en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal The Last.fm journal for s3ntient. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/12/21/1lk1_winter_solstice Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:23:06 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/12/21/1lk1_winter_solstice Merry Winter Solstice!

Now go forth and listen to Winter Solstice by Coil.

Christmas is now drawing near at hand
Come serve the Lord and be at His command
And God a portion for you will provide
And give a blessing to your soul besides

Down in the garden where flowers growing ranks
Down on your bended knees and give the Lord thanks
Down on your knees and pray both night and day
Leave off your sins and live fro' pray tae pray

So proud and lofty is some sort of sin
Which many take delight and pleasure in
Whose conversation God doth smirch as lie
And yet He shakes His sword before He stri'

So proud and lofty do some people go
Dressing theirselves like players in a show
They patch and paint and dress with idle stuff
As if God had not made 'em fine enough

Even little children learn to curse and swear
And can't rehearse one word of godly prayer
Oh teach them better, oh teach them to rely
On Christ the sinner's friend who reigns on high]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/11/01/1lk0_graham_hancock_interviewed_on_dreamland Wed, 1 Nov 2006 01:53:16 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/11/01/1lk0_graham_hancock_interviewed_on_dreamland Graham Hancock has been on one of the great journeys of all time and has discovered the most important moment in history: the moment when the human mind began. The human body and brain were exactly as they are now as long as 130,000 years ago. For most of that time, nothing happened. Then, about 35,000 years ago, there was an explosion of cave art of unforgettable mastery.

In a journey that took him from the depths of the Amazon to the depths of his own mind, Graham actually re-created the conditions that inspired that great art — the first real record of human thought in action.

Listen to his astonishing, inspiring and courageous story on this week’s Dreamland by clicking here. The interview will only be available for the next two weeks.]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/10/10/1ljz_fields_of_the_nephilim:_part_i,_burning_the_fields Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:57:45 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/10/10/1ljz_fields_of_the_nephilim:_part_i,_burning_the_fields This is part I of what is going to be an ongoing series of articles in which I shall endeavor to present a biography of the band Fields of the Nephilim, as well as a review and personal interpretation (where possible) for each album.

Carl McCoy was born on January 18th, 1963 in Lambeth, London, England. His mother was a pious church-going woman whereas his father flirted with the occult, this combination would have a long lasting influence on his interests. As a boy, when reading the Bible, he expressed interest in the elusive Nephilim mentioned in Genesis but his mother told him never to think of or mention them because they were evil. We all know what happens when you tell a child not to do something..
He became fascinated by the Nephilim, mythology and various occult authors and subjects: Austin Osman Spare, Chaos Magick, Aleister Crowley, etc.

Carl McCoy wrote all the lyrics for the band and was largely responsible for it's concept, he came up with the name Fields of the Nephilim which refers to magnetic fields, areas of highly concentrated energy, and the biblical race of the Nephilim. It perfectly encompasses the concept of the band.

By now you must be wondering what exactly are these Nephilim?
Nephilim is a Hebrew word that appears in some Bibles, in others it is translated as giants or titans, it means The Fallen Ones. They are only mentioned twice in the Bible but the Apocryphal Book of Enoch goes into greater detail and is essential reading to fully understand the mythos.
The story goes that after God created Man and Man started to populate the Earth, God sent down a legion of Angels (B'nai Elohim, Sons of God) as shepherds to humanity. They were known as the Watchers as it was their role to observe and assist Man, it is said that they have the appearance of man only taller. But these Angels taught Man sciences that were forbidden by God (astrology, divination, herb lore, magic, etc.) and began to lust after the daughters of men, took them as wives and bore them children. Their offspring are the Nephilim.

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose [...] There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Genesis, Chapter 6

This angered God and he imprisoned these Angels in Gehenna, a place of total darkness, until Judgement Day. The Nephilim however still roamed the Earth. Thus the Great Flood, to punish Man and cleanse the Earth of the Nephilim. Adam's bloodline was saved because it was pure. Although we later find out that the Great Flood wasn't as effective as God had planned as some of the Nephilim survived:

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, [...] And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, [...] So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. [...] And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses [...] And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. [...] And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. [...] But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Numbers, Chapter 13

That in a nutshell is the story of the Watchers and the Nephilim. I'll most likely refer back to this story in later articles and will probably go into greater detail, especially when I tackle the album Zoon.

