I think this band are great; having recently completed a short tour is America, Century are coming at you with their debut album. The band play awesome heavy metal, there’s a lot of influence of the NWoBHM, current US scene and the Swedish scene, a-la Heavy Load, Witch and similar. The British contingent represented the most is Blitzkrieg/Satan, based on the similar vocal tones of Staffan Tengnér to that of Brian Ross.

Starting with ‘The Fighting Eagle’ (which was released as a 7 inch single last year), you hear influences of those mentioned above and you hear Swedish metal. I don’t’ know what it is, bands from Sweden have their own sound and you instantly know their reference point, it is something I do really enjoy I might add. ‘Servants of the Iron Mask’ is vibrant and throws in a key change, but lower, usually it goes higher. It starts with an almost 70’s sci-fi synthesizer, then proceeds into a slow battle drumming build up, before hitting into gear with a staccato gallop in the guitar work and a haunting vocal tone providing emotive story telling.

‘Master of Hell’ plays with timing at its start, it makes you listen more intently and then we kick off into glory with some tunes fans of Night Demon would enjoy. ‘Distant Mirror’ is a real head banger, vibrant, exciting, right up there with traditional metal greats of old, presented with a modern outlook with a quieter centre section which is very soulful in keeping with the future metal anthem presented here, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a ripping solo which I am happy to report is all present and correct. I really like the opening riff to ‘Sinister Star’ that is followed with a staccato metal rhythm. You are going to air guitar to this one! The passion and excitement is personified in the title track ‘The Conquest of Time’, I get similar positive feeling as when listening to Seven Sisters.

I could say the same thing, it’s great, its metal, it’s awesome, even though it is, you don’t need that. If you like metal of old, this is an album for you. Name checks are valid in my opinion from earlier in my review. It’s pretty much an essential purchase this year, long have I admired this band and this album certainly does not disappoint.

(9/10 Paul Maddison) 

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https://centuryswe.bandcamp.com/album/the-conquest-of-time