Just because Black Label Society kicked them out of their originally scheduled playtime, Moonspell didn’t go quietly into the night, but returned later in the evening, although now relocated to the 2nd stage.
Of course, we followed them there, as did a large part of the Metaldays crowd.

“Thank you for moving from the main stage, just like us. It shows respect!”
- Fernando Ribeiro (vocals)

It might have been a nuisance, and a rather bastardly move on Black Label Society’s side, to do what they did, but I’ll be honest here, and say that it didn’t come without some positive side effects as well. For one thing, Moonspell is just more effective after dark, there’s no denying it. Secondly, the smaller stage gave the show a more intimate feeling than it would have had on the main stage, something that I or one favour.
So, in lieu of the coming darkness, and under some mighty trees, we stood side by side with a large portion of the Metaldays crowd, all eagerly awaiting the Portuguese band to begin playing whatever they decided to play for us.
The show began, after a short intro, with the new song Breathe (Until We Are No More), the first of several songs from their latest album, Extinct. Apart from the new songs, it was a typical ‘best of’ setlist, but that’s quite fine since we’re nowhere near tired of listening to these songs. Night Eternal felt especially fitting, what with the changed schedule and all.

“No fucking bullshit Metaldays, do this with your hearts!”
- Ribeiro (vocals)

Moonspell gave a show which had a very nice sound, except for a too loud vocal at times, and a new, if I’m not mistaken, stage decoration, where their drumkit was wearing a huge skull with long, twisted horns, and the keyboard was hidden behind a wall of organ looking pipes. Very stylish.
Moonspell also gave a performance which was both compelling and energetic, powerful and memorable. In short, they did what they always seem to do, and they did it well. The intimacy mentioned earlier was definitely a factor, and a good one, especially for the slower, inviting sections. Not that we missed out of the grandeur of the faster, heavier sections though, as the tightness of the crowd seemed to create its own type of life on the grounds in front of the stage. Maybe that’s why Ribeiro gave a special mention of the “spectacular energy” shown. In fact, Ribeiro spoke quite a lot throughout the show, and had a fantastic connection with the crowd all the way from beginning to end.

I for one got everything I could have asked for from Moonspell this night, and I’m sure there were many others who felt the same way. This is the way it’s supposed to be done, not all that crap that Black Label Society pulled earlier on. I’m glad Moonspell didn’t let it affect their performance in a bad way – if anything, I would guess it only strengthened their resolve to deliver something above standard, which they certainly did!

Setlist:

Breathe (Until We Are No More)
Extinct
Finisterra
Night Eternal
Opium
Awake!
The Last Of Us
Medusalem
Em Nome Do Medo
Vampiria
Alma Mater
Full Moon Madness