MOONSPELL: New Album Tentatively Due In April

MOONSPELL frontman Fernando Ribeiro has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"Now that the enemy is born and that everyone got their new socks to wear, I feel it is time to address you the few usual words and vows, and to let you know that I trust that 2006 will be a year when our proximity will be deepened, even further.

"As you all know and as I have been trying to keep you posted (more than listeners, witnesses) the 'Memorial' release is being prepared with the utmost attention to detail. Many phases are now starting while others end. The album has been mastered and finally we have come up with a solution for the enigma of our songs' order. It wasn't been easy but I think we have made the right choice of how to present you the songs, the way they link and breed into each other. In the next few weeks we will have the cover and the artwork done and the promotional pictures will start being released soon as well. Goes without saying that we are very sentimental and intuitive regarding our songs and creations and that is the sole reason of these first person messages: we are looking forward to April (or sooner, we can not be naive, after all this is infernet) to present 'Memorial' to you and hopefully to change together our lives at least during those moments of discovery and endearment.

"About the 'Lunar still/13 Years of Doom' DVD, I can not say more than what was said before. The release depends on the full clearance of legal aspects and both MOONSPELL and Century Media are trying their hardest to make ends meet and all parties (inc. ex-members) happy about their representation on the DVD. We trust this will happen soon and that we will be able to make better news about this in a near future. Also the 'Memorial' album will be released definitely sooner than the DVD, so I guess.

"With the news of a forthcoming album it seems that the festival season looks a bit brighter this year and besides the following confirmations, many other offers are being made and considered so we can meet and present you our music on its rightful place: the stage. Those are the dates confirmed thus far for 2006:

Mar. 04 - Metalmania Festival, Katowice, Poland
Mar. 10 - Port Club, St.Petersburg, Russia
Mar. 11 - Tochka Club, Moscow, Russia
Aug. 17-19 (date TBC) - Summer Breeze Festival, Germany.

"Further dates as above said are being dealt with and will be posted upon their full confirmation.

"So we do have big plans, high hopes, all of that and none all the same. Further decisions are being made for the band other interests like merchandise, Portuguese label, and more. A lot of things in our hands, really.

"But outside all that, I underline my and our vows that you personally, each one of you reading and communicating here, do have and enjoy the best 2006 possible with its share of failures, successes and greater lessons learnt. And above all that 2006 becomes a year that will make us even closer in our beliefs and devotion to the music that brought us together as one many times: the year of 'Memorial'."

As previously reported, MOONSPELL recently inked a three-album deal with SPV/Steamhammer Records following their split with Century Media. "Memorial" will contain around 8 to 10 new songs, including "Once It Was Ours!", "Blood Tells", "Sanguine", "Finisterra", "Upon the Blood of Men" and "At the Image of Pain". The material is being described by the group as "the best music we ever wrote together" and "an homage to the Nineties scene and bands," of which they became a strong symbol of.