Back to Fields of the Nephilim:

Fields of the Nephilim formed during 1984 in Stevenage, England. The original lineup consisted of Carl McCoy (vocals), Tony Pettit (bass), Paul Wright (guitar), Gary Whisker (sax) and Nod Wright (drums). Tony, Paul and Nod were originally members of a band called The Mission that split up in 1983, they met Carl a singer looking for a band and after a couple rehearsals Fields of the Nephilim was born. After spending a year composing, writing and touring extensively, they took time out to record and release on their own Tower label their first E.P. Burning the fields EP (1985):



Tracklist:

1. Trees Come Down
2. Back in Gehenna
3. Darkcell
4. Laura

This E.P. was originally limited to 500 pressings although that number was later extended to cope with high demand. It was reissued on CD by Jungle Records in 1993. The cover art is a painting by Carl McCoy.

I first listened to Burning the Fields well after hearing their more recent output and was surprised by the overall quality for a first release.
From the opening moments of Trees Come Down you know that something great is in the making here, all the elements that make Fields of the Nephilim what they became are already present here albeit in a more primitive form. The swirly guitar melody mixed with more menacing riffs, driving bassline, Carl's dramatic tortured vocals, atmospheric synth.. sure the band hadn't quite found their sound yet, the saxophone on Back in Gehenna and Darkcell seems oddly out of place for instance, but you can tell they knew in which direction they wanted to go!
Athough Carl's vocals aren't quite as growly as they'll become, the lyrical themes of later albums are already present: Back in Gehenna paints a hellish picture of an apocalyptic landscape ruled by the Nephilim and Watchers released from Gehenna.
My favourite tracks on this E.P. are Trees Come Down, Darkcell and Back in Gehenna. I must admit I don't really like this version of Laura. All these tracks will get facelifts on later releases. Trees Come Down became an instant classic Nephilim song and a fan favourite.

I wouldn't recommend it to a first time Neph listener, but for someone familiar with their later works it's certainly an interesting document of where it all began.


Based on the strength of this E.P. and the energy of their live performances, Fields of the Nephilim signed to Beggar's Banquet alongside such bands as Bauhaus and The Cult.

Thanks to Jester-NL and his series of Coil reviews for the idea!]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/08/21/1ljy_head-gear Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:33:56 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/08/21/1ljy_head-gear I just got back from the shops where I bought myself a brand new pair of Sennheiser HD-555 headphones to replace my cheap but okay Technics RPF-400. Currently listening to The Ape of Naples and Tales of the Inexpressible with them fresh out of the box and it sounds great, can't wait to hear what they sound like with a week of burn-in time! :) Shpongle has never sounded so good to my ears!
They're so comfortable too, it's almost like I'm not wearing them.

I was originally going for the HD-280 Pro because they're closed backs and provide great isolation, but not a single shop had them so I decided to pay a bit more and get some good open backs instead. Not sure how the 280s would sound, but I'm really happy with the 555s so far :)

I'm a bit peeved none of the shops here carry Beyerdynamic headphones, the DT-250/80 aren't too expensive and I've seen great reviews but I just didn't feel like ordering on the net and having to wait :D

Besides, these will tide me over until I can afford the DT-880 and a good headphone amp :)

All I need now are some new buds to replace my ageing Sony ones.

What head-gear do you use to listen to music?]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/04/11/1ljx_to_reset_or_not_to_reset%3F Tue, 11 Apr 2006 16:51:04 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/04/11/1ljx_to_reset_or_not_to_reset%3F My taste in music has greatly evolved over the past year, bands that used to be my favourites not so long ago rarely get my attention anymore (Nine Inch Nails, Velvet Acid Christ, ...) whereas some recent discoveries have quickly become favourites (Der Blutharsch, Sephiroth, ...).

I feel that some of the new discoveries are at a disadvantage compared to bands I've listened to all this time (Skinny Puppy, The Cure, ...) and have close to no chance of making it to a strong position in my charts.

