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
Endemoniada
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I fall asleep at the wheel
Think about this, if looks could kill
Such a thrill, the way I feel
Now I'm falling asleep at the wheel
And I'm dreaming of the kill
We dream of familiar faces
Do you want a display
Just stand in my way
If you want a display
Your love in that way, now get out
Think about this,
Well I've seen, with old eyes
And every time I turn around another dies
Think about this, if looks could kill
Vision's black, I go to war sometimes {visions back me to
When I'm walking on my own the wall sometimes..}
We dream of familiar places
Vision's black, I go to war sometimes {listen to it live!}
When I'm walking on my own
We dream of familiar places
And I'm dreaming
We dream of familiar things here (my heart beats, my heart beats)
We dream of familiar places
And I'm dreaming,
We dream of familiar things here (my heart beats, my heart beats)
We dream of familiar places
Stop
The lyrics to Fields of the Nephilim's song Endemoniada evoke a feeling of dark intensity and distortion. The first few lines suggest a sense of unpredictability and danger, as the singer falls asleep at the wheel and dreams of killing. It's as though they have lost control and are being led by darker forces, with visions of death and destruction invading their psyche. The repetition of "we dream of familiar places" suggests a cyclical pattern of thoughts and emotions, as though the singer is trapped in a recurring nightmare or vision.
The lyrics also capture a sense of defiance and aggression, with lines like "Do you want a display/Just stand in my way" suggesting a willingness to fight and push back against anyone who stands in the way of the singer's desires. The line "I've seen, with old eyes/And every time I turn around another dies" underscores the sense of mortality and impermanence that pervades the song. It's a reminder that life is fleeting and precious, and that the forces of darkness are always lurking just beneath the surface.
Overall, the lyrics to Endemoniada are infused with a sense of dark energy and mystery. They hint at a world beyond our comprehension, one where dreams and reality blur together and the line between good and evil is difficult to discern.
Line by Line Meaning
So let it feel, unreal
Let this feeling be surreal, like a dream.
When I fall asleep at the wheel
When I metaphorically lose control of my life.
Think about this, if looks could kill
Consider how powerful the gaze can be.
Such a thrill, the way I feel
It's exciting how I'm feeling right now.
Now I'm falling asleep at the wheel
Now I'm really losing control.
And I'm dreaming of the kill
And I'm fantasizing about death.
We dream of familiar places here
We dream of places we know well.
We dream of familiar faces
We dream of people we know well.
Do you want a display
Do you want to start something?
Just stand in my way
Just try to stop me.
If you want a display
If you want to provoke me.
Your love in that way, now get out
If you're going to love like that, leave me alone.
Well I've seen, with old eyes
I've seen too much, with the jaded eyes of experience.
And every time I turn around another dies
Death is everywhere, all around me.
Vision's black, I go to war sometimes
Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle in the dark.
{visions back me to
There seems to be a mistake in the lyrics as this line doesn't make sense.
When I'm walking on my own the wall sometimes..}
When I'm alone, sometimes I hit a wall.
We dream of familiar places
We dream of places we know well.
Vision's black, I go to war sometimes {listen to it live!}
Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle in the dark. (Note: this part may refer to a live performance.)
When I'm walking on my own
When I'm alone.
We dream of familiar places
We dream of places we know well.
And I'm dreaming,
And I'm still dreaming.
We dream of familiar things here (my heart beats, my heart beats)
We dream of things that resonate with us.
We dream of familiar places
We dream of places we know well.
Stop
This is the end of the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER JAMES WRIGHT, CARL MCCOY, PAUL ALEXANDER WRIGHT, PETER YATES, TONY PETTITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind