Century Black Ocean
Prosthetic Records 10056 29 April 2008
By Jason Jordan
Post-hardcore Century made critical waves with their 2006 full-length Faith and Failure, and their 2008 follow-up Black Ocean, while in a decidedly similar vein, is another fine effort from these unique Pennsylvanians. Whats new, though, is that they no longer call Tribunal their home, but, rather, the rising Prosthetic.
I say unique because truthfully, despite their intermittent Burstisms, this four-piece do indeed have a sound that is mostly all their own. Raucous opener Pantheon is decisively confidenta positive attribute for surebut its the emotionally evocative and occasional melodic moments of the title track (0:28-0:43), Equus, and Daylight Algorithm juxtaposed with frantic, harsher sections of Erasure, Drug Mule, and Rising Sun that propel Century to noteworthiness, and perhaps beyond. Plus, its nice to see a few of the art motifs from Faith and Failure make it onto Black Ocean, which further bridges the gap between the previous album and the latest.
Century have made it easy for me to recommend the acronymed BO to those who think that FaF is a good outing. This record may not break down barriers, do anything ridiculously different from the norm, display an astounding amount of progression from its predecessor, or whatever, but its still a praiseworthy installment from a band to watch.
Official Century Myspace
Official Prosthetic Records Website
Prosthetic Records 10056 29 April 2008
By Jason Jordan
Post-hardcore Century made critical waves with their 2006 full-length Faith and Failure, and their 2008 follow-up Black Ocean, while in a decidedly similar vein, is another fine effort from these unique Pennsylvanians. Whats new, though, is that they no longer call Tribunal their home, but, rather, the rising Prosthetic.
I say unique because truthfully, despite their intermittent Burstisms, this four-piece do indeed have a sound that is mostly all their own. Raucous opener Pantheon is decisively confidenta positive attribute for surebut its the emotionally evocative and occasional melodic moments of the title track (0:28-0:43), Equus, and Daylight Algorithm juxtaposed with frantic, harsher sections of Erasure, Drug Mule, and Rising Sun that propel Century to noteworthiness, and perhaps beyond. Plus, its nice to see a few of the art motifs from Faith and Failure make it onto Black Ocean, which further bridges the gap between the previous album and the latest.
Century have made it easy for me to recommend the acronymed BO to those who think that FaF is a good outing. This record may not break down barriers, do anything ridiculously different from the norm, display an astounding amount of progression from its predecessor, or whatever, but its still a praiseworthy installment from a band to watch.
Official Century Myspace
Official Prosthetic Records Website
