Hailing from the enchanting landscapes of Scotland, Saor emerged onto the metal scene in 2013, leaving an indelible mark with their unique and captivating blend of melodic atmospheric black metal intensity and rich Scottish/Celtic folk influences. The band's name, meaning "free" in Scottish Gaelic, reflects their commitment to artistic liberty and the boundless scope of their musical explorations. Saor's compositions paint vivid soundscapes, invoking the haunting mist of lochs, the towering mountains, and the ancient forests that characterize Scotland's rugged beauty. At the heart of Saor's sonic journey stands Andy Marshall, but within the current lineup of the band we also find Spanish drummer Carlos Vivas. Between playing at the Vagos Metal Fest in Portugal and the Kaltenbach Open Air in Austria, I took advantage of his short break to ask him some questions!

INTERVIEW

OBNUBIL: Hi Carlos! Thank you very much for taking the time between your break to answer some questions. Please tell us a bit about you. What first inspired you to become a drummer, and how did you get into the metal genre, particularly atmospheric folk and black metal?

CARLOS: Hello! Thanks for the opportunity to do this interview! For me it all started back in 2011-2012 when I was able to gather all my savings from my teenage years and buy my own drum kit. I actually started listening to a lot of power metal in my childhood, particularly the band Blind Guardian, so when I finally got to sit down at a drum kit I already had a very clear idea of ​​what I wanted to play. Over the years, of course, I discovered more complex and darker sounds and subgenres, although I have never abandoned my roots.

OBNUBIL: Who are some of your biggest drumming influences, both within the metal genre and beyond? How have they impacted your playing?

CARLOS: For me, one of my biggest influences will always be Dan Presland from the band Ne Obliviscaris. I think he is one of the most impressive drummers in the metal world. What I would highlight about him is above all, his incredible creativity. Probably his work in Ne Obliviscaris has influenced me more than any other musician.

Outside of this genre, I look up to people like Virgil Donati or Thomas Lang.

OBNUBIL: How did you become involved with Saor, and what attracted you to the band’s unique sound? Please share your story with us! How does a guy from Madrid end up getting together with a Scot to play "Caledonian Metal"?

CARLOS: My relationship with Saor began in 2018 when I received a message from Andy Marshall, as he was looking for a drummer to record on the album "Forgotten Paths". At that time I had only heard the name of the band and seen the logo a couple of times, but that same day I looked into the demos that Andy sent me and immediately decided to start working with him.

Since then there have been a couple of opportunities where I could have started touring with the band as a session musician, but it never came to fruition, among other things due to the 2020 pandemic.

I was finally able to join in 2024, giving my first concert with Saor in the first days of the year.

OBNUBIL: Saor’s music is heavily inspired by Scottish history and landscapes. The band's music blends atmospheric, folk, and black metal elements. How do you incorporate these diverse influences into your drumming style?

CARLOS: Saor's music is full of contrast. The songs are very long with a lot of time and space for musical expression, and that leads to playing several styles within a single song. I think this helps to give that atmosphere and to immerse both the audience and the musicians in what they are hearing. Playing with Saor has influenced me in serving that atmosphere with my drumming, always serving the purpose of the song.

I think you have to develop a certain sensitivity to know what to play and what not to play at different times.

OBNUBIL: Last May you finished recording drums for Saor's next album. The band's music has a strong emotional and atmospheric component. How do you tap into that emotion during both the recording process and live performances? What’s the creative process like within Saor? How do you and the rest of the band collaborate on new material, especially with Andy Marshall as the central figure?

CARLOS: Yes, the recording was great, given that it was my second time recording an album for Saor. This time it felt like something closer to me, since I had previously joined the band's line-up.

As for the process, Andy Marshall is in charge of composing and giving his unique vision to his project. When he presents us with new material, we always appreciate that we have a certain creative freedom playing our own instrument, where we can express our style without changing the structures or the main ideas of the song.

That is when that fusion emerges in Saor's music to create the atmosphere that characterizes our music.

OBNUBIL: Can you give us some information about the new album? Is there a name and estimated release date? What can we expect from said album? I have read that it is the fastest and most technical album to date!

CARLOS: I can't really give any information yet about dates or names, sorry.

What I can confirm is that it is Saor's fastest, most technical and most complex album. The new material has quickly become my favorite from the band.

Before the end of the year you may have more news hahaha.

