Century – The Conquest Of Time
Release Date: 21st April 2023
Label: No Remorse Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Heavy Metal
FFO: Judas Priest, Heavy Load, Eternal Champion.
Review By: Rob Woodhouse
Century are a two-piece heavy metal band from Stockholm, Sweden. Formed in 2000, they are about to drop their debut album through No Remorse Records. The duo, comprising Staffan Tengnér and Leo Ekström, combine to cover just about all the duties on The Conquest Of Time, from playing the instruments, creating the artwork and actually recording the LP.
They may hail from Stockholm, but there are no buzz-saw guitars or death growls here. Century have their drainpipe jeans and dazzling white high-tops planted firmly in the early 1980s. This is unashamed traditional heavy metal recreated to the highest level and upmost detail. From the two-tone artwork, which could well be lifted from some long-forgotten NWOBHM 7” single, to the uncomplicated production; Century wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Harking back to 1982 isn’t a new trend, of course. We’ve had bands celebrating the glory years of heavy metal ever since the glory days started to fizzle out. Sometimes the media pays attention, sometimes it doesn’t… but there is a pretty relentless stream of bands defending the faith of our traditional roots. However, Century, with their debut album The Conquest Of Time, certainly stand out from the pack.
From the soaring guitars on opener The Fighting Eagle to the extended closing number of Servants Of The Iron Mask, the band reek of smoky leather and stonewash denim. Following in the footsteps of more recent trad-metal recruits Megaton Sword and Eternal Champion, Century absolutely nail the atmosphere and coarse texture of proper heavy metal.
The galloping guitars and Staffan’s anthemic vocals combine on Black Revenant to really show off what Century can do and the segue into Sinister Star is a little calm before the track kicks into a big ballsy riff-laden attack, which is all topped off with a dual guitar solo. Brill!
Century don’t really hold back from here, and Victim In Chains and Master Of Hell are two more fine examples of some no-nonsense riff-heavy tracks.
If you are partial to a bit of nostalgia or your heart lies in the 1980s where heavy music is concerned, then Century will no doubt appeal to you. They hit the NWOBHM bullseye with The Conquest Of Time. This won’t appeal to everyone and some will no doubt scoff at the throwback mentality, but for their target market, Century are a (stained) class act!
(4 / 5)
