VNV Nation's inspiration was originally the clash of the modern and classical European cultures, where mythology and technology live in an uneasy fusion, but this has since broadened to encompass a world view. The music ranges from electronic dance music to ballads and classically inspired music. Inspirations are taken from a wide range of styles including contemporary underground club culture, industrial, trance and classical music. The lyrics draw on philosophy, religion, literature, art, politics and different forms of symbolism, although VNV Nation does not advocate any ideology. It is a metaphor for expression. The letters VNV stand for "Victory Not Vengeance". The meaning behind this stylised motto is that one should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret.
VNV Nation's first releases were in 1990 with two self produced vinyl releases, "Body Pulse" and "Strength of Youth" (which are now long deleted with Ronan Harris himself not having a copy). After working on some VNV Nation tracks and supporting Nitzer Ebb on tour whilst living in Toronto, Canada, Ronan returned to London and released some tracks on sampler CDs. This caught the interest of German label Discordia and in July 1995, "Advance and Follow" was released. At around about the same time, Mark Jackson joined the band.
In January 1998, VNV Nation signed with the German label, Off Beat Records, releasing their second album "Praise the Fallen" in June 1998 and the EP "Solitary EP" in September 1998. With VNV Nation increasing in popularity, they began their first headline tour in Germany in September 1998.
In 1999, the Off Beat label collapsed, leading to VNV Nation (along with other artists such as Covenant, Suicide Commando and Velvet Acid Christ) collaborating with Stefan Herwig (a former A&R manager with Off Beat) to create Dependent Records. In late 1999, the album "Empires" was released, staying at number 1 in the German Alternative Chart (DAC) for seven weeks, and winning the award for DAC Album of the Year.
From "Empires" two singles were released "Darkangel", which tops the DAC for 5 weeks in mid 1999 and "Standing", which stays at no.1 in the DAC for 8 weeks in early 2000 (the maximum a single can remain in the DAC) winning a German Alternative Music Award for most successful single of 2000 and sharing the place for most successful single in the DAC's history with the Chemical Brothers. A limited edition of the "Standing" single was also released entitled "Standing / Burning Empires" which contained alternate versions and remixes by VNV Nation of tracks from "Empires". This remains one of the most sought after VNV rarities, fetching large sums on auction sites, although it has recently been released on iTunes to allow casual listeners to purchase it.
In March 2001, "Advance and Follow v2" was released as a limited edition, which was a remastered and partially re-recorded version of the original 1995 album "Advance and Follow". The band were never particularly happy with the first album due to it being recorded in less than a week, so the release was seen by the band as a way to put that right.
In October 2001, VNV Nation embarked on their "Futureperfect" tour of Europe and North America, promoting the album "Futureperfect" which was released in January 2002. It reached number 25 in the full German Album Charts, with the single "Beloved" reaching number 60 in the full German Singles Chart. Following the release of "Beloved", VNV Nation part ways with Dependant and create their own label "Anachron Records".
In June 2003, the Honour 2003 EP is released, promoting the "Pastperfect" live DVD, which following many delays and problems was finally released in May 2004. Following this the rest of 2004 and beginning of 2005 was spent producing the album "Matter and Form", which was released in April 2005. Preceeding the album release, one of the tracks "Chrome" was sold in March 2005 as a download on the VNV Nation website, as well as iTunes.
In April 2007, the album "Judgement" was released, and an extensive world tour in support of the album followed. In January 2009, VNV Nation published their plans for 2009 on their website, indicating that the long delayed "Reformation" EP would be available, but now as a full "CD Pack". Also due for release in 2009 is the new album entitled "Of Faith, Power and Glory".
In November 2017 Mark Jackson left the band to "pursue other paths in life".
To read more about Ronan Harris and his motivations behind the band and 2009's "Of Faith, Power and Glory," please visit http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/interview-ronan-harris-of-vnv
Chosen
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Along the walls of the houses, which seemed dead and deserted,
While, behind the closed shutters, eyes watched the conquerors,
Who, by right of war, were now masters of the city and of the lives
And fortunes of its people.
In their darkened ruins the inhabitants have given way to the same
Feeling of panic which is aroused by natural cataclysms those
Strength alike are of no avail.
Though the same feeling is experienced wherever the established
Order of things is upset, when security ceases to exist, when all that
Was previously protected by the laws of man and nature is suddenly
Placed at the mercy of brutal unreasoning force.
The earthquake, burying a whole people beneath the ruins of their
Houses, the river in spate, sweeping away the bodies of drowned
Peasants, together with the carcasses of cattle and rafters torn from
Roofs, and the victorious army slaughtering all who resist, making
Prisoners of the rest, looting by right of the sword, and thanking their
God to the sound of cannon.
All these are terrifying scourges which undermine all our belief in
Eternal justice and all the trust we have been taught to place in divine
Protection and human reason.
The lyrics of VNV Nation's "Chosen" depict the chaos and destruction that occurs when the established order of things is disrupted, and the feeling of terror that ensues. The first verse describes a conquering force that has taken over a city, leaving its inhabitants to watch in fear from behind closed shutters. The guttural tone shattered the order, and the once protected lives and fortunes of the people are now at the mercy of the conquerors. The tone of the lyrics create a sense of dread and unease that permeates throughout the song.
The second verse compares the feeling of panic caused by the disruption of established order to the same feeling of helplessness that people experience during natural disasters. The devastation caused by earthquakes or floods cannot be stopped by human wisdom or strength, just as the conquering force cannot be stopped by the laws of man and nature. All that was once protected is now vulnerable to unreasoning force. The third and final verse describes the various forms of terror that can undermine the trust that people have in eternal justice and divine protection. The victorious army slaughters those who resist and loots by right of the sword, while thanking their God to the sound of cannon.
