The word "authentic" comes to mind when listening to Saor's sophomore album, which is written and performed by Andy Marshall for the most part, aside from some guest accompaniment. This is an atmospheric black metal album which convincingly incorporates Celtic instrumentation and vocals, all composed in five fairly lengthy songs. It's creative efforts like this which keep the folk metal genre well and truly alive.
Holy moley what is this?! A gift send from the scottish landscape itself! Breathtaking is all i have to say. My fav black-folk combo to date. Love that tin whistle, the production is good, the gruff and clean vocals are sick, the drumming is fast paced and creative, the guitar is thick but warm, and a dash of scottish heritage on top... Has to be a contender for AOTY surely.
Could be better if the mix wasn't so irritating. Vocals are way too far in the back, and something (perhaps about the drum-guitar dynamics?) makes it seem as if the volume fluctuates at times for no reason.
Could be better if the mix wasn't so irritating. Vocals are way too far in the back, and something (perhaps about the drum-guitar dynamics?) makes it seem as if the volume fluctuates at times for no reason.
With you on this one. I'm personally fine with where vocals are in the mix, but when the drumming's got so many cymbals crashing about, it muddies the production to have it so far in the foreground.
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Sometimes you just need to roll the dice and look away.
There's a rawness to this sound which put off a little when listening, but otherwise a fantastic atmospheric folk album. Those mysterious folk passages in the music are
With you on this one. I'm personally fine with where vocals are in the mix, but when the drumming's got so many cymbals crashing about, it muddies the production to have it so far in the foreground.
This. I really like the album, but I haven't been able to give it a round rating due to a certain overwhelming sound wall during the more intense moments that I feel gets in the way of enjoying it more and detracts from the whole experience.
Pretty good, but the sound does get rather repetitive (mainly the folk elements). I guess I'm more of a folk black fan (Windir for instance) rather than a black folk fan (such as this).
Great music, but the production not so much. Normally I'm not a big fan of folk but this album is so grandiose and has a certain "warmth" to it. I enjoyed it enough to listen to it all in one sitting which is a feat itself.
Found this "accidentally" while browsing on bandcamp and my first impression was: wow. I'm not into folk at all, but the folk/celtic insertions are so delicate, that I really fancy it alltogether. Some grandiose, orchestral parts even remind of soundtrack movies, especially LOTR. Exquisite album, loving it.
---- You think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it. Molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was a man. But it was nothing to me but blinding.
I am in agreement with the complaints about the choice in vocal production. Fix that and I would love this. The compositions just ooze Scottish heritage.
I guess I'm more of a folk black fan (Windir for instance) rather than a black folk fan (such as this).
Then you've chosen the wrong department.
Have you heard Soar before? No? Then you should go and check out the debut and see how they setup the sound of Soar. Totally different from what you "loved". The work of Soar here is fantastic and once again delivered top-notch record. The only flaws I found here is mixing and some shitty drum tech fuck ups(said by IronAngel too).
Have you heard Soar before? No? Then you should go and check out the debut and see how they setup the sound of Soar. Totally different from what you "loved". The work of Soar here is fantastic and once again delivered top-notch record. The only flaws I found here is mixing and some shitty drum tech fuck ups(said by IronAngel too).
Saor*! I wouldn't have corrected you if you only said it once but you didn't so I had to.
Have you heard Soar before? No? Then you should go and check out the debut and see how they setup the sound of Soar. Totally different from what you "loved". The work of Soar here is fantastic and once again delivered top-notch record. The only flaws I found here is mixing and some shitty drum tech fuck ups(said by IronAngel too).
Wrong department? I was simply stating my preference when it comes to black/folk and folk/black bands. Then again, I recently starting listening to Moonsorrow and so far I like that band a lot (and they're black/folk, not folk/black).
If this album is a good representation of Saor then I'm not sure whether I'll check out their previous stuff.
The quality of songwriting, vocal performance, drums, and overall sound have improved from Roots. The songs are a little shorter but they have more to offer, so I found it to be much more enjoyable even though I liked every song on Roots and only four on this one.