SAOR, hails from the highlands of Scotland, majestically composing the upcoming album titled Amidst the Ruins. This album consists of four tracks packed with eerie tunes, accompanied by heavy music and whimsical melodies. The album will be released on February 7th, 2025 via Season of Mist Records. 

SAOR emerged in 2013, and has for years created an atmospheric black metal sound, that will transcend for years to come. This band not only is it playing black metal, but it is rooted in Scottish folklore and soothes harmoniously those who seek refuge in solemn music. The album runs at 45 minutes, with tracks 12 minutes in length, with twist and turns and sounds of hope. The self titled track “Amidst the Ruins” kicks off with pure sounds of chaos, furious guitars, blasting drums and ambiances set the ritual to come. The sounds paint a picture filled with lament, sorrow and enigmatic chaos. With sounds from a cello, violin and viola these contrasting harmonies build on the sounds of black metal. 

The mystic essence of this album continues as track “Echos of the Ancient Land” rip your ears inside out. The guitar melodies encompassed with the Uilleann pipes  carry you to a vast world of green lands and waves crashing on the shore. The echos resonate and each elaborate sound instills a powerful feeling, with choir like vocals, this track will submerge the listener into a different dimension. The drum work is monstrous and gory vocals add that black metal element. The whimsical offerings during this atmospheric black metal album will carry the mist across the asphalt creating an eerie sound. The closing of the album will lay you ever so gently, your neck hairs will raise as you succumb to such tunes and harmonies. SAOR’s new album will be released via Season of Mist make sure to get your copy.  

By: Jose Barrientos

Line-up:
Andy Marshall – All Composition, Writing & Instrumentation

Live Line-up:
Andy Marshall – Vocals, Bass
Nicolas Bise – Guitar
Martin Rennie – Guitar
Ella Zlotos – Tin whistle, Low whistle, Uilleann pipes, Vocals
Carlos Vivas – Drums

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
Miguel Izquierdo – Viola on “Amidst the Ruins”