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Bursting out of the underground like a rocket strapped with C4, Denmark's Forcentury have stepped up to the metal plate, and by god, they might just knock it off its perch. Fusing old school sensibilities with newer, more modern attitudes, the sextet are typical of the Power Metal crew of yore yet offer something a great deal of bands seem to neglect. The band's as yet unrepresented debut Vanguard proves Forcentury can treat its listener to some longevity, and while this bad boy may seem a little staid in places, it grows on you like forest lichen, and before long you'll be singing its praises.

With a sound that puts one in mind of the first Dreamtale album, Forcentury play the kind of Power Metal that is accessible but also visceral enough to keep it localized, with some great duel-guitar leads and melodies, rampant double bass-abuse, and focused synths that appear at just the right time and don't overdo the theatricality. Vocals do the job but aren't startling (which doesn't actually prevent this thing from being a top notch listen), and the songs are catchy and memorable, particularly classy opener "Land of Mirrors", the anthemic "Bottom Line Zombies" and the haunting, mechanical "Rise of the Machines".

While not without imperfection, Vanguard is one of the better metal albums to come out of the underground of late, an effort that should see them strapped to the bow of a quality label in no time at all.