The O2 Institute in Birmingham was cloaked in darkness and anticipation on October 25th as Fields of the Nephilim kicked off the first night of their six-date UK run celebrating an incredible 40 years of gothic majesty. The lineup promised a night steeped in atmosphere and history, with Balaam & The Angel and the Heathen Apostles setting the stage for the legendary headliners.
Opening the evening were Heathen Apostles, bringing their distinctive blend of Gothic Americana to the Midlands. For myself, this was the first opportunity to see the Los Angeles-based outfit live and they did not disappoint. Their seven-song set was short but potent, weaving dark country influences with brooding gothic undertones. “Be Careful What You Pray For” and “Red Brick Dust” drew the crowd in with their haunting storytelling and moody instrumentation. By the time they closed with “The Reckoning,” the Apostles had made a clear impression, proving that their unique brand of shadowy Americana translates powerfully onstage.
Next up, Balaam & The Angel a name synonymous with the UK’s gothic rock roots delivered a confident and captivating set that perfectly bridged the gap between the newer openers and the veteran headliners. Kicking things off with “The Wave,” the band immediately reconnected with long-time fans while winning over newcomers. Tracks like “Light of the World” and “I Love the Things You Do to Me” showcased their melodic yet gritty energy, while the set closer “I’ll Show You Something Special” had the audience moving and cheering along. Their performance carried the swagger of a band that’s still very much in command of their craft, reminding everyone why Balaam & The Angel remain such a respected name in gothic rock circles.
Then, as the lights dimmed and the familiar haze of smoke began to roll across the stage, it was time for Fields of the Nephilim. True to form, the band emerged as spectral silhouettes through a dense fog, instantly transforming the venue into a cathedral of shadow and sound. Opening with “Intro (The Harmonica Man)”, the atmosphere was nothing short of ritualistic, the perfect invocation for what was to come.
Over the course of a 12-song set, Carl McCoy and company guided the audience through a journey that spanned decades of their mystic, desert-drenched mythology. Highlights included “Love Under Will” a stunning back-to-back pairing of “Dawnrazor”, and “Moonchild”, each one met with roars of recognition from the devoted crowd. “At the Gates of Silent Memory” offered a slower, more introspective moment, drenched in melancholic grandeur, before the band closed the main set with the thunderous “Psychonaut.”
But the night wasn’t over yet. As the smoke settled momentarily, the band returned for a well-deserved encore, launching into “Last Exit for the Lost” to near end a night steeped in mystery, nostalgia, and raw power. McCoy’s commanding presence, the band’s unwavering precision, and the hypnotic visuals created an experience that felt almost otherworldly.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Fields of the Nephilim gig without a stage shrouded in near-total darkness and clouds of smoke an aesthetic as much a part of their identity as the music itself. The effect was mesmerizing, leaving the audience enveloped in the dreamlike haze that has defined the Nephilim’s performances for four decades.
As the final notes faded and the fog began to clear, the crowd was left both exhilarated and reverent. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of legacy, a communion of the faithful, and a reminder that the Nephilim remain a band unlike any other, still mysterious, still majestic, and still utterly spellbinding after 40 years.
Heathen Apostles photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Deaths Head
Paint The Stars
Careful What You Pray For
Shadow Of The Crows
Red Brick Dust
Two For The Road
The Reckoning
Balaam & The Angel photos & set-list:
Set-list:
The Wave
New Kind of Love
Slow Down
Light of the World
Love Me
Dancing Senseless
I Love the Things You Do to Me
I’ll Show You Something Special
Fields of the Nephilim photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Intro (The Harmonica Man)
Preacher Man
Trees Come Down
Love Under Will
The Watchman
Dawnrazor
Moonchild
For Her Light
At the Gates of Silent Memory
Psychonaut
_________________________
Last Exit for the Lost
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic