"Mourning Sun", released on 28 November 2005, is the fourth studio album by English gothic rock band Fields of the Nephilim. It marks the band's first studio release since Elizium in 1990, and features Carl McCoy as the only original band member. The album's recording process was a lengthy one, with McCoy and John "Capachino" Carter—who had collaborated with McCoy on earlier projects—spending eighteen months working on demos in McCoy's mobile recording studio, known as "The Ice Cage." The recording sessions took them to various locations, including Norway. McCoy has stated that the sessions produced enough material for a double album, but the final tracklist was ultimately narrowed down to a single disc.
While McCoy has suggested that additional musicians contributed to the album's creation, the only confirmed contributors are McCoy himself and Carter, who played a central role in both the writing and recording processes. McCoy's daughters, Scarlett and Eden, also provided backing vocals for the title track. Although McCoy used some preprogrammed drum tracks on the album, he emphasized that many of the drum parts were played by Carter, whom he credits for much of the album's rhythm section.
The album was released during a period of transition for Fields of the Nephilim, with McCoy remaining the sole constant member of the band. Mourning Sun reflects a return to the gothic rock sound that had defined the band in their earlier years, while incorporating new elements that made it distinct from their previous work. Despite being a largely solo effort, the album was well-received by fans, eager for new material after a fifteen-year hiatus.
