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
Love Under Will
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smother me or suffer
Lay down I'll die tonight
Smother me or suffer
When I'm gone, wait here
Discover all of life's surprises
When I'm gone wait here
I'll send my child my last good smile
If you pass through my soul tonight
Gather all his troubles
Tomorrow's long eternal night
Gather for tomorrow
When I'm gone wait here
Discovers all of earth's surprises
When I'm gone wait here
I'll send my child my last good smile
Between the cracks and hollows
The earth is good,the earth is good
Between the cracks and hollows
The earth is good,the earth is good
Lay down, lay down, lay down for me
Lay down, lay down, lay down with me
When I'm gone wait here
Discover all of life's surprises
When I'm gone wait here
I'll send my child my last good bye
Between the cracks and hollows
The earth is good,the earth is good
Between the cracks and hollows
The earth is good,the earth is good
Hey embrace me, someone's gonna suffer
Lay lay lay it on lay lay lay it on me
Someone
Hey embrace me someone's gonna suffer
Sweet dreams my angel
At last good bye
Sweet dreams
Love Under Will is a haunting song by Fields of the Nephilim that explores the themes of love, death, and the afterlife. The opening lines, "I need to be alone tonight, smother me or suffer, lay down I'll die tonight, smother me or suffer" suggest a desire for solitude or a wish to be left alone, even if it means death. The repetition of "smother me or suffer" emphasizes the intensity of the desire for isolation. The next lines, "When I'm gone, wait here, discover all of life's surprises, when I'm gone, wait here, I'll send my child my last good smile" suggests a belief in an afterlife where the singer's child will receive their final goodbye before they move on.
The second stanza continues with the theme of the afterlife, "If you pass through my soul tonight, gather all his troubles, tomorrow's long eternal night, gather for tomorrow". The line "Gather for tomorrow" may refer to a gathering of souls in the afterlife. The repetition of "When I'm gone wait here, discover all of earth's surprises, When I'm gone wait here, I'll send my child my last good smile" reinforces the belief in an afterlife and the desire to be reunited with loved ones.
The chorus, "Between the cracks and hollows, the earth is good, the earth is good, lay down, lay down, lay down for me, lay down, lay down, lay down with me" suggests a longing for a peaceful rest in the earth. The final lines, "Hey embrace me, someone's gonna suffer, lay lay lay it on lay lay lay it on me, someone, Hey embrace me someone's gonna suffer, sweet dreams my angel, at last goodbye" leaves the listener with a sense of ambiguity, suggesting that there may be a price to pay for the singer's desire for solitude.
Line by Line Meaning
I need to be alone tonight
I want to be alone tonight
Smother me or suffer
Either give me your complete attention or leave me alone
Lay down I'll die tonight
I'm feeling defeated and hopeless
When I'm gone, wait here
After I've left, stick around and wait for something to happen
Discover all of life's surprises
Experience all of the unexpected things that life has in store
I'll send my child my last good smile
Before I go, I'll make sure I give a final goodbye to a loved one
If you pass through my soul tonight
If you really get to know me on a deep level
Gather all his troubles
Learn about my struggles and problems
Tomorrow's long eternal night
The future seems bleak and never-ending
Gather for tomorrow
Prepare for what's to come in the future
Between the cracks and hollows
In the hidden and obscure places of the world
The earth is good, the earth is good
The natural world is still beautiful and worth appreciating
Lay down, lay down, lay down for me
Submit yourself to me and my wishes
When I'm gone wait here
Stay in the same place and keep an eye out for what happens next
I'll send my child my last good bye
I'll make sure to say a final goodbye to a loved one
Hey embrace me, someone's gonna suffer
Hold me and give me comfort, even if it means someone else will be hurt
Lay lay lay it on lay lay lay it on me
Give me all of your attention and affection
Sweet dreams my angel
I hope you have pleasant dreams, my loved one
At last good bye
This is the final farewell
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARL MCCOY, TONY PETTITT, ALEXANDER JAMES WRIGHT, PAUL ALEXANDER WRIGHT, PETER YATES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
maya v amiel
I need to be alone tonight
Smother me or suffer
Lay down I'll die tonight
Smother me or suffer
When I'm gone, wait here
Discover all of life's surprises
When I'm gone wait here
I'll send my child my last good smile
If you pass through my soul tonight
Gather all his troubles
Tomorrow's long eternal night
Gather for tomorrow
When I'm gone wait here
Discovers all of earth's surprises
When I'm gone wait here
I'll send my child my last good smile
Between the cracks and hollows
The earth is good, the earth is good
Between the cracks and hollows
The earth is good, the earth is good
Lay down, lay down, lay down for me
Lay down, lay down, lay down with me
When I'm gone wait here
Discover all of life's surprises
When I'm gone wait here
I'll send…
XXXOzawa
Carl Macoy seems to just came out from a fantasy book. pure magic...
artmonkid
I like good old goth because the bass guitar was at the forefront and had such a prominent role.
Joachim Vetter
No one comes even close. Forever remain was just so powerful. Best version of Endemoniada ever.
megaforce811
That bassline is pure ownage as is the clean guitar lines and the drumming.
Jochen Burkart
their music tears the heart
Masaki Kazuma
love this song, goth guys are legends, also, Carl McCoy is amazing
Sophie Skye
Love this song. Amazing band live the best thing to listen to after a hard days work! <3
rockwifey1
The many hats of Carl McCoy I love hats and this song is sublime!
Konstantinos Kellaris
A huge band with a gigantic performer and an incredible personality! For those who understand...
Σταυρος κουρταλης
What a band...killer voice,...real gothic music!!