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1. 1st of its been a few yrs since Eternal Night what happened with SPV and your move to Napalm Records?
SPV was a great moment for Moonspell we released 2 great album Memorial and Night eternal this also brought closer to our older fans and also a step forward in whats going on in the metal world today. Unfortunately SPV had some bankruptcy problems and the company had to go through many changes. If not this new album would of come out through them . Napalm Records i think had the best conditions for us, they are a growing label with a lot of enthusiasm . This reminds us of the early days of Century Media . I think these days the human factor at the labels are so important . They believe in us and will push the album to there bet abilities. it is also a fresh start we feel very confident with this new direction.
2. Your Sound on Alpha Noir reminds me more of your Darker Metal period mixed with the Epic Gothic elements . Was the mix of both done with full vision this time out?
Well it´s always hard to have one straight vision when we start doing albums . This one was over a 3 year time period to compose and 1 year almost to record and get all elements ready to release. With Alpha songs we really wanted and also naturally led the feeling of bringing back good metal riffs and a more raw environment . so we let Ricardo just go wild on Guitar . He has a big thrash back ground . We all do really i love Kill Em All from Metallica it makes you want to go up walls and destroy everything in the room. This was the feeling in the early days of composition. We also rehearsed like that garage band not so much on the computers pro tools etc. But really going at it on the instruments like in the old days. We played the shit out of every part !The Gothic elements is something that we held back a bit on Alpha and saved for Omega . Of coarse they complete each other like Twins. Good and evil twins that is.
3. Tell us a bit about the cover of Alpha Noir its a mix of Goth, Midieval , Fantasy and Darkness all mixed into one I can see the Alpha and Omega on the 2 models.
Seth Siro Anton once again came to save us. he had done night eternal and that was our first experience with his art. we shortly after the release of Night Eternal toured with his band septic flesh and got to know each other very well. we even shared the same bus and got to see him work in the flesh. Never saw someone that dedicated he is truly incredible and obsessed i think you have to be to be able to do great things . Them being greek and us portuguese it was very easy to get along we are like true brothers understanding each like few could due to our Mediterranean culture and past. This is what i see in our cover all our amazing history . He tries to include not only what the current lyrics speak of in his vision but also icons that bring older albums of Moonspell into the image . It was a long process to come to the perfect balance for a double album. each page on the booklet could be a cover . i think when you hear the music and read the lyrics the art work will give everyone a true sense of fantasy and imagination. This is the Moonspell World and we want a better one !
4. Over your 20 yr career as Moonspell what album or two albums stand out to the band as definitive Moonspell albums .
I know what fans would say but I want the thoughts from the band.
Even in the band it would be hard to pick!!! But really i think we would all agree on Wolfheart and Irreligious.Those were the albums that made it all happen and in such a short time! Wolfheart for the creativity and sound that i think had never been done in the underground . We were a blackmetal band that tried something new . It was so hard to record with Waldemar our producer we were so un experienced but so stubborn in the studio it was a constant fight and no respect for our musical abilities. we learned the hard way... One year later after touring with great bands like Morbid Angel, Immortal,Tiamat and other Century Media bands we went directly into the studio to record Irreligious. That album was gold till this day. We couldn´t really understand it at the time but the balance of metal and goth was just the right time and that album exploded! We hit the charts all over Europe had the best tours like with Type o Negative playing for 5000 people a night sometimes and just a huge buzz around us. The influences of Sisters of Mercy and Fields of the Nephilem just hit a nerve and yet again something completly new and different from our first album . Of coarse in Portugal in 96 no one had a clue of who we were or what we were doing internationally . it was frustrating and took us off our coarse a bit . How to adapt living in a southern european country and being the only band ever to do so. Our next album was the breaker ! Sin was an album that fans had a hard time excepting, but still had a lot of success . What came after is what really fucked us !!!
5, Will we be seeing any videos from Alpha Noir release?
We will have 2 singles one for each album. The first video will be lickanthrope and it is the story of the big bad wolf and little red ridding hood. Our story is different though This big bad Wolf has something unexpected . Little red Ridding hood is tuffer than she looks . The video has the perfect Moonspell environment there is so much going on. Suicide Girls , Dancers, Clowns,Zombies strange characters in one hell looking bar were it all go´s down . It´s only 4 minute long but it feels like a movie great job by Filipe Melo we worked with him in the past on I´ll See You In My Dreams . The first ever portuguese Zombie movie this was 10 years ago .
The second will be White Skies this will be simpler and just have the band playing while you see some female fans having fun in there room while listening to Moonspell. It has a Type O Negative influence to it all the way. We are great fans and still can´t get over Pete Steele passing away. the best way is to treasure the great influence he was on us as a artist and a great friend .
6. Do you feel Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Soundcloud? these are the promotional tools of 2012 were it use to be Radio, Print zines and CD's.
For band that has been around as long as we have the first thing we still think of are the old ways of promoting our albums. I think everyone has adapted to this reality of facebook, myspace, twitter and youtube. Adaptation is the key word you can´t get around it. For sure information has become so quick and easy access . This is very positive for everyone . The concerts have become so important and feel that people have more desire to see shows. Not everyone can afford to have every album but to deny people of our music is really hard. There are so many ways to contribute to the bands you love. Going down to your local club and support bands is awesome it all starts there . Buying merch, fan sites, street teams just getting the word out there has so much value. over time it creates a huge snow ball that can be in your benefit .
