CENTURY - Sign of the Storm (Review)

Written by: Blackie Skulless

Two years ago, Sweden’s Century somewhat blew me away as they managed to craft a brand of traditional metal revival that felt like it had energy unlike any other. This year, they’ve gone and followed that up with a sophomore release. Titled Sign Of The Storm, it first comes off as another serving of more of the same, using the old trick of not needing to fix what’s broken. Sometimes this works, sometimes it shows signs of expiration sooner rather than later.

Under closer examination, it would seem that the second album actually avoids this anyway (I blame myself for not paying enough attention on first listen). The debut held its ground in not needing to boast speed metal chops, grit, or heavy intensity to sell itself, whereas I think it’s rather evident that the ante is upped in that regard now. Vocally, it feels like the stage is shared more with the lead guitars, however that isn’t a flaw, and the frontman still flexes some incredible range. To add to this, there’s an obvious nod to darker subject matter in a lot of the lyrics, cementing Century’s ever-so-slight step towards something a little meaner.

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Yet, I still don’t think Sign Of The Storm does anything to push an aura truly meant to be threatening. Despite these mild changes, the experience remains welcoming, utilizing major tones and swift melodies all over the place. The most furious track may be the Iron Maiden-coated “Necromancer” with its wicked speeds, relentless drums, and sharp leads reflecting “Back In The Village” despite managing a soothing feel. Opener “Sacrifice” is similar in this vein, introducing a heavy front while letting you know the evils can’t hurt you. Despite this, there’s still a healthy serving of toned-down power-stance rhythms in the title track, and the way the vocals trade off with some of the sharpest leads is immaculate. Hell, it even manages to feel like an epic stomper without needing excessive runtime, and the soft opening of “Fly Away” after that acts as a refresher.
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​I wanted to say that the first record blew me away more than the second one, but there truly is no wrong answer here. These Swedes have managed to follow up with an overall meaner sound that still focuses on melody, clarity, and feel-good tempos to the point that I almost struggle to even call it “meaner.” Some tracks certainly hold this more than others, but the fantastic delivery is all the same. Another instant classic, wearing its influences on its sleeve without coming even close to a copy.
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​Century - Sign of the Storm was released January 24th, 2025 via Electric Assault Records and Dying Victims Productions. Find it on Bandcamp here!

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Century can be found on Bandcamp and Instagram
Cover art by: Staffan Tengnér