Portuguese gothic metal band Moonspell has announced its new album, Far from God, set for release on July 3 via Napalm Records. The title track single, accompanied by a music video, will arrive on March 25. Vocalist Fernando Ribeiro described the album as a return to the band's gothic metal roots, evoking their 1996 release Irreligious.
Moonspell, the Portuguese metallers known for their dark and atmospheric sound, revealed details of their upcoming album during a live Instagram question-and-answer session on March 7. The band's vocalist, Fernando Ribeiro, shared insights into Far from God, the follow-up to their 2021 album Hermitage. Recorded in Porto, Portugal, with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano—who also worked on Hermitage—the new LP emphasizes gothic metal elements, described by Ribeiro as "a very simple album... very melodic... atmospheric... delicate and... emotional."
Ribeiro noted that early listeners have dubbed it the "Irreligious of the 21st century," highlighting its focus on romantic and existential themes without the social or philosophical tones of previous works. The songwriting process proved challenging, with Ribeiro writing over 50 sets of lyrics and considering 10 potential album titles. The delay since Hermitage stemmed from the pandemic and the need to rediscover direction, leading the band to embrace what Ribeiro called their core strength: gothic metal.
The album incorporates influences from classic gothic acts like Fields of the Nephilim, The Sisters of Mercy, Love Like Blood, and Bauhaus, as well as modern bands such as French Police and Twin Tribes. Ribeiro emphasized bringing back melancholy to the genre, stating, "a lot of it doesn't have pain, doesn't have love, doesn't have desperation." It features extensive clean vocals while retaining Moonspell's signature intensity.
The cover artwork, created by Eliran Kantor, is slated for reveal around the March 25 single release, which will also launch presales. Moonspell plans two or three music videos for the album. In recent years, the band has marked milestones, including their first symphonic show, Opus Diabolicum, on October 26, 2024, at Lisbon's MEO Arena with the Orquestra Sinfonietta de Lisboa, set for home release on October 31, 2025, via Napalm Records. They also parted ways with original drummer Miguel "Mike" Gaspar in 2020, replaced by Hugo Ribeiro.
