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
Chord of Souls
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can it be the end?
With eyes on fire, couldn't be so cold
I hear Godly laughter, let it be the end
Let it be the end
Well I hate your conscience, Let's skip this world
Over to the other side, I'm caught stepping out greed on earth}
Over to the other side, Save your brothers now
Let it be the end
Eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes {Possibly: Ice!}
Honest men, These worthy men
In all my dreams, I hear Godly laughter
Unleash your souls, The Faceless knows
I'm disclosed, It's not the God I'm after
Let it be the end, let it be the end
Let it be the end believe us Chord of Souls
Let it be the end, let it be the end
Let it be the end between us Chord of Souls
Eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes
And I hate your country, And I hate your world
I hate your Gods people who breed on earth {...who breathe on...}
Over to the other side, I'm caught stepping out
Over to the other side
I'm gonna recreate a religious experience to tear my fucking heart out
The End!- Believe us
Let it be the end
May the End believe us
Lord of Souls
May the End believe us
Let it be the end, let it be the end between us chord of souls
Let it end, let it end, let it end
Eyes, eyes
The lyrics to Fields of the Nephilim's song Chord of Souls are a reflection on the end of days and the question of whether it is Godly laughter that can be heard in the face of the impending apocalypse. The preacher talks of hatred for the world and its people, including their gods and countries. He appears to be tempting fate and welcoming the end, feeling that this is the only way that he can truly experience a religious connection that will tear his heart out. However, there is doubt in his voice, and he seems to be searching for something more.
The second half of the song seems to be a call to honest and worthy men, asking them to unleash their souls and reject the God that is not worth following. The Faceless knows something that they do not, and they must trust in this to find a way out of the darkness. The repetition of the phrase 'let it be the end' seems to be a plea for closure and for an end to the constant struggle that the preacher is experiencing. Overall, the song is a reflection on faith and the end of days, exploring themes of hatred, doubt, and redemption in the face of impending destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
The Preacher says to all his men: I hear Godly laughter
The preacher is claiming to hear laughter that he believes belongs to God, and is sharing this information with his followers.
Can it be the end?
The preacher is questioning whether this laughter is an omen of the end of the world.
With eyes on fire, couldn't be so cold
The preacher's eyes are ablaze with passion, indicating that this is not a moment of detachment or apathy.
I hear Godly laughter, let it be the end
The preacher is determined to accept this laughter, even if it signifies the end of the world.
Well I hate your conscience, Let's skip this world
The artist is expressing disdain for the moral obligations and restraints of others, suggesting that they should move beyond living in the world in which they currently exist.
I hate your Gods people who breed on earth Over to the other side, I'm caught stepping out greed on earth Over to the other side, Save your brothers now
The singer is criticizing the people who worship a certain God and have families or offspring on Earth, suggesting that they should join the singer on the other side where things may be different. They also implore people to save their loved ones whom they will leave behind.
Eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes
This phrase is repeated throughout the song, and could potentially have various interpretations such as referring to insight, vigilance, or even a misspelling of 'ice'.
Honest men, These worthy men In all my dreams, I hear Godly laughter Unleash your souls, The Faceless knows I'm disclosed, It's not the God I'm after
The artist is calling upon those who are honorable and deserving to join them and referencing a reoccurring dream where the laughter of God is heard. The artist is instructing the people to send forth their spirits, and implies that there is a being not God that they are seeking.
Let it be the end, let it be the end Let it be the end believe us Chord of Souls Let it be the end, let it be the end Let it be the end between us Chord of Souls
The artist is reiterating their desire for the end to come, while referring to the power of the music (chord of souls) between them as they anticipate it.
And I hate your country, And I hate your world I hate your Gods people who breed on earth {...who breathe on...} Over to the other side, I'm caught stepping out Over to the other side I'm gonna recreate a religious experience to tear my fucking heart out
The artist feels contempt for the world, those who populate it, and certain religious beliefs. They plan on recreating a religious experience which will be immensely emotional and cause them great pain.
The End!- Believe us Let it be the end May the End believe us Lord of Souls May the End believe us Let it be the end, let it be the end between us chord of souls Let it end, let it end, let it end Eyes, eyes
The singer repeatedly declares their belief in the end, and the power of the music (chord of souls) between them. They conclude by once more indicating that the end is desired, and the song concludes with the repeating of 'eyes'.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX WRIGHT, CARL MC COY, PAUL WRIGHT, PETER YATES, TONY PETTITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Emilia Canet
I just came out of 20 years of brain washed isolation im finally returning to who i was once. Haven't heard this since my soul was sucked out of me. I kept all my vinyl including this LP while dead in the walking through the wilderness. I'm finally becoming who i once was.
Sneezebiscuits
What happened, if i may ask?
matthew baker
Enjoy the ride. i never left
Vex Pez
that riff is magical
Peste Noire is nightcore for nazis change my mind
This song has the hardest goth riffs
Bag of Razors
This band in general is one of the hardest goth bands.
EricJ Egan
Stunning talent
Samuelbathorysp@gmail.com Bathory
great album.
Iconoclastic
Let it be the end!
Let it be the end!
Let it be the end between us,
Chord of souls!
Nathan Explosion
awesome