Album Review: Centinex - With Guts and Glory
Reviewed by Sam Jones
When it comes to Swedish extreme metal, Centinex are perhaps one of the country’s most underrated yet crucial names. Formed in 1990 out of Hedemora, Centinex relaxed two Demos early in their career before unveiling their debut album in 1992, Subconscious Lobotomy. The 90s saw the band release a slew of full lengths, Splits, EPs, and as the new millennium came to pass their energy was simply untouchable. But by 2006 and after eight albums, the wheels under Centinex finally ground to a halt and until 2014 the band lay dormant. Then their record Redeeming Filth rears its face and it’s as if the band had barely vanished, churning a plethora of material where almost every years since has seen Centinex release something considerable. Now primed for their twelfth studio album With Guts And Glory, here is an opportunity to see whether the success garnered from their last release, 2020’s Death In Pieces, shall be equally reciprocated herein for a November 7th release date via Black Lion Records.
Centinex continue to champion a more straightforward style of riff that can get listeners on board in seconds. I appreciate Centinex for sticking with their blockier, chunkier approach guitar tone instead of bowing to the expectations of a buzzsaw tone; not only does it let these riffs feel more resolute and harbour greater density, but Centinex’s riffs are easy to follow. That doesn’t mean their riffs are basic or lack engagement owing to disintegrating hooks or direction but there’s nothing preventing us listening closely, learning how the riff is shaped and how its structure forms a supportive column by which the rest of the band can build around. As chords and notes naturally develop they hit with a seismic punch, there’s nought within performed lightly or with hints of subtlety. Everything Centinex have planned is thrown in you face with no apology.
It’s curious how the band possess this quasi-bouncing aesthetic as they play. Where others would write death metal to instil the sense of the greatest evils, Centinex’s vibe is one that actually enables the audience to have fun whilst listening; you’ll recognise totally the conveyed strength and impact for Centinex understand why you’ve come to them, yet I respect them for writing music that doesn’t attempt to arrest my entire being from word go. One can imagine playing this record in the background as you go about your day, but whilst you may not be completely devoted, in the moment, to hearing every minute nuance With Guts And Glory has, you’ll still look back and know it was an enjoyable time spent with the band. The band aren’t demanding you give your entire being, soul and all. It’s why this straightforward songwriting feels more effective here than it would with other acts because heaven forbid death metal be actively enjoyed, rather than endured.
More than anything on record, the vocals are the crux behind Centinex’s virulent, bile-vomitous atmosphere. Considering the riffs, the drums, each instrumental aspect here plays par for the course the vocals are paramount in establishing the band’s heavier aesthetic. Since the the record’s tone isn’t anything overtly crushing or remotely hard for us to listen keenly it provides complete freedom for the vocals, growling and salivating, to imbue the band’s sound with a sickening presence. It’s evident they had an inkling towards this for the vocals occupy a position at the forefront of the mix, for there’s never an instance the delivery feels marred or interred by the instrumental injection. For what they provide on record here I felt the vocals were great; they didn’t need to be anything spectacular but when you couple it against the approach in songwriting they’ve clearly wanted to pursue this time, they’re exactly what the band needed them to be.
Strangely I’ve found myself firmly on board with this album more than I’d anticipated, even compared to Centinex’s recent releases. With Guts And Glory might not surpass a half hour’s runtime but I always felt they were making the most of every minute of every track presented; tracks here are your standardised three or four minutes long and though the songwriting is pretty conventional, I couldn’t help but feel I got more out of this release than I did their last. Perhaps it’s the tempo they opt for as their sound is delivered with methodical, disciplined pace. There are zero blast beats herein, nothing emanating from the drums indicating special techniques or anything peculiar, the drumming is tried and true, understanding what works and whatever would not isn’t present. Other than when the pace intensifies seldomly, the guitar work replying in turn, the band’s tempo has been set before the record begins. There’s no fanfare when the record ends, there’s nothing explosive signifying the conclusion to their performance because Centinex know you’ll be back. With Guts And Glory doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it does prove why the wheel worked to begin with.
In conclusion, With Guts And Glory sees Centinex writing and performing death metal in the vein of Bolt Thrower where tone and steady momentum were key implementations in fans’ enjoyment. This record may be significantly lighter than an example like Bolt Thrower but the aesthetic Centinex infuse their record with remains. Whilst Centinex don’t throw in anything you haven’t heard before I enjoyed this far more than I was expecting. I think it’s due to the amazing accessibility their songwriting demonstrates as there’s never a time where I felt tested or my senses needed to endure what was coming. Every track had reason for my listening and to keep listening, and at less than thirty minutes the band aren’t about to stay overlong either. Swedish extreme metal comes in numerous forms and one of those is Centinex. A most pleasant and fun time to be had.
