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
Xiberia
Fields of the Nephilim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Eighty six degrees)
(Eighty six degrees)
(Yes today)
All Evil it has come from here
the Camphor gets no warmer
Ye Nacoaler*, our Crucified Creator
Down* count to zero burning cold now
Tomorrow
Xiberia
Xiberia
Xiberia
I want to breath
But out of you
Malaria messiah
Burning in the weather
Skin crumbles
skin my life
Xiberia, Xiberia
Xiberia, Xiberia
Xiberia, Xiberia
Heart, heart, heart
We're in the warm*
You're in ????
Higher, higher, higher
Reliving*
No feeling no motion
Yet still alive
(You can see the doorway towards your betrayer)
(Eighty six degrees below)
Eighty six degrees and below
(Heartbeat increases)
(Unleash yourself*)
You're still alive
Eighty six degrees and below
Frozen for the new day
Meriah
Seasons in the Ice cage
We're on fire
Xiberia
Xiberia
(???)
Xiberia
Xiberia
The Field of the Nephilim's song "Xiberia" is a haunting and intense track that is filled with vivid images and metaphors about the struggle for survival in harsh and unforgiving landscapes. The repeated refrain of "Eighty six degrees" creates a sense of urgency and danger, suggesting that the environment in which the song is set is both hostile and deadly. The lyrics describe a place where evil originates and where the central character is struggling to survive against freezing conditions, disease, and betrayal.
The opening lines of the song set the stage for the themes of the rest of the lyrics. The phrase "All Evil it has come from here" creates a sense of foreboding and hints at some dark force that is at work in the environment. The lines "the Camphor gets no warmer" suggest that the central character is facing a constant struggle to stay warm, even as their surroundings grow colder and more forbidding. The image of the "Crucified Creator" adds a religious dimension to the song, creating a sense that the central character is struggling against forces that are beyond his control. The repeated refrain of "Xiberia" creates a sense of placelessness, emphasizing the sense of desolation and isolation in which the character finds himself.
In conclusion, "Xiberia" is a powerful and unsettling song that combines evocative lyrics with a driving rhythm and haunting melodies. It is a song that captures the sense of struggle and survival in harsh environments, and it is a testament to the quality and depth of the Field of the Nephilim's music.
Line by Line Meaning
(Eighty six degrees)
The temperature, perhaps a reference to a specific place or state of being.
(Yes today)
Acknowledging the present moment.
All Evil it has come from here
Suggesting that a source of evil is present.
the Camphor gets no warmer
Camphor is a waxy substance that doesn't warm up, possibly a metaphor for the coldness or lack of emotion in the environment.
Ye Nacoaler*, our Crucified Creator
A reference to a savior figure, perhaps in a religious or mythological context.
Down* count to zero burning cold now
A possible description of an intense or painful experience.
I'll be there for the rest of my life
A commitment to something or someone.
Tomorrow
A reference to the future.
Xiberia
The title of the song, perhaps a place name.
I want to breath
Desire to experience something fundamental, like air.
But out of you
Perhaps a complaint about a lack of vitality or inspiration from a particular source.
Malaria messiah
A reference to a dangerous or unhealthy figure, perhaps a metaphor.
Burning in the weather
Unpleasant conditions that cause discomfort.
Skin crumbles
A description of skin decay or aging.
skin my life
Possibly a fear of deterioration or decay of one's self.
Xiberia, Xiberia
Repeating the title of the song.
Heart, heart, heart
A possible reference to emotions or physical sensations.
We're in the warm*
A statement of being safe or comfortable in a particular place.
You're in ????
The lyrics are unclear, but it may suggest that someone or something is not in a safe or comfortable place.
Higher, higher, higher
A desire to transcend or improve upon something.
Reliving*
A possible reference to nostalgia or revisiting something from the past.
No feeling no motion
A description of being physically or emotionally numb.
Yet still alive
A statement of perseverance or overcoming difficulties in spite of hardships.
(You can see the doorway towards your betrayer)
A suggestion that a betrayal or harm is possible.
(Eighty six degrees below)
A repeated reference to a specific temperature, perhaps a metaphor.
Heartbeat increases
A description of physiological sensations, such as fear or excitement.
(Unleash yourself*)
A direction or encouragement to act without restraint.
You're still alive
A reminder of perseverance or survival despite difficulties.
(???)
The lyrics are unclear.
Frozen for the new day
A description of being immobile or stuck in place.
Meriah
An unknown word or reference.
Seasons in the Ice cage
A possible reference to being trapped or confined in a difficult situation.
We're on fire
A description of being energized or inspired.
Xiberia
Repeating the title of the song.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CARL DOUGLAS MCCOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neilrushton7169
Totally wonderful... 86 degrees and below... indeed...
@MariaHalfevil333
I NEVER stop loving this music, band, wave, mindset, spiritual extazy <3
@fredricful
Du har vert mitt favoritt band siden jeg var liten gutt takk🍀🥰🍀👽🍀
@Itri_Vega
The intro has a boss fight vibe to it. Love it, it's epic.
@davidforshaw4810
YEAH!" IT'S GOT A FLOYD FLAVOUR AT THE BEGINING!" 👍🍄🔑🧩
@andymackie8283
Still a brilliant band
@lotofagiaverboycarne
Never has been and never is going to be a band as great as Fields of the Nephilim!!!
@SubGothius
Pretty sure that "Nacoaler" line is actually, "Yea, in the cool air, I crucify Creator." Rather chilling (no pun intended), to put oneself in the sandals of a Roman nailing Christ to the Cross.
I also suspect the "Skin crumbles" line should be followed by "Skin Moloch" referring to the sacrifice and/or purification rituals by fire associated with the deity by that name.
@smulanlpg
How are you sure he's wrong? Are there official lyrics to be found anywhere? I don't own the physical album yet, so I can't say if they're there. Anyway, Nacoaler doesn't seem to be an actual word or a name - googling it only returns this very same copy/pasted version of the lyrics, containing the same strange usage asteriks, question marks and parentheses.
@davidforshaw4810
INRI: Nature Renewed by Fire made Whole.. Big Thaw!