The band's name refers to magnetic fields and the biblical Nephilim race. Their sound was innovative in the gothic scene, incorporating heavy metal elements to make a hard, bass and guitar driven sound underneath McCoy's growled vocals. Lyrically, they incorporated mystical themes, especially relating to Sumerian Mythology, Hebrew Mysticism, and Aleister Crowley.
Their debut release the "Burning the fields EP" was released in 1985 showing the raw power and melody that began to earn them a big underground following. They signed to Beggars Banquet in 1986 to release "Power" and "Preacher Man". Both singles were alternative rock hits, and "Dawnrazor", their debut album did similarly well. "Dawnrazor" was a powerful, albeit standard gothic rock collection of modern horror-film themed songs, standout songs were "Dust" (a live favourite), "Vet for the Insane" a quieter melodic showcase for Yates' guitar and McCoy's gruff, dramatic vocals, and the powerful ten minute title-track.
The single "Blue Water" was subsequently released reaching the main UK charts for the first time, and making a big impact on the Independent chart listings for their label Situation Two. The following year the single "Moonchild" was released followed by their assured second album "The Nephilim". Displaying a more confident and polished sound, the band cemented their status as one of the biggest underground acts on the circuit. The standout tracks were "The Watchman" (later released as a single), "Phobia" (a live favourite), "Love under will" and the anthemic "Last exit for the lost". The following live dates with the more sophisticated light show and effects, and of course the larger venues, highlighted their inexorable rise in popularity and confidence.
"Psychonaut" was released in 1989; this ten minute track indicated a slight shift for the band toward a more experimental and intense sound. This single/EP was a candle-bearer for the polished and highly produced "Elizium" album. Produced for the first time by ex-Pink Floyd producer Andy Jackson (taking over from previous band producer Bill Buchanan), the opus represented the band at the zenith of their creativity and powers. The album was preceded by the single "For Her Light" which again followed the bands custom of charting highly one week courtesy of their army of followers, then dipping out of the chart listings the next.
To the shock of their following, Carl McCoy left the band in 1991, and in a subsequent interview uttered the immortal words "I am the Nephilim...". The remaining band members formed Rubicon, while McCoy began a new group called Nefilim. "Zoon" was released in 1996, an album that largely disappointed followers of his former band. The collection of mostly hard metal and speed-metal tracks pointed in a new direction, but one that ultimately still awaits a follow-up.
The band reformed in 1998, and a collection of out-takes and assorted unreleased recordings, "Fallen" was released in 2002 exciting many of the followers who had grown used to reading about imminent new material, but then disappointed as the tracks were definitely not new material. The album has been disowned by the band who insist that the album was released by their old record label without their wishes or permission.
Live dates penciled in were canceled in 2003 as the band insist they will only tour with new material, refusing to join the other bands of their generation touring to old audiences playing old material. The anticipation amongst their following - The Watchmen, grew awaiting new material, taking their individual and intense sound and lyrics to new spaces and dimensions.
A new album "Mourning Sun" was released in Europe on November 28, 2005, with the North American release scheduled February, 2006. The hitherto hinted at reformed line-up hadn't materialized, and the Carl McCoy led and penned collection of new material received mixed reviews.
In 2007 FotN had gigs in London and at Ville Valo's Helldone Festival in Finland. In 2008 they've played in Warsow and Athens and headlined the Wave Gotik Treffen Festival in Leipzig, Germany. They also performed at M'era Luna 2008 in Germany. At all gigs Carl McCoy was the only member of the original line-up.
The Wright brothers have released two albums and an EP under the name Last Rites playing an ambient sounding dark rock. A third album is currently planned. Tony Pettit is currently a member of the goth rock/metal outfit NFD, also with two released albums. Peter Yates is featured on both NFD-albums as a guest musician.
In 2009 Tony Petitt under the name The Eden House released a collaborative album "Smoke and Mirrors" featuring former members of Fields of the Nephilim Nod Wright, Peter Yates and Paul Wright as well as former producer Andy Jackson.
Official site: http://www.fields-of-the-nephilim.com
At the Gates of Silent Memory
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So sick of all the people
A blind moon
Over to the window
Where the night has become Elizium for the sleepless souls
And our days to come
Stand with Dalila
Maybe I'll just pass-away
Or may be I'll stay
But I feel alive with you
And I feel some kind of heaven
When I feel deep inside her
And I feel some kind of heaven
Hear me
Give me some kind of heaven
The song "At the Gates of Silent Memory" by Fields of the Nephilim seems to portray a sense of disillusionment with life, particularly with the people the singer has encountered. They are "sick of all the people" and look out the window at a "blind moon," perhaps signifying a lack of direction or guidance. However, the singer finds solace in the presence of someone else, possibly Dalila. They feel alive and describe feeling some kind of heaven when they are with this person, experiencing a deep connection with them.
