Intelligently selected and sequenced, this near-complete overview of
Fields of the Nephilim's career, excepting the earliest EPs, is both the best starting point for newcomers to the band as well as convincing evidence for the band's compelling blend of styles and sources into a commanding combination. Nearly all of the hits are here -- "Moonchild," "Preacher Man," "Psychonaut" (in its "Lib III" incarnation), "For Her Light," and "Power" -- plus a judicious choice of album cuts. "Chord of Souls" and "Watchman" make the grade, though surprisingly neither the album version nor the single take of "Sumerland" appears. Some of the single edits do bear remarkable differences from the album takes. "For Her Light," as an example, gets a calmer mid-song break, while its conclusion consists of Carl McCoy's vocals run backward over a fade of the main melody, instead of the sudden end on
Elizium. Generally, though, these are the album cuts as recorded, filling out the CD's length to the max. A wise nod to
Earth Inferno appears at the end when the insanely powerful live cut of "Dawnrazor" appears instead of the studio take. Horror novelist Storm Constantine provides appreciative liner notes, detailing the history of the band quite thoroughly and making special note of
the Nephilim's awesome live shows and artistic promotional videos. As a further enticement, initial copies included a second bonus disc with a grab bag of B-sides, alternate takes, and other rarities. "Submission Two" is indeed a fairly screwy dub take of the
Elizium cut, while the "Contaminated Mix" of "Preacher Man" does its best to turn the original into pounding, industrial, dancefloor filler. "Celebrate (Second Seal)" appears from the "Psychonaut" EP, as does the dramatic "Lib. I" take of "Psychonaut." Album cut "Shiva" and a version of "Moonchild" also crop up, but the hands-down surprise is a cover of
Roxy Music's "In Every Dream a Heartache." These musicians acquit themselves with a fine musical performance -- their quiet atmospherics in the song's first half are quite lovely -- but hearing the gravelly McCoy sing about inflatable dolls and bungalow ranch-style can't help but raise a smile. ~ Ned Raggett