MOONSPELL frontman Fernando Ribeiro has reaffirmed the Portuguese band's refusal to be boxed in, speaking with Metal Kaoz on June 23, 2026 about elitism, experimentation and the freedom that comes with a long career.
"I think MOONSPELL is a very independent band," Ribeiro said. "I don't have to write an album about vampires every time." He argued that the group's longevity rests on chasing the music they want to make rather than chasing trends or appeasing purists, and admitted he's still curious about sounds outside his comfort zone: "I was even listening to metalcore the other day… I want to understand what's the attraction."
Ribeiro also reflected on the backlash MOONSPELL drew for their DEPECHE MODE cover "Sacred," noting that similar covers by the likes of LACUNA COIL and IN FLAMES were received more warmly. "Those things leave scars, but you learn from scars much better than a tap on the back," he said.
The comments arrive just ahead of MOONSPELL's new album, "Far From God," due July 3, 2026 via Napalm Records. The band has already shared two singles from the record — the title track "Far From God" and "Cross Your Heart."
One of the defining acts of gothic and dark metal since the mid-'90s, MOONSPELL have spent three decades blending heaviness with atmosphere, melody and theatrical drama, evolving their sound while holding onto the identity that made them a cult favorite. Ribeiro's comments suggest that, even three decades in, the band has no interest in standing still.