Resonance - Saor – Caledonia
Saor – Caledonia 8.5/10
SAOR (Gaelic and Scottish for free) is the creation of Andy Marshall that since 2013 has ushered in the style of Caledonian (Scotland) Black Metal that merges the traditions of folk and Gaelic with the modern fury of extreme metal.’’ Caledonia’’ is not a new album per se but a reconstruction of five classic tracks from the Roots, Aura, and Guardians eras recorded the way they were always originally intended with the proper resources available.
There is no denying that the production is fantastic allowing the hidden nuances that were in the original recordings to shine brightly allowing the use of more woodwind instruments. The choral and female vocals are beautiful and the Gaelic influence is strong allowing you to conjure images of the highlands as you are swept up in the majesty of the now epic recordings complete with traditional influences and clean vocals that are countered by the extreme guitar work and percussion. Each track is a majestic monumental work “The Awakening” is everything from the beautiful to harsh vocals, traditional instruments over blast beats and an evocative rousing chorus’. “Tears of a Nation” is another example of the grandiose that is Saor yet also capable of being intimate and personal, that closing riff literally ascends into greatness. Aura is still an immense, beautiful offering. If there is a quibble with Caledonia it is that the recordings are so polished and clear that some of the raw energy from the originals is lost in the re-construction.
Later Saor fans will enjoy Caledonia immensely, older fans should view it as a companion piece to the originals where both are just as important to the heritage and development of Saor as a musical entity and creative force where the atmosphere is as tangible and vital as the black metal within. Recommended
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