Saor - Origins (2022)

Unleashing one of the most majestic and expertly crafted mixtures of Atmospheric/Folk and Melodic Black Metal, today we have Saor and their latest release “Origins”. As the brainchild of Andy Marshall, this outfit has continually gotten better over the years and with this release they reach the pinnacle (for now) of their craftsmanship and songwriting abilities. Featuring six tracks and nearly 42 minutes of music, this is definitely one of the top releases of 2022.

Opening with the regal “Call of the Carnyx”, we get the band’s signature melodic riffing alongside crafty atmospheric and very ethereal clean vocals. As the track progresses more Folk elements are baked into the mix, perfectly leading to the lively “Fallen” and its graceful guitar leads intertwined with harsh screams and killer tempo changes. Never leaving the Folky and mystical nature of the band’s sound behind, “The Ancient Ones” is a magical piece where all these elements perfectly work together to create a very intense mood.

As one of the best songs in this release, “Aurora” oozes melancholy and emotion, thanks to its weeping guitars and masterfully crafted arrangements that change the pace of the track from one second to the next. Never letting go of its intensity, Saor does a great job in keeping the pummeling drumming going throughout the album, particularly in more aggressive pieces like “Beyond the Wall” and the dreamy closer “Origins” and its sweeping atmospheric passages.

Having created one of the best releases in the genre with “Origins”, Saor now has the task to surpass themselves in their next release, will they be able to do it? We have absolutely no doubt. If you are a fan of the band, or of heavily atmospheric music with Black Metal elements, look no further and get your copy of this release ASAP.

Label: Season of Mist

Release: June 24th, 2022

Genre: Atmospheric/Melodic/Folk Black Metal

Country: UK