Moonspell vocalist Fernando Ribeiro said the Portuguese dark metal band faced the familiar challenge of making fresh music after more than three decades together, but found direction by deliberately creating a gothic metal record for their new album, “Far From God”. He said the album’s strong early reception matters because it confirms that fans still identify closely with the band’s atmospheric, melodic gothic sound, particularly after periods of experimentation.

“Far From God” was released on 3 July through Napalm Records and is Moonspell’s fourteenth studio album, following 2021’s “Hermitage”; Ribeiro said the band spent the intervening years touring and working with a symphonic orchestra. The eight-track record was written through in-person collaboration rather than remotely, and Ribeiro said the group avoided rushing it merely to support a touring cycle, with the label allowing them time to develop the material.