In a sense, my charts are ok because they accurately show my favourite bands, but they no longer really show what I listen to day to day.

I can't decide, should I leave my charts as they are or should I do the unthinkable and reset my stats?]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/03/19/1ljw_hello_again_everyone! Sun, 19 Mar 2006 02:25:31 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2006/03/19/1ljw_hello_again_everyone! I'm still alive, no need to send a search party :D

My computer had been dying a very slow death for the past year, I had been keeping it barely alive for as long as I could but there comes a time when there's just nothing more you can do. That time came early January, at the same time as my University exams, so I didn't have the time to take care of it right away. I was also in financial dire straits after an expensive christmas, beeing a student without an income.

My parents helped me buy a new computer soon thereafter, then began the slow process of moving all my data from the defunct carcass to the new beast and getting it up and running. I had been using Fedora Core 4 as my operating system but had been growing more and more dissatisfied with it, so I spent some time experimenting with other Linux distros without finding much satisfaction. I finally decided to go back to my OS of choice: Gentoo Linux, however I installed a native 64bit version only to find out later that some essentiel applications didn't quite work as well as their 32bit counterparts. At that point, I decided to give up for a while, install Windows and see what happens. Well that didn't
go too smoothly either, my driver disk for my soundcard was severly scratched and Creative refused to send/sell me a new install disk (of course, you can't simply download the required drivers either) and wanted me to buy a new soundcard...
I finally found someone online who was nice enough to make an image of the disk and send it to me, unfortunately my subwoofer refused to work in Windows, whereas it worked just fine in Linux. On top of that, my prefered music organizer in Windows (wxMusik) doesn't have audioscrobbler support..
Long story somewhat shorter, the computer gods were in league against me and wouldn't let me listen to any music.

During all that fiasco, I was also looking for a part-time job to help alleviate my financial troubles, but was unsuccessful due in part to my class schedule which is a bit all over the place. I've recently been offered a full-time job in the IT security field (penetration tests, audits, etc..), so I've spent some time mulling over whether I should quit my studies and take the job, or continue studying.
I've finally decided to take the job, so I'm in the process of getting all that sorted out.

I've also had a few personal issues crop up during that time period that I don't really feel like expounding upon...

So it's been a busy time for me, I've hardly had the time or the ability to listen to any music since January and with the subwoofer not working, I've spent most of my free time getting back to playing games (especially Ultima Online).

Anyway, I've now fixed all my computer troubles, sorted out my life for the time beeing, and am now back amongst all of you great people here on last.fm :)

I would like to sincerely apologize to everyone that I've failed to keep in touch with during this time.


Anyway, this is last.fm so let's get to the important stuff: what have I missed? Any good releases while I was gone?? And what's up with the new Throbbing Gristle only coming out in September, hasn't it been ready for months already???

Oh and what's this shoutbox thingy?

I just got my hands on the Underworld Evolution Score that features an new track by cEvin Key & Ken 'Hiwatt' Marshall entitled 'EracTou', it's a remix of Running (Back & Forth) and it's really good... here's hoping for some new Skinny Puppy material soon!]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/09/1ljv_the_best_and_worst_of_2005 Fri, 9 Dec 2005 00:42:12 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/09/1ljv_the_best_and_worst_of_2005 Music released in 2005 that I really enjoy:
01. Fields of the Nephilim - Mourning Sun
02. Last Rites - The Many Forms
03. Sephiroth - Draconian Poetry
04. Frozen Rabbit - 26,000
05. Skinny Puppy - The Greater Wrong of the Right Live (DVD)
06. Coil - ...And the Ambulance Died in his Arms
07. Desiderii Marginis - That Which is Tragic and Timeless
08. The Cure - Seventeen Seconds (Deluxe Edition)
09. The Cure - Pornography (Deluxe Edition)
10. The Cure - Faith (Deluxe Edition)
11. Sol Invictus - The Devil's Steed
12. Kammarheit - The Starwheel
13. Current 93 - Judas as Black Moth
14. Merzbow - Merzbuddha
15. Atrium Carceri - Kapnobatai
16. Frozen Rabbit - Slow Endless Boy
17. Death in June - Abandon Tracks!
18. Brighter Death Now - Kamikaze Kabaret