Overall, "Chosen" by VNV Nation is a poignant reflection on the fragility of established order and the terrifying consequences that occur when that order is disrupted.
Line by Line Meaning
Order is shattered in a strange guttural tone that resounded
The chaos of war has shattered the established order, leaving the conquerors in control and the people helpless and afraid.
Along the walls of the houses, which seemed dead and deserted,
The once lively and bustling streets are now deserted and lifeless, as the people in hiding silently witness the brutal takeover.
While, behind the closed shutters, eyes watched the conquerors,
The people in hiding watch helplessly as the conquerors take over their city, taking control of their lives and possessions.
Who, by right of war, were now masters of the city and of the lives
The conquerors have claimed ownership of the city and the lives of its inhabitants, using the power of war to justify their actions.
And fortunes of its people.
The conquerors also now hold the wealth and possessions of the people, adding to their power and control.
In their darkened ruins the inhabitants have given way to the same
The ruined city is now filled with panic and despair, as the inhabitants feel helpless in the face of the devastation and loss caused by the conquerors.
Feeling of panic which is aroused by natural cataclysms those
The feeling of panic and destruction caused by the conquerors is likened to that caused by natural disasters, as both leave people feeling vulnerable and powerless.
Devastating upheavals of the Earth, against which wisdom and
Natural disasters, like earthquakes and floods, are unstoppable forces that cannot be reasoned with or stopped by human knowledge or strength.
Strength alike are of no avail.
In the face of such destruction, even the strongest and most knowledgeable are powerless to stop or prevent it.
Though the same feeling is experienced wherever the established
The feelings of panic and despair caused by the conquerors are not unique to this city, but are felt whenever the established order of things is disrupted and chaos ensues.
Order of things is upset, when security ceases to exist, when all that
When the security of the established order is gone, and everything that was once protected is now at the mercy of chaotic forces like war and destruction, people are left feeling vulnerable and afraid.
Was previously protected by the laws of man and nature is suddenly
The laws and rules that once protected people from chaos are now meaningless, as the conquerors ignore them and the natural disasters disrupt them.
Placed at the mercy of brutal unreasoning force.
In this chaotic state, people are left at the mercy of those who use brute force and ignorance to dominate and control them.
The earthquake, burying a whole people beneath the ruins of their
Natural disasters like earthquakes not only cause physical destruction, but also can lead to the deaths of entire communities, burying them beneath the rubble of their homes and lives.
Houses, the river in spate, sweeping away the bodies of drowned
Floods can also cause great destruction, sweeping away bodies and other debris in their path, leaving behind loss and devastation.
Peasants, together with the carcasses of cattle and rafters torn from
The natural disasters also often destroy the livelihoods of those living in the affected areas, killing livestock and destroying crops, leaving them with nothing to survive on.
Roofs, and the victorious army slaughtering all who resist, making
The conquerors also bring violence and death, slaughtering those who resist and turning their victory into a brutal massacre.
Prisoners of the rest, looting by right of the sword, and thanking their
The conquerors take the survivors as prisoners, looting the city and its remaining resources, using their power and right of the sword to justify their actions.
God to the sound of cannon.
The conquerors use their power to thank their god for their victory, celebrating their violent takeover with the sound of cannon fire.
All these are terrifying scourges which undermine all our belief in
The chaos caused by both natural disasters and human conflict can shake our faith in justice and the protection of divine forces.
Eternal justice and all the trust we have been taught to place in divine
When faced with the destruction and death caused by these forces, we are left questioning our belief in eternal justice and our trust in divine protection and reasoning.
Protection and human reason.
In the face of such chaos and devastation, it becomes difficult to trust in our own human reason and ability to make sense of the world around us.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hussienelturki5208
LYRICS
Orders shouted in a strange guttural tongue that resounded
along the walls of the houses, which seemed dead and deserted,
while, behind the closed shutters, eyes watched the conquerors,
who, by right of war, were now masters of the city and of the lives
and fortunes of its people.
In their darkened ruins the inhabitants have given way to the same
feeling of panic which is aroused by natural cataclysms, those
devastating upheavals of the Earth, against which wisdom and
strength alike are of no avail.
Though the same feeling is experienced wherever the established
order of things is upset, when security ceases to exist, when all that
was previously protected by the laws of man and nature is suddenly
placed at the mercy of brutal, unreasoning force.
The earthquake, burying a whole people beneath the ruins of their
houses, the river in spate, sweeping away the bodies of drowned
peasants, together with the carcasses of cattle and rafters torn from
roofs, and the victorious army slaughtering all who resist, making
prisoners of the rest, looting by right of the sword, and thanking their
god to the sound of cannon.
All these are terrifying scourges which undermine all our belief in
eternal justice and all the trust we have been taught to place in divine
protection and human reason
@uleavemecold
this entire album blew me away back in 98. still does,,,,all these yrs later.
@d.w.stratton4078
I just get the sense of coming darkness when I listen to this track...then the album crushes it, then blows the darkness away. Up there with Skogslandskap, tbh, even though totally different genres.
@greaterstyle1625
so powerful, so unique. I wish I could listen to this album for the first time again
@marchope8901
The past describes the present with the deep words from no long ago is impressive and beautiful 🤲
@gr3y_eminence
The album feels terrifyingly relevant today....I'm even fully sure why.
@joshbrooks4708
This is the album that got me into VnV, but i'd never heard it till about 2005-06
@djmusicjac
awesome industrial dark wave, interesting sound
@dlanodhcivobrt128
Spirit of Vengence done 7 fold
@bowo7974
Epic!!!!!!!
@blightcraftgamma
The song "sentinal" of the album Of faith power and glory, is very catchy to.