Awesome inspiring illuminating transcendent magnificent matchless delightful enchanting delectable exquisite and ... dare I say it? ... magickal! The concert was all I'd hoped for. I'm wowed out and over the moon!

The evening opened with a set from Octavia Sperati, a female metal outfit from Norway. In my opinion they were an excellent choice: I'm all for women playing rock, there ain't enough of it! And they acquitted themselves well enough, considering the circumstances - supporting the Fields of the Nephilim at their first concert in nigh on ten years must surely be as tough a call as a band can get! The Nephilim came on at 8.45 and played until 10.25 - a whole hour and 40 minutes! The playlist was: Shroud, Straight to the Light, Penetration, Dawnrazor, Moonchild, The Watchman, Zoon 3 (Wake World), Requiem, Xiberia, Last Exit for the Lost ... and, as encore, Xodus, Love Under Will and Mourning Sun.

Following years of starvation, the crowd was hungry! I don't think I've ever been to a concert quite like that nor in a crowd like that. As the lights went low the PA rumbled an ominous music I didn't recognize but now know to be The 24th Moment: a tremendous built-up, a huge expectation in the crowd and, for me at least, a kind of fear - is it awe? The audience behind me surged, pressing all around and practically lifted me forward. I never knew I could be 'squashed down' to occupy so small a space! And the heat! The perspiration! Yet despite the discomfort, throughout the evening everybody swayed, danced, sang along, called out, applauded! The new band came on first looking pretty much the part. One of the guitarists (apparently Gizz Butt -- quel nom! -- though they weren't introduced) had shoulder-length, white-blond hair, a black coat and brimmed hat; the bassist sported dreadlocks, a military style jacket and much attitude; the other guitarist had cropped blond hair and as for the drummer ... well I couldn't see him for the dry ice pouring out from behind the drum kit.

Carl McCoy came onstage microphone in hand with Straight to the Light, a stirring and fast-paced intro that roused and shook the audience. He was dressed in raggedy, black leather trousers (tucked into laced boots) and jerkin, over a full-sleeved black shirt (he changed to a white one for the encore) and of course a big, black hat with feathers. He wore on the little finger of the left hand a pentagram ring; and at the throat - t'was hard to see but I think - an elongated pentagram stretched vertically and a little diagonally, NNW to SSE. He went through the usual moves. But these details are barely relevant for his vocal cords are the thing and they were in fine fettle, hitting the low notes
Right
Down
There
so my viscera dived leapt turned and churned colliding and rearranging (but I had a hossie check-up and everything's back in place okay.) Even while I was straining for a view the emotions came right through to me.

As the sound was blisteringly loud it's more difficult to comment on the music. I don't readily tune in to listening at that volume and had a struggle to follow, though nothing was blurred - only my aural processing. |With all the distractions, I was pressed to focus. Camera operators and security staff moved about up front; several people fainted -- quite early on I saw a man passed over people's heads by his friend. Evidently concerned, the security guys handed out plastic cups of water and shone torches into the audience. They did an excellent job. Some of the songs sounded -- I noticed especially on Moonchild -- like they'd been re-worked and the new band sounded generally heavier than the original. But it worked pretty damn good.

The only thing that marred the event was, a handful of people booed the new material. Shame on them! Some seemed to be there on a nostalgia trip and, while there's nothing wrong with that in itself, I think it's obvious this wasn't going to be an 'old songs' evening. McCoy has a new album out and moves forward.

Showcasing some of the faster, 'rock' numbers, with a couple of ballads thrown in, it was an energizing set. This didn't surprise me as McCoy has mentioned in published interviews a preference for performing faster material. All in all, aside from the omission of anything from Elizium, it was a balanced set.

Carl wore the very light-blue lenses he seems fond of. It gave the disquieting effect of black pupils piercing through almost-white eyes -- ugh! -- and struck me, personally, as a metaphor for a spirit trapped in a human body. Especially during the earlier part of the set he looked stern and I was almost scared! I've seen others achieve this effect using masks; but with his charisma and gaunt face McCoy has no need to resort to such obvious artifice. But there's also a kindliness about the face. Several times he smiled a sort of half smile, not at the audience but more to himself, seemed bemused by the furor in the crowd.

Right at the end, after Love Under Will, I heard people call out for Psychonaut; but felt it fitting when he ended on Mourning Sun. The point was made that McCoy is back ... back ... back ... and the new material is as relevant as and can even replace the old. I can only feel happy for him that after the business troubles of previous years he's got a record company, management and band members he can deal with; and can move ahead with his music. It was a truly memorable evening and most people were well satisfied. McCoy and the Nephilim are not forgotten. And I for one am holding my breath in hope of more to come ...