The return of the entity known as CENTURIAN could appear surprising; indeed, the band changed name a few years ago, assuming the NOX moniker to deliver a super first full length and a rather disappointing (im my modest opinion) MCD. With the CENTURIAN reboot, the band unleash a fantastic effort full of a rejuvenated inspiration in the composition department, with 75% of the line-up of their first album returning in the fold. The shadow of the once mighty MORBID ANGEL glides over this offering. The guitar sound in particular pushes to the extreme that inevitable comparison, but I dare say reaches a dimension of pure evilness and hostility rarely attained by the Tampa’s most symbolic Death Metal act. The album is short and to the point, not passing by the width of an hair the barrier of the 30 minutes of duration. But the material presented here is so powerful and obviously carefully crafted that it could replenish even the most exigent Death Metal adept. The intensity of the nine tracks is overwhelming, and the riffing, coupled with a strange effect on guitar (I don’t know how to name or describe it, being not a specialist in the domain), adds to the evilness of the whole. Let’s say that this new CENTURIAN effort evokes the atmosphere of the best H.P. Lovecraft or Clark Ashton Smith literary visions and opens a sort of portal into another dimensions of terror. This album is the crowing achievement of these Dutch maniacs so far, and put their previous effort into oblivion (especially their first album “Choronzonic Chaos Gods” that pales now in comparison). CENTURIAN finally impose themselves as a leading force within the European Death Metal scene. A welcome expansion from the already stellar “Ixaxaar” album by NOX and thus strongly recommended! More info at www.centurian333.com, www.facebook.com/centurian333, www.listenable.net