Moonspell - Far From God (A Subjective Single Review)

One of my longtime favorite bands Moonspell released the title track off their new album “Far From God" this week. I gave it a couple days before writing this because I wanted to see what drivel other outlets were going to post. Some of them I swear have never even listened to this band before. Or at least not as extensively as I have. I keep seeing references to this album being “The modern Irreligious” but I disagree. Perhaps in themes, but that would be a stretch. Certainly not truly in sound. Sure it's less heavy than some of their other work. That perhaps is a valid basis for comparison. But you also cannot judge an entire album based on one single, especially when Moonspell is concerned. To go way back, can you judge Wolfheart by “Lua D'inverno?” Or can we gain an understanding of Sin/Pecado from hearing “Mute?” If I had to compare this new track to their other works I'd say it musically sounds like it came off of Omega White – a personal favorite– or even off their more recent release, Hermitage.  But enough of this useless banter. Comparing new music to past works is a waste of time when you're referring to a band that has evolved as much as this one has over the past 30+ years.

On the surface this song appears to just be from the perspective of someone wounded by their faith. (Is this why it's being compared to Irreligious?) But dig a little deeper – and read what their frontman Fernando Ribeiro said about it– and it's actually a love song from a vampiric point of view. It's really nice to see them return to their lyrical roots. Since Alpha Noir/Omega White, there have been few if any references to anything mystical at all in their songs. It's been primarily historical references and commentary on human nature which is all well and good, but it lacks that magical spark and symbolism that originally pulled me into being “under the spell”.

I must pull a quote directly from Fernando here, because I couldn't say it better myself. “I confess I felt the urge of, together with Moonspell, saving the face of Gothic Metal which became hostage of semi-tuned operatic female vocalists, simpleton and crunchy guitar riffs; and of lyrical content that would make Dracula impale himself with a stake in his bloodless heart.” This is precisely what's happened. Not only is almost any recent vampire content a mockery of the essence of the creature, but goth metal as a genre has become so overly saturated with poor lyrics and boring elements that I'd nearly written it off as being lost to the void. So for that, Moonspell, I thank you. 

This song has given me some hope that goth metal isn’t dead. It’s undead. As a former metalhead who has become more goth over the years, this brings me a lot of joy. I’ve also been waiting a long time for this album. When Hermitage came out five years ago, I’d feared it was their last record. I know that day is eventually coming, but luckily it has not arrived yet.  I am really looking forward to the rest of this album. It comes out July 3rd, the day after my birthday, and I can’t think of a better birthday gift. I also really enjoyed the gorgeous black and white music video, but I’ll leave this off here, I’ve written enough for one article. If you read till the end, I appreciate it more than you know.

Forever a member of the Wolfpack!