Fields of the Nephilim (supposedly): Fallen (Jungle Records)

When Carl Mc Coy sings "I can wait, I've been dead for so long" it seems like he's talking about his career. Jungle Records couldn't wait any longer, and so they released this. Jungle describe it as a new studio album, Carl describes it as demo versions and unfinished pieces released against his wishes, and the truth lies somewhere in between. Certainly this isn't a real Fields album. It includes the two reworked full-band tracks released as the overpriced "One More Nightmare" single in 2000, but the new material (only 31 minutes) is mostly just Carl and Tony Pettitt, with help on one track from Carl's pals from the 1996 Nefilim project "Zoon".

Indeed the notorious "Zoon" is the best comparison point for this new release. While not as heavy, "Fallen" is much closer to it than to the old Fields material. Carl has taken the heavy fast riffing and screaming vocals dominant on "Zoon" and melded them with what little remains of his old Fields ideas to make a record that is surprisingly listenable (though old Nephs fans may disagree) as it touches a range of metal, goth and industrial bases. Sometimes it is just a little too generic, a la Stabbing Westward. The complex lyrics and storylines of the past are stripped back to the pure core of McCoy's concerns: death, otherworldliness, rebirth, and obsession, expressed in sparser, shorter and more deliberately placed words than ever before. The results are often excellent, particularly the strangely driving ballad "Hollow Doll", featuring one of McCoy's finest and richest vocals, and the majestic "Thirst", which recalls his old ten-minute epics even though it goes for less than three. Another winner, which could even be considered for club play, is the incredibly bouncy Nefilim outtake "Subsanity".

Generally, this is very strong material, though some of it could have used more work and perhaps more staff. Part of me wishes Carl had been allowed to finish this thing the way he wanted. A larger part wishes someone had done the same thing to Andrew Eldritch years ago.

Sleepycat.

Vast : Visual Audio Sensory Theatre

"As I spread her thighs, my life flashed before my eyes, soothing disturbing I’m intoxicated with Fear, How Many men have died, in your Dirty Whole?"

These hot Lyrics make me wonder what the toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide is doing to the denizens of the Los Angeles or better known as Hell A? VAST is a sensory experience indeed, thick and rich in audio distorted dreamscapes and rockin undertones, a must for those keen to expand their audiotripout collection. Great for gatherings and romantic debaucherisms in the nude….

Recommended as a definite collectors…"Here" and "Dirty Hole" were more on the intense electro industrial dimension, never disappointing. I give it two middle fingers way up!!!


Mark Nightrider

Nine Inch Nails : The Fragile (Nothing Records)                

OK Ill admit right from the start that I’m biased in this review.  But I have good reason to be.  I like NIN, in fact I think the musical emanations coming from the mind of Trent Reznor are moving, creative and diverse.  I refuse to jump on the gothic bandwagon (that black little beast covered with lace, satin and spikes) and like the products of NIN because they are the products of NIN.   I’m not a popularist.  I think Reznor deserves credit where credit is due, he weaves a rich tapestry of music with many unique and interesting threads.

I was initially skeptical of the release of the Fragile.   Possibly it was the name of the album, or the feeling that NIN could never top The Downward Spiral, or the anti-climax of the first single "The Day the World Went Away".  I remember listening to the release on the radio and thinking "is this it?" Eventually as the album soaked into my mind, I realized that this is a work of sonic art.  The album comes in a 2 CD package – Left and Right (we all have our own theories), and draws upon the mighty electro / industrial / metal sounds that Reznor had melded into his own style.  His ability lies within an aspect of technical genius and the art of writing a catchy song, combined with a sincerity of lyrics and music.  I believe Reznor really puts himself up for display with his music – the pleading cry of We're In This Together Now, the anger of Starfuckers Inc, the cynicism of Where is Everybody and the peaceful but disturbing The Great Below.  Once again NIN have created an album that reflects the emotional turbulence of life, within a framework of musical diversity and mastery.  My respect for this artist keeps rising and rising………

Tavis