Centinex has been spreading OSSDM (Old School Swedish Death Metal) to the masses since 1991 with their aptly titled Stupid Humanity demo, it came out the year I graduated, as a matter of fact.
Now that I’m feeling old as fuck, I’m loving the nostalgia brought on with their amazing new album, With Guts and Glory, so I have come here today to tell you how good it is. Boy-howdy! This is a year for comebacks, Dark Angel, the mighty Paradox; bands with incredible longevity are releasing these albums that don’t compromise on wearing their history on their sleeves.
So, how is With Guts and Glory? Punishingly good. From the opening track “Becoming”, Centinex comes ripping in with that famous Swedish guitar tone going for the throat with awesome, heavy as fuck riffs and earthshaking drums that never hit blast speed (which is perfectly fine).
“Your Religion Dies Tonight” is one of my favorite tracks with its Punk Rock fury, while echoing a little bit of Slayer’s “Black Magic”, it’s upbeat and just a fun goddamn song. “Gods of Guilt” is a pretty standard bruiser, and it pummels the ears with some killer double bass around the three-minute mark.
“I am the Way” is a straight-up Death Thrash beast. The riffing is tight and surgically precise. “In my Dreams” is not the Dokken cover I was hoping for (next time, guys!) It’s a bit of raging Thrash meeting up with Punk Rock, and there’s even a huge throwdown at the 2:57 mark; it’s so good.
“Symphony Of Screams” scratches that Melodic Death Metal itch that I get every once in a while, that fucking chorus kicks like a pissed off mule, and it’s followed by the grooviest song on the album. “Sorrowtears” closes things up with some more Melodic Death Metal power, those guitars soaring against the drums and the heartbeat of the bass.
From the Bolt Thrower-ish cover art, to the brutal production, and the spirit of the old school pulsing with a black heart. This is a crushing Swedish Death Metal album; it’s got a bit of everything to make you a happy, Death Metal maniac.
