UK goth legends Fields Of The Nephilim are teaming up with Metal Hammer for two exclusive gigs at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London on July 12 and 13. These will be the first gigs the band have played on these shores since their triumphant comeback show at London Astoria in May 2007.

Frontman Carl McCoy explains that fans should prepare themselves for something a little bit special. "We're still fleshing our ideas out and I don't want to give too much away," he states. "But the two shows will be separately themed. One will be called Ad Mortem. The other Ad Vitam. The way the fans are, if you say it's going to be one thing and then it doesn't end up happening that way, they'll jump on it!"

Originally formed in Stevenage. Hertfordshire in 1984, Fields Of The Nephilim swiftly became one of the biggest cult rock bands in the UK, producing a series of widely acclaimed and revered albums that remain among the most powerful goth records ever made, not to mention a significant influence on numerous major figures in today's metal scene. including HIM's Ville Valo and Nevermore's Warrel Dane. Although the band split in 1991. Carl has reconvened Nephilim activities on two separate occasions; an ill-fated reunion with the original line-up in 1998 and then, considerably more successfully, in 2005 when a brand new incarnation of the band released their filth studio album, Mourning Sun, through SPV.

Carl also revealed that fields of The Nephilim are also working on new material, and that they are hoping to use these Hammer-sponsored shows as a way to generate some momentum as they look to their next album.

"We didn't want to do any live shows until the time was right," says Carl. "The new musicians had to understand the concept of the band and have some affinity for it. I didnt want anybody who thought of it as a ticket to a rock 'n' roll life, which isn't what Fields of the Nephilim are about."

Carl ominously revealed that more precise details about the forthcoming gigs will be revealed nearer the time. He also suggests that the shows may be recorded for a future DVD release.

"I'd definitely like to cover these ones." he states. "The original intention was to put out the Astoria show, but we filmed another show earlier this year and it's all adding to a library of footage. Hopefully there will be something released soon.