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
Sumerland
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take me to the dream, to the highs and the depths of my soul
Here we free thoughts inside, giving up for giving time
But a world without end where no soul can descend
There will be no summertime
So afraid to take the dream
Shapes of angels the night casts
Lie dead but dreaming in my past
And they're here, they want to meet you
They want to play with you
So take the dream
Can't break free and I hear them call
They want to plague you
They're here once more
They want to lay with you
They want to take you to the shame of your past
Take the dream
Take me lead me far away
Take me there I'll fade away
But I can't hide and I cannot die
I take the dream
We're but fools of our fates, on this earth I shall wait
By the roots of my soul
I am losing control
Take the dream
The sleepers in you
Shapes of angels so deep within you
Feel your soul drowning
Unloosen your soul
Drowning in waters of reality
Tell me what is reality
Tell me tell me thought of god
Do dreams fall from god
Tell me what dreams may come
Break free thoughts all gone
We've all come down
Take me there you're my ticket out a here
All come down
Take me out a here
Take me there
We can dream together
We can sleep forever
The opening lyrics of Sumerland by Fields of the Nephilim, "Your tempting me to all of life and all its pleasure, take me to the dream, to the highs and the depths of my soul," paint a picture of a person being lured into a world of temptation and unbridled indulgence. They are being pulled by an irresistible force towards an altered state of consciousness, a deep sleep or trance where they can escape the reality of their mundane life. The lyrics suggest that the singer is seeking some sort of spiritual enlightenment or awakening, yet their quest seems tainted by the temptation of the flesh.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more dreamlike and surreal, with reference to "shapes of angels that night casts" and "dead but dreaming" figures. These images suggest that the singer has entered a dreamlike state where they are confronted by their innermost desires and fears. The temptation and danger of this dream world is always present, and the lyrics suggest that it is a place where one can easily become lost and lose control.
The final verses of the song suggest that the singer is desperate to escape the confines of their ordinary life and enter into a timeless dream state. They are willing to give themselves over completely to this otherworldly realm and abandon their rational thoughts and fears. The song ends on an ambiguous note, with the final lyrics "we can dream together, we can sleep forever," suggesting that the singer has found a powerful new realm of existence that transcends ordinary reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Your tempting me to all of life and all its pleasure
I am being lured towards indulgence and desire.
Take me to the dream, to the highs and the depths of my soul
I want to experience the full range of my being, both my peak and lowest potentials.
Here we free thoughts inside, giving up for giving time
In this state, where we give up ourselves, we liberate our mind and invest in something greater than us.
But a world without end where no soul can descend, There will be no summertime
In an eternal world where souls don't move, there is no opportunity for growth and improvement.
How lost life's been, afraid of waking up So afraid to take the dream
Existing in life with no direction, scared to confront reality and grasp opportunity.
Shapes of angels the night casts Lie dead but dreaming in my past
The imaginations of divinity from darkness are trapped in my memories.
And they're here, they want to meet you They want to play with you So take the dream
These divine thoughts are present and want to interact with you through your unconscious mind.
Can't break free and I hear them call They want to plague you They're here once more They want to lay with you They want to take you to the shame of your past Take the dream
I can't escape these thoughts and they are calling me to relive my past mistakes, which can be damaging.
Take me lead me far away Take me there I'll fade away But I can't hide and I cannot die I take the dream
I want to escape to a safe haven but I know that I can never fully evade the past, so I must confront it in my dreams.
We're but fools of our fates, on this earth I shall wait By the roots of my soul I am losing control Take the dream
We are controlled by destiny and I am unsure of myself, struggling to hold on to sanity, I need to escape in my dreams.
The sleepers in you Shapes of angels so deep within you Feel your soul drowning Unloosen your soul Drowning in waters of reality
The angels that exist within our subconscious are causing us to feel lost and trapped in the struggles of everyday existence.
Tell me what is reality Tell me tell me thought of god Do dreams fall from god Tell me what dreams may come Break free thoughts all gone We've all come down
What is the truth behind what we perceive? Do our dreams come from divinity? Let go of our thoughts and doubts, as we all descend into reality.
Take me there you're my ticket out a here All come down Take me out a here Take me there We can dream together We can sleep forever
Transport me away from here as we all end up in reality. Together we can escape from this life through our dreams and find solace in our unconsciousness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER JAMES WRIGHT, CARL MCCOY, PAUL ALEXANDER WRIGHT, PETER YATES, TONY PETTITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@georgesanchez5904
Still listening to them after 25 years and still sounds better than anything yoday
@davidforshaw4810
👍Yeah! and Killing Joke!
@westers1514
36 years for me, and yes, still sounds great. I also loved The Mission, but they've not aged as well as FoTN
@evelleis
It seems like a time travel to me, Even after 30 years. Carl's voice is like that of an ancient priest, who possesses ancient knowledge. TIMELESS!
@AlexAlcyone
Yes exactly. He sounds a few thousand years old, not a few decades. To those that can hear it ;)
@raven-pn2dt
i Love this Band Over 25 Years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fields of The Nephilim Greatest Goth Rock Band Ever
@greense65
They are very good. I saw them once a long time ago.
@davidforshaw4810
DEFO AGREE WI YOU!
@robertpetre9378
Forever remains
@josch6334
totally agree