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
Genesis
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Permeated, soaked in darkness
Emanating from within
Resonating like a scream no one can hear
I wear this chaos well
Though none should save me
Desperation keeps me here
The place where I began
The abyss becomes me
I wear this chaos well
Are these not words of heresy?
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
In everything I choose to say
With you I stand in hope
That God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment
Until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears
Have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hope
That wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
Are these not words of heresy?
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified
In everything I choose to say
If I would shed my skin, the layers left
But not the lessons learned
It would not undo what I have done
Or grant forgiveness in some better days
With you I stand in hope
That God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment
Until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears
Have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hope
That wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home
Lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
The song "Genesis" by VNV Nation is a reflective piece that speaks to the themes of chaos, desperation, innocence, and hope. At the core of the lyrics is a deep sense of uncertainty and questioning about the purpose and outcomes of human existence. The opening lines evoke a sense of darkness and suffocation, as the singer breathes in an air that is soaked in darkness and tainted by an overwhelming sense of chaos. However, the singer appears to be at peace with this chaos and embraces it as a part of their being. There is a marked sense of desperation in the lyrics as the singer clings to their need for innocence and hopes for redemption from the divine.
The second half of the song shifts slightly in tone as the singer hints at a relationship with another person, who serves as their source of hope. The lyrics highlight the futility of human existence, as every cry and every day is ultimately wasted until we find a way to save ourselves from our own destructive tendencies. The singer wonders about the purpose of all their actions, whether their laughter and tears had any meaning or if they toiled in vain hoping for some kind of wisdom. The final lines of the song circle back to the emptiness of silence and the unknown, as even the lands we have called home remain undiscovered and answered only by the silence of heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathing an air
Existing in an atmosphere that's dark and heavy, suffocating.
Permeated, soaked in darkness
Completely saturated and consumed by dark thoughts and feelings.
Emanating from within
Radiating outwards from the innermost self, a deep sense of pain and hopelessness.
Resonating like a scream no one can hear
Feeling trapped in a cycle of pain and despair, unnoticed and unheard by the world.
I wear this chaos well
Embracing the turmoil and confusion of life, and making it a part of oneself.
Though none should save me
Despite the fact that there is no hope of rescue or redemption.
Desperation keeps me here
Feeling a deep sense of despair, and the belief that there is no escape from one's own suffering.
My need for innocence
Holding onto a pure, unblemished state of being that one longs to regain.
The place where I began
A distant memory of a time when life was simpler and more innocent.
The abyss becomes me
The darkness and emptiness have become a part of one's identity.
Are these not words of heresy?
Questioning whether the thoughts and feelings expressed are sacrilegious or blasphemous.
A venom on my lips, a poison?
Wondering if one's own words are toxic and harmful to oneself and others.
My spirit impurified
Feeling that one's soul has been tainted by darkness and sin.
In everything I choose to say
Being critical of one's own words and actions, and the impact they have on the world.
With you I stand in hope
Finding solace and support in the love and companionship of another person.
That God will save us from ourselves
Believing that a divine force can help us overcome our own flaws and weaknesses.
Every cry a wasted moment
Feeling that one's own pain and sorrow are meaningless, and that there is no hope of redemption.
Until another day is lost
Each day passes by in a blur of monotony and hopelessness.
Even lands we once called home
Even the places and memories that once brought joy and comfort have been lost and forgotten.
Lie undiscovered and unknown
The world is full of mysteries and secrets that we may never understand or unravel.
Only heaven's silence for an answer
No matter how loudly we cry out for help, there is only silence and emptiness in response.
And did our laughter, did our tears
Reflecting on the moments of joy and sadness that we have experienced in life.
Have some purpose after all?
Questioning whether these moments have any greater meaning or significance.
Did we toil in vain in hope
Wondering if our struggles and efforts were all for nothing.
That wisdom came from what we'd done?
Hoping that our experiences and mistakes have taught us something valuable.
If I would shed my skin, the layers left
Considering the possibility of change and transformation, but knowing that some parts of oneself will always remain.
But not the lessons learned
Hoping to move forward and grow, but recognizing that the past can never be fully erased.
It would not undo what I have done
Acknowledging that the mistakes and regrets of the past cannot be undone.
Or grant forgiveness in some better days
Hoping for forgiveness and redemption, but recognizing that it may never come.
Only heaven's silence for an answer
The uncertainty and mystery of life leave us with more questions than answers.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: BINTA MANAR, LON RUDOLPH, ZOI HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KawasakiZ-yd5fq
Breathing in an air
Permeated, soaked in darkness
Emanating from within
Resonating like a scream no one can hear
I wear this chaos well
Though none should save me
Desperation keeps me here
My need for innocence, the place where I began
The abyss becomes me
I wear this chaos well
Are these not words of heresy
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified in everything I choose to say
With you, I stand in hope that God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment, until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hopes that wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
Are these not words of heresy
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified with everything I choose to say
If I would shed my skin
The layers left, but not the lessons learned
Would not undo what I have done
Or grant forgiveness in some better days
With you, I stand in hope that God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment, until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hopes that wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
@KawasakiZ-yd5fq
Breathing in an air
Permeated, soaked in darkness
Emanating from within
Resonating like a scream no one can hear
I wear this chaos well
Though none should save me
Desperation keeps me here
My need for innocence, the place where I began
The abyss becomes me
I wear this chaos well
Are these not words of heresy
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified in everything I choose to say
With you, I stand in hope that God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment, until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hopes that wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
Are these not words of heresy
A venom on my lips, a poison?
My spirit impurified with everything I choose to say
If I would shed my skin
The layers left, but not the lessons learned
Would not undo what I have done
Or grant forgiveness in some better days
With you, I stand in hope that God will save us from ourselves
Every cry a wasted moment, until another day is lost
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
And did our laughter, did our tears have some purpose after all?
Did we toil in vain in hopes that wisdom came from what we'd done?
Even lands we once called home lie undiscovered and unknown
Only heaven's silence for an answer
@lupahole
Some very powerfull lyrics there. Resonates with my personal believes rather strongly.
@loristars1364
Thank you for posting the lyrics.
@acumenfinito
One of my favorite albums from my youth. I am so happy to have grown up with this incredible music.
@sevalenser5730
I second that emotion my friend
@pixgeek6831
This album with Empire, favorite tracklist is Standing, Darkangel, or remix by Desastroes, very melancolic, nice :)
@alitlweird
I remember the first time I heard of this band… February 1998. Hard to believe that 25 years have gone by that quickly.
Got to see them perform live twice. Once in AZ, once in Las Vegas. Great shows!
@Cartoonhero1989
I love VNV Nation with all my heart. I don't care about religion or anything like that. This music, this voice speaks to my heart.
@pixgeek6831
In my heart it's Standing of band :)
@Lupinexus
A true masterpiece. The Icon of Coil version is also superb.