7. Will Moonspell be touring the USA in 2012 for the new album? Your live shows are amazing As I saw you with Katatonia a few yrs back..
Thanx that tour was crazy with Katatonia . Lot´s of fun and great shows hope to do it again sometime.
So far we have nothing booked for the states. we start the summer festivals in europe and should have a co headline tour by the end of the year. South America is also included and that might be a chance to do some shows in the U.S.
I am sure we will tour cause with almost every album since 1999 our first american travel with In Flames we have gone there twice at least with every release. As you know the states is a bit complicated for european bands but i know we have a good strong following now and it won´t be hard to get back . Rock n Roll is what your best known for and so much to learn on the raod state to state playing your best every night. This makes you or breaks you !
8. Tell us about the Omega White side of the release vs Alpha Noir what is the major difference?
Like i said earlier we saved all our Goth and more for Omega. It has been a struggle to write the perfect song always using metal and gothic elements . Our albums that we put 1 or 2 heavy songs and then go softer more gothic rock sometimes dark ambience . So we decided naturally that maybe it would be cool to write in categories. All the heavy songs would be Alpha . The Goth rock experimental would be Omega . At first it opened the window to new possibilities. The metal songs were taken to the limit and not worried if there was enough key elements that distinguished us as Moonspell. Keyboards , female vocals, deep vocal singing classical instruments etc. Kinda like we said to each other Fuck it and lets take these songs through the roof . No holding back just in the face metal !!!
Omega White was really easy to do cause we felt no pressure what so ever. Kinda like recovering from a battle and have to heel your wounds . Music for the soul, a mature soul . the melodies are so enchanting and simple at times . This was thought as a bonus to our fans and our selves. bringing back a bit of Irreligious and Sin . Stuff that we like doing and have to get out of our system
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9. If Moonspell was to end tomorrow what songs would you choose to Perform Live to show the world what Moonspell really invisioned?
That isn´t an easy question for sure. Alma mater come to mind because of a generation that stood side by side to fight for there beliefs . The sound of Black metal with fire and emotion of an old society renewed . But i think i would have to say Fullmoon Madness!!! It is an epic song that has joined so many over the years. Also as a ritual we end our live shows with this song. it has a pagan feel to it like a ceremony that unites all true metal fans. It also proved in the genre that you don´t have to play extremely fast to be extreme . The lyrics are hypnotizing and speak of a true union, brotherhood , wolf pack . Powerful topics that we desperately all look for , yes i feel that we had know idea what we had created in the end we invisioned our selves .
10. Tell me if Moonspell was offered a Major label deal would you take it or is it better being the big fish on an bigger indie label?
We have many experiences dealing with small and big labels. Just recently we were on Universal records here in Portugal. It was good for reputation and the album Memorial went to n º 1 in Portugal. It´s very exciting of coarse especially for a band that did and sold there own demos ! But it always has to do with the team of people that are behind the album. When the staff changes in between albums things can go wrong. This has happened to us on both sides . Our reality though has always been smaller labels . It is a lot quicker and easier to work. As a member of Moonspell we all help as much as we can to promote the albums. Labels can´t do miracles without the strong support from the band it self. The rock n roll stories like hollywood is not part of our reality. It´s not like you go into the studio do the album and go on tour and play and someone takes care of stuff. That is only in our dreams . everything go´s through the band and we push hard to get the best promotion. It´s one big Metal Factory as we call it .
11. What are Moonspell's members currently listening to any new or old bands that would surprise thier fans?
For this album and time we went back to listening to bands like Artillery, Onslaught , Annihilator ,King Diamond , Testament, Metallica and many old school thrash bands the early 80´s was so influential . I got the Ozzy albums with Randy Rhoads and was just blown away! I heard it a lot as a kid but it´s so different as an adult i gained a new respect for those albums. Tommy Aldridge was also incredible
12. I Know at one time Religion played a major role in the songs of the band I feel its moved away from that to darker themes may I ask why?
We started dealing also with issues that mankind think of. The world as it is and what future do we have what is our direction. Religion has always played a major role in all of this and is so complex that any one trying to figure it out would loose there faith immediately . To deal with darker matters i think people of all religions can relate too. death is death and it affects everyone. How you mourn and go through life with those that have passed away . The way we interpit religion and it´s affect on real life is what we go off on. Religion for us was so important cause we were young and had to live under others rules and felt oppressed by society . We are part of it now and contribute to it´s success or failure . To be more imaginative but still remain true to one self is a Grand Stand on life . Our own religion
13. What are the last 3 books youve read and if you dont read books what are you hobbies outside of Moonspell?
The Picture Of Dorian Grey "Oscar Wilde"
The Lost Symbol "Dan Brown"
I Am Ozzy "Who Knows" he he
14. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here
Big metal hug to all the readers and Moonspell fans . With out you we are nothing . Alpha Noir and Omega white is a giant step for us and wish to share it with all live as soon as possible. It will be one bad ass Party. Bang your head !!!!
Mike Gaspar
Moonspell
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