To celebrate 35 years of their career, MOONSPELL are going further than ever with the launch of the first edition of MOONFEST — a new festival celebrating not only this milestone in the band’s history, but also the spirit of Heavy Metal, its diversity and its longevity.
Personally curated by the band, the line-up brings together tradition and modernity.




THE LINE-UP


MOONSPELL welcome Finland’s AMORPHIS, Switzerland’s ZEAL & ARDOR, the UK’s TOWARDS THE SINISTER and, opening the festival, Portugal’s HEAVENWOOD.

The night will culminate with the band responsible for bringing MOONFEST to life. Across more than three decades, MOONSPELL have built an unmistakable musical identity, moving from their early extreme metal roots towards the dark, atmospheric and theatrical universe that has made them internationally recognised pioneers of Gothic Metal.

From Wolfheart and Irreligious to Extinct, 1755 and their latest album, Far From God, their career has been marked by constant evolution, ambition and a refusal to remain creatively comfortable.

For their 35th anniversary, MOONSPELL are preparing the biggest production of their career: a special performance looking back at more than three decades of music, darkness and a very particular Portuguese identity.

Alongside the performances by the guest bands, the night will culminate with MOONSPELL taking the stage for a journey through more than three decades of Gothic Metal with a distinctly Portuguese signature — in the biggest production of their career.

 


AMORPHIS (Finland)

Since emerging from Helsinki in 1990, AMORPHIS have continually expanded the possibilities of Finnish Metal. Initially rooted in Death Metal, the band gradually developed a remarkably rich sound, incorporating elements of progressive rock, traditional Finnish folk, psychedelia and melodic heavy metal. Albums such as Tales from the Thousand Lakes, Elegy and Queen of Time demonstrate their ability to combine powerful songwriting with evocative atmospheres and intricate arrangements. More than three decades into their career, AMORPHIS remain one of the most respected and influential bands to emerge from the European metal scene.



ZEAL & ARDOR (Switzerland)


Few contemporary metal projects have developed an identity as distinctive as ZEAL & ARDOR. Led by Manuel Gagneux, the Swiss band has built its sound around an unexpected collision of Black Metal, blues, gospel and African-American spiritual traditions. The result is music that can be unsettling, hypnotic, aggressive and deeply atmospheric, often within the same song. Rather than following established genre boundaries, ZEAL & ARDOR have created a language of their own, becoming one of the most original and compelling forces in contemporary heavy music.


TOWARDS THE SINISTER (United Kingdom)

A name that carries considerable weight for anyone familiar with the foundations of British Doom Metal. TOWARDS THE SINISTER brings together key musicians from the classic era of MY DYING BRIDE, including vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe and founding members Calvin Robertshaw and Rick Miah, alongside original bassist Adrian Jackson. Revisiting the music of MY DYING BRIDE's formative years, the project returns to the bleak atmospheres, emotional intensity and crushing weight of albums such as Turn Loose the Swans and The Angel and the Dark River. An opportunity to experience an essential chapter of British Doom Metal through the musicians who helped create it.


HEAVENWOOD (Portugal)


Opening the festival are one of the most important names in the history of Portuguese Gothic Metal. Formed in 1992, HEAVENWOOD made their mark with albums such as Diva (1996) and Swallow (1998), establishing an international presence at a time when Portuguese metal was still fighting for recognition beyond its borders. Three decades later, the band continues to evolve, with a new chapter marked by The Tarot of the Bohemians – Part II (2026). Their return to the MOONFEST stage is also a celebration of 30 years since the release of their debut album.



This may be the festival’s first edition, but MOONFEST is built on quality and originality, with the comfort of the audience in mind. One October night to remember, worthy of the incredible and fascinating history of Portugal’s MOONSPELL.

 

TICKETS


Tickets for MOONFEST 2027 go on sale in two phases:

  • 6 November 2026, 10:00 AM: Exclusive 72-hour pre-sale at FNAC stores and online.
  • 9 November 2026, 10:00 AM: General ticket sales begin.