Band:	Fortíð
Album:	Narkissos
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	October 13, 2023
A review by:	AndyMetalFreak

01. Narkissos
02. Drottnari
03. Vefurinn Sem Ég Spinn
04. Uppskera
05. Þúsund Þjáninga Smiður
06. Rotinn Arfur
07. Illt Skal Með Illu Gjalda
08. Tímans Ör
09. Við Dauðans Dyr

Fortíð translates in English to the word "past", and Narkissos certainly shows glimpses of that in its songwriting, but this Icelandic black metal trio have proven they are far more than a band who simply dwell there but rather embrace it whilst they move forward stronger than ever.

Forged in the country of fire and ice back in 2002 is the Icelandic black metal act Fortíð. Now, here they are, twenty-one years later, unleashing upon you their seventh full-length release Narkissos, an album featuring 9 tracks at a fairly lenghy 53 minute running total, which features the trio of Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson (guitars/vocals), Kristján Einar "Skog" Guðmundsson (drums) and Kári Pálsson (bass). I'll start by telling you Iceland is a nation that's on fire at the moment, and not just geographically, but for also introducing some great modern black metal acts to the world of metal, such as: Altari, Misþyrming, Úlfúð, and although having formed several years before those bands, you can include Fortíð to that list as well. Although it is said these Icelanders don't really care about sticking to any particular genre, it's certainly been made clear that black metal is at their core. However, their style previously had a broad range of variety with styles ranging from folk, symphonic, melodic black, melodic death, thrash, and even traditional heavy metal at times. Now, where does Narkissos fit in exactly? Well, I can start by telling you that this album not only features a diverse range of styles and influences, but could very well prove to be their best release to date.

Now, let's hear straight in with the opening title track. This opener immediately kicks start the album at a ferocious pace in an almost thrash-like fashion, with a speedy breakneck riff, furious rhythmic drumming, and powerful bass lines at its core, before the thrashy leads are introduced. The vocals are undeniably harsh, and are in the style of blackened thrash-like shrieks. This is certainly a short and ferocious opener, but from here things only get more interesting. The second track "Drottnari" has an even more melodic approach; the main riff is definitely a memorable one, the leads are again performed exceptionally well, and the whole rhythm and tempo is addictively fun. Now, if you think the first two tracks are off to a flier, then behold what's in store for you in the third track "Vefurinn Sem Ég Spinn". From the start of this track you're met by a traditionally manic tremolo riff, accompanied by furious pounding blast-beats, so it's definitely a more blackened approach to what you've heard from the previous two tracks. But what's most striking about the track is its change in pace and style; it isn't entirely ferocious but also has softer sections as well.

From here, the tracks go into even more unpredictable and obscure territory where you have the track "Uppskera", that opens with a folkish choir, and is driven by epic-induced melodies and a great galloping rhythm section, along with a fine blend of well performed harsh and clean vocals. "Þúsund þjáninga smiður" is equally epic, and again, features some outstanding melodies. "Rotinn Arfur" shows more synth elements this time around, which also go hand-in-hand with the exceptional leads and highly melodic riffs, but it's the closing acoustic folk passage that's perhaps the most memorable part of the track. So, from here you've heard a variety from mostly folk, thrash, and melodic black metal, but next up you have the symphonic driven Emperor-like "Illt Skal Með Illu Gjalda", which is then followed by "Tímans Ör", which has some uncanny influences from the likes of early pre-progressive Enslaved, and even Burzum, towards the end.

Amazingly, all of these tracks are jam-packed full of surprises and memorable moments, the influences are very exciting to hear if you're a 90s black metal freak, and the nostalgic feeling you get when you hear those influences will surely have you speechless. If you like what you've heard previously by this band Fortíð, then Narkissos will surely leave you in awe, as you will clearly see how far this band has come to reach the level they are today. What this Icelandic trio have created here is a god-damn wonder to behold for any black metal fanatic that admires the second wave of black metal, I'm sure of that.