SAOR – Amidst the Ruins
SAOR – Amidst the Ruins
Season of Mist
Release Date: 07/02/25
Review by Rick Eaglestone
10/10
Blending the intensity of Black Metal with haunting Celtic Folk melodies, SAOR return with lore whispers & ancient tales on new album Amidst the Ruins. SAOR are well versed in forming an amalgamation of Atmospheric Black Metal whispering woods, twilight skies and the sleeping stones – and with this latest album that is curated over five tracks weave together these sacred rituals that sweep the listener into the Scottish Highlands.
This particular journey starts off in spectacular fashion as the album’s title track ‘Amidst the Ruins’ really sets the tones and seeps into the overall aesthetic with a plethora of sweeping soundscapes with some wonderful additions of both the cello and violin courtesy of Àngela Moya Serrat & Samuel C. Ledesma. This blends perfectly into the follow up ‘Echoes of the Ancient Land’ which is not only wonderfully composed but has an enriching narrative.
Glen of Sorrow takes the helm of the midway point of the album with splendidly woeful tones and majestic guitar pieces which have some wonderful additions from Ella Zlotos adding not only Female Vocals but Tin Whistles, Low Whistles, & Uilleann Pipes.
The album’s crowning glory comes in the form folk laden ‘The Sylvan Embrace’ with an overall softer edge and contributions from Jo Quail on Cello & FX. I particularly enjoyed the whispering style of vocals from Andy Marshall and the harmonies that run through it are awe inspiring.
Concluding with the thunderous outpouring ‘Rebirth’ almost feels like there should be another chapter of this story although that may be wishful thinking on my part as for the entire duration of the album I have been completely transfixed and enamoured with the album’s construction, mastering and overall delivery.
Nothing short of spectacular!
‘Amidst the Ruins’ (Official Music Video)
TRACKLISTING:
01. Amidst the Ruins
02. Echoes of the Ancient Land
03. Glen of Sorrow
04. The Sylvan Embrace
05. Rebirth
LINKS:
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