We look back at the album “Mons Sacratus” | From Chile, With Metal On High…This Is Balmung
Puerto Montt is a city where Metal resonates in every corner. There’s no denying it. At some point, we’ll have to pay a visit there. Remember Sempiternus? Well, the guys from Balmung not only hail from the same city but also share a guitarist with Sempiternus, Cesar Salazar, who adds color to Balmung’s sound—a band that focuses on classic Heavy Metal with hints of Power Metal, in the best Helloween/Gammaray or Running Wild style, to name a few references.
The band is rounded out by Christian Diamond on bass, Hector Einherjer on drums, and Adolfo Wagner on vocals, in addition to the aforementioned Salazar on guitar.
After releasing a demo and the EP “Mors Crucis” in 2023, the band released the album “Mons Sacratus,” a work that showcases a classic, melodic, and at times epic sound, based on fast riffs and a constant tempo that takes us through different stories, set against a backdrop of legendary overtones.
In fact, “Mons Sacratus” is a collection of mythical tales, each with a specific message, and within that lyrical framework, the power and speed of Balmung’s sound give meaning to each of the songs that make up this great work, centered on what we might call Neoclassical Metal.
“Sacred Mountains” is the album’s tremendous opener, with riffs and rhythms rooted in the classical tradition and a distinctly metallic foundation, which extends into “Ancestral Footprint,” featuring strong influences from ’80s metal, and there we also find a track that leans more toward the classical side and rides on “Espada De Balmung,” a song that serves as a self-referential track regarding the band’s name.
If there’s one thing that stands out about Balmung, it’s the elaborate and fast guitar riffs, which blend with the ever-present melodies and harmonies. That’s what “Designio Supremo” is all about, with a vibe closer to power metal, but without letting up on the intensity at all, and featuring several interesting passages. In contrast, “Dueño De La Verdad” is a sort of mid-tempo epic ballad with a strong guitar foundation setting the pace, and in between, the melodic side emerges with “La Fuente Del Universo,” a track that stands out for its majesty.
With “Burlas De Fuego” we encounter a galloping track, very much in the style of traditional metal and with much of the power of ’80s heavy metal, and next we have “El Final Del Túnel,” an instrumental track where the guitars fly here and there, displaying all their ferocity and distinct melodies.
Toward the end of the album, we find “El Alma De Los Tiempos,” another mid-tempo track with a clearly classical inspiration in its conception.
Balmung has that unmistakable traditional heavy metal signature. They don’t go the European-style power metal route; their sound has more to do with galloping rhythms, plenty of riffs, dual-guitar solos, and a voice with the perfect tone for metal. In one way or another, the Chilean band carries on the legacy of a style that makes mythical, magical, and legendary stories the center of attention, both musically and lyrically. In fact, their message—positive, powerful, and uplifting—blends excellently with the musical side, where, as we’ve mentioned, their commitment to the most traditional aspects of heavy metal stands out.
“Mons Sacratus” revives that old spirit of classic heavy metal, emphasizing speed and the signature style found in the various riffs, solos, and guitar licks that guide each composition. It is classic heavy metal from start to finish, eschewing gimmicks and staying true to the legacy of metal with epic content and a message of strength and encouragement.
Their album, “Mons Sacratus,” which is ultimately their first full-length release, is available in physical and digital formats, but we’ve included the track “Montañas Sagradas” below so you can get a sense of what Balmung is all about, and of course, the social media links for these Chilean brothers, so you can follow them and stay updated on their latest news…
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578934737571
https://www.instagram.com/balmungneoclasicmetal
