When we heard in late 2005 that there was a new album on the way from legendary 80's alt-rock band Fields of The Nephilim, our collective mouths here at the Kommand Kennel were set to drool mode. 16 years on since the last official FOTN release, not counting the abortive heavy project The Nefilim, we were eager to hear what had become of McCoy. Their former label released an album in 2002 under the band name consisting of rough cuts and unfinished demo's, "Fallen", which had a couple of good tracks but nothing great, and it was disowned by McCoy upon release as not an official or endorsed product. But when "Mourning Sun" came out... finally... ye fucking gods... an absolute stunner of an album, which has to be heard to be believed, and listened to to be understood. Layer upon layer of emotion, atmosphere and pure power.
Official site:
www.fields-of-the-nephilim.com Myspace:
myspace.com/fieldsofthenephilim
FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM (woohoo! they're back!)
"MOURNING SUN" album review
(Oblivion/SPV Records)
Fifteen years is a long time and there are many casualties that fall by the Wayside of Lost Bands... Fields Of The Nephilim however, specificaly band founder Carl McCoy, were never casualties, rather a shadowy spectre whose presence influenced countless bands over the last 20 years. So many bands make a comeback with lacklustre albums full of fillers. But with Mourning Sun, McCoy has an album of 7 epic tracks that do not disappoint in any shape or form.
From the opener "Shroud (Xordium)" to the awesome epic 12-minute title track "Mourning Sun", this is a multi-layered journey through the alternasphere of gothmetal. While harking back to the legendary "Elyzium" album of the early Nineties, there are also the better elements of McCoy's short-lived The Nefilim project present, and the fusion of these - along with incredible atmospherics, McCoy's trademark husky growl and top-notch production - has created an album which may now be the best Fields Of The Nephilim album of them all. McCoy's conspirators on this album are unknown, chances are it's all his own work from the production to the playing. Much like his Sisters of Mercy counterpart Andrew Eldritch, McCoy IS the band. Anyone he chooses to work with in the meantime is just a passing phase. This is currently our signed-artist album of the year. Buy it and be awestruck. Absolutely fucking awesome.
NoiseMatters rated:
(4½/5)
