Fields of the Nephilim / O2 Academy 2 / Leicester
Getting on the train from Nottingham to Leicester I was buzzing. A new venue to check out and a chance to see one of my favourite bands from the 1980’s once again. A short walk from the station, I came to the O2 Academy based in the University of Leicester grounds. A chat with security and I found my way round to Academy 2….. tucked round the back of the main hall. Not an usual experience I wasn’t on the guestlist…. Only two names, but three passes printed. A check of my confirmation email and the mystery third pass was issued. I headed in. A strange venue, once you’re in, it looks like any other O2, but from the outside its an old university building with those old metal frames doors and windows. Holding about 400 with the sound desk in the middle and bar at the back, I headed back to grab a drink while I waited. I have to say, as a gig goer, it’s not a bad place, small yes, but the sound was excellent. As a photographer though, the lighting was not great, mainly from stage rear, and then there was the smoke effects… more of that later !
In support tonight was a band I hadn’t heard of before today – DeadFilmStar. The four piece hit the stage and delivered a blistering short set of sleazy industrial gothic rock. For someone that’s not seem them, I’d say they were for fans of bands like Ministry, Mortiss and (one of my favourites) CombiChrist.
The lights were low with some great yellow spots from the back, creating an eerie atmosphere as the band took to the stage. Gary Mobley (vocals) cuts an impressive figure on stage, with long black hair and black lens as he prowls pausing to pose and glare at the audience menacingly. Ably supported by Lockie Liam (guitar) Steve Hauxwell (drums) Esther Deadflmstar (percussion and keys) they blast out an intense wall of sound.
With a great creepy stage aura, they create some intense music. I love bands like CombiChrist and I really enjoyed this set. Sometimes you wonder how you haven’t heard of some bands and that they deserve a bigger audience. That’s certainly the case here.
Opening with Now I Wanna Be Your God the crowd were enjoying every second of the performance. Once I’d shot the first three songs, I climbed out of the pit to enjoy the rest of the set. For me, the standout tracks were Welcome Back and the last track of the set Hello, Cruel World (video below).
They say good things come in small packages. Well this small 6 song setlist was absolutely spot on. They just oozed atmosphere and attitude – I loved it ! DeadFilmStar felt the perfect set up for Fields of the Nephilim, and to be fair to them, I’d pay good money to see a full headline set.
Set List
Now,I Wanna Be Your God
Soiled, Spoilt & Somewhat Flawed
Filmstar
Welcome Back
Dear Rock N Roll Star
Hello, Cruel World
DeadFilmStar have a new single and video out this week called Goodbye to the World & the Whole Damn Thing. For more information check out their website www.deadfilmstar.com
The place was really full now, and fans were pressed up to the barrier ready for the main act. Fields of the Nephilim were formed back in 1984 and stopped in 1991 when founder and frontman Carl McCoy left the band. (The other band members stayed together performing as Rubicon). The band reformed again in 1998. Masters of the gothic rock genre and in the same vein as bands such as The Mission, New Model Army and the Sisters of Mercy. Indeed in some tracks, (such as For Her Light) I can hear a similar sound to up and coming Manchester band IST IST. They have release five studio albums to date “DawnRazor” (1987), “The Nephilim” (1988), Elizium (1990), “Fallen” (2002) and “Mourning Sun” (2005). The current line up consists of Carl McCoy (vocals), Gavin King (guitar), Lee Newell (drums), Tony Pettit (bass) and Paul Adam Leach (guitar).
I was excited now. This was an exclusive warm up show before the weekend’s Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival at Whitby Pavilion. As I headed into the pit to get some shots, the smoke machines started, and they kept going, and going. As the band came out on to the stage, you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. Great I thought ! The band members casting ghostly cowboy like silhouettes with the long coats and wide brimmed hats, as the intro played McCoy stepped up to the mic. Visually, I can’t help thinking it’s Fields of the Nephilim, not Metallica that should come out to Ennio Morricone’s classic The Ecstasy of Gold. But anyway, for the paying punter the show looked amazing, full of gothic atmosphere and menace, for a photographer it was a nightmare !
What you have to say about Fields of the Nephilim, they are musically excellent. The brooding imagery is also fantastic, with guitarist Gavin King reminding me of a the twins, Merovingian's henchmen in Matrix Reloaded, but dressed in black lol.
It feels like there is no room left in the hall, and their army of devoted fans are shoulder to shoulder. Their dark songs smoulder with emotion. Fields of the Nephilim are a band that don’t move much, but they don’t need to. Somehow their presence and imagery conveys a sense of drama and tension that holds the attention so brilliantly.
The set list is full of favourite tracks right from the off, their huge soundscape filing the room with a melancholic pulse. McCoy’s heavy dark voice delivers unbelievable tension and menace. My favourite tracks of the night were Preacher Man and Dawnrazor (both from 1987’s “Dawnrazor”), and the truly magnificent Moonchild (from 1989’s “The Nephilim”).
The show is simply enthralling, both sonically and visually from start to finish, so immersive and mesmerising. Part way through I headed for the doors for a bit of fresh air as it was so rammed. As I finally struggled through the open doors there were fans outside up the steps in the cool air. It was so full folk were over flowing into the entrance way !
I really enjoyed tonight’s show. The Fields of Nephilim have a large and devout following who travel far and wide to see them, and I can see why. Tonight’s show truly has been a celebration of something quite unique and powerful.
A band that have not hit the limelight and in many ways, are so much better for it. Enjoying what they do, and staying true to their craft. There’s tak of a new album, and I for one can’t wait.
In hindsight, it’s been well worth the trip, and along with DeadFilmStar, it’s been a top night all round. Both bands deserve to be on everyones ‘must see’ list.
Set List
Intro (The Harmonica Man) (Dawnrazor 1987)
Preacher Man (Dawnrazor 1987)
Blue Water (Revelations 1993)
Chord of Souls (The Nephilim 1989)
Vet for the Insane (Dawnrazor 1987)
Dawnrazor (Dawnrazor 1987)
Moonchild (The Nephilim 1989)
For Her Light (Elizium 1990)
At the Gates of Silent Memory (Elizium 1990)
Zoon (Ceremonies 2011)
