| Interview with Nisroth By: Marie RavenSoul |
| For over fifteen years, Moonspell has been making dark metal music with a heavy, unique and brutal sound, combined with powerful lyrics to rock ones soul. Hailing from Lisbon, Portugal; this is a band that has succeeded to make headlines in a place where metal was not a popular form of music and since then, their music has spread throughout the entire world. With the release of their new album ‘Under Satanae,’ Moonspell has revisited the old days, bringing back music that was much cherished by many. Get ready for a real treat. |
Marie RavenSoul: Greetings Mike, how
are you?
are you?
Nisroth: At the moment I am very tired;
but always excited to talk about Moonspell.
Just my body is dead... he he.
but always excited to talk about Moonspell.
Just my body is dead... he he.
Marie RavenSoul: Congratulations on
the release of your new album ‘Under
Satanae.’ What was it that inspired the
band to do a remake of some of your
previous songs? It was cool to see that
'Serpent Angel' was included. What was the
reason for the songs that you chose?
the release of your new album ‘Under
Satanae.’ What was it that inspired the
band to do a remake of some of your
previous songs? It was cool to see that
'Serpent Angel' was included. What was the
reason for the songs that you chose?
Nisroth: Well, we knew there were a lot of requests for our old material. It was hard to get our
demos and our first mini album. So we had the chance with SPV to give the fans something
they would only dream of…Now our past is complete.
demos and our first mini album. So we had the chance with SPV to give the fans something
they would only dream of…Now our past is complete.
Marie RavenSoul: I like the name of the new album. What was the reason for choosing it?
Nisroth: ‘Under the Moonspell’ with the demo title ‘Anno Satanae’! Since the album includes
songs from each, we just brought the names together. So simple and so powerful! We couldn’t
have thought of a name that cool, even if we tried… he he.
songs from each, we just brought the names together. So simple and so powerful! We couldn’t
have thought of a name that cool, even if we tried… he he.
Marie RavenSoul: Looking back, how do you see that Moonspell has changed from when
you first began till now?
you first began till now?
Nisroth: A lot! We were very innocent. Didn’t have a clue to what it was like to record proper
albums and tour. There were no other bands around that ever had this kind of experience. We
were the first and still are. We have learned a lot and each day as we get older it only gets
better.
albums and tour. There were no other bands around that ever had this kind of experience. We
were the first and still are. We have learned a lot and each day as we get older it only gets
better.
Marie RavenSoul: What do you see as Moonspell’s greatest success? Of all the albums, do
you have a favourite?
you have a favourite?
Nisroth: It’s hard. It would be Wolfheart for the more black metal crowds and Irreligious was
the biggest album. The Goth metal fusion was so unique for the time, but of course Wolfheart
also has a lot of sweet parts for a black metal album. Great times, that I do know.
the biggest album. The Goth metal fusion was so unique for the time, but of course Wolfheart
also has a lot of sweet parts for a black metal album. Great times, that I do know.
Marie RavenSoul: Is there one thing in which Moonspell has been misunderstood that you
would like to clear up?
would like to clear up?
Nisroth: Most people don’t know where we are from and also where it is… he he. We have
heard the craziest things; like Portugal is in South America to east Europe near Russia. Once I
even heard that Portugal was in the United Kingdom… he he. No, Portugal is next to Spain in
south Europe; we are the southeast of Europe and the closest to North Africa.
heard the craziest things; like Portugal is in South America to east Europe near Russia. Once I
even heard that Portugal was in the United Kingdom… he he. No, Portugal is next to Spain in
south Europe; we are the southeast of Europe and the closest to North Africa.
Marie RavenSoul: You were born in the United States but moved to Portugal when you were
twelve. What is the black metal scene like in Portugal and how is it different from that of the
black metal scene in North America?
twelve. What is the black metal scene like in Portugal and how is it different from that of the
black metal scene in North America?
Nisroth: Well, when I left the States it was 1988 so there was no black metal scene. There
was a big hard rock and glam thing going on and I was a big fan of all of it. Love the 80's. The
heaviest bands I knew at the time were Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, and so on. But
when I got to Portugal, I connected better with the crowds that were into Kreator, Sepultura,
and Morbid Angel; the heavier stuff. It was so cool because there were no shows here at the
time, so when there was it was crazy. Some shows the police had to come in; it was pretty
violent in the public’s eye. But we were just having fun.
was a big hard rock and glam thing going on and I was a big fan of all of it. Love the 80's. The
heaviest bands I knew at the time were Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, and so on. But
when I got to Portugal, I connected better with the crowds that were into Kreator, Sepultura,
and Morbid Angel; the heavier stuff. It was so cool because there were no shows here at the
time, so when there was it was crazy. Some shows the police had to come in; it was pretty
violent in the public’s eye. But we were just having fun.
