Century Media Records

Iced Earth – Incorruptible Review

By Steel Druhm on June 9, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Century Media, Heavy Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 87 comments

“In the opening moments of the original Conan the Barbarian film, Conan’s father holds up a newly forged sword and solemnly instructs his son that in their world, you can trust no man, woman or beast, only cold steel. This wisdom is as applicable today as it was in the Hyborian Age, but allow your own friendly neighborhood Steel to attach a modern-day proviso. When a new Iced Earth album arrives, you can trust it will include three things: bombast, bravado and triplets. Many, many triplets.” Orc-fried Ice.

Firespawn – The Reprobate Review

By Ferrous Beuller on April 30, 2017 in 2017, Century Media, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, 27 comments

“Entombed,progenitors of Swedish death metal, went on to create – for better or worse – death ‘n’ roll, and continued down a path of their own paving. Apparently eager to once again try his hand at a little heavy lifting, the legendary L-G Petrov gathered up contemporaries from such little known bands as Necrophobic, Unleashed, Defleshed and Dark Funeral to create the destructive Firespawn.” Super group of Swe-death.

Vampire – With Primeval Force Review

By Grymm on April 22, 2017 in 2017, Century Media, Death Metal, Retro Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, Retro Metal, 81 comments

“For their second full-length, With Primeval Force, Sweden’s Vampire rattles off the usual suspects when it comes to their throwback sound, citing Bathory, Mercyful Fate, and Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, you can’t help but… wait, fucking Castlevania?! And a criminally underrated game in that series to boot? Really?” What is a man??

Body Count – Bloodlust Review

By Dr. Fisting on April 8, 2017 in 2017, Alt-Metal, Black Metal, Century Media, Groove Metal, Rap Metal, Reviews, 41 comments

“As longtime readers may know, I have a special place in my heart for L.A. street metal combo Body Count. Their debut album is an indisputable cult classic, and follow-ups Born Dead and Violent Demise were equally essential to the soundtrack of my misanthropic youth. 2014’s Manslaughter seems to have been the comeback the band needed, and now Ice-T and co. are making a case for modern metal legitimacy with Bloodlust.” There goes the neighborhood…again.

Havok – Conformicide Review

By Dr. Wvrm on March 17, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Century Media, Reviews, Thrash Metal, 73 comments

“I’ve had March 10th circled on my calendar for a while now. Since 2011s Time Is Up, I’ve adored Denver rethrash act Havok. Follow-up Unnatural Selection failed to live up to expectations, but I’m still playing Mr. Conductor on this episode of Thomas the Hype Engine.” Trains, pains and double reviews.

Svart Crown – Abreaction Review

By Roquentin on March 4, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Century Media, Death Metal, French Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 32 comments

“‘Malevolence.’ That word resonated through my mind as I listened to the fourth full-length by French death/black outfit Svart Crown. A word so mundane and exploited in adjective-laden reviews that it appears frivolous when used to describe metal. Yet, when Abreaction is concerned, the seeping and creeping feeling suggested by the word seems almost palpable, venturing beyond just a cool appellation and into territories of real unease.” You merely adopted the evil.

Firewind – Immortals Review

By Steel Druhm on January 17, 2017 in 2017, Century Media, Heavy Metal, International Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 41 comments

“Long running Greek power metal warriors Firewind have always been a reliable second-string act thanks to the capable stewardship of axe God, Gus G. When news broke in 2009 that he was to be Ozzy’s new guitar wiz, I wondered if he’d be able to keep his first love alive on the side. Immortals marks the third Firewind platter since he joined with metal’s original maniac, so it seems the man can multi-task just fine.” This Gus is on fire!

Witchery – In His Infernal Majesty’s Service Review

By Lord Lucan on November 21, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Century Media, Reviews, Speed Metal, Swedish Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 40 comments

“For a quality so inextricably linked with metal, at times heaviness can be a difficult characteristic to define. For some it’s all about sheer volume and noise, whereas for others, myself included, attitude and the weight of feeling behind the music are key components. Every now and then, however, a record will come along dripping with such malice and vitriol that it nullifies any need for a debate on the matter entirely.” 8 out of 10 Witchfinder Generals recommend this.

Soulburn – Earthless Pagan Spirit Review

By Grymm on November 17, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Century Media, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Dutch Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, 19 comments

“Soulburn, despite the lack of output over the last two decades, possesses quite the rich history. Starting off as the successor to death/doom overlords Asphyx in 1996 before they returned in 2010, drummer Bob Bagchus adopted the Soulburn name again in 2013 in a project featuring fellow Asphyx member Eric Daniels and Swedish one-man death-metal factory, Rogga Johansson.” No Rogga, no peace!

Heaven Shall Burn – Wanderer Review

By Grymm on September 14, 2016 in 2016, Century Media, German Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, 38 comments

“I love seeing bands progress beyond their infant stages, taking their influences and branching out into worlds unknown. Germany’s Heaven Shall Burn are not one of those bands you think of when you picture the word “progress.” They’ve taken their signature sound from 2004’s landmark Antigone, refined their attack, and proceeded to beat us over the head with variations of their trademark brand of metalcore/death metal/whatever it is the cool kids are calling them these days.” AMG: Voice of the cool kids since 2009.