Elizium
| Elizium | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Fon front elizium small.jpg | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 24 September 1990 | |||
| Recorded | 1990 at Park Gate Studios, Battle, England; Astoria, Hampton Court, England | |||
| Genre | Gothic rock, progressive rock[1] | |||
| Length | 48:03 | |||
| Language | English | |||
| Label | Beggars Banquet | |||
| Producer | Fields of the Nephilim, Andy Jackson | |||
| Fields of the Nephilim chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Elizium | ||||
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Elizium is the third studio album by English gothic rock band Fields of the Nephilim. It was released on 24 September 1990 through record label Beggars Banquet.The album peaked at number 22 in the UK albums chart.[2] It was the last album Fields of the Nephilim would record with what is regarded as their classic line-up of Carl McCoy, Tony Pettitt, Peter Yates, and Paul and Alexander "Nod" Wright.
Background
Using sensational spelling, the album was named after Elysium, a conception of the afterlife that developed over time and was maintained by some Greek religious and philosophical sects and cults. The album was produced by Andy Jackson, also known for his work with Pink Floyd. The introduction for the third song of the album, "At the Gates of Silent Memory", features spoken lines by Aleister Crowley. The lines are excerpts from Crowley's poem "At Sea", recorded in 1920.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | File:Star full.svgFile:Star full.svgFile:Star full.svgFile:Star full.svgFile:Star half.svg[3] |
| Pitchfork Media | 6.7/10[4] |
Ned Raggett of AllMusic in an optimistic review, said "The end result was the band's best all-around album, consisting of four lengthy pieces that showcase their now near-peerless abilities to create involved, textured, driving, and loud pieces of rock." and acknowledge "It was still goth as all heck, but like the best bands in any genre, the Nephilim transcended such artificial limitations to create their own sound.", praising the sound of the album to be "like it's about to call up darkling spirits from the nether planes." He picked out tracks such as "Submission" noting its "switching between minimal bass with guitar stabs and massive crescendos." as well as "Sumerland (What Dreams May Come)" which he claimed "takes the apocalyptic element of the Nephilim to its furthest extent; its relentless pulse supports some of the most powerful guitar out there while McCoy achieves a similar high point with his commanding voice." and concluded "Wail of Sumer" concludes Elizium on a striking two-part note, gently floating rather than exploding over its length, while McCoy's lost, regretful voice drifts along with it as a soft, yet still unnerving conclusion. Combine that with another fantastic job on art design, and Elizium, once you accept the Nephilim's basic conceits, simply stuns."[3]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Carl McCoy; all music is composed by Fields of the Nephilim (McCoy, Tony Pettitt, Paul Wright, Alexander "Nod" Wright, Peter Yates)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "(Dead But Dreaming)" | 1:28 |
| 2. | "For Her Light" | 3:01 |
| 3. | "At the Gates of Silent Memory" | 8:24 |
| 4. | "(Paradise Regained)" | 2:29 |
| 5. | "Submission" | 8:28 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sumerland (What Dreams May Come)" | 11:09 |
| 2. | "Wail of Sumer" | 6:24 |
| 3. | "And There Will Your Heart Be Also" | 7:37 |
Personnel
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References
- ↑ Scharf, Natasha. "The Outer Limits: Fields Of The Nephilim". Prog Magazine. Future plc. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Raggett, Ned. "Elizium – Fields of the Nephilim : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
- ↑ Hansen, Skaht. "Fields of the Nephilim: Elizium: Pitchfork Record Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 22 April 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2013.