A descent into Moonspell’s coldest, most gothic hour yet — proof that, more than thirty years in, they still know exactly how to freeze a heart.
Moonspell have been one of my long-standing favourites, and I always look forward to whatever they put out. They’ve kept their output rock-solid in quality since 1992 — I can’t name a single record of theirs I’d call weak.
Far From God
Their new record, Far From God, arrived on July 3rd, 2026, and once again confirms their firm standing on the scene. The album itself isn’t as proggy as Hermitage.
It leans more gothic, more brooding, and returns to what the band does best — emotions so dark and icy they’ll chill your heart even in the middle of a heatwave.
The dynamics are excellent, and the gloomy mood keeps building, track by track. Fernando is in top form, and that deep, unmistakable voice of his sends another icy wave of oppressive feeling through you with every word.
The arrangements of each song add to that perfect feeling too. Almost-whispered vocal lines alternate with harsh guitar riffs and delicate keys, interwoven with raw growling. It hits the senses like a sea swell — quiet and rustling one moment, roaring and destructive the next.
The album opens with Cross Your Heart, which sounds different from the rest of the record — muted, veiled almost. But the second track, the title cut, gently sets up the eerie atmosphere that keeps building with every song that follows.
For me, the highlight is Your Promise of Light — Fernando’s vocals carry so much emotion here it’s heartbreaking. Our Freedom To Fall, on the other hand, is probably the harshest cut on the record, with fantastic guitar riffs and a massive charge of anger.
And closing track Reconquista wraps up the record on a majestic note, with what might be the most interesting guitar solo on the whole album.
Summary
Far From God is only a small step away from perfection. Moonspell show exactly where their greatest strength lies — in their ability to blend tender melancholy with a fierce, predatory sound.
Lineup:
- Fernando Ribeiro – vocals
- Ricardo Amorim – guitars, keyboards
- Pedro Paixão – keyboards, samples, programming
- Aires Pereira – bass
- Hugo Ribeiro – drums
Guests:
- Alicia Nurho – violin (4)
Tracklist:
- Cross Your Heart
- Far From God
- Biblical
- The Great Wolf in the Sky (feat. Alicia Nurho on strings)
- Your Promise of Light
- For the Love of Mortals
- Our Freedom to Fall
- Reconquista
Release year: 2026
Label: Napalm Records
YouTube preview:
Links:
https://www.moonspell.rastilho.com/
https://www.facebook.com/moonspellband/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MoonspellYT
Rating: 5.5/6
