CoC : Moonspell - Darkness and Hope : Review

Moonspell - _Darkness and Hope_
(Century Media, 2001)
by: Chris Flaaten (7 out of 10)

Moonspell are back. Rumours from Century Media indicated that Moonspell would return to the style from _Irreligious_, with the heaviest atmospheres they have ever written. Sadly, these rumours are unfounded. Still, this is a clear improvement from the utterly disappointing _The Butterfly Effect_. With a simpler and less noisy style, Moonspell now play a mellow blend of rock and metal. It is quite soothing at times, but I miss the tension from _Irreligious_ and the variation from _Sin_. The first half of the album is clearly stronger than the second, although track ten, "Than the Serpents in My Arms", deserves an honorable mention. They have managed to sound very "Moonspell" despite yet again changing their style of music. This shows how important the guitar sound and vocals are for this band's identity. This album releases Moonspell from the hospital, but they need to regain some long-lost energy before they can be declared as perfectly healthy again.

(article published 12/8/2001)

CHATS
1/25/2004	J Smit	Moonspell: Under the Spell of the Antidote
10/11/1996	G Filicetti	Moonspell: Irreligious Inquiries

ALBUMS
6/22/2008	K Sarampalis	9	Moonspell - Night Eternal
12/2/2007	J Ulrey	8.5	Moonspell - Under Satanae
5/15/2006	J Smit	9.5	Moonspell - Memorial
9/21/2003	J Smit	9	Moonspell - The Antidote
3/10/1998	P Azevedo	6	Moonspell - Sin/Pecado
12/13/1995	G Filicetti	8	Moonspell - Wolfheart

GIGS
8/12/1997	P Azevedo	Scorpions / Megadeth / Moonspell / Cradle of Filth / Anger	Porto's Own Metalfest?