OBNUBIL: Are there specific drum setups or equipment you prefer when playing with Saor to achieve the right sound for their atmospheric style?

CARLOS: What I find best will always be working with equipment that I know and am used to. I am not endorsed by any brand yet, and sometimes it is impossible to travel around the world with my own drum kit. 

In the end I always try to be overprepared so that there are no surprises live, as the equipment available is different in the different places we play. Also, every drum kit you play on feels different, regardless of whether they provide you with the top range of the instrument.

If I had to be more specific, for example on cymbals I will always prefer medium diameters and medium-thin thickness, except for ride where I always prefer the thickest available.

OBNUBIL: What challenges do you face when performing Saor's music live, especially considering the intricate and layered nature of the recordings?

CARLOS: Well, the difficulty with Saor is that you have 10-minute songs where you go from blast beats to soft sections that are almost like jazz, passing through folk-like percussion sections. I always try to play hard, and be consistent and precise in the most powerful parts, but maintaining the dynamics and the "air" in the other sections.

OBNUBIL: Vagos Metal Fest, Kilkim Žaibu Festival, Ragnarök Festival, Inferno Metal Festival, 70,000 Tons of Metal... are some of the festivals you have played at this year with the band. What has been your top 3, in what order and why, and which has been the most special for you?

CARLOS: That would surely be 70,000 Tons, Inferno Festival in Oslo and Ragnaröck Fest in Germany.

I think they were really special because a few years ago I never thought it would happen for me. Playing in so many different places and seeing so many people enjoying the music I make is something very precious to me.

70,000 Tons was especially surprising, because of the great atmosphere between different bands and between fans.

OBNUBIL: What has been one of the most memorable experiences you’ve had so far while playing with Saor, whether it’s in the studio or on tour?

CARLOS: Probably when we played in Mexico. The energy of the people there is incredible. They are so supportive of the bands that come there to play. We had fans waiting to take a picture or have us sign an autograph at the airport and at the hotel.

It wasn't until I had been there for 24 hours that I think it really hit me that I was on another continent 9,000 kilometers away playing on a stage.

OBNUBIL: What's on Saor's agenda between now and the end of the year? Something that excites you especially?

CARLOS: We only have 4 or 5 more dates until the end of the year. The next one will be on August 23rd at Kaltenbach Fest in Austria and I'm really looking forward to it as I've never been there. I understand that the festival is located in the middle of a forest in the mountains.

Next year will probably be much more packed with concerts than this one, as we'll be releasing the new album.

OBNUBIL: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as a drummer, both within Saor and in your broader musical career? Are there any other projects or genres you’d like to explore?

CARLOS: I hope to continue working with Saor for a long time, because I think I have found a really good band, not only of very professional musicians and artists, but also of excellent people with whom to share life on tour. I want to continue bringing my drumming to new fans around the world.

Of course, I always have open expectations about the future and I am always looking for new styles to listen to and experience.

OBNUBIL: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music with Saor? Do you also have any other projects? Are there any hobbies or interests that your followers might be surprised to learn about?

CARLOS: Right now I’m also doing live drums for Cân Bardd, from Switzerland. It's an amazing atmospheric black metal band with a very epic sound. I also teach drums when I'm at home.

Outside of drumming I like videogames, going to the gym, tabletop roleplay games and miniature wargames. Yes, I’m a nerd hahaha.

OBNUBIL: Imagine for a moment that you could start a band with any artist or famous person, living or dead. What would be the formation of said band and what musical style would you play? What would your first single be called?

CARLOS: I think that list would be too long to answer you, haha. It would probably end up being about 97 different projects with musicians from many of the bands I listen to, each with a different sound and a completely different way of doing things.

OBNUBIL: A curiosity to finish that I like to ask: One movie, one song, your favorite place on earth.

CARLOS: The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, "Devour Me Colossus" by Ne Obliviscaris and the stage.

OBNUBIL: It has been a pleasure talking to you and getting to know you a little more! Thank you so much for taking your time answering the questions! Is there anything that you would like to say to the readers and to your fans?

CARLOS: It's a pleasure for me! Thank you again for the opportunity to answer this interview. 

I would of course like to thank the fans for always supporting us. And to the readers who don't know Saor, I invite you to give the band a chance, as we also have new material ready to be released soon!

Interview done August 2024. Cover photo taken by Miguel González. Live photography by Duncan McCall, The View Photography and Gronnen Hell.