ALBUM REVIEW: Century – Sign Of The Storm

Sweden’s Century have set the underground ablaze with a series of impressive shorter releases and equally adrenaline-pumping debut album along with some ferocious shows under their belt. Now they are back with a second album, due for release via Dying Victims Productions Electric Assault Records and Headsplit Records on January 24th.

Melodic guitars soar into life atop rolling drums like a wave of ecstatic Heavy Metal nostalgia. Although doing so with plenty of their own character and unique touches, Century always felt like a classic band to me. Their stunning riffs are full of emotion and evoke a real sense of passion while the hammering drums are truly organic and pummel you with pure drive. Equal to the instrumental mayhem, the gloriously potent vocal delivery is as strong as ever. You can already tell this album is going to be a masterpiece from the onset, just like the bands previous efforts. Invoking their musical ancestors, Century definitely feels like a Swedish band with their ultimate command of melody and catchy hooks but it would be a disservice to compare them directly to a single band. Century don’t worship the old ways, they are the old ways, just in the present day. Heavy Metal that pounds the hammer on the anvil unashamedly in the traditions of the 80s will always be something I adore and this band is one of my favourite examples. As the first couple of tracks draw to a close, I am utterly hooked and salivating for more metallic fury.

What makes this band so great? The endless supply of crisp and memorable riffs recorded in an authentically clear manner? The haunting vocals? The crushing rhythm sections? Truly the mix of all of these with something a bit more mystical that gives them a sort of cinematically timeless feeling. Additionally, the band sounds just as superb live, which is an asset worthy of mention in a world where studio trickery can fool people into overestimating a band. Century is the real deal. While everything is energetic and played to the max at all times, there is a simplicity in these songs which adds to the endearing angle of them. That said, the musicianship is sublime and never lazy or lacklustre. I refer more to that primitive urge to bang our fists and skulls to the magic of pure steel. As dynamic and engaging as ever, there is not a moment that feels wasted as we embark on this adventure with Century. Each song is an exciting work of excellence that stands on its own merits, yet feels even more special in the context of the album.

This record continues from the wonderful debut and does so without looking back too much. It doesn’t feel like a concentrated effort to recreate a moment of the past but a masterful march forward in the triumphant Heavy Metal path they forged for themselves. Packing a punch with each of their ten new raging songs, this is an essential listen if you treasure the authentic and glorious metallic heroes of old but require unique and original material. This is definitely one of those records that when you finish, you want to hear it again and again. I feel that way about everything from the band so far, but I am glad they haven’t lost that addictive spark in their songwriting. I am always impressed by the how much the band can stick to a simple idea but do so in a way that evokes so much feeling and leads to such a range of killer music. There is never the feeling that an idea is forced or out of place or put there for the sake of it. Every moment is essential to the flow of the album but not a second more that is wasted or disposable. That’s quite a feat! Stunning musical acrobatics will continue to blow your mind until the end. No pretentiousness, only Heavy Metal true as it can be crank it loud, wild and free!

A phenomenal journey of mystifying and bewitching Heavy Metal might. Only the truest shall conquer and Century certainly lays all to waste with their magnificent new opus. Once again these guys have given us something that feels brand new and totally classic at the same time. This is the essence of pure metallic strength with no dilution, compromise or faltering from the duo. Seek the sign of the storm or feel the avenging force of the necromancer!

For more from Century, check out my interview with them here!