Moonspell Announces New Album Aimed for 2026,Reflects on Legacy and Creative Inspiration
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A new Moonspell album is slated for release in teh first half of 2026,the band’s frontman revealed,following a period of introspection about the group’s 30-year history and the challenges of continuing to create relevant music. The announcement comes as Moonspell celebrates three decades as the release of their seminal debut album, Wolfheart.
Reflecting on Three Decades of darkness
This year marks 30 years since the release of Wolfheart (1995), and next year will commemorate three decades of Irreligious (1996). This milestone prompted a period of self-assessment for the band, leading to questions about their future.”I entertained the idea of why not be a legacy band? Why not play some shows? What’s the point of making new music?” a senior member of the band stated. This sentiment,he explained,is a universal struggle for musicians,even those at the pinnacle of their careers.
He cited the recent experience of Metallica and their album ’72 Seasons as an example. While acknowledging the challenges of continued inspiration, he ultimately decided against complacency.”But then I thought, ‘No, we have to up and do something,” he affirmed. The band is now confident that the upcoming album will be one of the most significant of their career.
A New Direction: romanticism and Existentialism
The new material is currently in its early stages, but the band has a clear vision for its direction. It will deviate from the progressive elements of Hermitage, aiming for a more immediate and emotionally resonant sound. “It’s not going to be progressive like ‘Hermitage’, ’cause we’ve done that before.But I want make an album that is about pure feeling and an album that will grab [people] promptly as the sound of MOONSPELL,” the band’s leader explained.
Lyrically, the album will explore themes of love, death, and existentialism, eschewing contemporary political or societal commentary. “I’m not writing about politics or society, money or ambition,” he stated. “People have this every day in their news, in their feed, so I’m writing a very romantic, even gothic album about love, death, what are we doing here?”
The band is currently refining a ample collection of material, having written over 30 potential lyrics and numerous songs. The process involves careful selection to ensure the final album meets their high standards. “There’s so many bands coming, but I think it’s high time and also as a kind of a reward to the fans that have waited so much for the new album,” he said. “I think we never spent so much time in between albums, so it’s gotta be special.”
Recent History and Lineup
Moonspell completed their “American Full Moon” 30th-anniversary tour in the spring of 2023. Prior to that, a planned North American tour in the summer of 2022 was canceled due to logistical challenges. In September 2022, the band released From down Below – Live 80 Meters Deep, a Blu-ray/DVD and album capturing their performance of hermitage.
The band’s current lineup consists of:
- fernando Ribeiro – Vocals
- Ricardo Amorim – Guitars
- Pedro Paixão – Keys
- Aires pereira – Bass
- Hugo Ribeiro – Drums
Hugo Ribeiro replaced original drummer Miguel “Mike” Gaspar in 2020.
With the stakes high and a wealth of new material, Moonspell is poised to deliver an album that honors their legacy while forging a new path forward.
