Shameless self-promotion right up top: if you didn’t read the intriguing interview we did with Andy Marshall of Saor earlier this week, go do that!  If you are a truly avid reader of my work, you also know that Origins was my number one album from 2022, and that Saor have only gotten better as time goes on.  Deeply and profoundly influenced by the lore and landscape of his native Scotland, Marshall has been tapping into quite a rich vein of inspiration lately, and Amidst the Ruins, the sixth full length from the Scottish solo project, sees a slight return to the essentials, while still capturing the magic that Marshall has been riding on.

Scotland is essential to the idea of Saor.  The wilderness, people, customs and culture of the country is ingrained in everything that Marshall puts to music when creating for this project, and it always has been.  Even amidst the turbulence of the modern world, Marshall clearly takes primary inspiration from the peaceful landscape of places like the Isle of Skye, far away from civilization.  However, more and more, modern tinges have been creeping their way into Saor’s music, and Amidst the Ruins is the clearest bridging of the gap between old and new.  Lyrically, the album opens with “Echoes of Ancient Land” describing the ancestry and history of Scotland, to closing track “Rebirth,” which closes the cycle (perhaps also a nod to the title track of their last album, hmm?) by bringing modernity back around full circle to the past.  Musically, Amidst the Ruins sees Saor much more heavily emphasize the atmospheric and folk elements of their brand of black metal, as opposed to the old school and NWOBHM influences found on Origins.  According to Marshall, touring the anniversary of Aura was a big reason why those influences found their way back into the sound.  Still, a Saor record is not a Saor record without notable guest performances, and there are plenty to be found here: Jo Quail’s cello practically steals the show on “The Sylvan Embrace,” Ella Zlotos’ whistles and pipes add a quintessential Celtic presence across the album, and Carlos Vivas lays down an absolutely killer drum performance.  The compositions on Amidst the Ruins are back to their extended length, but because of all the variety and the sheer force of the performances on each track, a fourteen minute song does not feel like fourteen minutes at all.

Amidst the Ruins opens with an absolutely epic title track, perfectly encapsulating what, I guess, one might call the “classic” Saor sound after a slight departure on Origins: deeply evocative guitar melody after guitar melody, whistles and pipes for days, simple but effective lyrics and a lengthy composition that sweeps its way through a wide range of dynamics, textures and emotions.  I gotta say, I kinda miss the trad-metal elements just a little, but only when I’m not listening to Amidst the Ruins.  When this record is on, it’s sheer bliss and harmony.  Back-to-back-to-back soul-stirrers in the title track into “Echoes of the Ancient Land” into “The Glen of Sorrow” follow similar trajectories and ignite the front half of this album before the welcome respite of “The Sylvan Embrace.”  Equally melodic and moving but with a more delicate feel, Jo Quail indeed “completely transformed” the song, and her cello in tandem with Zlotos’ winds elevate the song to a standout of the album and perfectly compliment Marshall’s acoustic strumming.  But if you thought all the highlights had passed before the final track, you’re dead wrong.  The soaring key change that happens at midsection of the title track of Origins is still one of the most soul-leaves-body moments I’ve heard in a long time, and HE DOES IT AGAIN.  I suppose one might call this retreading old ground, but you know what?  I don’t care.  It’s fucking majestic and it ends another Saor album in a triumphant and spectacular way.  I’m not going to do it, but feel free to insert the Jesse Pinkman “He can’t keep getting away with it” gif here.

Coming at you with the Celtic two-for on the back of last week’s review, I guess.  I couldn’t let this opportunity slip past me, and you shouldn’t let the impending live performances of Saor in your area slip past you either.  Marshall and company put on a hell of a show, and it’ll be absolutely magical to be able to experience these songs live.  Until then, endlessly spinning Amidst the Ruins will have to do, I suppose.

—– Ian

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Amidst the Ruins will be available February 7 on Season of Mist.  For more information on Saor, visit their official website.