, its equally stark musical arrangement and accompanying video. ‘Sworn Utopia’ serves to support that statement even more, as it takes on the atrocities committed by so many members of the Catholic Church. The seeming indictment of the world’s political leaders through ‘Preaching to the Converted’ supports that statement of the album’s strength even more. When it is considered along with the likes of ‘Crossroads to Conspiracy,’ ‘Thirst For The Worst,’ ‘Pain’ and the rest of the album’s works, the whole of the record shows that artillery still has plenty of ammunition, and can still hold its own against today’s younger, up-and-coming metal acts. It is available now. More information on The Face of Fear is available online now along with all of Artillery’s latest news and more at:
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Artillery debuted the music video for its latest single this week.
The band debuted the video for its third single ‘Pain‘ on Thursday. The video illustrates the song’s lyrical message about a person battling with alcoholism by presenting a man looking in the mirror at himself, realizing what he has become and coming to terms with his situation.
Speaking of that theme, guitarist Michael Stutzer said the song’s lyrical them centers directly on the issue of an alcoholic who has come to terms with his/her disease, too late.
“The story behind ‘Pain’ is a true story about an alcoholic who was never listening to his friends or family when they tried to make him stop drinking,” Stutzer said. “And when he got to the point where he realized himself, he had to stop — it was too late, and there was no way out anymore.”
Artillery debuted the video for ‘The Face Of Fear,’ the title track and lead single from The Face of Fear on Sept. 26. Its debut was followed up by the release of the album’s second single, ‘Crossroads To Conspiracy‘ on Oct. 17. The initial audio-only stream of ‘The Face of Fear’ premiered Sept. 12.
The Face of Fear is scheduled to be released Nov. 16 via Metal Blade Records. It will be available on limited edition digipack with two bonus tracks, 180-gram black vinyl and four separate limited edition colored vinyl pressings. Their details are noted below.
–opaque grey blue marbeled vinyl (ltd. 300 – EU-exclusive)
–golden yellow blue marbled vinyl (ltd. 200 – EU-exclusive)
–blue green / white splattered vinyl (ltd. 100 – EMP-exclusive)
–blue/black marbled vinyl (ltd. 300 – US-exclusive)
Pre-orders are open now. The album’s track listing is noted below.
The Face Of Fear track-listing:
1. The Face of Fear
2. Crossroads To Conspiracy
3. New Rage
4. Sworn Utopia
5. Through The Ages Of Atrocity
6. Thirst For The Worst
7. Pain
8. Under Water (instumental)
9. Preaching to the converted
10. Mind Of No Return (ltd. 1st ed. bonus track / re-recorded song from Artillery‘s first demo from 1982)
11. Doctor Evil (ltd. 1st ed. bonus track / 2018 version)
More information on The Face of Fear is available online now along with all of Artillery’s latest news and more at:
To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
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