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
The Tower
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summer's fouled, now winter flocks
She lifts her veil to the morning rain,
Wipes her eyes to the summer again
Pearls of dew shimmer on her face
Cut inside, she would dream to taste
She knocks the flowers from the window side
Hide away from the raging sun
Hide your love from the fire beyond
Now the woman in an aging form
She's tangled in the bushes tall
Cowering down with head in hand
She cries out loud, she cries out loud
"Seems so cold, seems so cold tonight!
Seems so cold, seem so cold tonight!"
Hide away from the raging sun,
You hide your love from the fire beyond
She can't see visions of this force below
Freezes her life through (?)
She heads to the voice of this rainy day
And it cries like a choir in her mind to stay
It's "Sister hold now, hold now, hold your head
Dream a cloud put out the fire which is your bed!"
She then danced through the kitchen through the force below
And it cries "Now fun!", but oh so slow
Just living, like a dreamless child with hatred
Just living, like a dreamless child with hatred
She's never been quite as cut by life before,
Never been cut by way of life before
Hide away from the raging sun,
You hide your love from the fire beyond
She can't see visions of this force below
Freezens her life through (?)
She heads to the voice of this rainy day
It cries like a choir in her mind "Just stay!"
"Sister hold now, hold now, hold your head
Dream a cloud put out the fire which is your bed"
She then danced through the kitchen through the force below
And it cries "Now fun!", but oh so slow
The Tower by Fields of the Nephilim is a song that explores themes related to the passage of time, love, and the search for meaning in life. The opening lines describe a woman who is observed lifting flowers from the window box, a symbol of the transience of the seasons. The lyrics suggest that summer has ended and winter has begun. The woman wipes her eyes to the morning rain, perhaps attempting to wash away the pain or confusion caused by the changing of the seasons. The pearls of dew that shimmer on her face may represent the tears that she holds back, further highlighting the theme of impermanence.
The second stanza speaks of the woman's desire to taste the dew, or perhaps to fully experience life, but she is cut inside. This could suggest that she is emotionally wounded, unable to fully embrace life. When she knocks the flowers from the window side, they fall to the ground, a symbol of her own fall from grace. The final lines of the stanza urge the listener to hide away from the raging sun and the fire beyond, as if to suggest that the harsh realities of life should be kept at bay if possible.
The final stanza introduces a more hopeful tone, as the woman is urged to dream a cloud and put out the fire which is her bed. She then dances through the kitchen to a force below that cries "Now fun!", but oh so slow. This line suggests that while life may be difficult, there is still joy to be found in it, even if it is only found slowly.
Line by Line Meaning
She lifts the flowers from the window box
She reaches out to touch the beauty in front of her
Summer's fouled, now winter flocks
The changing seasons can bring both joy and despair
She lifts her veil to the morning rain,
She exposes herself to the refreshing, cleansing water
Wipes her eyes to the summer again
She remembers the warmth and brightness of happier times
Pearls of dew shimmer on her face
The droplets of water reflect the inner turmoil she feels
Cut inside, she would dream to taste
She longs to feel the pain and passion of life more intensely
She knocks the flowers from the window side
She lashes out in anger and frustration
They fall to the ground, they fall to the ground
Her actions have consequences
Hide away from the raging sun
Retreat from the harsh realities of life
Hide your love from the fire beyond
Protect your heart from being consumed by passion
Now the woman in an aging form
The passage of time has taken its toll on her
She's tangled in the bushes tall
She feels trapped and unable to escape her troubles
Cowering down with head in hand
She feels defeated and helpless
She cries out loud, she cries out loud
Her pain is overwhelming and she needs to express it
"Seems so cold, seems so cold tonight!
The darkness and loneliness are suffocating
Hide away from the raging sun,
Retreat from the harsh realities of life
You hide your love from the fire beyond
Protect your heart from being consumed by passion
She can't see visions of this force below
She is blinded to the power that lies beneath the surface
Freezes her life through (?),
Her fear and hesitation prevent her from truly living
She heads to the voice of this rainy day
She is drawn to the soothing sound of the rain
And it cries like a choir in her mind to stay
The rain's voice beckons her to remain in its embrace
It's "Sister hold now, hold now, hold your head
The rain urges her to be strong and keep her head up
Dream a cloud put out the fire which is your bed!"
Imagine a world where your troubles no longer have power over you
She then danced through the kitchen through the force below
She finally surrenders to the power that has been calling to her
And it cries "Now fun!", but oh so slow
The force is patient and gentle in leading her towards joy and liberation
Just living, like a dreamless child with hatred
Existing without purpose, consumed by bitterness
She's never been quite as cut by life before,
Her past experiences have not prepared her for the depth of her current struggles
Never been cut by way of life before
She feels overwhelmed by the challenges that have come her way
She can't see visions of this force below
She is still struggling to understand the power that has been guiding her
Freezens her life through (?),
Her fear and hesitation continue to hold her back from true freedom
She heads to the voice of this rainy day
She is drawn back to the comforting embrace of the rain
It cries like a choir in her mind "Just stay!"
The voice of the rain urges her to stay and not give up
"Sister hold now, hold now, hold your head
She must be strong and persevere through her struggles
Dream a cloud put out the fire which is your bed"
Imagining a better future can help to overcome the pain of the present
She then danced through the kitchen through the force below
She continues to surrender to the power that has been guiding her
And it cries "Now fun!", but oh so slow
The force beckons her towards joy and liberation, but knows that the journey may be slow and difficult
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CARL MCCOY, CARL WISKER, NOD WRIGHT, PAUL WRIGHT, TONY PETTITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel Smith
Gothic sax! Go for it Gary!
N. Afonso
😎❤️❤️❤️✌️✌️✌️
Alexandros Sakkas
ΣΤΗΝ ΛΕΥΚΗ ΜΕ ΑΓΑΠΗ ΑΛΕΚΟΣ 1991 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Alexandros Sakkas
ΠΑΡΑΥΙΟΣ ΚΑΙΝ ΑΒΕΛ
Alexandros Sakkas
ΜΙΧΑΛΗΣ ΖΑΜΠΙΔΗΣ ΚΑΙΝ ΑΒΕΛ
Alexandros Sakkas
ΚΙΚΙΑΝΗΣ ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ ΚΑΙΝ ΑΒΕΛ