Genre: Martial Industrial / Neoclassical

A Challenge of Honour has stood as a Stahlwerk force within the martial industrial music scene for some years now garnishing a strong allegiance amidst fans of bombastic and martial embellished neoclassical music. Having first emerged as a duo A Challenge of Honour has persisted with the commitment of founding member Peter Savelkoul who has continued to lead ACOH into more fruitful and mature grounds.

Monuments follows in the tradition of many ACOH releases in that it has been released as a strictly limited edition CDR. Limited to 100 pressings this is possibly the most easily acquirable limited edition CDR issued so far by ACOH. Die hard collectors know of the difficulty and cost of securing many of ACOH’s more obscure and limited edition CDR and vinyl only releases. With the assistance of Steinklang Industries of Austria “Monuments” is not only a worthy collectible but an easily obtainable one as well.

When Monuments arrived I was not certain what to expect as the sound of ACOH tends to range between atmospheric neoclassical montages to emotionally intense bursts of martial toned neoclassical orchestration. Monuments delivers a mixed listening experience that meanders through heroic neoclassical ballads filled with carefully placed sound bites and rougher compositions that emphasize the rarely heard singing voice of Peter Savelkoul. The music is composed of emotionally laden string arrangements and the ever dancing drums of war, sorrow, and triumph. Peter’s mastery of composition is stunning when compared to the bands debut “Only Stones Remain.” Monuments demonstrates a point of maturity in the music of ACOH that has since been heard growing in more recent recordings. Some of the most powerful moments in the music are also some of the most delicate as Peter balances the solar strength of power and strife with the lunar qualities of stillness and reflection bringing balance to a genre that often stagnates in expressions of overwhelming martial dominance and exaltation.

Monuments features twelve original songs many of which can be considered memorable and impressionable. Obvious favorites like “The Hope Of The Truth (Vers. II)” and “Theme For Play The Game” feature cinematic neoclassical music paired with brilliant samples that accentuate and in the case of “Theme For Play The Game” narrate the listening experience. “Ode To Solitude” and “New Jerusalem” are bold attempts by Peter Savelkoul to imbue the music of ACOH with vocals. The music is as always powerfully seductive and Peter’s vocals are quite modest as he recites spoken word and at times sings from behind the orchestration. His words get lost at times in the music but hopefully as he gains confidence in his voice this will pass. “Theme For Miller’s Court” and “Abatoir” revisit the tradition of strictly instrumental songs giving the album a chance to breathe and Peter an opportunity to explore his talent as in “Theme For Miller’s Court” which lasts an extended seven minutes and eight seconds. “Sudden Closure” features an acoustic ballad with guest vocal appearances by Audrey Baker and David Westerink. This rare guest appearance gifts the music of ACOH with a refreshing tone that brings an unsuspecting delicacy to the music via acoustic guitar and ethereal atmospherics.

“Sturm Der Stille” invokes a ritualistic mood including chimes and acoustic guitar bringing to mind the sound of Sonne Hagal as ACOH explores the esoteric. “March Into Captivity” stirs the embers of militarism as snare and timpani drums conjure forth a spirited dirge that emphasizes the sorrow of defeat and the dehumanized mechanism of war. The use of a string bass is notable here as ACOH expands the realm of usable instrumentation while attempting to open martial industrial music to more sophistication and development. “The Morning Lays Behind Us” ends Monuments on an inspiring note as timpani, piano, strings, and psychedelic keyboard music meld into a harmonious ballad of open possibilities and new frontiers.

Monuments is a surprisingly full album and a fine collectable. If you indulge in ACOH you should make every effort to budget in this album. Though Monuments might become overshadowed by recent CD format releases by ACOH it will be remembered as one of the finest albums of the bands current era.

Track Titles:

An Introduction
Ode To Solitude
The Hope Of Truth (Vers. II)
Theme For Play The Game
The New Jerusalem
My Lady's Grave
Theme For Miller's Court
Sudden Closure
Sturm Der Stille
Abatoir
March Into Captivity
The Morning Lays Behind Us