Marie RavenSoul: You started playing in a band as young as 13. Who has been some of
your influences as a drummer?
your influences as a drummer?
Nisroth: I like everything from guys like Tico Torres to Pete Sandoval to Danny Carey. But I
think music and life is what gives me the most influence. I like to make a difference and be
creative all the time. Music and drums have made me a pretty cool dude… he he.
think music and life is what gives me the most influence. I like to make a difference and be
creative all the time. Music and drums have made me a pretty cool dude… he he.
Marie RavenSoul: You must be a pretty busy guy. But other than your music, what are some
of the things you are interested in and like to do?
of the things you are interested in and like to do?
Nisroth: I work out a lot. But more important is that I like to help people out at the gyms. I also
Marie RavenSoul: What are some of your hopes for
Moonspell in the future?
Moonspell in the future?
Nisroth: Well, I am very happy with all that we have
accomplished. It was told that coming from Portugal this would
be impossible. So I guess we will have the craziest dreams and
who knows… they might come true. I just want to rock the
world… he he.
accomplished. It was told that coming from Portugal this would
be impossible. So I guess we will have the craziest dreams and
who knows… they might come true. I just want to rock the
world… he he.
Marie RavenSoul: Thank you very much for doing this
interview. Any last words?
interview. Any last words?
Nisroth: See you soon and I miss the Wild West. Nothing rocks
harder than touring the States.
Hell yeah! Keep it metal!
Mike.
harder than touring the States.
Hell yeah! Keep it metal!
Mike.
give Taekwondo lessons from kids to older people. I spend time
with the family but not as much as I should; but I try hard. I’m
learning guitar too; it’s an old passion.
with the family but not as much as I should; but I try hard. I’m
learning guitar too; it’s an old passion.
| Beyond the Dark Horizon gave Moonspell fans a chance to ask the band a question. Here are a few of the best ones that we received. |
Hey Moonspell...My question to you would have to be...What's driven you into one of the most extreme
metal genres of all time...what personality sparked that interest to become such an amazing Black Metal
group? How did your sound come about...the feeling and emotion behind your lyrics?
metal genres of all time...what personality sparked that interest to become such an amazing Black Metal
group? How did your sound come about...the feeling and emotion behind your lyrics?
Nisroth: Well Fernando Was very into Quarthon!! Bathory influenced Moonspell very much. He is an
Idol!!! Fernando met him on a Promotion tour here in Portugal. He was only 16! This experience gave
him the dream of starting a band; something with great music and the best lyrics ever written. He was an
amazing student! Writing and reading is his obsession! He always wanted a more refined and eloquent
sound. Moonspell for sure would always be different coming from a southern country!!! All the heat and
good feeling somehow never soothed our hearts!!! Metal and great bands did!!! We wanted more and
did the impossible!!! We have a 15 year career and come from a country that many never heard of!! We
are still around and struggle every day. You hear in the music our struggle!!! We want others to follow
and have a history of good music!!! But so far we are still alone!!!! Bands-Celtic Frost, Morbid Angel,
Death, Samael, Tiamat, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Root, Dead Can Dance, Fields of The Nefilem and many
more!!!
Idol!!! Fernando met him on a Promotion tour here in Portugal. He was only 16! This experience gave
him the dream of starting a band; something with great music and the best lyrics ever written. He was an
amazing student! Writing and reading is his obsession! He always wanted a more refined and eloquent
sound. Moonspell for sure would always be different coming from a southern country!!! All the heat and
good feeling somehow never soothed our hearts!!! Metal and great bands did!!! We wanted more and
did the impossible!!! We have a 15 year career and come from a country that many never heard of!! We
are still around and struggle every day. You hear in the music our struggle!!! We want others to follow
and have a history of good music!!! But so far we are still alone!!!! Bands-Celtic Frost, Morbid Angel,
Death, Samael, Tiamat, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Root, Dead Can Dance, Fields of The Nefilem and many
more!!!
P.S. Sorry if you've gotten this question a million times I’m just curious.
Nisroth: Always a pleasure!!!
-Jeremy Wells
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Knowing you come from a very different culture, what is the one thing you love about touring in America,
and what is the one thing you hate, about touring in America?
and what is the one thing you hate, about touring in America?
Nisroth: Well America is the best country to tour!!! You built Rock N Roll! Everything seems ready for
any band to hit the road!!! All night truck stops, amazing tour busses, Music stores everywhere, people
love bands, we always have a great time explaining to people were we are from and were the next show
is!!! The excitement you have for music!!! And what a big place to tour. You can play so many different
places it’s crazy!!!
