Moonspell have parted ways with original drummer Miguel “Mike” Gaspar. Taking over behind the kit will be Hugo Ribeiro, who bares no relation to frontman Fernando Ribeiro. The band still plans on entering the studio in September to record it’s 12th studio album with Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Ulver, Ghost). The album is expected for an early 2021 release via Napalm Records.

The group issued the following statement:

“Moonspell hereby informs that Mike Gaspar is no longer our band member. The reasons of this split, as accorded, will remain in between the parts involved. We ask that privacy is fully observed.

Moonspell now enters a new cycle and are already working with a new drummer Hugo Ribeiro (not family related with the singer). Their new album, provisorily referred to as H, will be recorded with the producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Ulver, Ghost), between September and October this year. It will be released via Napalm Records on the first semester of 2021.”

Moonspell are reissuing their fourth record, The Butterfly Effect on August 7th via Napalm Records. Pre-orders are available here. 

Earlier today, Fernando Ribeiro explained more about the design behind this album:

“All the design on this album are photography. No photoshop was used. This was all photographed and manipulated with prints and light effects. Most band pictures were taken inside water, on a freezing swimming pool.

Photo VI

“Behind the glass. When you have nothing else to talk about (or when you reach a certain age) you talk about the weather. Actually, the butterfly spinning its wings to create an earthquake is very much a talking about the weather thing. Here I stand with a glass in my hand, getting water splashed into it to create motion and a swimming pool tsunami.”