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
Distant
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have all but gone
Only embers now smoulder
Where bridges once burned
I feel alive and yet I fear
What may happen now
I know I can't return
"Oh, let me not return"
Damn the illusions of redemption
And the hopes that held me here
I will oppose all that would befall me
With this rage inside of me
I will defy what I would become
The solitude and anger
That do battle inside me
Will always guide me to the answers
That I know I may not see
They are the bonds that hold me tighter
They are the chains that weigh on me
One day, I know they will be gone
Can I start again and erase this pain?
By casting doubts into the waters
Asking judgement of the sea?
Though fortune may guide the fools
I have no wish to be free
Until I am gone
VNV Nation's song "Distant" presents the idea of moving forward from past mistakes and not looking back. The lyrics describe how the paths that the singer has once walked on are no longer existent, and only embers are left behind where bridges once burned. While the singer feels alive at present, they fear what may happen next, which suggests that they could be haunted by their past decisions. Because of this, they cannot return to where they were before. They hear themselves praying, "Oh, let me not return," which shows how they are determined not to relive their past.
The illusions of redemption and the hopes that kept the singer in place are now damned, and they are determined to fight against anything that tries to pull them back to their old self. They are full of anger and solitude, which are two emotions that are in a constant battle inside them. However, these emotions guide them to the answers they seek, even if they are not visible to the naked eye. The solitude and anger are like chains that bind them to their past, but they know they will be gone someday.
Line by Line Meaning
The paths that I once tread
I reflect on past choices
Have all but gone
Those choices have faded away
Only embers now smoulder
The remnants of those choices are barely there
Where bridges once burned
Where relationships were broken beyond repair
I feel alive and yet I fear
I am living, but not without apprehension
What may happen now
Uncertainty about the future
I know I can't return
I cannot change the past
And I hear me say again,
Repetition of negative inner dialogue
"Oh, let me not return"
Regret and avoidance of past mistakes
Damn the illusions of redemption
Rejecting the idea of being saved from past mistakes
And the hopes that held me here
Breaking free from past insecurities
I will oppose all that would befall me
Facing future challenges head-on
With this rage inside of me
Harnassing emotions as a source of strength
I will defy what I would become
Preventing oneself from falling into negative patterns
The solitude and anger
Internal struggles and turmoil
That do battle inside me
The ongoing fight within oneself
Will always guide me to the answers
Using inner conflict as a source of guidance
That I know I may not see
Trusting instincts despite uncertainty
They are the bonds that hold me tighter
Internal struggles can also serve as a source of stability
They are the chains that weigh on me
The negative aspects of internal struggles
One day, I know they will be gone
Hope for resolution and peace within oneself
Can I start again and erase this pain?
Wondering if second chances are possible
By casting doubts into the waters
Questioning judgment and assumptions
Asking judgement of the sea?
Seeking guidance from a higher power
Though fortune may guide the fools
Rejecting the idea of relying on luck
I have no wish to be free
Accepting internal struggles as a part of life
Until I am gone
Embracing who one is and the journey towards self-improvement
Contributed by Gavin T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dixonmicucci9271
The paths that I once tread
have all but gone.
Only embers now smoulder
where bridges once burned.
I feel alive and yet I fear
what may happen now.
I know I can't return.
And I hear me say again
'oh let me not return'.
Damn the illusion of redemption
and the hopes that held me here.
I will oppose all that would befall me.
With this rage inside of me
I will defy what I would become.
that do battle inside me
will always guide me to the answers
that I know I may not see.
They are the bonds that hold me tighter.
They are the chains that weigh on me.
One day I know they will be gone.
Can I start again and erase this pain
by casting doubts into the waters,
asking judgement of the sea.
Though fortune may guide to the fools
I have no wish to be free
until I am gone
@crowsfan691
How the hell has this only received 23,000 views? This is one of those songs that really cuts to the bone and moves you. It would have to be one of the most memorable songs I've ever heard (I love the other version too).
@juliette245
VNV is underrated. Whenever I shared their music and words on my Facebook, I only get zero to one likes. I guess people nowadays don't want to make the effort to listen and think.
@Sr.Green.
@juliette245 I think what happens is that it is really difficult to understand this music and what exactly it is about
This one specifically talks about the times. the risky movements to what is correct in the face of a world that turns its back on you and that, as it says, brings burned bridges towards others because the bridges towards people are burning due to individuality
@nicolemuzquiz5461
if I had to use one song to describe the many pains I have felt in my life it would be this one. Such a moving song. beautifully written. vnv nation is the sound track to my life.
@BK02027
The last time I heard this song was 10 years ago when life was very different. Rebellion and angst flowed through me. That is all gone now, but this song keeps me tearing up, remembering a more carefree time.
@RammsteinGunner
This song gives me shivers. I love it so much especially when he says "Only embers now smolder where bridges once burned". So great.
@d.w.stratton4078
I use this song to soothe myself when, at various crossroads in life, I must face a decision with grim resolve. Though it does not ease the passage over the river, it gives me razor focus.
@parasiteunit
one of the few tracks they have ever made that stopped me in my tracks, grabbed hold of every fibre of being and made me listen, not just to the tones produced... but to how I really felt at the time and gave me the fortitude to express it
@Aco747lyte
Sad, but glistening with the beauty of the past. For me, the sweet tears of remembrance.
Thank you for sharing this and the many others. :)
@ThunderGod000
Thank you so much... I LOVE VNV like no other band!