The new full-length of Saor, Amidst the Ruins, is a release I counted on because according to my estimations, I like one album out of two. That is to say that while Forgotten Paths was the one I was taken with, Origins actually put me off a 
bit. So in addition to this fantastic first single and the beautiful artworks surrounding the new album, I was pretty confident about my stake. I didn’t think I would get mistaken but it unfortunately did happen and I am sorry. I’ve been friends with the manager Joe for years and had a nice chat with Andy back in Limoges so I hope they won’t be too sour at me for this review.
Let’s start with this first single, the eponymous song. It’s a very good one that flows nicely without being what would be the easiest and laziest option. On the contrary, it is a balanced track with a bit of everything. This means a well filled electric bloc in which whistles mix smoothly. It breathes with just what is needed of tension, offering a powerful moment (“We will rise!”) and a beautiful ending.
The problem is that I haven’t quite found these qualities again after that. The fact they came after Khors in my order of review didn’t help them and I realised that there was not the depth I was ready to fetch. It was a honest mistake but at the same time, I know Andy is capable of both heavier and more inspiring compositions. While listening to Amidst the Ruins I had, on the opposite, the feeling it got much lighter and not as impactful as usual.
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There are plenty of good elements and even if not everything speaks to me, it does work. For instance, on “Echoes of the Ancient Land”, there is this surprising part with unusual drums that are really nicely brought up. “Glen of Sorrow” opens with cool guitar effects, in an almost alleviated way which is refreshing. On a same note, the acoustic song “The Sylvan Embrace” is a nice one and reminds me in a positive way of The Moon & the Nightspirit with echoed bass drums and murmuring. The violin and viola, respectively played by Àngela Moya Serrat and Miguel Izquierdo, emerging here and there finery enlightens the songs. On the whole, everything was fairly easy to the ear but it couldn’t help switching off. Tracks were flowing nicely but I wasn’t hooked. In a way it means the songs were good but my focus was back the second I heard something I didn’t like, this means many of the singing parts.
While all of the choirs are well executed, I am not fond of their cheerful melodies. It reminds me of what was done and overdone in folk metal. In the same vein, there are indeed more vocalisations by Ella and if they were ok most of time on the last show I attended, I liked them less there. Many of them would need more balance with echo effect, it was indistinct on “Glen of Sorrow” and the timing on “The Sylvan Embrace” was a tad too late. The “cathedral singing” was good but to me, she does not have this ethereal or mysterious touch in her voice illuminate it. What I disliked the most was on “Rebirth”. There are many successful inclusion of repeating clean vocals in Saor songs such as on “Bron” or “The Awakening” but we’re off the mark with those silly and never-ending “Nyanyinyna”. Unless they’re actually “Yayahiyaha”. Either way, it was a big “no” for me.
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Now is the time for me to conclude this review and venture a scatter-brained theory. Even if Andy took all the credits for the compositions, I have the feeling that with this album the opinions and preferences of live members, who became permanent in a way, were maybe more taken into account. And it would be a completely normal reaction, it’s simply human to include people you befriended more into the project that link you to them. But speaking strictly about the aura and atmosphere emanating from his previous albums which he composed in a more “selfish” way, I think he lost this magic of being the sole wanderer in his very own world.
It’s something universal, not proper to music. It’s just like when you dive in your passion, you do it for yourself, and then you bring someone with you into it. It just doesn’t really feel the same anymore, you do not get to have as much fun nor as much freedom. Such magic is truly precious. For once I am optimistic, I do not believe this goes away forever. You can get back to this magical world with work and decisions.
Amidst the Ruins is out on February 7th.
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