Mastermind Andy Marshall is back with a new epic album called Amidst the Ruins, Saor‘s second release on Season of Mist. With each album Marshall showed us how he refined his Caledonian metal in a detailed and atmospheric way. And yes, we are once again treated to a large portion of finger licking good atmospheric black metal. Amidst the Ruins is not only an ode to the incredibly beautiful nature of Scotland but also to its rich history where the enigmatic contrast between the remains of a glorious past and the often elusive grip of the present is captured.
Amidst the Ruins digs up deep emotions like rage, disappointment, solitude and amazement packed with touching heavy music. Marshall provides his sixth album with a strong folk slant, using string instruments and the Uilleann pipes that give the album a special finishing touch and offering the listener the free imagination to venture into the wild nature among the remnants of the past.
Marshall is of course responsible for all compositions, writing, growling vocals and instrumentation. He also received cooperation on this album from Ella Zlotos (female vocals, tin whistles, low whistles and Uilleann pipes), drummer Carlos Vivas, the internationally acclaimed composer and virtuoso cellist Jo Quail (on ‘The Sylvan Embrace’), Àngela Moya Serrat (violin), Miguel Izquierdo (viola) and Samuel C. Ledesma (cello).
Saor has never disappointed with a release, but with this album they push themselves to unknown heights. Amidst the Ruins rages and cuts like the cold Highland winds and scrapes between the Caledonian black metal outbursts an unknown almost ethereal beauty to the surface that grabs us by the throat. We very rarely use the word, but in our opinion Amidst the Ruins is without doubt a true masterpiece. SAOR delivers here almost one hour of stunning music that opens a mysterious world where nature roars and rules.
