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
Preacher Man
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he faults your point of view
You talk about his apparition
And he talks
Hear him laughing at you
Contamination and radiation
Let it crawl while the city sleeps
Your turn to lay for bait for a while
And all my people say oh
Stop!
When he talks
Connected scars reopen
A thousand fingers
Reach out for you
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
Oh keep talking
You're a hunter I'm a wolf
Yeah keep talking
I'm the preacher you're a fool
Contamination and radiation
Let it crawl while the city sleeps
Your turn to lay for bait for a while
Now you're melting through your burning fields
That's when my people say oh
We don't feel no contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation
The lyrics to Fields of the Nephilim's song Preacher Man are quite intriguing, and they touch upon themes of confusion, paranoia, and contamination. The singer is speaking directly to someone who is both confused and confusing, as they are talking about an apparition while the singer mentions contamination and radiation. The Preacher Man, as he is referred to, faults the singer's point of view, and the singer in turn mocks him by imitating his laughter. There is a sense of hostility and tension between the two, with the Preacher Man being portrayed as ignorant and the singer as knowledgeable.
The lyrics continue with a description of contamination and radiation, which are allowed to "crawl while the city sleeps." The singer then warns the Preacher Man that it's his turn to "lay for bait for a while," and that he is now "melting through [his] burning fields." These lines suggest an impending disaster or apocalypse, as if the contamination and radiation will soon engulf everything around them. However, the singer's people do not fear contamination and radiation, as they do not feel affected by it. The lyrics end with the repeated refrain of "radiation, contamination," as if to emphasize the all-encompassing nature of the disaster that is unfolding.
Line by Line Meaning
Well he talks in confusion
The preacher speaks without clarity or direction
And he faults your point of view
He criticizes your perspective
You talk about his apparition
You question his existence in a spiritual realm
And he talks
He continues speaking without regard for your opinion
Hear him laughing at you
He mocks your beliefs
Contamination and radiation
The spread of harmful substances and energy
Let it crawl while the city sleeps
The danger spreads while people are unaware
Your turn to lay for bait for a while
You will become a target for destruction
Now you're melting through your burning fields
You suffer the consequences of your actions
And all my people say oh
My followers share my sentiments
Stop!
Cease your destructive behavior
When he talks
The preacher's words provoke a reaction
Connected scars reopen
Old wounds resurface as a result of his words
A thousand fingers
Numerous hands reach out to you for guidance
Reach out for you
They seek your spiritual guidance
We don't feel no contamination
We have protection from the danger
You're a hunter I'm a wolf
You prey on people, while I protect them
I'm the preacher you're a fool
I hold spiritual wisdom, while you lack it
Radiation, contamination
The harmful elements persist
Oh keep talking
Your words continue to reveal your ignorance
That's when my people say oh
My followers support me in my beliefs
Radiation
The danger remains
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MCCOY, PETIT, WRIGHT, YATES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Inês da Silva
Well he talks in confusion
And he faults your point of view
You talk about his apparition
And he talks, I hear him laughing at you
Contamination and radiation
Let it crawl while the city sleeps
Your turn to lay for bait for a while
Now you're melting through your burning fields
And all my people say oh
Stop!
When he talks
Connected scars reopen
A thousand fingers
Reach out for you
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
Oh keep talking
You're a hunter, I'm a wolf
Yeah, keep talking
I'm the preacher you're a fool
Contamination and radiation
Let it crawl while the city sleeps
Your turn to lay for bait for a while
Now you're melting through your burning fields
That's when my people say oh
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation
kittykait
Well he talks in confusion
And he faults your point of view
You talk about his apparition
And he talks
Hear him laughing at you
Contamination and radiation
Let it crawl while the city sleeps
Your turn to lay for bait for a while
Now you're melting through your burning fields
And all my people say oh
Stop!
When he talks
Connected scars reopen
A thousand fingers
Reach out for you
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
We don't feel no contamination
Oh keep talking
You're a hunter I'm a wolf
Yeah keep talking
I'm the preacher you're a fool
Contamination and radiation
Let it crawl while the city sleeps
Your turn to lay for bait for a while
Now you're melting through your burning fields
That's when my people say oh
We don't feel no contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation, contamination
Radiation
TralphazQ
A good friend of mine from college turned me onto this band many years ago. I was a metalhead, he wasn't, but he played this for me one day saying it was "about as close to metal as I get." We jammed to them on numerous occasions afterward. James passed away 20 years ago today. R.I.P. brother.
Cameron Lee
Sorry for your loss. He'll always be with you in spirit. Keep the memories alive.
eracerx78
RIP.
some guy
Rip dude
Eyal Erwin Maman
And this comment is 8 years old wow. So now its 28 y ago
whywecnthvnicethings
It's a shame gothic rock doesn't seem to appeal to a lot of people - this is really great music.
Blue Frog
Narrow and few.
Hellknight Mordred
Most people aren't great
Brett Bourgeois
It would be cringe if it became popular. Kinda like what happened to punk. Went from the Misfits and Dead Kennedys to Blink 182 and Green Day. I dont mind it being a niche taste to be honest, plus its one of those things that when you meet someone at a party or a bar and they love the same weird bands as you. Insta best friend for the night.
Organfuneralcovers
It does. U don't