Artillery - Penalty by Perception

(CD Album Review)

****

What's the penalty for listening to this album?

While not being the widest known band of the Thrash Metal genre Artillery are an important component in the story of Thrash’s development and they remain a gem in the eyes of many a Thrash connoisseur and 'Terror Squad' and 'By Inheritance' essentials to a Thrasher’s collection. 2013 saw the beginning of a new chapter for the band with the album 'Legions' notably for the addition fresh young talent.

The album saw the debut appearance of vocalist Michael Bastholm Dahl and drummer Josua Madsen and both gave the band that extra shot in the arm, 'Penalty by Perception' simply carries on where that album left off, a couple of hundred shows tighter and the band obviously more accustomed to each other.

Michael’s soaring vocals are on par with a young Dio or Bruce Dickinson and he surely will go onto to great things after Artillery hang it up, tracks like 'Rites of War' and 'In defiance of Conformity' with their instantly recognizable chorus all the tracks are shred-fest’s and the classic lead and rhythm team of the Stutzer brothers and Peter Thorslund are on fine form.

It’s more on the melodic side than some of the darker more crushing bands than say Sodom or Testament, this has more of a Classic Rock feel but it’s full of energy and ideas. It’s certainly better than an album released by a certain member of the big four released earlier this year. 'Penalty by Perception' sees the new era steadily continuing and long may it last.

Review by Joe Denby