Music released in 2005 that really sucks:
01. Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
02. VNV Nation - Matter + Form
03. Rammstein - Rosenrot
04. Jakalope - It Dreams
05. KMFDM - Hau Ruck!
06. New Order - Waiting for the Sirens' Call
07. :Wumpscut: - Evoke

Music released in 2005 that I have yet to listen to:
01. Coil - The Ape of Naples
02. Edward Ka-Spel - A Red Long Ladder to the Moon
03. Edward Ka-Spel - O Darkness! O Darkness!
04. and many many more...

I'm probably forgetting some stuff, so I'll update this as I remember :)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/04/1lju_%27mourning_sun%27_lyrics_(updated:_friday,_dec_9th) Sun, 4 Dec 2005 09:01:16 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/04/1lju_%27mourning_sun%27_lyrics_(updated:_friday,_dec_9th) Ok so the booklet that comes with 'Mourning Sun' by Fields of the Nephilim lacks a lot of the lyrics, so I stayed up all night trying to make sense of it all. I did my best but there's still some missing so all help is welcome :)

* means I'm not entirely sure, but that's what I understand
??? means a word or phrase is incomprehensible to me
( ) is stuff that's whispered or in the background
{ } is the angelic song, I may be hallucinating but in some places I think I hear voices
[ ] is what sounds like samples

Good luck :)

------------------------------------------
Shroud (Exordium)
------------------------------------------
(Come home)
???
???
???

Cover his face so that he may not see the light
(That's the one) malek menoodehah (I return to/for you)
(buried so alone)

Heaven will shine no more
Solitary without light

(until that day)
???

(Ice, ice, ice, ice, ice)

Frozen
(light)
Chosen
(time)
Chosen
(life)
Chosen
(life)
Frozen
(life)
Chosen
(life)

???
(I found this place ??? and it is ???)
(We are angels ??????)
???
------------------------------------------
Straight to the Light
------------------------------------------
I will fly again
I will fly again

All our days are numbers
We bare the face of men
The rain, the skies are changing
But I will fly again

Look up, look down
Look up, look down
Look up, look down
Look up
Look straight into the light
{you and I will fly again}
{you and I again}
Look down

Is it the face we know?
Or something beyond the soul?
We served this world like angels
Been burned both night and day
Now we turn with eyes blazing
Well its time for us to go

Look straight into the light
Look straight into the light
You and I will fly again {you and I will fly again}
You and I again {you and I again}
Look down

The sky is burning
No night can fall
Zero dark
(look out)
I'm of the world
(look out)
The light of truth outshines
(look out)
The light of the sun
Open your eyes
Open your eyes

Look straight into the light
Look straight into the light
Look straight into the light

Watching the world fall away
Gathered most high to the flame
(look straight into the light)
Thousands of suns light the way
(look up)
A myriad of Angels await
(look straight into the light)
(Look up, look down)

I will fly again (nephilim child)
Look up

The light of truth
Always outshines the light of the sun
We are wise to ???
I will fly again
Look up
------------------------------------------
New Gold Dawn
------------------------------------------
Everything and everyone
You're everything, you're everyone
You're everything, you're everywhere

Can't take from here
Can't take no more
You're everything of mine
You're looking* love away
You're everything to me
(tomorrow)
I can't look away
(tomorrow)

Tomorrow

I'm loosing sight, Can you look behind?
Is it burning bright, on the other side?

Tonight
Today
Too late

And the memories won't fade
I'm still there without you
You got to learn from your* sight*
Burn like me and you

Tomorrow
Tonight

And I need time no more
(tomorrow)
When you can't cry no more
(tomorrow)
And our love died before
(tomorrow)
Look behind no more
(tomorrow)

It’s just another fine day, recall
Don’t follow me down, no more
As we rise we form
A new gold dawn

On me*

Tonight
Today
Too late
Too late

And I need time no more
(Too late)
When you can't cry no more
(Too late)
And our love died before
(too late)
Look behind no more
(too late)

Tomorrow
Too late
Tonight
Tonight

And I need time no more
------------------------------------------
Requiem XIII 33 (Le Veilleur Silencieux)
------------------------------------------
Can you hear me now?
Can you feel?
Can you see me now?
Then reveal

(Which way from here?)
Feel
(Which way from here?)

