I tend to avoid reviewing blackened thrash metal, i.e. thrash
with strong black metal influences, because I don't really like it. There are
exceptions, though, where a band catches my attention in a positive way. Fortid
impressed me with their 'Voluspa Part III' album from 2009. Black in its
expression, yes, but also much more, and that's when I get interested.
I really like the musical diversity Fortid represent; the synths, the harmonies,
the Spanish guitar which garnish the bottom of tightly executed, raw, blackened
thrash.
'Pagan Prophecies' is a continuation and as well as an improvement of its
predecessor. Better sound, better production, sounds more like a band effort (which
certainly is true, since Fortid is now a band and not a one-man unit consisting
of Icelander Einar Thorberg, also known as Eldur as it was the case before) -
it's just better all in all, plain and simple!
Recommended tracks: Spirit of the North, the ballad Lesser Sons of Greater
Fathers and the majestic and atmospheric Endalok.
