Moonspell – Alpha Noir (2012)

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Coming back after an intense four years of touring since their last release back in 2008, today we have Moonspell and their most ambitious release yet: Alpha Noir / Omega White. In this double CD release, the band delivers one complete CD with the aggressive side of the band, and another with… we don’t really know since we didn’t get that part of the album, but Fernando Ribeiro says is more mellow, dark, and deep.

Opening with the powerful yet enigmatic “Axis Mundi” the band shows no signs of slowing down and delivers a typical catchy Moonspell track. With a very ritualistic feeling, the vocals are very commanding and the guitar riffing is excellent. With no need for excessive guitar layering or studio trickery, the band delivers crystal-clear sounding rawness in a very Moonspell fashion.

With catchiness and aggression, “Lickanthrope” and “Versus” deliver excellent guitar work paired the super characteristic vocals of Fernando Ribeiro. The drumming is very well crafted and the bass guitar pounds its way through very well written melodies. With a very catchy chorus section, “Alpha Noir” keeps things going in good spirits and features some great atmospheric sections graced by deep clean vocals.

Our favorite track of this release has to be the extremely powerful and fear inducing “Em Nome Do Medo”, which is Portuguese for “In the name of fear” exactly what this song will transmit to the listener. The guitar solo near the 2:40 mark on this song is great and it shows that however the band arranges its songs, their skills are top notch. Our favorite melodic sections come from the track “Opera Carne” and its commanding use of atmospheric keyboards alongside intricate guitar work.

With the catchiest riffing, “Love is Blasphemy” delivers brilliant hooks that will surely have the masses headbanging when the band plays this track live. Closing “Aura Noir” with a very cinematic piece called “Sine Missione”, we are left off wanting just a little bit more, but we assume that is what “Omega White” is there.

Delivering one of their best efforts in their 20 years as a band, Moonspell comes to show that like wine, they only get better with time. For 40 minutes “Aura Noir” will rock you like no other Moonspell album has done so far. It is a great idea that the band put all their more aggressive efforts in this release as it feels very relentless and full of energy. If you are a fan of the band, this is an album you most certainly don’t want to miss.

Band: Moonspell Album: Alpha Noir
Label: Napalm Records

Release: April 27th, 2012 (Europe) / May 8th, 2012 (North America)

Oficial Site myspace
Genre: Gothic/Extreme Metal

Country: Portugal

Rating: 89/100
Year: 

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