List of Artillery band members

Members of Artillery performing in 2015.

Artillery is a Danish thrash metal band from Taastrup. Formed in 1982, the group originally consisted of guitarists Jørgen Sandau and Benny Petersen, bassist Pete Hurricane and drummer Carsten Nielsen. By the time they recorded their first demo at the end of the year, the band featured brothers Michael and Morten Stützer in place of Petersen and Hurricane, respectively, as well as vocalist Per Onink. Michael Stützer is the only remaining original member of the band, which also includes bassist Peter Thorslund (who first joined in 1988), drummer Frederik Kjelstrup Hansen, vocalist Martin Steene and guitarist René Loua (all of whom joined in 2023).

History

1982–1992

Artillery was formed in June 1982 by guitarist Jørgen Sandau and drummer Carsten Nielsen.[1] The initial lineup also included guitarist Benny Petersen and bassist Pete Hurricane, although Petersen was quickly replaced by Ken C. Jack, before both were replaced by brothers Michael and Morten Stützer, respectively, alongside the arrival of Per Onink as the band's first vocalist.[2] After recording their first demo We Are the Dead at the end of 1982, the band parted ways with Onink (in June 1983)[3] and replaced him with Carsten Lohmann (in September)[3] for second demo Shellshock.[4] After a third demo, Deeds of Darkness, Lohmann was replaced by Flemming Rönsdorf at the start of 1985, recording the band's full-length debut Fear of Tomorrow.[5] Around this time, Sandau dropped lead guitar duties.[3]

The band recorded its second album Terror Squad during 1986, but when it was delayed for almost a year and the band had to turn down several tours as a result, they decided to split up.[6] For the last three weeks of the group's initial tenure, Nielsen was replaced on drums by Henrik Quaade.[3] A year after disbanding, Artillery reformed in August 1988 after being offered a tour in the Soviet Union.[7] After a short string of local shows with the existing lineup (including Nielsen on drums), Sandau left due to a "musical discrepancy", at which point Morten Stützer switched to rhythm guitar.[8] Bass was performed on the Soviet tour in early 1989 by stand-in Peter Thorslund.[3] Michael "Romchael" Rasmussen took over from May to August, before he was fired and Thorslund took over permanently.[9]

At the beginning of 1990, Artillery recorded their third album By Inheritance.[3] Shortly after its release, the band's lineup splintered — first, in August, Michael Stützer left to reform his old band Missing Link; the next month, Rönsdorf also departed, with John Mathiasen taking his place; and in December, Nielsen was replaced by returning drummer Henrik Quaade, while Samir Belmaati joined to replace Stützer.[9] After recording The Mind Factory demo, Quaade was replaced by Benny Dallschmidt at the end of 1991 and Mickey Finn replaced Mathiasen in 1992, prior to Artillery disbanding.[9]

1998–2023

Artillery returned in August 1998, playing a single show to promote the compilation Deadly Relics.[10] The show featured Rönsdorf, the Stützer brothers and Thorslund, plus Missing Link drummer Sven Olsen.[3] During the summer of 1999, the trio recorded a comeback album entitled B.A.C.K. with Per Möller Jensen on drums, which was followed the next year by the single "Jester" with the same lineup.[3] After a four-year break, Artillery played a single show in December 2004 with Hatesphere members Mikael Ehlert on bass and Anders Gyldenøhr on drums.[11] The next reformed in November 2007, after the release of the box set Through the Years, with Michael and Morsten Stützer joined by returning bassist Peter Thorslund, original drummer Carsten Nielsen, and new vocalist Søren Nico Adamsen.[12] This lineup remained stable for several years, releasing the live album and video One Foot in the Grave, the Other One in the Trash in 2008,[13] plus studio albums When Death Comes in 2009 and My Blood in 2011.[14]

In April 2012, Nielsen announced that he was leaving Artillery due to "personal reasons" after two final shows, which took place at the end of May.[15] He was replaced the next month by Josua Madsen.[16] In September, Adamsen also left for the same reported reason, with Michael Bastholm Dahl taking his place.[17] The new lineup released Legions (2013), Penalty by Perception (2016) and The Face of Fear (2018), before Morten Stützer died on 2 October 2019.[18] The band continued with Kræn Meier, who had been filling in for Stützer during his illness since 2017, as an official band member.[19] In 2020, the band recorded "The Last Journey" in tribute to Stützer, with the regular lineup joined by former vocalists Flemming Rönsdorf and Søren Nico Adamsen.[20] In January 2023, Madsen was replaced by Frederik Kjelstrup Hansen.[21] Just over a month later, after rehearsing with a new band, Madsen was hit by a bus and died on 8 March 2013.[22] Starting in April, Søren Nico Adamsen temporarily filled in for Dahl.[23]

Since 2023

Dahl officially stepped down from Artillery in September 2023.[24] He was followed by Meier, who quit due to "personal differences" in November.[25] Later in the month, the band unveiled Martin Steene as its new vocalist.[26] The next month, René Loua was announced as the band's new rhythm guitarist.[27]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Artillery Rockharz 2015 09.jpg
Michael Stützer
  • 1982–1987
  • 1988–1990
  • 1998–present
  • lead and rhythm guitars
  • backing vocals
all Artillery releases to date, except The Mind Factory (1991)
Artillery Rockharz 2015 06.jpg
Peter Thorslund
  • 1988–1989 (touring only)
  • 1989–1992
  • 1998–2000 (touring only)
  • 2007–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all Artillery releases from By Inheritance (1990) to date, except B.A.C.K. (1999) and "Jester" (2000)
Frederik Kjelstrup Hansen 2023–present drums none to date
Martin Steene lead vocals
René Loua
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Jørgen Sandau
  • 1982–1987
  • 1988
rhythm and lead (until early 1985) guitars all Artillery releases from We Are the Dead (1982) to Terror Squad (1987)
Metalmania 2008 Artillery Carsten Nielsen 01.jpg
Carsten Nielsen
  • 1982–1987
  • 1988–1990
  • 2007–2012
drums
  • all Artillery releases from We Are the Dead (1982) to By Inheritance (1990)
  • One Foot in the Grave, the Other One in the Trash (2008)
  • When Death Comes (2009)
  • My Blood (2011)
Pete Hurricane 1982 bass none
Benny Petersen lead and rhythm guitars
Ken C. Jack
Artillery Rockharz 2015 08.jpg
Morten Stützer
(1962–2019)
  • 1982–1987
  • 1988–1992
  • 1998–2019
  • rhythm guitar (1988 onwards)
  • bass (1983–1988, 1989, 1998–2000)
  • backing vocals
all Artillery releases from We Are the Dead (1982) to The Face of Fear (2018)
Per Onink 1982–1983 lead vocals We Are the Dead (1982)
Carsten Lohmann 1983–1984
  • Shellshock (1984)
  • Deeds of Darkness (1984)
Flemming Rönsdorf
  • 1985–1987
  • 1988–1990
  • 1998–2004
  • all Artillery releases from the Fear of Tomorrow demo (1985) to "Jester" (2000), except The Mind Factory (1991)
  • "The Last Journey" (2020)
Henrik Quaade
  • 1987 (touring)
  • 1990–1991
drums The Mind Factory (1991)
Michael "Romchael" Rasmussen 1989 bass none
John Mathiasen 1990–1992 lead vocals The Mind Factory (1991)
Samir Belmaati lead guitar
Benny Dallschmidt 1991–1992 drums none
Mickey Finn 1992 lead vocals
Sven Olsen 1998 (one-off live member) drums
Per Möller Jensen 1999–2000 (session/touring)
  • B.A.C.K. (1999)
  • "Jester" (2000)
Mikael Ehlert 2004 (one-off live members) bass none
Anders Gyldenøhr drums
Metalmania 2008 Artillery Soren Nico Adamsen 02.jpg
Søren Nico Adamsen
  • 2007–2012
  • 2023 (touring)
lead vocals
  • One Foot in the Grave, the Other One in the Trash (2008)
  • When Death Comes (2009)
  • My Blood (2011)
  • "The Last Journey" (2020)
Artillery Rockharz 2015 10.jpg
Josua Madsen
(1978–2023)
2012–2023
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
all Artillery releases from Legions (2013) to Raw Live at Copenhell (2024)
Artillery Rockharz 2015 04.jpg
Michael Bastholm Dahl lead vocals
Kræn Meier 2017–2023 (touring substitute only until October 2019)
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
  • "The Last Journey" (2020)
  • X (2021)
  • Raw Live at Copenhell (2024)

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
June–July 1982
  • Jørgen Sandau — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Benny Petersen — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Pete Hurricane — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
none
July–August 1982
  • Jørgen Sandau — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Ken C. Jack — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Pete Hurricane — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
August 1982–June 1983
  • Per Onink — vocals
  • Jørgen Sandau — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Michael Stützer — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Morten Stützer — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
  • We Are the Dead demo (1982)
September 1983–late 1984
  • Carsten Lohmann — vocals
  • Jørgen Sandau — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Michael Stützer — lead/rhythm guitars
  • Morten Stützer — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
  • Shellshock demo (1984)
  • Deeds of Darkness demo (1984)
January 1985–1987
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Jørgen Sandau — rhythm guitar
  • Morten Stützer — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
1987
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Jørgen Sandau — rhythm guitar
  • Morten Stützer — bass
  • Henrik Quaade — drums
none
Band inactive 1987–1988
August–October 1988
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Jørgen Sandau — rhythm guitar
  • Morten Stützer — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
none
Late 1988–early 1989
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass (touring member)
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
Early/spring 1989
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar, bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
  • Khomaniac demo (1989)
May–August 1989
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Michael Rasmussen — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
none
Fall 1989–August 1990
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
August–September 1990
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Morten Stützer — guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
none
September–December 1990
  • John Mathiasen — vocals
  • Morten Stützer — guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
December 1990–late 1991
  • John Mathiasen — vocals
  • Samir Belmaati — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass
  • Henrik Quaade — drums
  • The Mind Factory demo (1991)
    (also released as Promo '92 in 1992)
Late 1991–1992
  • John Mathiasen — vocals
  • Samir Belmaati — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass
  • Benny Dallschmidt — drums
none
1992
  • Mickey Finn — vocals
  • Samir Belmaati — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass
  • Benny Dallschmidt — drums
Band inactive 1992–1998
August 1998
(one-off live performance)
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Peter Thorslund — bass (live member)
  • Sven Olsen — drums (live member)
none
1999–2000
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar, bass
  • Peter Thorslund — bass (touring member)
  • Per M. Jensen — drums (session/touring)
Band inactive 2000–2004
December 2004
(one-off live performance)
  • Flemming Rönsdorf — vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar
  • Mikael Ehlert — bass (live member)
  • Anders Gyldenøhr — drums (live member)
none
Band inactive 2004–2007
November 2007–May 2012
  • Søren N. Adamsen — lead vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Thorslund — bass, backing vocals
  • Carsten Nielsen — drums
June–September 2012
  • Søren N. Adamsen — lead vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Thorslund — bass, backing vocals
  • Josua Madsen — drums, backing vocals
none
September 2012–October 2019
  • Michael B. Dahl — lead vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Morten Stützer — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Thorslund — bass, backing vocals
  • Josua Madsen — drums, backing vocals
October 2019–January 2023
  • Michael B. Dahl — lead vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Kræn Meier — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Thorslund — bass, backing vocals
  • Josua Madsen — drums, backing vocals
  • "The Last Journey" (2020)
  • X (2021)
  • Raw Live at Copenhell (2024)
January–April 2023
  • Michael B. Dahl — lead vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Kræn Meier — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Thorslund — bass, backing vocals
  • Frederik K. Hansen — drums
none
May–September 2023
  • Søren N. Adamsen — lead vocals (touring)
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Kræn Meier — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Thorslund — bass, backing vocals
  • Frederik K. Hansen — drums
December 2023–
  • Martin Steene — lead vocals
  • Michael Stützer — lead guitar, backing vocals
  • René Loua — rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Peter Thorslund — bass, backing vocals
  • Frederik K. Hansen — drums
none to date

References

  1. ^ "Biography". Artillery. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  2. ^ Markham, Peter (1984). "Artillery" (Scan). Metallic Beast (in Danish). No. 1. p. 7. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Lolk, Lars; Guerrero, Daniel. "Artillery Biography". Artillery. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  4. ^ Doe, Bernard (1984). "Demo-lition: Artillery" (Scan). Metal Forces. No. 5. New York City, New York: Important Record Distributors. p. 37. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  5. ^ Anthony, Ken (September 1985). "Udsat For: Artillery og Destruction" (Scan). Hot Rockin (in Danish). No. 9. pp. 19–20. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Artillery Interview" (Scan). Battery. No. 5. Laudert, West Germany. 1990. p. 41. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Artillery" (Scan). Doomhauled. No. 1. 1990. p. 36. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Artillery" (Scan). Blackthorn. No. 8. 1989. p. 33. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "Artillery - Biography". Metal Storm. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  10. ^ Dovgy, Timothy. "Flemming Rönsdorf Interview". Voices from the Darkside. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Artillery Schedule Copenhagen Concert". Blabbermouth.net. 15 November 2004. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Classic Danish Thrashers Artillery Announce New Singer". Blabbermouth.net. 28 November 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Artillery To Release 'One Foot In The Grave' Live Album". Blabbermouth.net. 22 April 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Artillery: New Album Title Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Artillery Drummer Announces His Departure". Blabbermouth.net. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Artillery Announces New Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Artillery Announces New Singer". Blabbermouth.net. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Artillery's Founding Guitarist Morten Stützer Dead At 57". Blabbermouth.net. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  19. ^ "Artillery reveals details for new album, 'X'". Metal Blade Records. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Artillery's 'The Last Journey' Single To Feature Former Singer Flemming Rønsdorf". Blabbermouth.net. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Artillery Facebook Post on 21 January 2023". Facebook. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Longtime Artillery Drummer Josua Madsen Dies After Being Hit By Bus". Blabbermouth.net. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Artillery Facebook Post on 6 May 2023". Facebook. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Michael Bastholm Dahl Facebook Post on 21 September 2023". Facebook. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Artillery Part Ways With Guitarist Kræn Meier". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Artillery Facebook Post on 26 November 2023". Facebook. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Artillery Facebook Post on 15 December 2023". Facebook. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2025.