Artch - Another Return (1988)

I recall being bedazzled by the artwork as a teenage metalhead. This is white hot power metal, released on Active Records. There appears to be a mild thrash influence too, mainly in those buzzing, chugging guitar riffs. Hawk's effortless tones placed these Norwegian metal masters high up the league but their career floundered after two impressive records. A kick-ass (as they say in the US!) Gothically-laced power metal slab full of crashing drums and searing guitars, the title cut a doom-laden affair, but the band refuse to take themselves too seriously, 'Metal Life' a perfect example of the loose cannon Artch were. Olsen and Nilssen's guitar attack is the album highlight, but like similar acts - i.e. Kick Axe, this has so much atmosphere and hell bent for leather attitude, that if you give it a spin today it'll fel like you've slipped into a time machine and been transported back to metal's heyday. 'Power To The Man' symbolizes such macho yet masterly grace. Part Maiden part chilly winter's evening, Artch deserved better than a two album career, but haven't we heard this so many times before.

8/10