Fields of the Nephilim
"Let it spill from my mouth, sweet nectar for a thousand young..."
—Fields of the Nephilim, "Psychonaut"
Fields of the Nephilim are an English Goth Rock band formed in the early '80s by lead singer Carl McCoy, saxophonist Gary Whisker, bassist Tony Petitt, guitarist Paul Wright, and drummer Alexander "Nod" Wright. While they never achieved mainstream success, they have a devoted following and have been highly influential on artists within the Goth Rock and Gothic Metal genres, as well as artists completely outside of the "goth" label, with Nergal of Black / Death Metal band Behemoth being a one-time live member. Their last album, Mourning Sun, was released in 2005 with a completely new line-up. They seldom tour these days, mostly playing one-off shows and festivals in Europe.
Band Members:
- Carl McCoy
- John Carter
- Tom Edwards
- Gav King
- Lee Newell
Former Members:
- Paul Wright
- Tony Petitt
- Alexander "Nod" Wright
- Gary Whisker
- Peter Yates
Discography:
- Dawnrazor (1985)
- The Nephilim (1988)
- Elizium (1990)
- Earth Inferno (1991)
- Fallen (2002)
- Mourning Sun (2005)
Other Releases:
- Returning to Gehenna (1987)
- Laura (1986)
- BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1992)
- Revelations (1993)
- From Gehenna to Here (2001)
The band provides examples of:
- Album Title Drop: Elizium gets its title dropped in "At the Gates of Silent Memory}}.
- Concept Album: Elizium.
- Cover Version: "The Harmonica Man" is a cover of Ennio Morricone's "Man with a Harmonica", previously composed for Once Upon a Time in the West.
- Cthulhu Mythos: Cthulhu is mentioned in "The Watchmen" and "Psychonaut."
- Epic Instrumental Opener: "Endemoniada."
- Epic Rocking: SO MUCH. "Last Exit for the Lost," "At the Gates of Silent Memory," "Submission," and "Sumerland (What Dreams May Come)" are all over 8 minutes long — in fact, the last is over 11 minutes! Listing all the songs in the 6-8 minute range would take too long...
- Glowing Eyes of Doom: Carl's on the cover of Dawnrazor.
- Harsh Vocals
- Nephilim: Well, it's in their name, after all.
- New Sound Album: Mourning Sun is significantly heavier than the previous albums.
- The same applies to the Zoon album by the side-project band Nefilim.
- Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot: The band's style and atmosphere is best described as "post-apocalyptic occult zombie industrial goth cowboys." And it's as awesome as it sounds.
- Non-Appearing Title: Several songs.
- Religion Rant Song: "Chord of Souls."
- Sampling: Dawnrazor and The Nephilim had several soundbites from films, and Elizium had a recording of Aleister Crowley reading his poem "At the Gates of Silent Memory."
- Signature Headgear: Carl McCoy's cowboy/top hat is damn spiffy.
- Something Something Leonard Bernstein: Often, exacerbated by the fact that Carl McCoy claims he doesn't write down lyrics.
- Stop and Go: "Preacher Man."
- Surprisingly Gentle Song: "And There Will Your Heart Be Also."
- Surreal Music Video: Most of them, but Psychonaut Lib III
is probably the most Mind Screwing of all, featuring juxtaposed religious and military iconography and Carl being subjected to the Sundance.
