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
Dust
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a heat since love, as she breaks
Dust, we fade the scene
Gotta reason in peace, now explain
Feelings go on and on
Killing, it's all man-made
The rhythm of life is all too strong, so we burn it
Come down, right upon the train
In a swirling pool of blood and brains
Well that's fate, my mind is made
Be a woman a child, a child's masquerade\
Feelings go on and on
Killing, it's all man-made
The rhythm of life is all too strong, so we burn it
The Western Heroes
Blood, I've walk the high wire
I had to walk real high to see today
Dust, fade without a name
When I finish my war, I'll fade the scene
Feelings go on and on
Killing, it's all man-made
The rhythm of life is all too strong, so we burn it
The Western Heroes
I walk the high wire
The lyrics to Fields of the Nephilim's song "Dust" is laden with imagery and metaphorical descriptions about the fleeting nature of human life. The opening lines, "Lord, I wanna watch it rain, I got a heat since love, as she breaks, Dust, we fade the scene, Gotta reason in peace, now explain," portrays the desire to witness the natural process of life's destruction that comes with the rain. The singer identifies a sense of urgency as he awaits the inevitable downfall that love's warmth will bring. The term "dust" connotes the brevity of life, and he seeks reasoning for the eventual peace and tranquility that comes after.
The lines "Feelings go on and on, killing, it's all man-made, the rhythm of life is all too strong, so we burn it" explores the chaotic nature of human emotion and our struggle with mortality. The emotions we carry are forever present, as we exist in a circular pattern of birth, life, and death, that man has created. The rhythm of life is intense and comes in cycles that eventually lead to destruction, hence the need to "burn it."
As the verse progresses, the singer describes a violent fate that awaits them, where blood and brains swirl in a pool. Still, he remains resolute in his decision, claiming that his mind is made to accept whatever the end brings, whether he falls as a woman or a child. In the end, he acknowledges the transience of life, stating that once he finishes his war, he'll fade from the scene.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, I wanna watch it rain
The singer longs to witness the beauty of rainfall.
I got a heat since love, as she breaks
The singer is consumed with passion as a relationship ends.
Dust, we fade the scene
People eventually fade away, forgotten and replaced like dust.
Gotta reason in peace, now explain
The artist seeks understanding for the peaceful reasoning behind human existence.
Feelings go on and on
Emotions persist over time, never truly going away.
Killing, it's all man-made
Human beings are responsible for creating violence and destruction.
The rhythm of life is all too strong, so we burn it
Life's intensity can become overwhelming, leading to a desire to destroy or forget it.
Come down, right upon the train
The artist calls on fate or destiny to come down upon them.
In a swirling pool of blood and brains
Events are chaotic and bloody, representing the harshness of life.
Well that's fate, my mind is made
The artist accepts that fate has been decided and their mind is set.
Be a woman a child, a child's masquerade
People often wear masks or play roles throughout their lives.
Blood, I've walk the high wire
The artist has taken great risks and faced danger in life.
I had to walk real high to see today
Through struggle and challenge, the singer has gained a clearer perspective on life.
Dust, fade without a name
People ultimately disappear and fade away, forgotten by time.
When I finish my war, I'll fade the scene
The singer plans to eventually withdraw from the struggles and conflicts of life.
The Western Heroes
A possible reference to classic American Western films, which often feature violent conflict and struggle for survival comparable to human experience.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carl Mccoy, Tony Pettitt, Carl Wisker, Nod Wright, Paul Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T. McCoy
Blood
I wanna watch it rain
I got a heated slug
at your brain
Dust
we fade the same
I got a reasoning piece
now explain
Feelings come on and on
killing it's all man made
the rythem of life
is all too strong
so your burnin'
Cold blood
ride aboard the train
in the swirling pool
of blood and brains
Well that's fate
my mind is made
be it a woman or child
draw it's massacre aid
Feelings come on and on
killing it's all man made
the rythem of life
is all too strong
so your burnin'
western heros
Cold blood
I've walked the high wire
I had to walk real high
to see today
Dust
fade without a name
when I finished my war
I'll fade the same
Feelings come on and on
killing it's all man made
the rythem of life
is all too strong
so your burnin'
western heros
I've walked the high wire
I've walked the high wire
I've walked the high wire
I've walked the high wire
..........................................
Trevor Hodge
There's something so special about this band and the songs they write. They're in touch with something most people aren't.
Johnny Be good
the zohar...
Jorge Oliveira
I agree with you Trevor. It's not for the superficial, that's for sure.
Reynald HFT
Yes 👽🌾 Best FIELDS of the NEPHILIM 👽🇫🇷....🇬🇧
Andy Survival
The most mind clearing baseline ever
Paul Snell
I love this song I first heard it like when I was like 17/18 saw them live when 17 and I am now 52 and they are still awesome. It took me a while to get what they was about too I hated them at first
Mr Pixels
Dust. What a great song. Sooo good.
Maria Ines Vargas Ojeda
Maravilloso recuerdo. Sonidos para la eternidad
T. McCoy
Blood
I wanna watch it rain
I got a heated slug
at your brain
Dust
we fade the same
I got a reasoning piece
now explain
Feelings come on and on
killing it's all man made
the rythem of life
is all too strong
so your burnin'
Cold blood
ride aboard the train
in the swirling pool
of blood and brains
Well that's fate
my mind is made
be it a woman or child
draw it's massacre aid
Feelings come on and on
killing it's all man made
the rythem of life
is all too strong
so your burnin'
western heros
Cold blood
I've walked the high wire
I had to walk real high
to see today
Dust
fade without a name
when I finished my war
I'll fade the same
Feelings come on and on
killing it's all man made
the rythem of life
is all too strong
so your burnin'
western heros
I've walked the high wire
I've walked the high wire
I've walked the high wire
I've walked the high wire
..........................................
R2 D2
Golden shadows x