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Moonspell Prepares Far From God for July 3 Release on Napalm Records
Portuguese gothic‑metal pioneers Moonspell have announced that their forthcoming album, Far From God, will be issued on July 3 2026 by Napalm Records. The band’s frontman, Fernando Ribeiro, explained in a recent interview with Metal Nation that the record follows 2021’s Hermitage and marks a return to the darker, romantic aesthetic that first defined the group.
Ribeiro said the album’s creation began after a period of personal and artistic uncertainty. "After Hermitage, I didn’t feel I had it in me anymore," he told Neeka Rogers. He added that he had considered writing books in Portugal and had been involved with his own label, Alma Mater Books & Records, as well as a small music‑consulting business. "I had to fall in love with these themes again," Ribeiro said, noting that the subject matter—vampiric love and gothic tragedy—remains essential to his work.
The singer cited the 2024 film Nosferatu by director Robert Eggers as a key influence. "The aesthetics, the soundtrack," Ribeiro recalled, "made me realize that Dracula and Nosferatu are not just monsters but human stories of love, sacrifice, and tragedy." He added that the film’s treatment of the vampire myth helped him re‑engage with the genre’s roots.
Musically, Far From God blends dense guitars, resonant vocals, and layered keyboards to create a “hymn to tragic vampiric love,” according to the band’s press release. The title track, which has already been released as a single, is described as a return to the gothic atmosphere that once defined Moonspell’s sound, while maintaining the heaviness that fans expect.
The album’s second single, “Cross Your Heart,” continues the thematic focus on romance and darkness. Both tracks were made available ahead of the full release, giving listeners a preview of the album’s direction.
Moonspell’s history dates back to 1989, when the group first formed in Portugal. Over the past three decades the band has released a series of influential albums, including Wolfheart (1990), Sin/Pecado (1998), and Memorial (2006), the latter of which earned the band Portugal’s first gold certification for a metal release. The group has maintained a strong presence in Europe, with several albums consistently entering the German Top 100 chart.
Napalm Records, the label set to distribute Far From God, is an Austrian independent company founded in 2002. The label has expanded from its early focus on black metal to include a wide range of heavy‑music subgenres, including gothic metal. Napalm’s roster also features bands such as Abigor, Summoning, and Exodus.
The Far From God album consists of eight tracks, according to Apple Music, and is slated for physical release in both CD and vinyl formats. Napalm’s website lists the album’s release date as July 3 2026, with pre‑orders available from June 30.
Ribeiro’s comments about soul‑searching and the creative process echo the band’s long‑standing reputation for introspection and thematic depth. He compared the songwriting journey to Margaret Atwood’s description of writing as a drive through a dark road, suggesting that each step brings the band closer to a finished vision.
With the release of Far From God, Moonspell aims to reaffirm their place in gothic metal while exploring new lyrical and musical territory. Fans can expect the album to continue the band’s tradition of blending atmospheric elements with heavy instrumentation.
The album will be available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp, and will be distributed worldwide by Napalm Records. No tour dates have been announced yet, but the band’s next public appearance is expected to be at a European festival later in the summer.
In summary, Far From God represents a deliberate return to Moonspell’s gothic roots, inspired by both cinematic reinterpretations of vampire lore and the band’s own history of experimentation. The album’s release on July 3 2026 will add a new chapter to the band’s extensive catalog and reaffirm their influence in the gothic‑metal scene.
Ribeiro said the album’s creation began after a period of personal and artistic uncertainty. "After Hermitage, I didn’t feel I had it in me anymore," he told Neeka Rogers. He added that he had considered writing books in Portugal and had been involved with his own label, Alma Mater Books & Records, as well as a small music‑consulting business. "I had to fall in love with these themes again," Ribeiro said, noting that the subject matter—vampiric love and gothic tragedy—remains essential to his work.
The singer cited the 2024 film Nosferatu by director Robert Eggers as a key influence. "The aesthetics, the soundtrack," Ribeiro recalled, "made me realize that Dracula and Nosferatu are not just monsters but human stories of love, sacrifice, and tragedy." He added that the film’s treatment of the vampire myth helped him re‑engage with the genre’s roots.
Musically, Far From God blends dense guitars, resonant vocals, and layered keyboards to create a “hymn to tragic vampiric love,” according to the band’s press release. The title track, which has already been released as a single, is described as a return to the gothic atmosphere that once defined Moonspell’s sound, while maintaining the heaviness that fans expect.
The album’s second single, “Cross Your Heart,” continues the thematic focus on romance and darkness. Both tracks were made available ahead of the full release, giving listeners a preview of the album’s direction.
Moonspell’s history dates back to 1989, when the group first formed in Portugal. Over the past three decades the band has released a series of influential albums, including Wolfheart (1990), Sin/Pecado (1998), and Memorial (2006), the latter of which earned the band Portugal’s first gold certification for a metal release. The group has maintained a strong presence in Europe, with several albums consistently entering the German Top 100 chart.
Napalm Records, the label set to distribute Far From God, is an Austrian independent company founded in 2002. The label has expanded from its early focus on black metal to include a wide range of heavy‑music subgenres, including gothic metal. Napalm’s roster also features bands such as Abigor, Summoning, and Exodus.
The Far From God album consists of eight tracks, according to Apple Music, and is slated for physical release in both CD and vinyl formats. Napalm’s website lists the album’s release date as July 3 2026, with pre‑orders available from June 30.
Ribeiro’s comments about soul‑searching and the creative process echo the band’s long‑standing reputation for introspection and thematic depth. He compared the songwriting journey to Margaret Atwood’s description of writing as a drive through a dark road, suggesting that each step brings the band closer to a finished vision.
With the release of Far From God, Moonspell aims to reaffirm their place in gothic metal while exploring new lyrical and musical territory. Fans can expect the album to continue the band’s tradition of blending atmospheric elements with heavy instrumentation.
The album will be available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp, and will be distributed worldwide by Napalm Records. No tour dates have been announced yet, but the band’s next public appearance is expected to be at a European festival later in the summer.
In summary, Far From God represents a deliberate return to Moonspell’s gothic roots, inspired by both cinematic reinterpretations of vampire lore and the band’s own history of experimentation. The album’s release on July 3 2026 will add a new chapter to the band’s extensive catalog and reaffirm their influence in the gothic‑metal scene.
