Moonspell

biography Moonspell is a Portuguese metal band, formed in 1989 under the name Morbid God, by Fernando Ribeiro (vocals), Miguel Gaspar (drums) and two other members. In 1992, the band changed its name to Moonspell and joined Pedro Paixão (keyboards and guitar), Duarte Picoto (guitar) and João Pedro Escoval (bass). The band released their first demo, Anno Satanae, in 1993, which earned them a contract with French label Adipocere Records. In 1994, they released their first EP, Under the Moonspell, which showcased their mix of black metal and folk and oriental music. That year, Picoto and Escoval left and Ricardo Amorim (guitar) and Sérgio Crestana (bass) entered. In 1995, the band signed with German label Century Media Records and released their first album, Wolfheart, which was a success on the European metal scene. The album revealed the influence of gothic metal on the band's sound, with songs such as "Alma Mater" and "Vampiria". The band toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States. In 1996, they released their second album, Irreligious, which consolidated their status as a cult band in gothic metal. The album included songs such as "Opium", inspired by the poem "Opiário" by Álvaro de Campos, "Full Moon Madness" and "Ruin & Misery". The band went on a major international tour again. In 1998, they released their third album, Sin/Pecado, which was a success in Portugal and showed a more experimental and electronic side of the band. The album's singles were "2econd Skin", "Magdalene" and "Let the Children Cum to Me". The band also participated in the Super Bock Super Rock festival that year. In 1999, they released their fourth album, The Butterfly Effect, which continued to explore new sounds and influences. The album's singles were "I Am the Eternal Spectator", "Can'''''''''''''''t Bee" and "Lustmord". The band toured Europe, South America and Japan. In 2001, they released their fifth album, Darkness and Hope, which marked a return to their gothic roots. The album's singles were "Nocturna", "Firewalking" and "Devilred". The band toured Europe and the United States. In 2003, they released their sixth album, The Antidote, which was made in collaboration with writer José Luís Peixoto. The album was more aggressive and conceptual, with the singles being "Everything Invaded", "The Darkening" and "Crystal Gazing". The band toured Europe and Brazil. In 2006, they released their seventh album, Memorial, which was the first Portuguese metal album to receive a gold disc. The album was more melodic and symphonic, with the singles "Finisterra", "Luna" and "Memorial". The band won the award for Best Portuguese Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards that year. In 2007, they released their first live album, Under Satanae, which included re-recordings of their first demos. In 2008, they released their first best of, The Great Silver Eye. In 2009, they released their eighth album, Night Eternal, which was darker and more epic. The album's singles were "Night Eternal", "Scorpion Flower" and "Shadow Sun". In 2012, they released their ninth album, Alpha Noir/Omega White.