Deep in the hell of 2020, the duo Century arose from Stockholm’s metal scene with a four-song self-released demo that was so much fun it could actually give you a brief reprieve from the unrelenting awfulness of that year. MMXX channels the outsize triumphant spirit of such 80s giants as Mercyful Fate and Judas Priest as well as the gonzo melodies of contemporaneous Swedish bands like Gotham City and Axe Witch. It overflows with catchy guitar licks and copious hooks, punctuated by the occasional hair-raising falsetto scream. Buzz spread quickly via word of mouth, just as it would have when that vintage heavy metal was new, and the first cassette run of MMXX sold out on day one. Century make their Chicago debut ahead of their full-length debut, The Conquest of Time (due in April on Electric Assault), and the album is every bit as raw and adrenalized as I’d hoped it would be. Unlike so many groups that trade in classic sounds, Century don’t feel pinned to the past—with fast-and-dirty musicianship and tight, compact songwriting, they breathe fresh air into their fantastical tales of fighting eagles, dark magic, and epic battles. For their live shows, drummer-bassist Leo Ekström Sollenmo and guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Staffan Tengnér recruit two more players, becoming a four-piece that can deliver their sonic attack at full force. Break out the leather (or the vegan leather) and throw on your battle vest, because by the time Century play here again you could be bragging to friends that you “saw them when.”
Century Stress Angel, Wraith, and Force open. Fri 3/17, 8 PM, Reggies Music Joint, 2105 S. State, $15, 21+
