Accessibility in the more extreme regions of Metal can sometimes be a problem, its no good thrusting a Vlad Tepes album in the face of a Black Metal newbie for example. The more raw or even technical elements of certain artists can just pass the average listener by in an instant. I guess music can be a little like wine tasting or fine dining, it takes time to appreciate all the various facets and above all else it takes dedication. All that said though we all must start somewhere, whether it be through classic albums or even releases with a more mainstream sound, but how can you get that from such extremity?

Back in 1992 Norwegian Black Metal was clearly on fire (sorry I couldn’t resist) and one artist who hid in the shadows was Wallachia the originally solo project of Lars Stavdal who eventually went on in 1999 the full emerge with a full length album. That album was entitled From Behind The Light which I would consider to be a somewhat unsung classic of the Symphonic Black Metal genre. However after releasing this album Lars broke up the project only to reappear in 2009 with a new full length which upheld the Symphonic traditions laid in place before and now things seem to be going strong as we come to the release of Monumental Heresy through Debemur Morti Productions the follow up to the 2012 album Shunya

From the very beginning the Symphonic elements appear a trend that flows perfectly, giving this Symphonic Black Metal work an almost Folk Metal edge that conjurers up images of Fantasy warfare, a perfect soundtrack to a night of Dungeons and Dragons. These themes are brought to the forefront with orchestral touches particularly on So We Walk Alone and Silenced No Longer where the violins inject notes of Neo Classical wonder. This album isn’t without its extreme edge however, the guitars, bass and drums all remain perfectly Metal in their ways even during more melodic sections, a truly wondrous feat, Monumental Heresy truly gives all the instruments their time to shine.

Although there is a lot going on here from the over the top 90s styled keyboards to the male choirs and even female vocals on The Parallel Fate Of Dreams there is no shortage of enjoyment. In fact the wild all encompassing nature of this album means that even the longer songs don’t come across as dull or boring. There are an awful lot of influences to divulge into but to bring it all together in a typically ridiculous genre nazi way I would call this Melodic Symphonic Folk Black Metal, so if any of those influences are to your liking then give this a spin.

It may not uphold the same level of memorability as perhaps Emperor or Dimmu Borgir when it comes to Symphonic Black Metal but it certainly has a wondrous unique quality to it that puts it above a lot of more perhaps mainstream sounding Extreme Metal releases. Personally I think if you were to show this to a new Metal fan it would probably blow their mind, there is so much going on, its a nerdy battle worthy journey through the darkest plains of the endless war zones of Symphonic Black Metal.

(7/10 George Caley)

https://www.facebook.com/wallachiaband

https://wallachia.bandcamp.com/album/monumental-heresy