Saor “Amidst The Ruins”

Amidst The Ruins will be released February 7th on Season of Mist

From deep within Scotland’s rich countryside lay the city of Glasgow. Where the cultural history is rich, and the quiet streets are not without character. A major tourist attraction for those who travel to embrace the various sites that dot the city. It was here where echoes of the past began to resonate within the present. An echo of heritage lore that emerged from the mists of time and told in a way that pays homage to a forgotten past. It was within this beautiful city where SAOR first took root and emerged to share ancient and forgotten tales of yore.

Since SAOR had established themselves having taken root back in 2013, the one man band had enticed listeners to embrace the primal beauty of Caledonia’s ancient lore. Having five previous full-length albums, and a collection of singles already released. The soil was ripe for yet another album that will beckon you to transcend the mortal realm through haunting melodies enriched within Blackened Folk to create a masterful atmospheric soundscape. 

Building upon the tales of old, the latest full-length album Amidst The Ruins stands as a keeper of lore against the sands of time. Andy Marshall has rightly interwoven the strands of modern-life discord and strife into the rich tapestry of Celtic lore. A masterful conceptualization of an enigmatic contrast between the past and modern day. The album is set to be released under the mighty banner of Season of Mist and offers 58:52 minutes of an epic saga that is sung like the bards of old through five alluring tracks. So traverse through the mists of time with me as we dive into this collective of lore.

When first looking at the cover art that was clearly painted and done so beautifully by Julian Bauer you cannot help but be impressed. A depiction of a druid adorned with a dark grey cloak holding a staff slightly above his head looking off into the distance. As if holding a focus. Surrounded by ancient stones engraved with Celtic symbolism, amongst a rocky terrain with thistles that stretches upwards within the background. The band’s logo sits upper center in white while the album name lay at the bottom center in a cursive font. Overall, a fantastic image that is fitting for the album within.

“Amidst The Ruins” opens the album with a haunting ethereal atmosphere that quickly builds into a Folk chord progression. Raw in tone, the atmosphere builds for a time with a pleasant melodic element. Before the caustic and harsh vocals resonate outwards. The raw anguish of the track resonates, but is drenched within a Folk tonality. Heavy in the Celtic Folk here, but tinged in Black Metal that brings it all together, and truly showcases the emotion. The majority of the track is also instrumental as well and executed with perfect precision. The track then breaks away for a flute section near the end as well. Which was a pleasant element that added to the pagan atmosphere.

“Glen of Sorrow” starts softly with a simple chord progression that helps to build a somber element. Simple chords that slowly play out and build, carrying with it a deep emotion of dissonance. Such a fitting intro that fits the name of the track. Carrying into a Blackened Folk tone while bringing with it that depressive undertone. Andy Marshall is a master of his craft and conveys a tale that is enriched with such emotion. A female vocalist, Ella Zlotos, comes in that even further builds the emotional dynamic of the rich soundscape.

Something about Pagan Black Metal, it just hits differently. SAOR does this masterfully with such dynamic, haunting and atmospheric elements. With such tales that are brought so vividly together that resonates and echo forth, as if through the mist of time calling you to embrace for a moment a shared legacy of Celtic heritage. I can hear elements of Agalloch and Flakenback, but with SAOR's own signature tone. This album also happens to be beautifully mastered. With all the elements sitting where they need to be. The overall atmosphere and dynamic soundscape that is paired with Blackened Folk’s tonality really drives this album home for me. If you are unfamiliar with this band, I highly recommend that you look into them and furthermore get yourself a copy of their latest album Amidst The Ruins when it goes on sale. That being said, let's dive into the closing track.

Ending an amazing album we have “Rebirth” that starts in a quickened, but raw and Folk influenced pace. With the flute playing behind that heavy bombardment of double kicks and blasts of drumming, it really builds the tone. This does, however, break away into a slower pace that is ripe with emotion. As if with a positive undertone. A final tale that ties it all together I feel. The dynamic soundscape is impressive, having classical instruments that play out under the raw guitars. The ending as well with the bagpipes adds the final touch that ends an amazing album.

For me this album is a solid 10/10

If you wish to support the band, please check out their socials over at:

https://www.facebook.com/saorofficial

https://saor.bandcamp.com/album/amidst-the-ruins-2

https://recoil-merchandising.com/collections/saor

Season of Mist has their merch for sale and you can check them out at:

https://www.facebook.com/seasonofmistofficial

https://www.season-of-mist.com/

And for a truly unique experience be sure to check out their UK tour coming up as well.