It was a great thing to hear that Moonspell was to visit Copenhagen, even if it was only for a support-job. To tell the truth, Moonspell was the most anticipated band of the evening for both Lunah and me, and the main reason we ventured outside this cold December night.

Moonspell started their show of with some gentle piano music which worked well with the falling snow displayed on the large projector-screen at the back of the stage.
This was a feature Moonspell put to good use throughout their concert, displaying psychedelic colour swirls, mystic kabbalah looking symbols and album artwork alternatively. At first I thought it was interesting that they used it so much, as I thought it was part of Cradle Of Filth's stage production, but as Gorgoroth (who played after) did nothing with it, and it was removed before Cradle came on, I became aware that this was something special for Moonspell and therefore not so strange after all.

The band themselves were in an excellent mood for the evening and were putting on a great show for the many people assembled in the great hall of Vega. Fernando 'Langsuyar' Ribeiro seemed particularly interested in everyone's wellbeing as he at several times during the concert could be heard asking if everyone was feeling good.
There was no denying it however, the audience loved Moonspell and were very active in showing it with headbanging and waving arms throughout the entire set. Actually, even though Moonspell were playing third from last, they had possibly the most energetic audience participation of all the bands playing, even surpassing Cradle Of Filth who were the main act of the night.
There was also time for a dedication in the set, which went out to our fellow Dane Tue Madsen (who produced their latest album, Night Eternal) "...for having the misfortune to work with Moonspell..."

The set, which could be split in two; first part newer songs and the second concentrating only on the old albums, displayed an odd mix of songs from their almost 15 years of recorded history. Not that the songs included were big surprises, but I thought it odd that they completely left out all the albums in the middle (Sin/Pecado, The Butterfly Effect, Darkness And Hope, and The Antidote).
Another cut which saddened me even more, and this was actually on the setlist, was the beautiful Scorpion Flower, but I also doubt it could have surpassed it as we heard it at this years' Graspop festival where they were joined on stage by Anneke Van Giersbergen, who is also the vocalist on the album. And then again, it was replaced by Ruin & Misery, which was not featured on the setlist, so I have no reason to complain.

Despite their short playtime, Moonspell delivered a wonderful experience with their concert where music, sound and visuals/lights all came together in a stunning performance.

Setlist:

In Memoriam
Finisterra
Night Eternal
Moon In Mercury
Blood Tells
Ruin & Misery
Opium
Vampiria
Alma Mater
Full Moon Madness