Saor

Weft – The Splintered Oar Review

Weft – The Splintered Oar Review

“Black metal and the violin go together like peanut butter and jelly, which makes it particularly exciting when an artist who is accomplished in both steps forward. Weft is the solo endeavor of Charlie Anderson, the live violinist for Panopticon. His debut album, The Splintered Oar, is one of two releases by Bindrune Recordings on the weekend before the beginning of Listurnalia 2025. Nevertheless, this is a record that should not go unnoticed during the time of year when many of us have adopted either a backward- or forward-looking mindset.” Black strings and negative feelings.

Änterbila – Avart Review

Änterbila – Avart Review

“Billed as blackened folk metal and boasting a sound that will remind listeners of the aughts-era Darkthrone, Änterbila returns with sophomore album Avart. Three years removed from their self-titled debut, the foursome from Gävleborg County, Sweden, retains the core sonic principles of Änterbila and dunks them into the muck, invoking a darker, grimier aura.” Darker thrones?

Saor – Amidst the Ruins Review

Saor – Amidst the Ruins Review

“A black metal nerd’s love for their country’s natural history is one of the purest loves in metal. Andy Marshall, now best known for Saor, is one of the world’s premier folk/black metal artists and writes music that harks to Scotland’s immense beauty and folkloric culture. Album six, entitled Amidst the Ruins, is now primed for unveiling and once more returns to the desolate highlands, glossy lochs, and misty glens that characterize the best of Scottish nature.” Runes amidst the ruins.

Fellwarden – Legend: Forged In Defiance Review

Fellwarden – Legend: Forged In Defiance Review

Fellwarden is the solo atmospheric black metal project of The Watcher, the vocalist and co-founder of Fen. Fen has enjoyed a solid chunk of praise over the years from the AMG council, and I myself have always regarded Carrion Skies as an exemplar of quality atmoblack. But it was not this promising pedigree that inspired me to claim Fellwarden, for I wasn’t aware of it on first contact. I was lead by my simple love for the gentler, atmospheric side of metal.” Swords, sandals, solace.

Sgàile – Traverse the Bealach Review

Sgàile – Traverse the Bealach Review

“I get few opportunities for hiking thanks to my urban-adjacent residency, but were I to pick my ideal hiking spot, the Scottish Highlands would be up there. In lieu of a plane ticket, it seems I must settle for yet another spin of Traverse the Bealach, the long-distance hiking-inspired concept album about a nomad’s journey through post-apocalyptic Scotland, from Tony Dunn’s Sgàile. Dunn has an impressive resume that spans playing bass in Cnoc an Tursa, singing for Falloch, and some live performances with his former bandmate Andy Marshall’s Saor, but Sgàile is his one-man show.” Walkabout-core.