Get ready for the thrash metal assault in Europe this autumn…
The Danish thrashers Artillery have recently announced that will be co-headlining ‘Thrash Til Death’ European tour along with Onslaught starting in Oberhausen, Germany next month. They will be joined by their Greek brethren Exarsis and Chronosphere.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of their ‘Terror Squad’ album so their fans can expect to hear some of the classics from the band’s early days along with new material from their last opus ‘Penalty By Perception’.
For the full schedule see the list and the poster below:
23/09 – Helvete Club – Oberhausen (DE)
24/09 – Hedon Club – Zwolle (NL)
25/09 – De Verlichte Geest – Roeselare (BE)
26/09 – Roxy Concerts – Flensburg (DE)
27/09 – Garage Deluxe – München (DE)
28/09 – Moonlight Music Hall – Diest (BE)
29/09 – Fuizenfest – Riel (NL) (ONSLAUGHT)
30/09 – Kiehool Burgum – Burgum (NL)
01/10 – OFF DAY
02/10 – Schwarzer Adler – Tannheim-Egelsee (DE)
03/10 – Escape Metalcorner – Vienna (AT)
04/10 – 7er-Club – Mannheim (DE)
05/10 – Musigburg – Aarburg (CH)
06/10 – Dada Live Club – Pavia (IT)
07/10 – Revolver Music Hall – Venice (IT)
08/10 – Borderline – Pisa (IT)
09/10 – Sala Utopia – Zaragoza (SP)
10/10 – OFF DAY
11/10 – SMAC de La Gespe – Tarbes (FR)
12/10 – Sala Upload – Barcelona (SP)
Artillery are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on their new album ‘The Face of Fear’ which will be out later this year.
For more details on the tour and more updates go to:
https://www.facebook.com/ARTILLERY.DK
https://www.powerfromhell.com/
https://www.facebook.com/onslaughtuk
No “alternative metal” band had played yet so Legacy Of Cynthia had the pleasure of doing so, kicking off the third and last day of Laurus with their brilliant “Rats And Rattlesnakes”. Their sound is too exquisite to describe but that exquisiteness is also unique, and it works perfectly live – especially in an open air festival. Their vitality spread out to the crowd, and even when bass player Caesar made a “small” thank-you speech – he himself recognized he was a pain in the ass and that those who’ve been to Legacy Of Cynthia gigs before were surely sick of listening to him – everyone applauded, clearly amused. I admit dancing to “Cabaret”, which wrapped up their set.
Getting Tarantula to play between Crisix and Dark Tranquillity wasn’t the best of options – unless the idea was for the crowd to recharge batteries. Their old school heavy/power metal is legendary around these parts, but even with the crowd echoing loudly the choruses to “Face The Mirror”, “You Can Always Touch The Sky” or “End Of The Rainbow”, something felt amiss. It’s been less than two years since I’ve last seen them live and they were in pretty good shape. Now it seemed like the spark was gone, or at least dimmed. It was a bit disappointing. And I’ll never understand why, despite someone always screams for “Power Tower”, they still refuse to play it…
This year’s festival finished with a local band, that came back together after almost a decade-long hiatus (I think it was an actual split-up, but whatever it was, it’s over). The Godiva was the first band I’ve shot with a digital camera, back in 2005, and for me it was enthralling to see this new version of them, all re-vamped and full of life – despite their “deadly” make-up, ha ha. And those who only knew them from the brand new single “Empty Coil”, or didn’t know them at all before this show, seemed to enjoy the old songs such as “Spiral”, “Fallen” or “Oblivion”. A great new era for the band, closing what represents a new era as well for this great festival. See you in 2019, Laurus Nobilis!
The second day started at mid-afternoon, with Sotz’ doing the honors. Here’s a band that’s been improving their performance at every show, and consequently winning over more fans – 4:30 p.m. and a large number of people ready to shout out and mosh around their support. Without any kind of disrespect for previous line-ups, I believe the current one is the most efficient in living up to the aggressive impact the band yearns for their sound.
Another band that’s grown a lot since the first time I’ve seen them a couple of years ago is In Vein. Raising Legends has been doing a hell of a job managing them, getting them to play practically everywhere, to the point where I confess I rolled my eyes when seeing their name on this bill. My sincere apologies – it was well deserved. Songs such as “S.A.T.A.N.”, “Paranoia” or “Infinite Night” fueled the headbanging and the horns in the air – singer António Rocha tried to convince the firemen to join the latter at some point, but they just smiled.
Valkyrian Music 