Moonspell – ‘1755’ CD

Considering how Moonspell has always been more unique than most of their goth metal peers, it is always pleasant to see when they aim for even more ambitious territory than their usual work.

It is especially true for ‘1755,’ their twelfth full-length album, which details a catastrophic earthquake that occurred in the band’s native Portugal that year and features lyrics delivered entirely in Portuguese.

There is also a prominent symphonic influence here, resulting in a couple of songs like the opening ‘Em Nome Do Medo,’ where strings and choral vocals are featured ahead of any metal guitar and drum work.

Thankfully these elements are tastefully applied and even result in some exciting Kamelot-esque dynamics on the title track and ‘Evento.’ One can also hear some fantastic Middle Eastern motifs through songs like ‘In Tremor Dei’ or ‘Desastre,’ a welcome idea that has not been seen on a Moonspell album in at least fifteen years.