The band formed in 1982 in Taastrup, a suburban town near Copenhagen. The members were guitarists Jørgen Sandau and Michael Stützer, bassist Morten Stützer, drummer Carsten Nielsen and singer Carsten Lohmann. The group recorded the demos Shellshock and Deeds of Darkness in 1984.
Artillery's first commercial debut came in early 1985 with the inclusion of the song "Hey Woman," on Volume One of the "Speed Metal Hell" compilation series which was released on New Renaissance Records. Later that year, Carsten Lohmann left and was replaced by Flemming Rönsdorf. Later the same year, Artillery recorded a third demo, Fear of Tomorrow, signed with Neat Records, and released their first album, also titled Fear of Tomorrow. In 1986, Carsten Nielsen was contacted by Quorthon of Bathory asking him if he was interested in drumming for Bathory. Nielsen turned down the offer since he thought Artillery would become a much bigger band than Bathory. Their second album, Terror Squad, was released in 1987.
Guitarist Jørgen Sandau left the band in 1989. Bassist Morten Stützer took over his position, lending the bass to recruit Peter Thorslund. Their third album, By Inheritance, was released in 1990 on both LP and CD, by Roadrunner Records. Artillery disbanded in 1991, some of the members pursuing musical projects of their own during the rest of the 1990s.
Following the 1998 release of an Artillery compilation CD, "Deadly Relics" by Mighty Music, featuring a mix of old demo recordings and two songs from the 1989 promotional tape, the band reformed to record a fourth album, B.A.C.K., which was released in 1999 by Die Hard Music.
In 2007, the band released a limited edition 4-CD boxset entitled "Through the Years", which contains the band's four studio albums and all their demo material.
On November 6, 2007, Michael Stützer confirmed on the official Artillery website that they were once again active, have concerts booked, and are rehearsing their old songs (along with new material). A new studio album is in consideration. However, longtime Artillery singer Flemming Rönsdorf is not involved, and the band is auditioning new singers.
On November 27, It was confirmed through the website and through the official newsletter, that singer Søren Adamsen will be the new frontman.
The official Artillery website was updated recently, stating that Artillery would tour around various locations in Europe during 2008, and recorded a live DVD during the MetalMania Festival in Katowice, Poland in 2008.
"When death comes" Artillery´s 5th studio album was released in June 2009 from Metal mind Prodoctions.
The challenge
Artillery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lost illusion - there ain't no light for us to see
Our gods commandments - we once forgot and threw away
Humiliating - our lifes on earth will fade away
A hopeless challenge - we're on our knees
Time's getting nearer
We challenged nature - we made it fall instead of rise
Our mighty empire - is surely built on sinkin' ground
A hopeless challenge - we're on our knees
Time's getting nearer
We thought we were wise but we cannot survive on this earth
Innocent dreams turned to nightmare
Palace of glass, turned to dust
Day turned to night, don't you care
Life turned to death, forever lost.
The lyrics of "The Challenge" by Artillery paint a picture of the fear and hopelessness of humanity in the face of impending doom. The opening lines speak of the fear of what is to come, a final crash that seems inevitable. The lost illusion of a better tomorrow and the absence of any light signify the absence of hope. The reference to the gods' commandments being forgotten and discarded indicates a desire for answers and guidance that have been lost.
The chorus of the song speaks of the challenge faced by human beings in trying to survive on earth. The references to our challenging nature and making it fall instead of rise demonstrates the hubris that is so often associated with humanity. We have built a mighty empire but on sinking ground, indicating that we have built our society on unsustainable practices. The imagery of being on our knees and the sense of time running out emphasizes the feeling of hopelessness.
The final verse speaks to the destruction that has been wrought by humanity, with innocent dreams turned to nightmare, palaces of glass turned to dust and life turning to death. The lyrics of this song are a bleak and hopeless reflection on the state of humanity, highlighting the destruction that we have wrought and the impending doom that we face.
Line by Line Meaning
Fear of tomorrow - we're waiting for the final crash
We are afraid of what the future holds, waiting in anticipation for the inevitable downfall.
The lost illusion - there ain't no light for us to see
Our hopes and dreams have faded away, leaving us in darkness with no clear path to follow.
Our gods commandments - we once forgot and threw away
We have abandoned the beliefs and principles that once guided us, disregarding the teachings of our deities.
Humiliating - our lifes on earth will fade away
It is shameful to realize that our lives on earth are fleeting and will come to an end.
A hopeless challenge - we're on our knees
We face an impossible task and are surrendering to defeat.
Time's getting nearer
The countdown to our inevitable demise is growing shorter.
We thought we were wise but we cannot survive on this earth
Despite our perceived intelligence, we are unable to overcome the challenges of existence on this planet.
We challenged nature - we made it fall instead of rise
In our attempt to conquer nature, we have caused it to weaken and decline rather than thrive.
Our mighty empire - is surely built on sinkin' ground
Our powerful civilization is founded on unstable and uncertain foundations.
Innocent dreams turned to nightmare
Our pure and virtuous aspirations have transformed into terrifying and haunting realities.
Palace of glass, turned to dust
Our once magnificent and grand accomplishments have disintegrated into nothingness.
Day turned to night, don't you care
The light of our existence has been extinguished, and we are indifferent to its loss.
Life turned to death, forever lost.
Our existence, once vibrant and full of possibilities, is now over and lost to us forever.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CARTER NIELSEN, FLEMMING RONSDORF, J. SANDAU, MICHAEL STUTZER, MORTEN STUTZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind