Scottish atmospheric black metal project SAOR have released “The Awakening MMXXVI,” the second single from the upcoming album Caledonia, due November 6, 2026, via Season of Mist.
Led by multi-instrumentalist Andy Marshall, SAOR revisit a track originally featured on 2014’s Aura. The newly recorded version follows the previously released “Carved in Stone MMXXVI” and is one of five songs from the project’s first three albums reimagined for Caledonia.
“The Awakening MMXXVI” draws heavily from themes of ancestry, Scottish heritage and connection to the land. Its lyrics move from a call to understand the lore of antiquity through the Gaelic cry “èirich” — meaning “rise” — toward themes of determination, tradition and following the paths laid down by those who came before.
Years of performing the material live have also shaped the new recording, allowing Marshall to present the song with the scale and atmosphere he originally envisioned.
Rather than simply recreating SAOR’s early material, Caledonia presents these songs as they exist today after years of performance and refinement, connecting the project’s formative years with its current sound.
Caledonia arrives November 6 via Season of Mist.
Listen to “The Awakening MMXXVI”:
Pre-order / pre-save Caledonia
Caledonia tracklist:
- Aura MMXXVI
- The Awakening MMXXVI
- Carved in Stone MMXXVI
- Hearth MMXXVI
- Tears of a Nation MMXXVI