DECADES OF AGGRESSION

Ten classic albums from the Century Media vaults

MORGOTH CURSED (1991)

As the death metal scene erupted, Germany’s Morgoth became Century Media’s first international success. The band’s blend of slow-motion menace and turbo-thrash fury proved an immediate hit with scowling diehards everywhere.

THE GATHERING MANDYLION (1995)

After two well-received albums of atmospheric doom, The Gathering recruited Anneke van Giersbergen for this, their groundbreaking third. Her voice, combined with the band’s imaginative songs, made it an instant classic.

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD CITY (1997)

Never knowingly under-the-top, Devin Townsend’s second outing with SYL redefined what it meant to be fast, futuristic and brutal, making Fear Factory sound like Weezer. City was most metalheads’ introduction to Canada’s finest.

ARCH ENEMY WAGES OF SIN (2001)

Another band disregarding the status quo by recruiting a female singer, AE could hardly have sounded more confident or revitalised on Angela Gossow’s first album as vocalist. Now they’re unstoppable.

LACUNA COIL COMALIES (2002)

Less gothic and heavily influenced by alternative rock, Lacuna Coil’s third album put the Italians in the international spotlight. With songs this grandiose and memorable, how could they fail?

FINNTROLL NATTFÖDD (2004)

Pioneers of a subgenre that continues to be hugely popular, Finntroll confirmed their status as folk metal figureheads with this absurdly entertaining journey through moonlit forests.

DESPISED ICON THE HEALING PROCESS (2005)

Proving their knack for spotting the next wave of heaviness, Century Media wisely signed Canada’s deathcore pioneers in 2005. Their first album for the label was an absolute monster that refined and defined a subgenre.

ORPHANED LAND THE NEVER ENDING WAY OF ORWARRIOR (2010)

A sprawling masterpiece of esoteric prog metal, Orphaned Land’s fourth album brought Israel’s finest together with coproducer Steven Wilson. Thus, everyone from black metal fans to prog aficionados discovered their new favourite band.

TESSERACT ONE (2011)

Arguably the album that most powerfully sold the idea of djent to the metal masses, Tesseract’s epic and ambitious debut delivered on every level. Another shrewd acquisition by the Century team.

NAPALM DEATH APEX PREDATOR – EASY MEAT (2015)

Living proof that the greatest bands grow stronger with age, Napalm Death’s 15th studio album is arguably the finest thing they have ever released. Vicious, inventive and noisy as fuck, this is what happens when genius is given free rein.