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 Watchmen
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Promise calls and promise falls, what are we to do?
With a clouded view, you follow me through
Sadly the tides are changing, my world slips out of you
With a clouded view, you follow me through, follow me through
My life's turning pages, I see a promised day
Watchmen never age here, they just sleep in vain
Drowning people stare here, they don't care to call
I rebury the pages, Kthulhu calls
You'll see, you'll see her when she starts to form
You'll see, you'll see her when she starts to call
In the name of Jesus Christ, won't you fear my name?
I've been around since Moses, your preacher never came
You'll see, you'll see her when she starts to form
You'll see, you'll see her when she starts to call
Follow me
You sleep, you sleep, you sleep
You sleep and see me
Follow me
You sleep, you sleep, you sleep
It's just another day, remember, I'm calling for you Lord
(Remember)
Just another day, remember, she's calling for you
Just another day, Kthulhu, I am calling for you
Just another day, an empire has fallen from view
You sleep, you sleep, you sleep
You sleep, you sleep, you sleep
Follow me
You sleep, you sleep, you sleep
You cannot follow me
The lyrics of "The Watchmen" by Fields of the Nephilim have a deep sense of urgency and a message about the state of the world. The opening lines suggest that something is off, that the "world speaks out of tune." This is likely a comment on a society that has lost its way, where innocence is lost, and the promises made to people are not being kept. The chorus speaks to the idea that the world is changing, and we're uncertain about what to do.
The song also has religious themes, with references to both Jesus Christ and Kthulhu (a fictional character created by author H.P. Lovecraft). The singer's call to fear their name in the name of Jesus Christ is followed by the claim that they have been around since Moses, suggesting that they are a long-standing biblical figure or entity. The final image of an empire falling from view reinforces the sense of change and uncertainty that runs through the song.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Watchmen" seem to be a lament about the state of the world, the loss of innocence, and the feeling that we are living in uncertain times. The religious themes hint at a deeper sense of spiritual unrest, suggesting that the root of the problem may be a loss of faith or a sense of hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Innocence is hurting, a world speaks out of tune
The world is not right, innocent people are being hurt, and everything seems out of sync
Promise calls and promise falls, what are we to do?
Things that are promised often fall through, leaving us feeling helpless and questioning what we can do
With a clouded view, you follow me through
Despite the confusion and uncertainty in the world, you still follow me
Sadly the tides are changing, my world slips out of you
The world is changing, and you are slipping away from me
Your body falls, my body calls, what are we to do?
You are fading away, while I am still holding on, and we're left wondering what we can do about it
My life's turning pages, I see a promised day
My life is moving forward, and I still hold onto the hope of a better future
Watchmen never age here, they just sleep in vain
There are those who are meant to be watching over things, but they're not doing anything and are instead wasting their time
Drowning people stare here, they don't care to call
There are people who are in trouble, but no one is really paying attention or trying to help them out
I rebury the pages, Kthulhu calls
I'm hiding away some kind of knowledge or information, and Kthulhu, a source of dark supernatural power, is calling to me
You'll see, you'll see her when she starts to form
Something is going to reveal itself, and you will finally see it when it becomes more apparent
In the name of Jesus Christ, won't you fear my name?
I call upon the power of Jesus Christ to make those who oppose me afraid of my name
I've been around since Moses, your preacher never came
I've been here for a long time, and the preacher that was supposed to guide you never showed up
Follow me
Come along with me
You sleep, you sleep, you sleep
You are not aware of what's going on around you
It's just another day, remember, I'm calling for you Lord
Even though it's just another day, I am still reaching out to God for help
Just another day, remember, she's calling for you
Even though it's just another day, someone else is calling out to you for help
Just another day, Kthulhu, I am calling for you
Even though it's just another day, I am still reaching out to this dark supernatural power, Kthulhu
Just another day, an empire has fallen from view
Even though it's just another day, a once-great empire has disappeared from sight
You cannot follow me
You're not able to come along with me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hotPINKxoxo
Innocence is hurting
A world speaks out of tune
Promise calls and promise falls
What are we to do, with a clouded view?
You follow me through
Sadly the tides are changing
My world slips out of view
Your body falls. My body calls
What are we to do, with a clouded view?
You follow me through
My life's turning pages
I see a promised day
Watchmen never age here
They just sleep in vain
Drowning people stare here
They don't care to call, so I rebury the pages
Kthulhu calls
You'll see, you'll see her
When she starts to form
You'll see, you'll see her
When she starts to call
In the name of Jesus Christ
Won't you fear my name?
I've been around since Moses
Your preacher never came
You'll see, you'll see her
When she starts to form
You'll see, you'll see her
When she starts to call
Follow me
You sleep, you sleep
Follow me
It's just another day
Remember, I'm calling for you
Just another day
Remember, she's calling for you
Just another day
Kthulhu, I'm calling for you
Just another day
An empire has fallen from view
You sleep
You sleep
Follow me
You sleep - you sleep
You cannot follow me
@jmuk9165
Probably the greatest track on the album in my opinion. A true masterpiece.
@legend2myth958
I can't choose, this has always been superb, Celebrate takes me somewhere else, the opening track is usually the reason I put it on in the first place and Last Exit for the Lost i have no words for, its magical!
@bigscountrygame3510
Definitely! I saw them several times back in the late eighties and this track never disappoints! The transitions are epic! 😎
@shadowlink2000000009
That intro is amazing
@union310
Live ....it was unreal
@bigscountrygame3510
@@union310I’ll second that! 😎
@remaininlightband9267
What a masterpiece this album... Was lucky enough to see them 3 x when they toured for it.... Still magic in my ears
@user-yj9gw3bc4p
What a song
@christof604
Best song ever from FOTN.
Thanks Carl for this amazing song.
Music for the Soul !
A Belgian Fan
@69satie
En Corinto , Honduras , solo tenía esa canción en mi mente , era de noche , lluvioso , en un cuarto apartado de todo y cerca de la frontera con Guatemala.... sentí toda la desolación , fuerza y dureza que esta canción encierra.