“RED GIANT”, the new epic, astral opus of forward thinking, post-hardcore / metal from Pennsylvania’s CENTURY
Since 2004 the sonic force known as CENTURYhas undergone what can only be described as the most natural of organic mutations. From the gritty, primal simplicity of the self-released demo to the melodic lacerations of the debut full-length, Faith and Failure; from the feedback-saturated, nihilistic concept album, Black Ocean, to the uncanny vitriol and punk mentality of the new album ‘Red Giant’, CENTURYhas remained stylistically secluded on its own planet in its own solar system in an alternate dimension of space and time. But this is not to say that the ancient civilization of CENTURYdoesn’t have the extraterrestrial teachings of alien visitors to thank for their musical archetypes. Inspired by groups like Snapcase, Cave In and Refused, CENTURY’s aural fabric weaves elements of each into a new organism that shatters its own petri dish and sets the laboratory ablaze.
The latest album, Red Giant, is an exercise in spontaneity. Every song was written on the spot, with Armellino and Slovak handing a guitar back and forth while Pro Tools recorded until songs started to emerge. Lyrically, the album is a massive supernova of spiteful annihilation.
Politically-charged sentiment underscores what can only be described as the purest, most concentrated anger put to tape in years. And in keeping with the cognitive associations behind the album’s moniker, the musical direction has expanded exponentially beyond any ground that CENTURYhas previously ventured upon. The album introduces clean singing in the form of guest appearances by Candlebox frontman Kevin Martin, folk-rock anarchist Adam Taylor and former Armsbendback vocalist Mike Coasey, culminating in a collection of music that is as diverse within itself as it is to everything else in heavy music.
CENTURY is an anomaly of sound; short bursts of unbelievable intensity, unadulterated and sincerely unhinged. As this incomprehensibly massive sphere of fire expands and consumes planets, the future is indeed very bright.