Look away
Your time has come
Turn away
Are you happy here?

Open the door
Let me in
Face me now
And burn within

Awaken us
Don't you throw it all away
There's a place for us
I know another way
How does it feel?
Everytime/Everytide(?)
Now you will feel
That I'm on your side
How do you feel?
Does it burn inside?
Do you know?
Things to come?
Don't you know?
Do you not believe? (Nephilim)
See/Save(?)....
See beyond the lie/Save your new life(?)
And move lunch*
Until you feel inside

Not for them/Nephilim(?)

(Which way from here?)
------------------------------------------
Xiberia (Seasons in the Ice Cage)
------------------------------------------
(86 degrees)
(86 degrees)
(86 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
I'll be there for the rest of my life
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)
(86 degrees below)
86 degrees and below
(Heartbeat increases)
(Unleash yourself*)
You're still alive

86 degrees and below
Frozen for the new day
Meriah
Seasons in the Ice cage
We're on fire
Xiberia
Xiberia
(???)
Xiberia
Xiberia
------------------------------------------
She
------------------------------------------
Closer we serve her
Further we stay
Lost in the winter
Ghosts of today

Keep calling,
Keep crying her name
Keep calling,
Keep walking that way

When the rain has gone
And I’ll wipe those tears away
Play the game with God
It’ll wash those years away

Tears have turned to ice
(turned to ice)
Feel you by my side
(hear you cry)
Want to hear you cry
(not alone tonight)
Not alone tonight
(by my side)

Where is she?
(where is she?)
Where is she?
(where is she?)

We were never really here
We are waiting for the rain here

And the rain will come
(gonna wipe those tears away)
Rain wash away your fear
And I'll lay you down
(gonna wash those years away)
Rain could it a thousand years (or We could live a thousand years)

And when the rain has gone
(it'll wipe those tears away)
Washed away are all your sins
And rain will fall
(It'll wash those years away)
You and I were never there

Tears have turned to ice
(tears from your eyes)
No one here but I
(only dreams survive)
Nothing can survive
(Thought you’d never die)
Want to hear you cry
(Thought you’d never lie)
Tears have turned to ice
(tears from your eyes)
Be the butterfly
(be the butterfly)
Never close your eyes
(close your eyes)
When I hear you cry
(Echoes through the ice)
(Tears from your eyes)
(searching all my life)
(to only say goodbye)
(now I hear you cry)
Just return to life
(She returns to light)
Only dreams survive
(only dreams survive)
Echoes through the ice
(echoes through the ice)
Can you hear me... cry?

Cry...
Cry!

{I'll be watching over you now}
{?????}
{I'll be watching over you now}
------------------------------------------
Mourning Sun
------------------------------------------
(Wake me up)
(We’re here)

(Shekinah)

[Then I saw a new Heaven]

(Light)
(Rise)

(You evolve in my time)

[For the first Heaven and the first Earth have passed away]

(From this moment on you are born*)

[Then I saw a new Heaven]

Yeah, We are Fallen
Like the mourning sun
We are waking up

Yeah, We are Fallen
Like the mourning sun
It's just begun

This old world will pass away
This is the dawn of our new day
We didn’t fall from Heaven
We didn’t fall for you

Rise!

Yeah, We are Fallen
Like the mourning sun
We're waking up

Yeah, We are Fallen
Like the mourning sun
The mourning sun

(We're here)

Like the morning sun
The morning sun
I’m alive

(Shekinah)

{Don't you see, I'm never* away}
{I'll be watching over you now}
(Why won't she move?)
{????? I think of you ???}
(Why? ???)

