ARTCH - For The Sake Of Mankind
September 18, 2001, 23 years ago
(Metal Blade)
Quite overlooked at the time, Norway's Artch toiled away for six years before their Another Return album came out in '88. For The Sake Of Mankind followed in '91 and now both see splendid re-release with lyrics, liner notes and a second CD each of rarities. The sound was a vicious early form of power metal, perhaps tempered with the steadying force of Accept but really quite inspiringly Scandinavian and well-recorded. Icelandic vocalist Eric Hawk was a power throat like Dickinson on steroids, selling each chunky block rocker well down the path of metal manna. There's an edgy confidence here that reminds one of the hopeful early Gamma Ray years, Artch's songs leaping from the grooves with bright brash drumming, forward vocals and riffs that sound like Europe crossed with Overkill. CD2 includes the seven track Time Waits For No One demo from '89, which are for the most part rougher, more electric versions of tracks from the official album, if that's possible. A lost piece of the power metal puzzle definitely worth revisiting. Note: one of a handful of Metal Blade releases each year launched only in Europe.