The mention of Elizium, a mythical place in some interpretations of the afterlife, seems to add a feeling of otherworldlyness to the song. The idea of a sleepless soul finding peace in this realm suggests that perhaps earthly life is too full of noise and chaos, but there is some promise of a better existence elsewhere. The use of religious names like Dalila may suggest a spiritual element to the connection between the singer and this person, further emphasizing the idea of there being something more meaningful beyond the physical realm.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, today life that I knew
The singer acknowledges the current time and how different their life is now.
So sick of all the people
The singer feels overwhelmed and tired of being around others.
A blind moon
The moon is barely visible, indicating darkness and uncertainty.
Over to the window
The artist moves to the window.
Where the night has become Elizium for the sleepless souls
The night has become a paradise for those who cannot sleep, suggesting a peaceful and serene environment.
And our days to come
The future is uncertain but full of possibility.
You stand
Someone stands, maybe the singer or someone else.
Stand with Dalila
This person is with Dalila, who could be a friend or romantic partner.
Maybe I'll just pass-away
The artist contemplates the possibility of dying.
Or may be I'll stay
The artist acknowledges the alternative of staying alive.
But I feel alive with you
The singer feels alive and invigorated when they are with the person addressed as 'you.'
And I feel some kind of heaven
Being with 'you' feels like paradise to the artist.
When I feel deep inside her
The singer experiences deep emotions within themselves when they are with another person, presumably a lover.
Hear me
The singer implores someone to listen to them.
Give me some kind of heaven
The singer seeks comfort or a sense of peace in their life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARL MCCOY, TONY PETTIT, ALEX WRIGHT, PAUL WRIGHT, PETER YEATS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raelmc
At the Gates of Silent Memory/
Love of my life, God grant the years
Confirm the chrism - rose to rood!
Anointing loves, asperging tears
In sanctifying solitude!
That holds my heaven and holds my hell.
Yes today life that I knew
So sick of all the people
A blind moon over to the window
Where the night has become elizium
For the sleepless souls
And our days to come
You stand with dalila
May be I'll just pass-away
Or may be I'll stay
But I feel alive with you
And I feel some kind of heaven
When I feel deep inside her
I feel some kind of heaven
Hear me
Give me some kind of heaven
Such lights she gives as guide my bark;
That holds my heaven and holds my hell.
Love of my life
Man is so infinitely small
Man is so infinitely great!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Paradise Regained
Come in from the cold
I'll owe you my heart
Be my shelter and refuge for the night
Love of my life
Pour your light on the faith
I can feel
Make it real
In her sleep
@kuroneko99
Carl McCoy's voice is one of the most earthy, primal, sensual, and yet outer worldly and sensitive. His voice and the music travels through dark dimensions of the spirit with strength, beauty and yet without self-pity. That's what I feel makes FotN so powerful.
@arthuryapp7513
These musicians are extremely skillful. Possibly one of the best drummers around.. Timeless stuff - this has never got old.
@tikhongilson3770
Finally the drummer gets some. People usually gush about Tony Pettit the bassist (and rightfully so). FotN brimmed over with talent.
@jrmvm
For me, one of the most intense and mind blowing moments of 90's gothic rock.
@SuperChoronzon
Yea, this album Live.... was THE SHIT !!!
quite possibly one of the most beautiful, & spiritual experiences I've ever had, was at the Glasgow Barrowlands 1989(iirc) when they were playing this on the Elyzium tour, geez...
Me & 3 other guys from just outside Killie that I knew from drinking in FBG(or Fannies to those in the know), Shep, Duncan & wee Gordon, that I met in the gig, after Wail of Sumer, just looked at each other as tears rolled down our cheeks....
It's moments like that, that are just epic, timeless & priceless !!!
@Docentehistoria
Si yo alcanzase a ver el fin del mundo, sería la banda sonora esta canción. Es maravillos, tortuosa, bella y terrorífica al mismo tiempo. Una de las canciones de mi vida. If I see the end of the world, this song would be his OST. So wonderfull, hollow, pretty and frightening at the same time. One of my life's songs.
@manusierra1846
End of Time it's your pass away and you better live your life liké if no Tomorrow
@riley666staples
The drums and bass are absolutely amazing. The guitar lines are as if David Gilmour joined Iron Maiden, and that can't be bad. I think freelowper7 was looking for Fallout Boy videos and found this by mistake. Forever Nephilim
@JonTimi
I first heard this about 25 years ago. I've listened to it constantly since then. It STILL makes the hairs on my neck stand up. What a track
@dannyslammy4379
same