The Fields Of the Nephilim, as I define them: "the third rib of gothic dark" not that this is relevant, of course, but in general opinion, they are considered one of the most prominent groups in the entire gothic scene along with the 'Sisters of Mercy' and the 'Clan of Xymox'.

Led by the charismatic and fascinating Carl McCoy, the solo singer, and Tony Pettit, the formidable bassist capable of captivating riffs that leave you speechless. The sound of the Fields is essentially "different" from the aforementioned "cousins" but equally effective in their entirety. They are capable of uncontrolled moments of pure madness as in the fabulous SUMERLAND, or of intellectually engaging the listener with the refinements of WAIL OF SUMER (an authentic manifesto to daydreaming).

McCoy's voice is raw, sometimes almost vulgarly coarse but as penetrating as few. The band's stage presentation is a whole program: black spots dressed in leather with cowboy hats (by Carl's own admission, the group has always been fascinated by westerns, especially by Sergio Leone) so imagine what comes out of it: an APOCALYPTIC scenario where they act as Knights...
On stage (especially McCoy), they seem like obsessive ghosts, launched into almost tribal movements that reek of ritualism... Their career is more than enviable. They were born in England in the early 80s (the golden years!!) and presented themselves to the public with an album that sparked much discussion: "LAURA" with the album cover designed by the singer himself (it's unsettling!) a raw album that already outlines its gothic and funerary nuances...

But "ELIZIUM" is of a completely different mold: it's the band's consequent maturation both artistically and musically, it's an intellectual album that transmits a lot on a cerebral level... It opens with Dead but Dreaming, which is an excellent opener, followed by the danceable FOR HER LIGHT, proceeding then with an ANTHEM to introspection AT THE GATES OF THE SILENT MEMORY, a long song worthy of respect to end the side with the evocative SUBMISSION. The madness of our Friends begins to show with the stunning SUMERLAND capable of obsessing and dragging you with Pettit's majestic bass line and McCoy's cavernous voice. But the next track is drool-worthy: WAIL OF SUMER... A masterful sonic composition that delights your ears!! This is genius!! A daydream where it is truly impossible not to be completely captivated and fascinated!!

The FIELDS of the NEPHILIM were then disbanded in the mid '90s by McCoy himself, increasingly lost in his madness as it seems he manifested mental disorders that led to the disbandment. But they would be reunited (by fate?) at the end of the '90s with a cyber/death project that has absolutely nothing to do with the previous masterpieces.

A historic band that unfortunately, in my opinion, never really enjoyed the true success it deserved.

Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos

01   (Dead but Dreaming) (01:28)

02   For Her Light (03:01)

how lonely you are waiting
at the sunday park
I'll elude you
I will loose you
existing were no soul apart
you stand on a platform
your effigy dissolves in my hands
when I feel like someone to lie on
and I feel like someone to rely on
you can't wake up
illusions born of the air
something seems so precious there
I'll elude you
I will loose you
as rehersal of my despair
when I feel like someone to lie on
and I feel like someone to die on
you can't wake up
oh here me
I'm what you have left
here I am
in this necrologue of love

03   At the Gates of Silent Memory (08:24)

04   (Paradise Regained) (02:29)

Come in from the cold
I'll owe you my heart
Be my shelter
Be my refuge from the night
Love of my life
Pour your light
On the faith I can feel
Make it real
Make it real
Make it real

05   Submission (08:30)

06   Sumerland (What Dreams May Come) (11:08)

07   Wail of Sumer (06:23)

08   And There Will Your Heart Be Also (07:37)

We must suffer
To free our pain
Can you help us?
To find our way
You're here to stay
Stay here in paradise

I'll end this moment
To be with you
Through morphic oceans
I'd lay here with you
Only to stay
Stay here in paradise

Only to stay
So lonely
From this maelstrom
Free are you
And I'll lay here with you
Stay here in paradise

Only to stay
So lonely
From this maelstrom free are you
Free and lonely
From this maelstrom free are you
Free and lonely
From this maelstrom to be with you
And I did for you

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Other reviews

By Elizium

 Carl McCoy is somewhat of a replicant, a navigator of dark galaxies, a kind of wandering cowboy teetering between the caricature of Zorro and a diaphanous Beelzebub with a mysterious heart.

 The Fields of the Nephilim bring Elysium into Hades, or vice versa, traverse the latter to find themselves, at times, in the surprise and wonder of the former.