Moonspell is a gothic metal band from Portugal, initially formed in 1989 as "Morbid God" by Fernando Ribeiro (vocals), Ares (bass guitar) and two of the bands former members as a black metal band. The band has often been described as doom-death and gothic-doom with several groups of critics and fans arguing between which of the two doom metal forms they truly belong to. Ribeiro, the band's vocalist however has stressed that "devilish music" would be a more appropriate term, as he often cites Luciferian Saga as an important influence to the band.

Biography

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The band explored their sound and recorded demos and EPs until 1992 when they decided to change their name to Moonspell. They continued to develop their identity, releasing the demo Anno Satanae in 1993 culminating in their breakthrough moment, career-wise, when they supported Cradle of Filth around 1994 in a concert in Lisbon, Portugal, shortly thereafter releasing their most "metal sounding" release Under the Moonspell.

They signed with Century Media Records and released Wolfheart, their breakthrough album, in 1995.

With the release of Irreligious in 1996 came much wider attention; the track "Opium" was released on various compilations and the music video was also distributed. It still remains one of their most well known records, and a recurring piece for their live performances.

The band continued to explore its own sound, and has with time shown influences such as; Blues, Gothic rock, Classical musical and various forms of metal.

In early 2004 the band recorded a cover of the jazz standard "I'll see you in my dreams" for the soundtrack of a Portuguese horror movie of the same name. There is an official music video of this song featuring footage from the film itself.

Their 2003 album, The Antidote, was the basis for a novel of the same name by novelist José Luis Peixoto.

Daemonarch was a one-time side-project of Moonspell that was more based towards producing a black metal feel.

The band signed a three album deal with SPV/Steamhammer after they split up with Century Media in 2005. Their first album with SPV was entitled Memorial and was released in 2006. The band is currently working on releasing a DVD entitled "Lunar Still" but is having some issues of a legal nature and as such has been forced to delay the released, originally expected in September 2005.

Band members

• Fernando Ribeiro (Langsuyar) - vocals
• Ricardo Amorim - guitar
• Miguel Gaspar (Mike/Nisroth) - drums
• Pedro Paixão (Passionis/Neophytus) - keyboard / guitar

Session member

• Aires Pereira - bass (tour only)

Previous members

• João Pedro (Ares/Tetragrammaton) - bassist (1989 - 1997)
• Niclas Etelävuori - bassist
• Sérgio Crestana - bassist (1997 - 2003)
• Mantus - guitar
• Luis Lamelas (Malah) - guitar

Discography

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Demos

• Morbid God Promo '92 (1992)
• Anno Satanae (1993)

Singles and EPs

• Wolves From The Fog (EP) (1994)
• Under the Moonspell (EP) (1994)
• Opium (EP) (1996)
• 2econd Skin (EP) (1997)
• Everything Invaded (EP) (2004)

Albums

• Wolfheart (1995)
• Irreligious (1996)
• Sin/Pecado (1998)
• The Butterfly Effect (1999)
• Darkness and Hope (2001)
• The Antidote (2003)
• Memorial (2006)

Music videos

• Opium (Irreligious)
• 2econd Skin (Sin/Pecado)
• Magdalene (Sin/Pecado)
• Butterfly effect (The Butterfly Effect)
• Nocturna (Darkness and Hope)
• Everything Invaded (The Antidote)
• I'll see you in my dreams (movie soundtrack)
• Finisterra (Memorial)

External links

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• Official homepage
• Serpent Angel - unofficial homepage and forum
• Fernando-Ribeiro.tk - The First ultimate fansite
• The Moonspell Live Guide For Shows and Collectors
• Interview with Fernando Ribeiro - presenting his artistic views
• Moonspell Videos

Gothic-Doom | Gothic metal | Portuguese heavy metal musical groups

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