Another Return

I think the only reason I even know about this band is because lead singer Eric Hawk made a guest appearance on Gardenian's Soulburner album, and was the only hilight of it. This album is one of those ones that was almost forgotten with time, and probably would not have been re-issued from Metal Blade, had it not been for the bands reunion and appearance at Wacken a few years ago (don't know what the current status is), this band probably would have been all but swept under the carpet of metal history.

Musically, this is US power metal styled with some thrashyness thrown in for good measure. Loaded is a fun song and Power To The Man is neat and Metal Life is a great metal anthem. Where I go is a great ballad, but it's so hard to pick favorites on this album because almost all the songs are great.

I'd say that the main thing that sticks out here is the mighty Icelander Eric Hawk's vocals. I guess the closest guy he reminds me of is Ronnie James Dio, but his voice is a little thicker. He does write some very excellent melodies, particularly the title track (their namesake as well).

The guitars are well done as well, there are some great power metal harmonics going on in this album, but none of the leads or solos stick out to me as outstanding.

The drumming is very well done and not flashy, but very apropriate.

I'd say that the big lowlight of the album is actually the new track (they tacked a new track on at the end of the re-issue). It's downtuned and contains none of the personality of the Artch of old. I was particularly disappointed considering the two songs that Hawk did most of the vocal duties with Gardenian are on par with anything that Artch had done prior to their breakup, and was hoping for some more stuff in that vein.