Century's Prosthetic Records debut, Black Ocean, has been in my possession for some time now. It's a release that I have been wanting to write about but for one reason or another have not.
I have turned to this record on a number of occasions, I cue it up, press play, open up my word processing software, give it a simple title, go to begin writing and my brain shuts down. I don't get it. It is not that I don't like the album, I just could not find the words. So, I figured I would give it one last go around, if this doesn't work, I doubt it ever will.
Formed in 2004, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, based band did not take long to garner attention. They released a self-titled EP in 2005, followed by their full-length debut, the independently released Faith and Failure, in 2006. This brought Prosthetic to their door. The band signed on the dotted line, delivered Black Ocean, and the rest is history. The future isn't looking all that bad either.
This is an album that simultaneously stands out and fades into the masses of other metal bands. They walk a tricky line that blends elements of metalcore and melodic death together into a sound that is their own. Upon first listen, it would be easy for the average metal fan to dismiss them as just another faceless metal group that fails to distinguish itself from the pack. However, this would be doing both Century and the you a serious disservice. No, I am not trying to label these guys as the next great thing, or making any attempt to raise them higher than they deserve. I am merely saying that they have a lot more to offer and have a greater original voice than may be found in just one listen.
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