Darkness & Hope

Moonspell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B00005O6MX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,433 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like your Goth HEAVY...., May 23, 2003

By 

Crypt "thecrypt777" (Arkham) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darkness & Hope (Audio CD)

...or if you like your Hard Rock dark, melodramatic, romantic, vampiric... Look no further than the latest by Portugal's Children Of The Night, Moonspell. This album is a real breath of fresh air. So many Goth bands seem to avoid bringing a harder edge into their music, and so many "Goth/Metal" bands are simply not Goth, but Black Metal. Moonspell once again combine their traditional Heavy Metal influence with the brooding, romantic Goth rock which flourished in the underground during the 80's. This is, without a doubt their best album since Ireligeous. They'e toned down some of the over the top theatrics and campiness of that album, but still delivered one of the best Goth albums of 2001. I wasn't the least bit disappointed. Especially since their previous two albums just didn't grab me at all. On Darkness And Hope, Moonspell have brought back the Vampiric charm and wonderfully "witchy" vibes of their earlier sound. (Not when they were a black metal band) This time around however, their 80's Gothic Rock influence really shines through brightly (in a dark way of course). Fernando's rich baritone is stronger and more mature than ever. He still sounds like Dracula. The music, though catchier, is much darker in essence than their last two albums and that is something that I was very pleased with. And yes, they're still writing songs about Vampires, the Night, Goth Chicks, Love, Sorrow, etc.... Goth and proud of it! I can't wait to hear the next album. Oh, and their cover of Ozzy's Mr. Crowley blew me away. I don't see why people seem to dislike it. It rocks!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of Moonspell's best attempts, October 24, 2004

By 

Glamhammer "chainedspirit" (Owensville, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darkness & Hope (Audio CD)

Driven by vocalist Fernando Ribeiro's haunting baritone and lathered with near-perfect production, Darkness and Hope is certainly the most accessible of Moonspell's releases; thankfully, it turns out to be one of the best, as well. If anything, Darkness and Hope is gloomier, darker, and (dare we say hopeless?) more melancholic than their previous releases. The album from start to finish fairly moans its anguish through the speakers as Ribeiro alternately sings and roars his increasingly tortured lyrics over the rumbling thunder of Ricardo Amorim's blackened guitars. The keyboards are omnipresent as would be expected from Moonspell, but they don't become the dominant instrument as the band often (sometimes unwittingly) makes them. Compared to other Moonspell albums, solos abound on Darkness and Hope, with "Nocturna" and the cadaverous cover of Ozzy's "Mr. Crowley" taking center stage with melodic and soulful wails. Beyond that, other songs of note include the driving "Firewalking," pop-influenced "Heartshaped Abyss," and the incredible, haunting masterpiece "Ghostsong." All in all, Darkness and Hope won't disappoint longtime Moonspell fans and beginners will find much to enjoy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Dark and Essential..., March 25, 2003

By 

Ravi S. Madapati (California, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darkness & Hope (Audio CD)

This a perfect album for you to get into Moonspell. For those of you who came all along here to read this review, if you are a beginer into Moonspell but have heard other similar bands, dont think twice this is a great album. If you have the previous Moonspell albums and are reading this to make sure you can buy it, yes this is a worthy buy. If you are a hardcore fan of Spell, like me, well, you got this album already then.

I personally love Irreligious in entirity, think that Sin/Pecado is their most creative and best and Butterfly Effect as a good experiment gone wrong but worth buying none the less. Darkness & hope (DH) is nothing compared to the previous one but is excellent. The lyrics are good/deep, voice is superb perhaps the best of Fernando, guitars crushing as always, drums powerful like a strom, bass subtle and keys creepy and beautiful. Initially I disliked this album but after 2-3 hearing, its awesome. 6 out of 11 track stand apart. The tittle song Darkness & hope has a killer guitar rhythm that will haunt you. The second one is Firewalkin which is one of the best in the CD and is heavy and thrashing (Like Pantera meets Tiamat). The third Nocturna is one of the career best songs of Moonspell and I just love it, its dark and haunting. Its mysterious and atmosperic. 5th track DEvilred is crushing and worth of a strong headbang, esp, the awesome double bass in the begining. 6th, Ghost song is my fav track of the CD, I heard the song in repeat mode for a eternity and I am up for it again, its too good. Hear it dont just take my words. 9th one is mysterious and powerful. Rest of the ones I dint mention are average, not bad songs. I did not like the cover song of Ozzy, Mr. Crowley, its boring and doesnt fit in with Moonspell's type of music. they must have covered Type O Negative or Paradise Lost or something. Anyway, this is a excellent album and you will sure enjoy it if you have ever liked Moonspell and if you havent heard them before, it's time!