For you that don’t know, CENTURY is a Stockholm-based duo that took the heavy metal world by storm with the debut album “The Conquest of Time” from 2023. The highly anticipated second album “Sign of the Storm” is to be released on the 24th January 2025, as a split release between ELECTRIC ASSAULT RECORDS and DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS.
The duo of Leo Ekström Sollenmo (drums, bass) and Staffan Tengnér (guitars, vocals, bass) also have a live lineup and they are starting to tour with the album on the 18th of January in their hometown of Stockholm, Sweden.
Review
The album starts off with a slow atmospheric melody setting the mood. I get the feeling that this is an album made with the sole purpose of bringing you back to 1981. After the slow start, the song “Sacrifice” kicks off with fast riffing. The slow luring vocals together with fast riffing really grips tight with the sing-along chorus. A falsetto scream is the start of a blistering fast guitar solo and in my ears, this song has it all. This is also the first single of the album, and a great choice at that.
“Children of the Past” is the second single of the album and one of the best songs of the album in my opinion. The vocals are not the typical gritty heavy metal style, but I am met with a smoothness that reminds me a lot more of the Swedish band Ghost, while the rest of the production could have been taken from early Iron Maiden. I am also finding a connection to the lyrics, maybe this song is written for me – growing up in the 80’s and 90’s with Iron Maiden and Judas Priest – and now Century sings that “we are children of the past”.
“Necromancer” starts with a riff that is almost a copy of “Purgatory” by Iron Maiden on the Killers album from 1981. The riff, tempo, song structure, and also musical production like EQ and reverb is almost a spot on copy – but in a good way! I love Iron Maiden, and the song “Necromancer” is the one that really brings me over, this is heavy metal as good as it gets. I love it!
The fourth song of the album starts off as a ballad with “The Chains of Hell”, featuring more of the fantastic vocal performance of Staffan Tengnér. I am really getting to dig into the vocal style, and now I am reminded of early Judas Priest. I am thinking about songs such as “Diamonds and Rust”, which was recorded in the 70’s.
The riff “Fallen Hero” reminds me of another Swedish band, the song “Dust” by Wolf from 2022. Wolf said one time that they strive to write all the songs that Iron Maiden didn’t write, so it seems like they have common inspiration.
The song “Sign ot the storm” brings another piece of the puzzle including some light synth playing, including a 2-minute instrumental part in a four and a half minute song. This probably means that this song could never be a hit single, but serves as a perfect addition to this atmospheric album when it is listened to from start to finish.
One very cool thing about this album is the mastering. There are fade-ins, fade-outs and also off pitch effects such as the one in the intro of the song “Fly Away”. It sounds actually like playing a tape in an old tape machine that is having problems keeping consistent tape speed. This is a cool addition to the atmosphere of the album. “No time for tomorrow” is also tapered in, fueled with high-octane tempo and a sing-along chorus that I really like.
“Possessed by the Night” is a four minute song with a 1 minute beautiful intro and a 1 minute instrumental part with a twin guitar harmonizing solo. This song is for us instrumental heavy metal lovers. If that wasn’t enough, the last song “Sorceress” is totally without vocals, but includes some soft synths and clean guitars, reminding me of another song from the Iron Maiden – Killers album: “Prodigal Son”. This song finishes the album and finishes this review: these are the songs that might have ended up on the Iron Maiden – Killers album, but could never have been sung by Paul Di’Anno.
While many of the songs feature riffs and production points strongly resembling other songs I still don’t think that “Sign of the Storm” lacks originality, on the contrary this is a new take on the classic heavy metal that I love and cherish. There has been a strong creative decision made in the production, for getting the right feel and atmosphere, and it was certainly the right decision.
Conclusion
This album is for you heavy metal lovers that know the names of Paul Di’Anno and Tobias Forge. For those of you that love NWOTHM and are dying to find out what the best of current Swedish Heavy Metal is, this is for you. This is for sure an atmospheric album to bring you back to 1981, but make no mistakes, this is not just another Iron Maiden clone. The songs bring originality and the lyrics are captivating. Maybe this album is for us: The Children of the Past?
TheNwothm Score: 9/10
Pre-order:
https://electricassaultrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://electricassaultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sign-of-the-storm
Bandcamp:
https://centuryswe.bandcamp.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/centuryswe
Label:
The Nwothm 
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