Night Eternal

SPV/Steamhammer

The much anticipated new release from Portugal’s leading Gothic Metal ambassadors Moonspell is finally upon us. Night Eternal is the enticingly dark and wondrous next chapter in the evolution of these brilliant composers. Scheduled to hit stores here in the U.S. on the 20^th of June 2008 Night Eternal promises to be everything the Moonspell fan could hope for. Following the success of their last studio release 2006’s Memorial and the re-recording of the bands debut EP Under The Moonspell now titled Under Satanae in 2007 it is inevitable that this latest endeavor will mark the bands greatest accomplishment to date.

Enlisting the ultra credible talents of Danish producer Tue Madsen (Raunchy/Halford/The Haunted) who also handled production duties for the bands Under Satanae, Night Eternal finds the band re-inventing themselves once again but at the same time tapping into their roots. This is no doubt a result of their time spent re-recording their legendary debut EP. Both musically and lyrically this fresh offering is perhaps some of the darkest material the band have ever delivered. Frontman Fernando Ribeiro never ceases to astonish me with his blatant ability to combine sadistically evil subject matter with the poetic finesses of sensual beauty. His writing style in many ways reminds me of the writings of Poe if Poe were a bit more on the Satanic side.

The guitar/keys team of Ricardo Amorim and Pedro Paixao is absolutely exquisite in their blending of heavy riffing and lush melody. This coupled with Ribeiro’s haunting vocals make up the distinguishing element of Gothic splendor that we have come to know and love from this outstanding group of musicians. Song favorites include the first single and subsequent video “Scorpion Flower” which features a guest vocal apearance from Anneke van Giersbergen(ex-The Gathering), the title track “Night Eternal”, “Shadow Sun”, “Dreamless (Lucifer and Lilith)”, and Hers Is The Twilight”. Night Eternal is most definitely agreat addition to the bands long repertoire and will no doubt be heralded as one of the best Metal albums of 2008.

-Priest