I hate when people ask if we are famous!!! Seems like that’s all they are interested in. Doesn’t the music
matter anymore!!! Has MTV ruined it for all of us with all the big time bullshit!!! Where are the metal and
alternative shows!!! US needs to get back to music for the soul and not all these over produced
videos!!! And the live shows!!! It used to be about playing and not how many flames our special effects
you have. I do like a great show don’t get me wrong! But the music is always first!!!
I also hate some places you play and the equipment is from the 70..s!!!! he he Feels like I am in Russia
sometimes!!! he he
Makes no sense you have the best and cheapest equipment in the world for music. You don’t know how
spoiled you really are!!!! Let’s get metal back the way it was meant to be!!!
any band to hit the road!!! All night truck stops, amazing tour busses, Music stores everywhere, people
love bands, we always have a great time explaining to people were we are from and were the next show
is!!! The excitement you have for music!!! And what a big place to tour. You can play so many different
places it’s crazy!!!
I hate when people ask if we are famous!!! Seems like that’s all they are interested in. Doesn’t the music
matter anymore!!! Has MTV ruined it for all of us with all the big time bullshit!!! Where are the metal and
alternative shows!!! US needs to get back to music for the soul and not all these over produced
videos!!! And the live shows!!! It used to be about playing and not how many flames our special effects
you have. I do like a great show don’t get me wrong! But the music is always first!!!
I also hate some places you play and the equipment is from the 70..s!!!! he he Feels like I am in Russia
sometimes!!! he he
Makes no sense you have the best and cheapest equipment in the world for music. You don’t know how
spoiled you really are!!!! Let’s get metal back the way it was meant to be!!!
What area of the United States, or what venue you have played, is the most receptive as an audience,
to Moonspell?
to Moonspell?
Nisroth: I think the most albums we sell is in New York!! Last show we had there was at B.B. Kings and
it was crazy!!! People were out of there minds!!! It was sold out and all the people there were real huge
fans!!! So the energy was as high as I ever felt in the states!!! What a night!!! Last show in Chicago was
also a dream!!!! A great venue the pearl Room!!! Since the very first step in the venue till the last when
we left we were treated with the most respect and kindness I ever felt in the states. Every one was
working together to have a great night!!! And it sure was!!! There was even a Halloween party after with
KISS covers bands!!! he he Not use to so much coming from Portugal!!! he he.
it was crazy!!! People were out of there minds!!! It was sold out and all the people there were real huge
fans!!! So the energy was as high as I ever felt in the states!!! What a night!!! Last show in Chicago was
also a dream!!!! A great venue the pearl Room!!! Since the very first step in the venue till the last when
we left we were treated with the most respect and kindness I ever felt in the states. Every one was
working together to have a great night!!! And it sure was!!! There was even a Halloween party after with
KISS covers bands!!! he he Not use to so much coming from Portugal!!! he he.
-Patricia Mitchell
Saint Charles, Missouri
Saint Charles, Missouri
I would have to ask, being that one of my favorite discs is Butterfly
FX, what made you depart from your standard sound and move
towards a more experimental sound, and although you say it wasn’
t received well by "Metal Critics" what was your opinion of the
music and your fans response?
FX, what made you depart from your standard sound and move
towards a more experimental sound, and although you say it wasn’
t received well by "Metal Critics" what was your opinion of the
music and your fans response?
Nisroth: Well that album with the decisions we took at the time
and also what the band was going through was bound to
happen!!! We call it the bastard child!!!! he he. We went for a
different studio and producer. We ended up in London in one of
the weirdest studio experiences ever!!! The album was also
composed mainly by Pedro and Sérgio at the time. We were with
no rehearsal room so we couldn’t really jam together like before.
This effected the style very much. We were also listening a lot of
NIN !!!! We needed to get it out of our systems!! We wanted to
experiment and try stuff that was said to not be possible in
studio!!! We rebelled!!! he he I think the songs and album are
and also what the band was going through was bound to
happen!!! We call it the bastard child!!!! he he. We went for a
different studio and producer. We ended up in London in one of
the weirdest studio experiences ever!!! The album was also
composed mainly by Pedro and Sérgio at the time. We were with
no rehearsal room so we couldn’t really jam together like before.
This effected the style very much. We were also listening a lot of
NIN !!!! We needed to get it out of our systems!! We wanted to
experiment and try stuff that was said to not be possible in
studio!!! We rebelled!!! he he I think the songs and album are
great. Perfect when you want to let your mind go!!! But the sound and feeling is just not what you would
expect from us!!!
expect from us!!!
-Spyder
Boston
Boston
How did the recording process for Under Satante go? And does it feel like a lift off your shoulders to
finally release these recordings the way they were intended to be?
finally release these recordings the way they were intended to be?
