Few bands can evoke the grandeur and sorrow of a land’s past as masterfully as SAOR. With Amidst the Ruins, Andy Marshall once again crafts an immersive journey through Scotland’s mist-laden landscapes, weaving together atmospheric black metal with the rich textures of Celtic folk. Set for release on February 7, 2025, via Season of Mist, this album stands as both a love letter to heritage and a reflection on the passage of time.
Since its inception, SAOR has been an ever-evolving entity, with each album refining its unique blend of tremolo-picked fury, ethereal folk instrumentation, and cinematic storytelling. True to its name—meaning “free” in Scottish Gaelic—the band remains untethered by genre conventions, channeling the spirit of ancient battles, forgotten ruins, and the resilience of a people shaped by hardship.
Amidst the Ruins is a testament to SAOR’s evolution. Expanding upon the foundations laid in Origins (2022) and Forgotten Paths (2019), the album presents a more intricate and refined orchestration, balancing black metal’s raw power with lush folk arrangements. The inclusion of guest musicians—flutes, strings, and traditional whistles—enhances the album’s depth, creating a sonic pilgrimage that is as mournful as it is triumphant.
Opening with the title track, “Amidst the Ruins” (12:41) sets the tone with melancholic acoustic passages that soon give way to thunderous drumming and layered guitar harmonies. Àngela Moya Serrat’s violin work and Samuel C. Ledesma’s cello add a mournful elegance, reinforcing the song’s sweeping crescendos that mirror the rise and fall of ancient civilizations.
“Echoes of the Ancient Land” (11:41) is an anthem that balances blackened fury with wistful folk interludes. Guest musician Ella Zlotos’ tin whistle melodies intertwine with Marshall’s relentless riffs, offering moments of serene reflection amid the storm. The song embodies the album’s overarching theme: the weight of history pressing against the modern world.
At the album’s emotional core lies “Glen of Sorrow” (12:05), a lament for Scotland’s fallen warriors and forgotten tragedies. With mournful violin lines and slow-burning crescendos, the track channels the solemnity of historical betrayals like the Massacre of Glencoe, where beauty and sorrow intertwine in a haunting dirge.
Arise! O ancestors, from the depths below, Arise! To witness our sorrow, to feel our woe. Arise! In these glens where we fell, betrayed and were slain, Arise! Grant us strength to ascend, to break from our chains. Arise! O warriors of old, rise high, stand tall, Arise! Against the tyranny that holds us thrall. Arise! Let our spirits soar, like eagles in flight, Arise! To reclaim our glens, in the fading light.
“The Sylvan Embrace” (8:19) provides a moment of respite—a woodland sanctuary of lilting strings and ethereal choirs. Jo Quail’s haunting cello and atmospheric effects elevate the track into an almost meditative space, offering a fleeting sense of solace before the album’s grand finale.
Closing with “Rebirth” (14:10), the longest and most cinematic composition on the album, SAOR crafts an epic tale of renewal and defiance. Uilleann pipes pierce through the storm of blast beats and tremolo picking, carrying with them the echoes of the past. The track’s orchestral swells and triumphant crescendos feel like a journey through time itself, where history and future collide in a final, cathartic release.
Beyond its intricate musicianship, Amidst the Ruins is a deeply thematic work, reflecting on the fragility of memory, the resilience of heritage, and the eternal dialogue between past and present. Marshall’s evocative lyrics capture the spirit of Scotland’s landscapes—its ruined castles, whispering winds, and bloodstained history—while the album’s rich instrumental layering ensures that no note feels out of place.
With Amidst the Ruins, SAOR has crafted not just an album, but a pilgrimage—an experience that transports the listener to an era long faded, yet never truly forgotten. This is music that speaks to the soul, summoning the ghosts of the Highlands and giving them voice once more.
For fans of Winterfylleth, Agalloch, and Wolves in the Throne Room, this is an essential listen. Atmospheric black metal has rarely sounded so profound, so steeped in both sorrow and splendor. Photo: David Ruff
Tracklist: 1. Amidst the Ruins (12:41) 2. Echoes of the Ancient Land (11:41) 3. Glen of Sorrow (12:05) 4. The Sylvan Embrace (8:19) 5. Rebirth (14:10) Full runtime: 58:57 Line-up: Andy Marshall – All Composition, Writing & Instrumentation
Guest Musicians: Ella Zlotos – Female Vocals, Tin Whistles, Low Whistles, Uilleann Pipes Carlos Vivas – Drums Jo Quail – Cello & FX on “The Sylvan Embrace” Àngela Moya Serrat – Violin on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” & “Rebirth” Miguel Izquierdo – Viola on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” & “Rebirth” Samuel C. Ledesma – Cello on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” & “Rebirth
Recording: Andy Marshall – Vocals, Guitars, Bass recorded at Fortriu Studios, Scotland Nikolaus Jira – Female Vocals, Tin Whistles, Low Whistles and Uilleann Pipes recorded at NikolausRecordings Studio, Germany Jose Garrido and Daniel Sabugal – Drums recorded at NewLife Studios, Spain Mattias Eklund – Violin, Viola and Cello recorded at Farkosten Studios, Spain Chris Fielding – Mixing and Guitar reamping at Penylan Studio, Wales Tony Lindgren – Mastering at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden
Available Formats: Digital Download CD Digipak 2×12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black 2×12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear & Black Marbled 2×12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Green, White & Black Marbled 2×12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear, Red & Blue Marbled
Thomas is the Owner, Editor, Photographer, and Journalist at AntiHero Magazine. Based in the Kansas City, MO area, he combines his passion for music with his skills as a concert photographer and writer. When he's not capturing electrifying moments in the photo pit, Thomas works as a web developer and freelance motion graphics designer. A guitarist with a background in music composition from the University of Illinois at Chicago, he brings a unique creative perspective to everything he does. -- Author: Thomas Woroniak
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