Wake up
Melt
Melt
(wake up)

Yeah, We are fallen
Like the mourning sun

Yeah, We are fallen
Like the mourning sun

We’ve fallen like rain
I’ve been waiting for the day
And the light has made*
I will rise again

And our wings will unfold
And be painted like gold
And I saved my soul
I’m alive again

(morning son)

I will rise again
(like the morning sun)

We will rise again
(like the morning sun)

[Then I saw a new heaven and a new Earth,
The first Heaven and the first Earth have passed away]

{I've been sent to pray* over you}
(????)
------------------------------------------
In the Year 2525
------------------------------------------
(In The Year 2525)
(3535)
(4545)
(5555)

in the year 2525
if man is still alive
if woman can survive
they may find...

(In The Year 2525)
(3535)
(4545)
(5555)

in the year 3535
ain't gonna need to tell the truth tell no lies
everything you think do and say
is in the pill you took today

in the year 4545
ain't gonna need your teeth won't need your eyes
you won't find a thing to chew
nobody is gonna look at you

(In The Year 2525)
(3535)
(4545)
(5555)

in the year 5555
your arms are hanging limp at your sides
your legs got nothing to do
'Cos some machine is doing that for you

in the year 6565
ain't gonna need no husband won't need no wife
you'll pick your son pick you pick your daughter too
from the bottom of a long glass tube

(In The Year 2525)
(3535)
(4545)
(5555)

in the year 7510
if God's a-comin' he ought to make it by then
maybe he'll look around and say
"I guess it's time for the Judgement Day"

in the year 8510
God is gonna shake his mighty head
he'll either say "I'm pleased where man has been"
or tear it down and start again

in the year 9595
I'm wondering if man's gonna be alive
he's taken everything this earth can give
and he ain't put back nothing...

(now it's been 10,000 years)
(man has cried a billion tears)
(for what he never knew)
(now man's reign is through)
(but through the eternal night)
(the blinding starlight)
(so very far away)
(maybe it's only yesterday...)

(In The Year 2525)
(3535)
(4545)
(5555)

in the year 2525
if man is still alive
he's taken everything this world can give
and that'll be soon

(???)
(???)
(end of the road)
[For the first Heaven and the first Earth have passed away]
[???]
[so far from hell]
(so far from hell)
(it's all fading)
(the light)
(the warm safe)
(warm soul)
(we cannot show)
(the warmth to our soul)
(for we will burn)
(before we're free)
You cannot live through this
Like death is our warm kiss
We changed the chance
Ruled the dance
your blood is on our lips
and we can't go further
and no further now
no it ain't much further
Ain't much further now
(???)
(???)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/02/1ljt_review:_fields_of_the_nephilim_-_%27mourning_sun%27 Fri, 2 Dec 2005 00:20:55 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/02/1ljt_review:_fields_of_the_nephilim_-_%27mourning_sun%27 'Mourning Sun' was officially released in Europe this week, I’ve been listening to it incessantly for the past month and it’s about time I attempt to write a review:

Almost ten years after his last offering, The Nefilim’s ‘Zoon’, Carl McCoy returns under the name Fields of the Nephilim with a splendid new official album entitled ‘Mourning Sun’ that rivals even their magnum opus ‘Elizium’. Don’t be fooled by the name though, this isn’t a reunion, only Carl McCoy remains from the original lineup.
It’s hard to believe we’re actually seeing a new Fields of the Nephilim album being released after the band’s split, the disappointing reunion and the even more disappointing unofficial demo collection that was ‘Fallen’. One would think that after so long, expectations would be so high that nothing would be able to satisfy us rabbid fans especially since ‘Elizium’ is the apotheosis of goth-rock, however ‘Mourning Sun’ not only lives up to these expectations, it far exceeds them!

‘Mourning Sun’ follows a compositional structure similar to ‘Elizium’ with tracks that flow into each other, beautiful atmospheric soundscapes, lush layers, spiralling twangy guitars and pulsating basslines. However this album is notably heavier than ‘Elizium’, not so much as ‘Zoon’ but there are definately elements from The Nefilim, especially in the song “Xiberia (Seasons in the Ice Cage)”. Carl has stated in interviews that the entity known as The Nefilim is no more, ‘Mourning Sun’ is the culmination of both bands which are now one and that is indeed the case.

