What makes The Call of the Wood by Opera IX notable?

This album is notable for its fusion of black metal with operatic and symphonic elements, which influenced later artists in the genre. 'The Call of the Wood' received critical acclaim within metal circles and helped establish Opera IX as a prominent name in the underground scene, contributing to the expansion of avant-garde black metal. Released in 1995, 'The Call of the Wood' is Opera IX's second studio album, following their debut 'The Black Opera' (1993). At this point in their career, they were solidifying their identity within the Italian black metal scene while exploring thematic elements related to mysticism and nature.