Formed in 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden, CENTURY - the duo of Staffan Tengnér and Leo Ekström released their debut “The Conquest Of Time”, via No Remorse Records, taking the underground metal world by storm.
Few days before their first visit in Athens - Greece, Staffan Tengnér, shares with us details on their debut, future plans and more ... that you can read below.
CENTURY LIVE IN ATHENS!
special guests:
BUS + CRYSTAL WINDS
TICKETS :
No remorse records, Sirens records, Eat Metal records
ONLINE : https://www.eatmetalrecords.com/shop/product_info.php
RockOverdose: First of all congratulations for your debut “The Conquest Of Time”. It was a breath of fresh air in the heavy metal world this year. How do you see it as an album as a whole and what is the response you had so far for it?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):Thank you so much! It was great to finally release the album earlier this year. While our first demo was a good introduction to our sound, it feels really good to have a full-length release out. The response has been great so far and we’re really grateful for the people that have been coming out to shows and writing to us.
RockOverdose: Each band can only have one debut, which is always a defining moment in its career. How did you feel before creating it, how much time it took in general and bow much relieved do you feel after its release?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):When we recorded our demo back in late 2020, we had too many songs written already so we knew immediately that we wanted to release them on a full album. We just kept writing and recording during 2021 and the album was completely finished in early 2022. The waiting times for vinyl production were insanely long though, so it was definitely a big relief when the album finally was released, almost a whole year later. We did an American tour to promote the album release, as well as two release shows back home in Stockholm and Gothenburg.
RockOverdose: Basically the album was a combined work of you and Leo. How much easier or difficult was it to compose it without other members and how did you take the decision to play multiple instruments in order to release it?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):It was actually really easy! Even though Leo only plays drums on the recording, he was written half of the guitar riffs as well. We’re always sending each other song ideas and riffs for the band, so we can finish them together when we rehearse. We have really similar taste in music and a really clear direction of what we want to do, so it would probably just be more complicated if we involved more people in the writing process.
RockOverdose: Given the above fact of you two playing almost everything, it would be interesting to know if you have a special method of recording, usually drums go first, then guitars or bass and vocals come last. Was this the case with Century as well or did you follow another method?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):We usually start with recording drums and one guitar track live. Then I go back and add rhythm guitar, lead guitar and vocals. We take turns recording the bass tracks (I don’t even remember who played bass on what tracks on the album haha). We rehearse in the studio where we also record, so it’s the same process every time we write new songs as well. Right now, we are making pre-production versions of all the songs for our next album, using the same method.
RockOverdose: “The Conquest Of Time” is mainly comprised of short songs, apart from the last one “Servants Of The Iron Mask”, which you can understand it would be in the end. Was it easier for you to work this way? Are you willing to follow the same route in future albums?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):We didn’t really think that much about it to begin with, we just picked out the song ideas that we thought would fit well and make for good variation on the album. Although we knew that wanted to have at least one longer track, and just like you said it makes sense to place it at the end. For me that tradition comes mostly from how Iron Maiden used to do with “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, “To Tame A Land”, “Alexander The Great” and so on. Right now, it seems that the second album will turn out in a kind of similar way; mostly short bangers, but with some longer and more elaborate tracks.
RockOverdose: The album flows clearly and fast enough, getting easy to follow, without being commercial. In your opinion, what is the key part that makes it worth listening to and what would you advise your future listeners to take under notice?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):I’m glad to hear you say that! We always try to make every song feel interesting and urgent, while at the same time we don’t want to rush the parts that need more build-up. It’s all about finding a balance between tension and release when you listen to the album, and I’m very happy that people seem to receive the album in the way we intended it.
RockOverdose: I guess everyone has a motive and some influences before creating his band. Which were your motives and main influences as players and singing-wise? Are you fans of the past music mostly, or do you follow the scene in newer releases also?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):We both grew up listening to heavy metal from the old days, like the New Wave of British Heavy Metal for example, so that’s definitely where we get most of our inspiration from. Bands like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Mercyful Fate, etc. have definitely shaped the way we play. As a singer, I’m still a beginner (I have never been singing in a band before Century) so I’m just trying to get to know my own voice and learn how to use it. As for the second part of your question, I try to follow new releases but there is so much classic-inspired metal coming out right now that it’s hard to keep track! I guess that’s a good thing though.
RockOverdose: You represent Sweden, a country that has offered us numerous great bands in all genres and with great metal history through the years. Do you have any specific favorite bands or albums from your country that still stick with you as a fan?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):Definitely! It’s probably not a surprise, but we listen a lot to bands like Gotham City, Heavy Load, Mindless Sinner, Candlemass, Europe, and so on. Bathory too of course! There are also countless small bands that never got to release full albums, but that are still great. For example, we recorded a cover of a song called “Still Alive” by the Swedish band Witch. Check them out if you haven’t already!
RockOverdose: What we’ve known as Greeks that many of your compatriots have confirmed, is that your educational system allows you to learn music at a young age, hence the reason why many of you can play many instruments. Is this model still active and how much easy or difficult is for a new band like Century to go out and make their own thing?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):I think it’s a lot less active these days. The current government leans more to the right wing so they cut a lot of money from those programs. It’s probably still a lot easier here than in other places though! There are a lot of young heavy metal fans that are starting bands right now, even teenagers, which is incredibly cool to see. Some of them are true maniacs travelling around Sweden to see shows etc. Heavy metal lives on!
RockOverdose: The gig in Athens is going to be one of the first ones on your career. How familiar are you with the Greek scene and the Greek crowd, which tends to embrace always the bands from your country? What should we wait from your performance?
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY): The rumours over here say that the Greek heavy metal crowd is among the wildest and most dedicated there is, so we’re really excited to come and perform in Greece for the first time! Right now we’re preparing a special setlist and we’re going to do our best to make it a night full of heavy metal power!!
RockOverdose: I would like to thank you deeply for your time. Could you inform us on any possible plans for Century or is it too early? We want to wish you the best of luck on your future. See you soon in Athens.
Staffan Tengnér (CENTURY):The show in Athens is our final show for this year. After that Leo and I are going to finish the writing of the second album, which we plan to record this winter. Then we have a lot of exciting shows planned for next year, including our first European tour. Thank you for the interview and see you soon! Long live heavy metal!
On behalf of RockOverdose,
Aggelos Katsouras
Photo: Chris Shonting
CENTURY LIVE IN ATHENS!
special guests:
BUS + CRYSTAL WINDS
TICKETS :
No remorse records, Sirens records, Eat Metal records
ONLINE : https://www.eatmetalrecords.com/shop/product_info.php
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