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
Watchman
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
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Promise calls, 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
Your body falls, my body calls, what are we to do with a clouded view
You follow me through
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
You cannot follow me!
The lyrics of "The Watchman" by Fields of the Nephilim convey a feeling of uncertainty and confusion. The first lines, "Innocence is hurting, a world speaks out of tune; Promise calls, promise falls, what are we to do with a clouded view" suggest a loss of faith in the world and in promises that were made. The presence of the clouded view adds to this sense of confusion, indicating that perhaps there is a lack of clarity or understanding about what is happening. However, despite this confusion, the singer is being followed, as the line "You follow me through" is repeated throughout the song.
As the song progresses, the feeling of uncertainty and confusion only deepens. The lines "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" suggest that the singer is attempting to find some meaning in their life, but the people around them remain indifferent. The idea that the Watchmen never age suggests a sense of stagnation, while the drowning people depict a sense of apathy or defeat. The reference to Kthulhu, a deity from the works of H.P. Lovecraft, adds an element of darkness to the song.
The final lines of the song, "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" reiterate the sense of confusion from the beginning. The repetition of "just another day" suggests that life continues despite the confusion, but the presence of the various entities calling for the singer adds to the overall feeling of uncertainty and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Innocence is hurting, a world speaks out of tune
The world is out of sync and innocence suffers.
Promise calls, promise falls, what are we to do with a clouded view
Promises are broken and confusion sets in.
You follow me through
The listener is following the singer on this journey.
Sadly the tides are changing, my world slips out of you
The artist's world is changing and leaving the listener behind.
Your body falls, my body calls, what are we to do with a clouded view
The listener is struggling while the artist calls out for them.
My life's turning pages, I see a promised day
The singer sees a better life on the horizon.
Watchmen never age here, they just sleep in vain
The singer sees stagnant people who are not living up to their potential.
Drowning people stare here, they don't care to call
People are suffering but do not seek help.
So I rebury the pages, Kthulhu calls
The artist buries the past and looks towards the unknown future.
You'll see, you'll see her when she starts to form
The listener will see something coming into existence.
You'll see, you'll see her when she starts to call
The listener will notice when the mysterious being is beckoning.
In the name of Jesus Christ, won't you fear my name
The artist invokes the name of a higher power for recognition and respect.
I've been around since Moses, your preacher never came
The singer has been present since ancient times, while religious preachers have not.
Follow me
The singer urges the listener to follow them into the unknown.
You sleep, you sleep
The singer addresses the listener's static state.
It's just another day, remember I'm calling for you
The world keeps turning and the artist keeps asking the listener to join them.
Just another day, remember she's calling for you
The mysterious being is reaching out to the listener.
Just another day, Kthulhu, I'm calling for you
The singer invokes a Lovecraftian entity to join them.
Just another day, An empire has fallen from view
Change is happening rapidly and the old ways have fallen apart.
You cannot follow me!
The artist commands the listener to not follow them any longer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER JAMES WRIGHT, CARL MCCOY, PAUL ALEXANDER WRIGHT, PETER YATES, TONY PETTITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind