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
Further
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the Sun burns out will any of this matter?
Who will be there to remember who we were?
Who will be there to know that any of this had meaning for us?
And in retrospect I'll say we've done no wrong
Who are we to judge what's right and what has purpose for us?
With designs upon ourselves to do no wrong
The Sun was born, so it shall die
So only shadows comfort me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Each day shall end as it begins
And though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Without a thought I will see everything eternal
Forget that once we were just dust from heavens far
As we were forged we shall return, perhaps some day
I will remember you and wonder who we were
The Sun was born, so it shall die
So only shadows comfort me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Each day shall end as it begins
And though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
The lyrics of VNV Nation's "Further" explore existential questions about the legacy that humans will leave behind at the end of time. The song begins by questioning whether anything we do will matter when the sun eventually burns out and all life on Earth is wiped out. The lyrics then turn towards the idea of judgment and purpose, questioning who has the right to judge what is right or wrong and what has purpose for us. The singer reflects on our tendency to design ourselves to do no wrong, but ultimately, we don't know what might come of us.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea of finding comfort in darkness and the similarities between the singer and the person they are reflecting upon. The lyrics suggest that in the end, we are all just dust from the heavens, but that we will return to where we came from.
The song's ultimate message is one of uncertainty, questioning whether we will be remembered and wondering who we were in the grand scheme of things. The lyrics are introspective and contemplative, inviting the listener to reflect on their own purpose and legacy.
Line by Line Meaning
At the end of days, at the end of time
As the world comes to an end and time ceases to exist
When the Sun burns out will any of this matter?
When the Sun no longer shines, will all that we've done be in vain?
Who will be there to remember who we were?
Who will remember our existence and the mark we left on the world?
Who will be there to know that any of this had meaning for us?
Who will understand the significance of what we've done and the impact it had on us personally?
And in retrospect I'll say we've done no wrong
Looking back, I'll believe that we did nothing morally or ethically incorrect
Who are we to judge what's right and what has purpose for us?
Who has the authority to dictate what is morally correct or meaningful for us?
With designs upon ourselves to do no wrong
We set out with the intention to not cause harm or commit wrongdoing
Running wild unaware of what might come of us
Unknowingly traversing life without knowledge of the consequences that may follow our actions
The Sun was born, so it shall die
The Sun was created and will inevitably come to an end
So only shadows comfort me
Only darkness can ease my mind and provide solace
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
In the darkness, I know I'll find someone else who feels the same sense of defeat and hopelessness as me
Each day shall end as it begins
Each day will begin and end with the same monotony and routine
And though you're far away from me
Even if you're physically distant from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
In the darkness, I know I'll find someone else who feels the same sense of defeat and hopelessness as me
Without a thought I will see everything eternal
Without contemplation, I'll perceive everything as eternal
Forget that once we were just dust from heavens far
Disregard the fact that we originated from far-off celestial particles
As we were forged we shall return, perhaps some day
As we were created, we'll possibly return to our origin someday
I will remember you and wonder who we were
I'll recollect you and mull over who we were in the past
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
robert higuita
At the end of days, at the end of time
When the sun burns out will any of this matter?
Who will be there to remember who we were?
Who will be there to know that any of this had meaning for us?
And in retrospect I'll say we've done no wrong
Who are we to judge what's right and what has purpose for us?
With designs upon ourselves to do no wrong,
Running wild unaware of what might come of us
The sun was born and so it shall die
So only shadows comfort me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Each day shall end as it begins
And though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
The sun was born and so it shall die
So only shadows comfort me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Each day shall end as it begins
And though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Without a thought I will see everything eternal
Forget that once we were just dust from heavens far
As we were forged, we shall return perhaps someday
I will remember us and wonder who we were
The sun was born and so it shall die
So only shadows comfort me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Each day shall end as it begins
And though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
The sun was born and so it shall die
So only shadows comfort me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Each day shall end as it begins
And though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
AlmightyAlyssa
I know many people find this music depressing, but I dunno... I get this sense of liberation from it, it's almost freeing. I just .. feel upliftment. Not depression. VNV is amazing.
Robert Engler
I feel the same way
Angelus
@Tzizenorec Nothing of the sort. It's just me referencing an old video I did featuring the amstrad crocodiles and this song. Basically we had the idea that this song plays at amstrad crocodile raves.
Tzizenorec
@Angelus What do you mean by "crocodilian"? It sounds almost like you're accusing us of being sadists, which doesn't make much sense.
Angelus
The crocodilians enjoy it because it implies you get to watch cool explosions like supernovae.
Tzizenorec
...I think I've figured it out. This whole song is a question. It asks whether there's any hope left in the world. That sense of liberation you feel is your answer.
Daniel K Lind
Can't believe I've been listening to VNV for more than 20 years. Never gets old.
Dabu Grover
True dat! Btw I like ur first name Daniel 😊
MrCROSS1911
Never
stewart Clark
Had this song all of a sudden in my mind, came here started playing it and thoght , this song never gets old, then read your comment..Lol :)