ARTCH

The history of one of Norway’s biggest heavy metal-bands.
ARTCH was a heavy metal-band from Sarpsborg, Norway. Bernt Jansen (“Brent Jansen”) and Cato Olsen (“Cat Andrew”) started ARTCH in 1983. Bernt and Cato gathered Geir Nilssen (”Gill Neil”) and Jørn Jamissen (“Jack James”) from an other band from Sarpsborg – Oxygen. In the first time as a band Espen Hoff was the leadsinger. Unfortunately he died in a motorcycle accident(going to a rehearsal), October 1985. Eight months later they found a new leadsinger, the Icelandic singer Eirikur Hauksson(“Erik Hawk”). Eirik was in the band “Drysill”(1 album – Welcome To The Show - 1985) before ARTCH. In the 80’s it was a “tradition” to use pseudonymes. Eirikur Hauksson – Erik Hawk(Vocals), Bernt Jansen – Brent Jansen (Bass), Geir Nilssen – Gill Neil(Guitar), Cato Olsen – Cat Andrew(Guitar) and Jørn Jamissen – Jack James(Drums). Their debutalbum, Another Return To Church Hill (1988) got topscore in the most of the metalmagazines (Kerrang, Metal Forces a.o.). At the same time ARTCH did a tour that went on for two weeks. This was rather sensational for a heavy metal-band like ARTCH. In 1991 it came a new album – For The Sake of Mankind. A sad thing also happened in 1991, ARTCH’s end came for a undefined time. Eight year later ARTCH was invitated to do a comeback in connection with Scream Magazine’s anniversary for their 50th output. At this anniversary ARTCH did their first live performance for 10 years ! But there was one thing that was diffrent. Instead of Jørn Jamissen, Gudmund Bolsgård was the drummer. In 2000 Metal Blade Records desided to release the old albums. Both albums came in a remastered version with an extra bonusdisc. The last 5-6 years they’ve done different performances around in Norway.
And don't get disappointed, ARTCH is still alive and do some gigs from time to time. So you still have a chance to see them LIVE, just be patient!