Irreligious

Moonspell

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 20, 1996)
• Original Release Date: August 20, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B000005HMU
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,290 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
2007 digitally remastered and expanded two CD digipak edition of the Portuguese Metal band's 1996 sophomore album featuring a bonus CD containing ten previously unreleased live tracks. After the overwhelming success of their debut, Wolfheart, expectations for this album were high. When Irreligious was released, it surprised the Metal community. Their Black Metal sound had been replaced by a more refined Metal vibe featuring songs with beautiful melodies, bewitching lyrics and inner darkness. Be it 'Opium', 'Raven Claws', 'Mephisto" or the monolithic ending track 'Full Moon Madness', every single song on Irreligious remains proof of why Moonspell achieved massive success with this album. Century Media. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Classic, February 19, 2000

By	James F. Colobus (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This album represents a powerful follow-up to Wolfheart. Although less raw and heavy than its predecessor, Irreligious is sure to please most of those who love Wolfheart. "Opium" is one of my all-time favorite Moonspell songs. It is moody and powerful at the same time. This is one of those albums that takes a few listens before you start picking up its nuances, but it is well worth the effort. One of my favorite things about metal is that there are cool bands from all over the world just waiting to be discovered by listeners in the U.S. Portugal's Moonspell is one of those bands that is relatively big in Europe, but remains underappreciated here in the States. What a shame.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perverse, but certainly not a Type O Negative rip-off, March 9, 2000

By	Chael Mayer (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

After being inundated with critics and friends saying that Moonspell was just a Type O Negative rip-off, it took me years before I purchased a Moonspell cd. I certainly feel like a fool, and I have some animosity on-tap for those who led me astray. There are only two instances that I hear some slight Type O Negative worship on this cd: the vocal introductions on "A Poisoned Gift" and "Mephisto". Now, in this review, I'm not going to commense to trash Type O Negative because they are one of my favorite bands (especially live), but I am far more impressed with Moonspell's lyrical output. As opposed to the overabundance of songs about love and girls (especially on _October Rust_ and _World Coming Down_, and in their live sets), Moonspell offers thought-provoking lyrics that go deeper than the page (similar to the lyrics on Paradise Lost's _Icon_). Two songs on this cd are so perfect that they chill me to the bone: "Opium", and "Mephisto". The power, balance, and beauty of the delivery of these songs crush me: they flow from soft to heavy, alternate clean and distorted vocals, and the title words of each song ring through my head -- as if I've been brainwashed to memorize the vocal and instrumental patterns of the songs. Also, I have to applaud Moonspell for writing a pro-Opium song when it is so hip for musicians to write anti-drug songs these days. My recommendation: buy this if you like 'goth metal' and want a Type O Negative alternative, but don't expect a black metal cd, because this certainly isn't black metal.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Gothic Metal Album with Driving Melodic Madness, April 15, 1999

By A Customer

As a huge TYPE O fan, I was reluctant to give this album a chance, but after listening to this album once through I became a fan. Not quite as dark as TYPE O but they are much better musicians. Great crunching riffs, beautiful dark harmonies, complemented by a true vocalist. Try it, its worth every cent!!