Artch - For The Sake Of Mankind (1991)

This is a more groove-based outing from the Norwegian power metallers. Goth voiced frontman is now as Bruce Dickinson as it gets on this one, particularly on storming opener 'When Angels Cry.' Artch were one of my fave pure metal bands, never getting their just rewards with their brace of records for Metal Blade records. Fantastic how they can shift between melodic metal and something far harder, the bass likes to jab at the ears, the guitars whince and whine and the drums crumble those cold stone walls. Such an epic feel to it all, 'Titanic' may sound a little dated but its still a top notch heavy metal song although I have to admit that this album lacks the distinctive mysticism of 'Another Return...' but it's hard to fault the chugging 'Paradox'. As I always say, if you like metal that cuts to the bone then you can't go wrong. Artch have always had a heart of steel and for that I can't fault them. 7.5/10