With the success of "A Sign Of Things To Come" momentum was with London's Centurions Ghost and all that the band need do was keep all the proverbial balls in the air and a bright future lay ahead. What was not on the cards however was the loss of original vocalist James Begley and guitarist Dan 138 and nearly a two year lay off. This would be enough to be seen as more than a blip on anyone's radar; the million dollar question was, could Centurions Ghost respond in the face of such adversity?
"The Great Work" like it's predecessor is stylistically difficult to categorize. There are of course the obvious Doom influences running through proceedings as one would expect from a release bearing the name Centurions Ghost but conversely in places there is as much Thrash undertones and there is the aforementioned Doom. The addition of Fed Gianlanze on guitar has brought the bands diversity to the surface, with her aggressive riffing there is now as much Celtic Frost as there is Black Sabbath about the band. Less so instantly listenable than Begley's vocals, replacement Mark Scurr's style is at first a very acquired taste but over the course of the album a sense of cohesion takes over you. Meshing into what is a potent brew Centurions Ghost's sound much like a magic eye picture, a complete jumble at first to then suddenly become crystal clear and you wonder how you never saw the big picture first time around.
Centurions Ghost's ability to marry styles, tempo and what would appear conflicting genres has rightfully propelled them to the forefront of the UK's Metal scene. "The Great Work" is a particularly apt title for what is one of the most original works to be released this year and can not but impress even the most of cynical of Metal fans. What is more jaw dropping is the realization that "The Great Work" is the tip of the iceberg and is but the birth of a band capable of so much more. A tantalizing prospect but one for the future and we should live in the now and simply wonder at the majestic grandeur Centurions Ghost offer up.