Nisroth: It sure does!!! At first we thought it would be impossible to get into it. We hadn’t played them
for more than 12 years!!!! The reason also is because when we look back and remember the
experiences of recording in Portugal!.We feel like we were robbed!!! The producers and studios were
shit!!! They tried hard sometimes but there was no metal experience, not even rock!!! Very sad!!! So to
rerecord them and give them all the power they deserve with a professional line up, studio and producer
completes the cycle for us!!! We now have all Moonspell songs with the best performance ever on
Album. I am very proud. This experience also brought us back to our roots! We felt young again!!!!
for more than 12 years!!!! The reason also is because when we look back and remember the
experiences of recording in Portugal!.We feel like we were robbed!!! The producers and studios were
shit!!! They tried hard sometimes but there was no metal experience, not even rock!!! Very sad!!! So to
rerecord them and give them all the power they deserve with a professional line up, studio and producer
completes the cycle for us!!! We now have all Moonspell songs with the best performance ever on
Album. I am very proud. This experience also brought us back to our roots! We felt young again!!!!
-Blissfulviolet
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
It has been 15 years for some of you in Moonspell. How did you all meet?
Nisroth: Well they were looking for a drummer after they had recorded the first promo track!!!Serpent
Angel!!! The old drummer sucked!!! he he But I was out of a band! I had played with Decayed. But they
preferred a friend of mine at the time!!! So I heard through decayed that they were looking for a
drummer and we had an audition at there rehearsal place. they showed up and the rest is history!!!
Pedro became a friend of Fernando. They wanted to do a project with more atmospherically keys.
I offered to help with the drums at the time!!! But it never went anywere. Moonspell needed a keyboard
player. He was the only cool guy around willing to play with us. He was very non metal. But something
made him stay!!! Ricardo was king of a fan!! He really respected what we were doing!!! His band was a
bunch a losers!!! When we needed a guitar player after Wolfheart he was the only man for the job. We
had been checking him out for a while!! He could remember about any riff. What an ear !!! So talented.
Ricardo was the guitar player we needed to get where we are today!!!!
Aires we did an audition and he showed up!!! We didn’t understand half of what he said!!! he he But he
played with the heart of a true man that gives his life to metal!!! He was deserving a break for a long
time!!! He finally got it!!! We love him!!!!! Give the man a Whiskey and just watch!!!!! he he he
Angel!!! The old drummer sucked!!! he he But I was out of a band! I had played with Decayed. But they
preferred a friend of mine at the time!!! So I heard through decayed that they were looking for a
drummer and we had an audition at there rehearsal place. they showed up and the rest is history!!!
Pedro became a friend of Fernando. They wanted to do a project with more atmospherically keys.
I offered to help with the drums at the time!!! But it never went anywere. Moonspell needed a keyboard
player. He was the only cool guy around willing to play with us. He was very non metal. But something
made him stay!!! Ricardo was king of a fan!! He really respected what we were doing!!! His band was a
bunch a losers!!! When we needed a guitar player after Wolfheart he was the only man for the job. We
had been checking him out for a while!! He could remember about any riff. What an ear !!! So talented.
Ricardo was the guitar player we needed to get where we are today!!!!
Aires we did an audition and he showed up!!! We didn’t understand half of what he said!!! he he But he
played with the heart of a true man that gives his life to metal!!! He was deserving a break for a long
time!!! He finally got it!!! We love him!!!!! Give the man a Whiskey and just watch!!!!! he he he
-Bernice Tyler
Washington
Washington
With the new title being called Under Satante, have you received any negative feedback from religious
folks? What is the most bizarre thing Moonspell has encountered due to satanic references?
folks? What is the most bizarre thing Moonspell has encountered due to satanic references?
Nisroth: Not really so far!!! Recently in Poland they wanted to cancel a show. But it ended up in
nothing. It was a religious political group that used our image as an example on TV to say shit about
metal and Satanism!!! They also said we were pedophiles, animal killers, Satanists all the bad shit you
can think of!!! We just thought the whole thing was funny as hell!!! We even put signs on our dressing
room saying we were Satanists!!!! You can’t take these things too seriously!!! People that don’t
understand will always get stupid and violent!!!! Fuck that!!! I’m here for the music!!!
nothing. It was a religious political group that used our image as an example on TV to say shit about
metal and Satanism!!! They also said we were pedophiles, animal killers, Satanists all the bad shit you
can think of!!! We just thought the whole thing was funny as hell!!! We even put signs on our dressing
room saying we were Satanists!!!! You can’t take these things too seriously!!! People that don’t
understand will always get stupid and violent!!!! Fuck that!!! I’m here for the music!!!
All the best
Mike
Mike
-Patrick Garza
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
