Metal
Saor, the atmospheric black metal project of Scotland’s Andy Marshall, released “Caledonia” on Season of Mist on 6 November. It gathers five songs from the band’s first three albums, “Roots” (2013), “Aura” (2014) and “Guardians” (2016), re-recorded from scratch, 51 minutes in all.
From “Roots” there’s “Carved in Stone”; from “Aura”, its title track and “The Awakening”; from “Guardians”, “Hearth” and “Tears of a Nation”. All now carry the suffix “MMXXVI”. Marshall handles vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, bass and pads, and produced it with Chris Fielding. He’s joined by drummer Carlos Vivas, Ella Zlotos (vocals, tin and low whistles, uilleann pipes) and violinist Àngela Moya Serrat.
“Having previously revisited older material through remasters and remixes, this was the first time I could fully reimagine these songs with the benefit of years of experience, stronger performances, and a clearer artistic vision,” Marshall says. “It felt less like looking backwards and more like completing a circle.”
It’s out on CD and double vinyl in three colours. In February 2027 Saor tour Latin America for the first time, with a set drawn from “Roots” and “Aura”: Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. Saor’s most recent album of new material is “Amidst the Ruins”, released in February 2025.
Text by Roger Estivill