Review Summary: Some of the best flavor in retro dungeon metal
Coming fresh off 2023’s The Conquest of Time, Century’s sophomore album continues down the path of classic metal inspired by Heavy Load and a score of other Swedish eighties cult bands that I should know better than I do. Sign of the Storm shows off a similar retro dungeon appeal as a distant mix gives an otherwise lofi production a more arcane aura while the songwriting largely revolves around a driving pace and uplifting melodies. The musicianship also threads this needle admirably, putting in the sort of lofty playing and workman attitude that somehow manages to stave off gruffness without coming off too pristine or middle of the road.
With that established, there are certainly attempts to make the formula a bit more ambitious this time around. Tracks like “The Chains of Hell” and “Fly Away” give the album a little more drama courtesy of their dynamic beginnings and mixed tempos while the title track rides out a level mid-tempo bounce and “Sorceress” closes things out as a full instrumental exercise. Of course, these moments run alongside the band’s previously established penchants for speed and catchiness. “Necromancer” and “Fallen Hero” are strong old school blasters complete with scorching guitars and soaring bellows that see their fullest intensity on “No Time for Tomorrow.”
While any notions of progress between The Conquest of Time and Sign of the Storm are arbitrary, this is ultimately another instance of Century offering some of the best flavor in modern traditional metal. It’s a recipe that’s easy to make too generic yet the band is adept enough to offer a distinct voice that doesn’t sound like it’s trying too hard while also putting in enough engaging hooks to overcome any limitations. There are certainly ways to spruce up the style at hand, but sometimes hearty meat and potatoes is its own sort of satisfaction.
