Fields of the Nephilim is a gothic rock band, active throughout the 1980s. … Read Full Bio ↴Fields of the Nephilim is a gothic rock band, active throughout the 1980s. They formed in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK in 1984. Carl McCoy, Gary Whisker, Tony Pettit and brothers Paul Wright and Alexander 'Nod' Wright were the starting lineup. Peter Yates joined by the time of their first release, replacing Gary Whisker.

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

Reanimator
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, we are transforming
With your daughters underground

Hey, we look like sisters
Caught up in a landslide, falling down

So far that you can't feel them
So far that you can't hear them

So far so far
Reanimator, reanimate her now

Hey, a trial by fire
Your world stinks, your world stinks of you

Saying the words on the wire
Your mind burns, your mind burns all through

So far that you can't feel them
So far that you can't hear them

So far so far
Reanimator, reanimate her now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Reanimator" by Fields of the Nephilim vividly portray an eerie and spooky ambience, inducing vivid imagery of underground transformations and mind-bending experiences. The lines "hey, we are transforming, with your daughters underground" indicate a transformation process that is undergoing underground, hidden from the sight of the world. The transformative experience is shared by the sisters mentioned in the second line who seem to be caught up in a landslide and falling down. The word 'transforming' and "reanimator" suggests there is an element of reanimation or bringing back to life, which adds to the eerie feel of the song.

The next few lines, "So far that you can't feel them, so far that you can't hear them, so far so far, reanimator, reanimate her now" can be interpreted in different ways. It could be a reference to the process of transformation being so far and out of reach that it cannot be felt or heard. Alternatively, it could be a nod to necromancy or some form of dark magic that needs some kind of catalyst or prompt, represented by the word 'reanimator'.

In the later verses, the lyrics shift towards a trial by fire, which could be a metaphor for a difficult or challenging experience that triggers mind-bending episodes. The line "saying the words on the wire, your mind burns, your mind burns all through" adds to the dark and mystic tone of the song, suggesting some kind of intense verbal communication that could also be considered a challenge. This song is a great representation of Fields of the Nephilim's dark and brooding atmosphere and bold approach to alternative and Gothic music.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, we are transforming
We are undergoing a complete and significant change.

With your daughters underground
We are undergoing this change with the companionship of your daughters who are underground.

Hey, we look like sisters
We are similar in appearance and behavior, like sisters.

Caught up in a landslide, falling down
We are caught up in circumstances beyond our control and are falling down as a result of it.

So far that you can't feel them
We have moved to such an extent that you are unable to sense our presence.

So far that you can't hear them
We have moved to such an extent that you are unable to hear any sound we make.

So far so far
We have gone a long way, so far.

Reanimator, reanimate her now
To bring back to life, revive her immediately.

Hey, a trial by fire
A difficult and challenging situation like a trial that we are currently facing.

Your world stinks, your world stinks of you
Your world has bad odor, it reflects your state of being.

Saying the words on the wire
Speaking words through a communication network, possibly with a hidden intention.