Band:	Moonspell
Album:	Hermitage
Style:	Gothic metal
Release date:	February 26, 2021
A review by:	Dream Taster

01. The Greater Good
02. Common Prayers
03. All Or Nothing
04. Hermitage
05. Entitlement
06. Solitarian
07. The Hermit Saints
08. Apophthegmata
09. Without Rule
10. City Quitter (Outro)
11. Darkness In Paradise [Candlemass cover] [bonus]
12. The Great Leap Forward [bonus]

"Hermitage is an open-hearted invitation to simplicity. To be humble. To be thankful. To serve you solace. Provide you comfort, entertainment. We sincerely hope this call reaches you. That you kindly accept what we offer. That you take our music with you to the place you must feel as yours. To your secret place, to your hermitage. Blessed be." - Fernando Ribeiro

With the band approaching 30 years of existence and their long-time drummer Mike Gaspar having just left the band, the creative engine of Moonspell is still going strong. Hermitage is album number 13 for them. And for an experienced band with a chameleon approach to songwriting, you should most definitely expect the unexpected.

Simplicity is a key word here. There is a relaxed in-control reverence to everything about gothic metal and rock here that resonates well with me. Evocations of The Sisters of Mercy, Tiamat and Paradise Lost seem to sprout in the confines of every track. Add to that an emphasis on acoustic guitars and mid-tempo tunes and you will understand why this is something familiar yet special. Songs like "All or Nothing" and the delightful Katatonia-like "Entitlement" highlight the softer side of Moonspell. There is a strong Darkness and Hope vibe here. By that I mean the band has managed to balance the darker and lighter aspects of their sound successfully once more.

Now, for the surprise. Hermitage has a dual identity. You are thinking "Yeah yeah Alpha Noir / Omega White, I know what to expect". Well, no, not quite. It is more of a dichotomy between the first half of the album, a.k.a the singles that have been released and my observations above, and the second half, which is more along the track of that softer progressive version of Opeth influenced by Steven Wilson. Spiced that up with a new refreshing progressive approach to rhythm on drums, which can be attributed to new member Hugo Ribeiro, and that second half of Hermitage is uncharted territory akin to what famous Portuguese navigators conquered. A good example of that is "Solitarian", a rare instrumental that showcases that groovy new sound. Pedro Paixão shines on keyboards through and through in this new concept.

I have been a fan since 1996 and have witness the band's evolution throughout the years from black to gothic and shades in between. It has been a great musical journey with truly memorable albums and Hermitage is no exception. The Portuguese outfit was never one to be told what to do in terms of musical direction. Their integrity and commitment to releasing great music no matter the overall direction will forever remain enviable and admirable.

Hermitage is not your typical Moonspell record. While it feels like a very reflective sort of output, it also offers new avenues with a huge shift behind the drumkit and a renewed commitment to atmospheric keyboards. This is most definitely quality music. Moonspell has always been a band mastering contrast and thriving on the element of surprise. At this point in their career, they are taking yet another chance while paying homage to their past. Overall, that was a gutsy move that can only be applauded. So all I can say is: Well played guys. E muito obrigado.