The Antidote
The Antidote gives Moonspell's heavy side considerable room again. Guitars stand firmly in the foreground, but the band do not bury their dark atmosphere beneath the force. Fernando Ribeiro moves between a deep melodic voice and a much harder growl. The same music can therefore sound inviting and threatening without losing its identity.
In and Above Men establishes the harder approach immediately. From Lowering Skies maintains movement through a distinctive rhythmic pattern that does more than follow the riffs. The opening songs give the album a powerful foundation. The band sound confident in their materials, even when the singing and guitars allow little rest or obvious relief.
The title track changes that balance. Brief acoustic guitar figures and space between the larger eruptions make tension work differently. Moonspell do not need to keep playing harder to give the music weight. Alternating restraint and a full arrangement makes the construction interesting. The quieter material contributes to the force rather than simply waiting for another heavy section.
There is sufficient movement later too. Crystal Gazing increases the pace, while As We Eternally Sleep On It supplies a more sombre, spacious ending. Keyboards and guitar parts generally complement each other well. These surroundings enrich the songs, but clear riffs and melodies remain important enough to hold the record together and make its individual tracks recognisable.
Not every lengthy passage earns its space. Lunar Still's extended introduction requires patience and delivers less than the strongest developments elsewhere. In such moments, atmosphere becomes a delay rather than a fresh idea. Nevertheless, The Antidote convinces through force, memorable melodies and a singer able to reveal different sides of the same threat. Moonspell change their sound less radically here than they develop its existing parts with additional weight and care. The result feels substantial despite its occasional tendency to linger.
