Century Media: Death Springs Eternal

I could not be more happy!

Well, this was just a 2005 promotion sampler released by Century Media, and it's not worth buying, as the majority of these songs can be downloaded for free at the Century Media website. However, I'll give you an insight on the bands on this label and the songs featured.1. "Inspiration on Demand" by Shadows Fall (4/5) - Very talented band, Brian Fair is not the best vocalist, but I can tolerate him. Besides, the guitar work makes up for it. More of a ballad from them.2. "Black and Blue" by Brand New Sin (3/5) - Okay band, not much into this style of music, but they do a good job at it.3. "Death of Me" by Agents of Man (4/5) - Melodic hardcore at its best. It doesn't sound generic and stands out.4. "Axe of Redemption" by Manntis (4/5) - True, they aren't the most original band out there, but I like this track.5. "Rise and Oppose" by Diecast (4/5) - Solid metalcore from a leading band. The new singer doesn't compare to their old, but it's worth a listen.6. "Pearl" by Extol (5/5) - They've changed their sound, but if you dig Opeth, you'll like them.7. "Love?" by Strapping Young Lad (5/5) - This is one of the songs that really got me into this band. Devin Townsend is talented at what he does.8. "Silver Plated Advocate" by Despised Icon (5/5) - Brutal death metal with metalcore mixed in. A great instigating deathcore band.9. "Conquer All" by Behemoth (4/5) - Powerful Polish blackened death metal band. Not my favorite track, but very brilliant nonetheless.10. "No Compromise" by The Haunted (4/5) - Peter Dolving returns to the Haunted. One of my favorites off "rEVOLVEr"11. "Lost To Apathy" by Dark Tranquillity (5/5) - One of the founding melodeath bands has stayed strong. This song is proof.12. "May Today Become The Day" by Sentenced (3/5) - Haven't listened to it much...13. "Being Nothing" by Nightrage (5/5) - Tomas Lindberg of At The Gates has been involved in many projects. Nightrage is a great band.14. "Needled 24/7" by Children of Bodom (4/5) - Great band. Needs no further explanation.15. "11 Dreams" by Mercenary (4/5) - Great powerful melodic metal. Vocals take some getting used to, but Mercenary is not a band to miss.16. "Spiraling Into Depression" by Into Eternity (4/5) - I'm looking into this band more, but again, I need to get into the vocals. The music is awesome, though.17. "Eaten" by Bloodbath (5/5) - Brutal death metal track. My favorite Bloodbath song.18. "Silence Is Deafening" by Napalm Death (5/5) - Masters of brutal deathgrind. They don't fail on this release.19. "Mondo Medicale" by Impaled (2/5) - Not a big Impaled fan, but good guitar work. "Perservation of Death" is their best song IMO.20. "Slain Fate" by Krisiun (1/5) - To be honest, Krisiun bores me. I tried them, but it tends to sound generic to me. You be the one to decide, though.Overall, this is a good retrospective to how Century Media remains an active metal label. With death, Swedish, thrash, melodic, and some metalcore, Century Media takes the "death to false metal - long live the Century Family" label that Revolver Magazine gave them for granted.