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
Réquiem
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you feel?
Can you see me now?
Then reveal
(Which way from here?)
Feel
(Which way from here?)
Look away
Turn away
Are you happy here?
Open the door
Let me in
Face me now
And burn within
Awaken us
Don't you throw it all away
There's a place for us
I know another way
How does it feel?
Every time/Every tide(?)
Now you will feel
That I'm on your side
How do you feel?
Does it burn inside?
Do you know?
Things to come?
Don't you know?
Do you not believe? (Nephilim)
See/Save(?
See beyond the lie/Save your new life(?)
And move lunch*
Until you feel inside
Not for them/Nephilim(?)
(Which way from here?)
Fields of the Nephilim's song "Requiem" is a complex, introspective, and philosophical piece of music that invites the listener on an introspective journey towards redemption, self-discovery, and enlightenment. The lyrics are cryptic and metaphorical, but they suggest a confrontation with oneself, one's beliefs, and ultimately, one's mortality. The opening verse, "Can you hear me now? Can you feel? Can you see me now? Then reveal" evokes a sense of urgency and questioning, urging the listener to pay attention to their surroundings and their inner voice.
The following lines "Which way from here? Look away, your time has come, turn away, are you happy here?" suggest a notion of endings and beginnings, and the uncertainty and doubt that may arise in these transitional phases. The chorus is an invitation to face the truth and embrace change: "Open the door, let me in, face me now, and burn within. Awaken us, don't you throw it all away, there's a place for us, I know another way."
The second verse, "How does it feel? Every time/Every tide(?), now you will feel that I'm on your side. How do you feel? Does it burn inside? Do you know things to come? Don't you know? Do you not believe? (Nephilim)" adds to the introspective nature of the song, suggesting that self-awareness, perspective, and faith are key to overcoming inner turmoil and doubts. The song ends with the lines "See beyond the lie/Save Your new life(?) and move lunch(?) until you feel inside. Not for them/Nephilim(?), which way from here?," leaving the listener with an open-ended question about their direction and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear me now?
Can you truly listen to me and take in what I have to say?
Can you feel?
Can you tap into your emotions and truly empathize with the situation?
Can you see me now?
Can you see through the veil of deception and realize who/what I really am?
Then reveal
Once you can understand and see the truth, share it with others.
(Which way from here?)
Amidst all the chaos, where do we go from here? What's the next step?
Feel
Tune into your instincts and truly feel your way through this situation.
Look away
Avoid the distractions and noise around you in order to truly focus on what's important.
Your time has come
It's time to face the consequences of your actions/decisions.
Turn away
Instead of facing these consequences, you may choose to turn a blind eye to them.
Are you happy here?
In the midst of all this chaos, take a moment to reflect and truly ask yourself if you're content where you are.
Open the door
Let go of the barriers that are preventing you from truly seeing what's in front of you.
Let me in
Allow me to aid you and assist you in navigating through this difficult time.
Face me now
Don't shy away from confrontation or the truth any longer, it's time to face it head-on.
And burn within
Allow your passion and fire to fuel your actions and decisions moving forward.
Awaken us
Rally those around you and incite a movement for change and growth.
Don't you throw it all away
Don't let everything you've worked for be for nothing; don't give up.
There's a place for us
There is hope and a brighter future on the horizon if we work towards it.
I know another way
There are other paths to take and solutions to problems, we just have to be willing to explore them.
How does it feel?
Put yourself in someone else's shoes and truly understand their perspective/feelings.
Every time/Every tide(?)
Through every experience or challenge, there is something to be learned and gained.
Now you will feel
Once you've truly understood the situation, you will have a newfound sense of empathy.
That I'm on your side
Know that someone is here and available to support you through this trying time.
How do you feel?
Reflect on your own emotions and thoughts about the situation at hand.
Does it burn inside?
Are you passionate enough about this issue to take action towards it?
Do you know?
Are you truly knowledgeable and well-informed about the situation?
Things to come?
What does the future hold amidst all of this chaos and uncertainty?
Don't you know?
Even in moments of confusion, there are still things we know to be true/real.
Do you not believe? (Nephilim)
Is your belief or faith in this situation wavering?
See/Save(?
Is it possible to see the truth or save ourselves from the turmoil?
See beyond the lie/Save your new life(?)
Look deeper than what's presented on the surface or save yourself from the negative impacts of this situation.
And move lunch*
This line is difficult to decipher, but it could mean taking action towards something despite it feeling like a small step.
Until you feel inside
Keep pushing through and taking action until you truly feel like you've done all you can.
Not for them/Nephilim(?)
It's time to take action for yourself and your own well-being rather than pleasing those around you.
(Which way from here?)
Even after all of this, we're left with the lingering question of what comes next and where we go from here.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CARL DOUGLAS MCCOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind