Marking four decades of shadowed grandeur, Fields of the Nephilim brought their 40th Anniversary “Four Decades” tour to a triumphant close at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on November 1st. Having already covered the opening night in Birmingham, it was a joy to witness the closing show of this five-date run, a fitting celebration of the band’s enduring legacy in the Gothic Rock world.
From the moment fans began to gather, the atmosphere was charged with the kind of reverent anticipation that always surrounds a Nephilim performance. Cloaked figures and murmured excitement filled the venue, a congregation awaiting their dark sermon. Before Carl McCoy and company took to the stage, the evening opened with two support acts that set the tone perfectly for what was to come.
First up were Heathen Apostles, bringing their striking blend of Gothic Americana and Southern Gothic flair. Having also opened three of the five shows on this tour, the band were clearly at home on this stage. Their set was a haunting, cinematic experience, part outlaw country, part dark cabaret! With songs like “Paint the Stars,” “Shadow of the Crows,” and “The Reckoning” showcasing their signature mix of twang and twilight. There’s a certain raw magnetism to their performance, each song felt like a ghost story being told around a desert campfire. Having already seen them in Birmingham, it was a thrill to catch them again and one can only hope they make their way to Ireland soon to share their music with even more fans.
Next up were Claytown Troupe, the Bristol-born band whose roots in late-’80s gothic rock made them a natural fit for this tour. Playing on three of the five dates, their return to the stage carried a nostalgic weight but also a sense of renewed energy. Their setlist balanced old favorites with a confident delivery that proved they’ve lost none of their edge. Tracks like “Bury My Heart” and “Hate to Hate” struck that perfect mix of grit and melody, while “Alabama” closed their eight-song set with punch and polish. For many in the audience, this was a reminder that Claytown Troupe still deserve a place in the gothic rock conversation today.
Then came the main event! Fields of the Nephilim, whose arrival was heralded by dense fog as is through to form with a Nephilim show. The crowd erupted as Carl McCoy appeared through the haze, wide-brimmed hat and dust-coated attire creating the silhouette that has become iconic in the gothic canon. What followed was nothing short of transcendental.
The setlist remained consistent throughout the tour, a deliberate choice that allowed the band to refine the ritual to perfection. From the ominous power of “Preacher Man” to the sweeping drama of “At the Gates of Silent Memory,” every song carried the weight of forty years of artistry. “Love Under Will” and “Moonchild” sent waves of euphoria through the audience, proving that these songs still hold their spellbinding allure decades later. But it was “Last Exit for the Lost” McCoy’s brooding masterpiece that truly sealed the night. As its sprawling finale unfolded, the crowd stood in awe, united in that shared, almost spiritual moment that only a Nephilim concert can conjure.
After four decades, Fields of the Nephilim remain unmatched in their ability to turn performance into ritual. Their shows are not just concerts but immersive experiences, darkly beautiful, emotionally charged, and profoundly cinematic. As the lights dimmed and the final echoes faded, it was clear that this wasn’t merely the end of a tour, but a celebration of a legacy still very much alive.
An unforgettable night that reaffirmed Fields of the Nephilim’s place as the high priests of gothic rock.
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
Claytown Troupe photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Bury My Heart
Tell Me
Hey Lord
Hate To Hate
The Veil
Real Life
Prayer
Alabama
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
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Last Exit for the Lost
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic