Here's one I prepared earlier! That is what a cook would say if they would have to recreate their efforts from before. That is how it feels for me when trying to type a fitting review for the ARTCH album "Another Return". In other words, I have this album on vinyl in my collection. And I am very proud of owning it, as it is a proper gem. So, I do full-heartedly understand why the Dutch record label Hammerheart Records has decided to rerelease "Another Return". ARTCH actually was a very good Heavy/Power Metal band, with a lot of potential. After this one, their debut album from 1988, they gave us another bloody good album in 1991, "For The Sake Of Mankind". Both albums showcase the fact that these Norwegians should have been a lot bigger than they became at the time. But, alas, disbanding your band will cut that short in no time. Something that ARTCH did in 1991.

They reconfigured themselves in 1993, but that was short lived. So, they split up again. They do exist now, though, and have done since 2000, with Jack Jamies as their current drummer. The rest of the line-up is how it was when "Another Return" was recorded. That in itself is quite something. The disappointing bit is that since their latest restart they have only recorded one demo, "Time Waits For No One" in 2009. Oh, and they have released a live video, "Another Return, Live and Beyond" in 2004. That's it.

And now back to the album "Another Return". Musically it covers a lot of grounds, with the influences ranging from METAL CHURCH to IRON MAIDEN and everything in between. And they have achieved that feat by writing very good songs, with proper intros, a solid structure and body, and strong endings. Plus, not exactly to be underestimated whilst playing this kind of music, a very convincing sound, due to a great production.

But, I'm leaving the best for last, and that is singer Eric Hawk. He has a very distinctive voice, but he portrays a lot of similarities. First off, when he loud, he sounds like BRUCE DICKINSON, as he used to sing on his solo albums. When he is keeping it down, he has the kind of vibrato that will remind you of MESSIAH MARCOLIN of CANDLEMASS. All this put together makes his vocals become the icing on the cake, rendering "Another Return" a very good release by ARTCH. But hey, I believe I already stated that in the first paragraph.