“Shroud (Exordium)” opens the album with a choir, Carl’s demonic whispering send shivers down your spine whilst a child is heard crying in the background somwhere. The track slowly builds into a crescendo with guitars and drums breaking through and progressively getting heavier. This works perfectly as an intro song that leads seamlessly into “Straight Into the Light” as an evil laugh is heard.
“Straight Into the Light” is a bombastic rock song with a very psychonaut-ish bassline that builds up as the song progresses, great vocals by Carl and a great beat.
“New Gold Dawn” is one of the more classic Nephilim sounding songs on the album, the melody and riffs are really catchy.
“Requiem XIII 33 (Le Veilleur Silencieux)” starts off with birds chirping, thunder and rain whilst a ghoslty synth melody and lonely guitar slowly fades in. This song is very minimal and atmospheric, a slow thunderous beat comes in about half way through.... It reminds me a lot of “At the Gates of Silent Memory”.
A slow drone leads us into “Xiberia (Seasons in the Ice Cage)”, the heaviest track on the album. Reminiscent of ‘Zoon’, the distorted vocals, unrelenting drums, electronic beats and heavy guitars provide a real impenetrable wall of sound that brings images of violent snow storms to mind. This terrifying aural assault only reinforces the beauty of the next two songs which form a 20 minute epic.
“She” is a gorgeous ballad that brings tears to my eyes each and every time I listen to it, so sad yet filled with hope. The guitars on this track sound a lot like on ‘Elizium’, Carl sounds so honest on this song! Can you hear me… cry? His vocals on this track are simply amazing.. probably his best. This is my favourite song of the album, a real gem. It also has a classic Nephilim vibe to it, but more mature. The track slowly fades away and mutates into the title track.
“Mourning Sun” opens slowly, suddenly the drums come crashing in as a passage from the Bible is read. This is another gorgeous song that has many many layers, a beautiful foreboding synth melody and great guitar riffs, you can almost feel the Watchers starting to wake up. The short reprise at the end is simply genius.
“In the Year 2525” is the bonus track on the Limited Edition version of the album. I’ve never heard the original so I can’t compare, however I really like the Nephilim version! The bass is awesome, as are the riffs and the beat.. it sounds very.. apocalyptic? It reminds me a lot of ‘Dawnrazor’, this song wouldn’t be out of place on that album. The last half of the song is also reminiscent of “Last Exit for the Lost”.

The album comes in a plain black jewelcase housed in a digipack slipcase, the artwork is stunning and like previous Sheer Faith artwork is rich in symbolism and hidden elements waiting to be discovered… much like the music. The lyrics are printed in beautiful calligraphy however they are incomplete which is unfortunate.

This truely is the return of Fields of the Nephilim, a wonderful album that to me doesn’t have any flaws. In fact, it has become my second favourite Nephilim album, ‘Elizium’ being the first and ‘The Nephilim’ third even though it contains a lot of my favourite songs by the band. This is a conceptual masterpiece of magickal art that shouldn't be overlooked by anybody.

You should most definately drop whatever it is you’re doing right now and go out to buy this album. I said right NOW!

What do you think of 'Mourning Sun'?

Connections: Fields of the Nephilim, The Nefilim, Elizium, The Nephilim, Dawnrazor, Psychonaut, Shroud (Exordium), Straight to the Light, New gold dawn, Requiem XIII 33 (Le Veilleur Silencieux), Xiberia (Seasons in the Ice cage), She, Mourning Sun, In the Year 2525, Last Exit for the Lost]]> http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/01/1ljs_the_pony_is_here! Thu, 1 Dec 2005 17:57:57 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/s3ntient/journal/2005/12/01/1ljs_the_pony_is_here! I absolutely love the new recommendations system!
Everything is neatly organized in one place, no more hunting around for all this information :)

The new for your site page looks promising, I like the charts idea however it's not really flexible enough yet, so I'll carry on using the XML feeds.

And best of all, Cluster 2 seems to be working again! I finally have my total tracks played back and my charts are now acessible and updating. Let's hope the curse of cluster 2 has now been lifted... *crosses fingers*]]>