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
Blue Water
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just move back, step outside yourself
Just move back stepping outside yourself
Feel I'm falling upwards looking at hell
{Blue Blue, What am I supposed to do?
{Well life looks a little hazy
{Looking at my self {These 3 lines are on 12"}
Please unleash this animal inside
Out of my mind
[Chorus]
Well it's the perspiration, it's draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Blue angel
In this night fall {This night for us??}
It's substance, it dawns {The suffocation stops??}
In this night form
The constant pain, the constant pain {The Astral Plane??}
Bluewater
It keeps grinning {It's got to bleed}
Blue Blue, I'm preying for you
Get out the electrostatic hotwire
I've got a drain on you
[Chorus]
Blue angel
In this night form
It's substance, it dawns
We feed at nightfall
Blue angel
This stillness night form
Minion
Come down
Minion
In the depths
The lyrics to "Blue Water" by Fields of the Nephilim are both mystical and enigmatic, forming a tapestry of interwoven images and metaphors that are open to interpretation. The song is essentially about stepping outside oneself and entering a transcendental state where one can look at life from a different perspective. The lyrics are peppered with color imagery, such as "sea green" and "blue angel," which are used to convey a sense of otherworldliness and heightened awareness. The song also makes references to suffering and pain, as well as a need to unleash one's inner self.
The song opens with the lines, "Move back, step outside yourself/ Just move back, step outside yourself." These lines set the tone for the rest of the song, urging the listener to step out of their usual consciousness and into a new, elevated state. The next lines, "Feel I'm falling upwards looking at hell," describe the feeling of being out of control, looking down at the world from a higher perspective.
The chorus contains the repeated phrase "Perspiration, is draining my head," which seems to suggest a sense of intense physical and emotional exertion. The line "Blue water/ It keeps grinning" is particularly intriguing, as it hints at a sinister force lurking beneath the surface of things. The final lines, "Minion/ Come down/ Minion/ In the depths," seem to suggest the idea of a dark, hidden power that is somehow responsible for the suffering and pain in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Move back, step outside yourself
Take a step back and look at yourself from an outside perspective
Feel I'm falling upwards looking at hell
Feeling disoriented while observing something negative
Blue Blue, What am I supposed to do?
Expressing confusion and uncertainty
Well life looks a little hazy
Feeling unsure about the clarity of life
Looking at my self These 3 lines are on 12
Contemplating one's own thoughts and emotions
Sea green, if you know what I mean?
Asking if the listener understands a particular feeling or concept
Please unleash this animal inside
Asking to release one's inner thoughts and emotions
Out of my mind
Feeling overwhelmed and out of control
Well it's the perspiration, it's draining my head
Stress and pressure are causing mental exhaustion
Blue angel In this night fall
A heavenly presence in a dark and uncertain situation
It's substance, it dawns
Realization of something important
The constant pain, the constant pain
Enduring emotional or physical pain
Bluewater It keeps grinning
A challenging or dangerous situation that continues to persist
Blue Blue, I'm preying for you
Expressing concern for someone in need
Get out the electrostatic hotwire
Finding a solution to a problem
I've got a drain on you
Feeling exhausted and drained
This stillness night form Minion Come down Minion In the depths
Imagery of a dark and foreboding presence
We feed at nightfall
Indication of nocturnal activity or behavior
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, KAREN SCHAUBEN PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION
Written by: BRIAN J. CULBERTSON, ERIC ROSS MARIENTHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SPIROS KOUFOS
Timeless...
LYRICS :
Just move back stepping outside yourself
Feel I'm falling upwards looking at hell
Sea green, if you know what I mean?
Please unleash this animal inside
Out of my mind
Well it's the perspiration, it's draining my head
Perspiration is draining my head
Perspiration is draining my head
Perspiration is draining my head
Blue angel
When this night falls
It's substance, it dawns
In this night form
The constant pain, the constant pain
Bluewater
Blue Blue, I'm praying for you
Get out the electrostatic hotwire
I've got a drain on you
Well it's the perspiration, it's draining my head
Perspiration is draining my head
Perspiration is draining my head
Perspiration is draining my head
Blue angel
In this night form
It's substance, it dawns
We feed at nightfall
Blue angel
This stillness night form
Minion
Come down
Minion
In the depths
Felix F
Move back, step outside yourself
Just move back, step outside yourself
Just move back stepping outside yourself
Feel I'm falling upwards looking at hell
{Blue Blue, What am I supposed to do?
{Well life looks a little hazy
{Looking at my self {These 3 lines are on 12"}
Sea green, if you know what I mean?
Please unleash this animal inside
Out of my mind
Well it's the perspiration, it's draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Blue angel
In this night fall {This night for us??}
It's substance, it dawns {The suffocation stops??}
In this night form
The constant pain, the constant pain {The Astral Plane??}
Bluewater
It keeps grinning {It's got to bleed}
Blue Blue, I'm preying for you
Get out the electrostatic hotwire
I've got a drain on you
Well it's the perspiration, it's draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Perspiration, is draining my head
Blue angel
In this night form
It's substance, it dawns
We feed at nightfall
Blue angel
This stillness night form
Minion
Come down
Minion
In the depths
Tumbler
I'm so happy people still listen to this, and for making these ancient gems accessible to a public who would otherwise probably never have heard of this.
Foxtrot Hotel
Never mind still listening, I'm only really getting into them. Loved this kind of stuff forever but just never gave them a proper listen till now.
PAULA DARK PIÇARRA
O live for this
solinvictus39
"ancient gems" LOL. I was listening to these guys in 1988... way to make me feel like an old fart.
andy
Criminally underrated and ridiculed by a lot of press back in the day. Still sounds great to me 🖤
The Mercury 13
Aah, the narrow minded 'nme'; only interested in trends not music, there just arn't enough swear words to express what I feel about the nme & it's anti-music, all-poseur attitude. Was only Sounds that was fair as a music paper, & of course that folded while nme & MelodyMaker slithered on..
WarrenCromartie2
I saw them live three times between 1987 and 1990. One of the best live bands I've ever seen.
MO
Great live band! Saw them three times during the same period!
solinvictus39
I've been into Fields since 1988. I always missed them when they played the US, and now I'll never see them here :( FOTN haven't been back to the US since 1990.
Nobody
I don't doubt it, but there are a lot of great bands out there... I guess I have to go watch some of their live stuff?