Editing Fields of the Nephilim (section)

==Musical style and imagery==
Fields of the Nephilim's initial sound incorporated elements of [[hard rock]], gothic rock, [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], and [[psychedelic rock]], and comprised a bass- and guitar-driven sound underpinned by McCoy's [[Death growl|growled vocals]]. Lyrically, the band incorporated themes concerning [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]] (specifically [[chaos magic]]), the [[Cthulhu Mythos]], the [[Sumerian religion]], and the works of [[Aleister Crowley]].

Bassist Tony Pettitt cited musical influences including [[Joy Division]], [[the Velvet Underground]] and [[dub reggae]], however, McCoy has also stated in interviews that the band "wasn't influenced by other musicians".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winegarner |first1=Beth |title=CELEBRATE: FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM’S ‘THE NEPHILIM’ AT 25 |url=https://www.popmatters.com/175956-celebrate-fields-of-the-nephilims-the-nephilim-at-25-by-beth-winegar-2495715983.html |website=[[PopMatters]] |access-date=19 November 2024}}</ref>

The band had a "dust and death" image, associated with characters from [[Sergio Leone]]'s [[Spaghetti Western]]s and often wore cowboy [[Duster (clothing)|dusters]] with a weather-beaten look during photoshoots. This weather-beaten look was attained by dusting themselves down with, by their own admission, [[Mother's Pride flour]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Sumerland: Press: Sounds, 1988|url = http://sumerland.devin.com/articles/nephilim-sounds-1988.shtml|website = sumerland.devin.com|access-date = 15 October 2015}}</ref> This also proved problematic for the band as in May 1988, Nottinghamshire Police detained the band while a suspect substance was tested for drugs. This was later determined to be nothing but flour from the stage set.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Flour power Neph 'busted'|magazine=New Musical Express|date=28 May 1988|page=3|issn=0028-6362}}</ref>