Moonspell Interview

The Gauntlet: What's been going on lately?

Fernando: Well, basically the album was recorded and we were preparing a lot of stuff from the video clips to the new stage show. Basically we are spending our time right now doing interviews. Fortunately a lot of people want to speak with us about the new album and our intentions behind it. Right now we are in a marathon interview session. The record is attracting a lot of attention. I have lost count already to how many interviews and promotional things we have done. Usually we do the press in Europe and fly from city to city like Paris, London, and Madrid. But this time we are staying in Lisbon because we have been on the road so much. We are going to have the release party here in Portugal later this month. The press is coming to us from all over the world, both TV and radio. It makes our life a little bit easier.

The Gauntlet: Do you feel there is a more press with this album than previous albums?

Fernando: Yes, a little bit more with this album. I think it is the fact that we have changed labels. SPV seems to have a lot of contacts. When we were with Century Media, we also did a lot of interviews. Nowadays there is just a lot more interest with us. I can sense some enthusiasm from the people I am speaking with. So far the reviews are beyond my wildest expectations. We are the album of the month in Metal Hammer Germany. The album is not out yet, but the fan reaction has been good. It should keep building and spiraling.

The Gauntlet: With each new album Moonspell has released, there seem to be some big transitions and progressions in the music.

Fernando: I do hope so. Being the fact that we come from a generation of bands that always are progressing. It's them that show up with the avant-garde metal that influences many of the younger bands lack. We try to keep the music fresh and interesting for ourselves and listeners. Moonspell can't repeat itself album after album. This only works with a few bands like AC/DC and Manowar. They have a style that can be repeated until exhaustion and they do it well. Many metal bands just play it safe. They stick to a formula. They have success with a few albums. But the formula has an expiration period. We do music from the heart. We do recreate and have the element of surprise with every album. It's not a bad thing, but it is a risky thing. We are quite a restless band and I think we are in a way against the trends that nowadays have all the bands being inspired by one band. Too many bands construct themselves around each other.

The Gauntlet: The guitars are much heavier and have a old school feeling to them.

Fernando: 'Memorial' is not an album that Moonspell wrote with our back turned. It picks up root elements, traditions and features that are important and are only in the album because they are valid and strong in today's mentality. I think a good metal album is one that has personality. The songs have to have dimension as well. Too have dimension; you have to live day to day. When it came to the guitar riffs, we went a little bit further and a little bit more metal as well. This is something away from the traditions of metal right now. Good albums have to stand the test of time.

The Gauntlet: What was the most challenging thing about making "Memorial"?

Fernando: It is always challenging making a multi-layered album with time issues. We only had three weeks to do this recording. We had to work hard in Portugal and work on all the keyboards and arrangements beforehand. On the other hand, it was also challenging to put the album together. When we went to the studio we just had songs. We didn't have the lineup of the album or the structure. We had to crank our ass to get the album to be atmospheric and artistic. I don't want to sound arrogant as metal to me is art, not drinking beer and being stupid. I listen to metal because it has a message of intelligence. That is exactly what we wanted to do. We also wanted to combine what is essential in a metal band; having power and being extreme while never forgetting to be musical. With "Memorial", that was our biggest challenge and concern.

The Gauntlet: I hear there will be a special edition cd.

Fernando: The fact that nowadays the albums get downloaded. This has a lot of negative effects on the expectations of albums. One of the pluses is labels can do special editions. Labels can use this to create the soul and original meaning of the music. This is not a computer file, but more a work of art with the lyrics and the pictures. We have been doing this since 2001 with Century Media. This time around, we went with something simpler, but is completely different from the other edition. It has a different cover, and more special layers within the layers. There is a 24 page booklet. We also recorded two additional songs. Even though they are good songs, they didn't fit the way the album came together. So we are going to include them on the special edition to offer people something more. Hopefully people will think twice about downloading. It is not the same as holding the booklet.

The Gauntlet: Will Moonspell be planning a US tour?

Moonspell: Yeah, we were supposed to. We had the chance of supporting Children of Bodom, but it was a question of timing. Our album wasn't out yet. We would have been on the road without anything new for people. Right now we are going to do the summer festivals all around Europe. This is a great chance for the band and for us to play for great crowds. These summer festivals are getting bigger and bigger each year. I think in October we will tour in the US. At this point, I can't tell if we will start in Europe or in the US. Even though Moonspell isn't a household name, we have been growing slowly but surely in the states. Our fan base isn't very large, but is indeed very strong and very dedicated. Things are still progressing. Our label still wants us to tour in the states. It is the best promotion a band can get. Basically it is a certainty, but we still don't know with whom or when. Keep visiting moospell.com and myspace.com/moonspell for updates.

The Gauntlet: Century Media is releasing a Moonspell DVD?

Fernando: Correct. The DVD was supposed to be released last year. Because of the production of the disc, it is getting delayed. I wrote to Century Media already telling them to release the DVD in 2006 so it is relevant. The tour was from 2005. If they plan on releasing in 2007, I'd rather go and record a new DVD. It is definitely something that is missing from Moonspell.

The Gauntlet: Does the DVD capture the intensity of the live show?

Fernando: When the DVD was recorded, we made sure we had a little bit of pre-production. It does a good job capturing the imagery and sound of Moonspell's live show. I believe when people see it, they will be impressed. There is a lot of curiosity about the second disc. The second disc is a bonus disc. I have collected clips of Moonspell playing since 1992. It has us playing for basically no one all the way up to big festivals.

The Gauntlet: Is there anything else?

Fernando: I just hope that people will be enthusiastic receiving "Memorial" as we are and look forward to this album and those that follow. Hopefully we will get back to the US soon so people can see what we do best and so we can see our fans. Take care and listen to good metal.


Read More News

Tags:  Moonspell  , Fernando, interviews

Jason Fisher    April 06, 2006