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
Honour 2003
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A nation that stands alone.
Cold voices, faces pale,
gathered unto their judgement day.
Such pride remains unbroken.
Such words remain unspoken.
Just mothers to stand in vain and cry.
Tears and medals in the rain.
No reason to be found why reason did fail.
The all clear resounding.
The way was clear to rebuild this land.
Shall I call on you to guide me well,
to see our hopes and dreams fulfilled?
On this day of our ascension.
Stand your ground this is what we are fighting for.
For our spirit and laws and ways.
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.
For heaven or hell we shall not wait.
Shall I think of honour as lies
or lament it's aged slow demise?
Shall I stand as a total stranger
on this day in this stone chamber?
The all clear resounding.
The way was clear to rebuild this land.
Shall I call on you to guide me well.
To see our hopes and dreams fulfilled.
On this day of our ascension,
on this day we praise the fallen.
Stand your ground this is what we are fighting for.
For our spirit and laws and ways.
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.
For heaven or hell we shall not wait.
Shall I think of honour as lies
or lament it's aged slow demise?
Shall I stand as a total stranger
on this day in this stone chamber?
The lyrics of VNV Nation's "Honour 2003" are about a nation standing alone in the face of judgment, perhaps after a conflict or war. The passive fields and the mention of the year 2012 suggest that this is a futuristic or post-apocalyptic scenario. The people are cold and pale, and pride is the only thing that remains unbroken, while words remain unspoken. The mothers stand in vain and cry, and there are tears and medals in the rain. The singer wonders if justice ever prevailed and why reason failed, suggesting that perhaps the nation has been betrayed by its own values.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Stand your ground, this is what we are fighting for" and urges the listener to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, pledging to fight for their spirit, laws, and ways. The last verse asks if honor should be seen as lies or lamented for its slow demise, and if the singer should stand as a total stranger on this day in this stone chamber. The song ends with a repetition of the call to stand their ground, and to praise the fallen on this day of their ascension.
Line by Line Meaning
Passive fields. January two thousand and twelve.
Empty and quiet land. The year is 2012.
A nation that stands alone.
A country that is alone and unsupported by others.
Cold voices, faces pale, gathered unto their judgement day.
People with cold and serious expressions who have come to pass judgement.
Such pride remains unbroken.
Their pride has not been broken despite their situation.
Such words remain unspoken.
There are things left unsaid.
Just mothers to stand in vain and cry.
Mothers crying helplessly without any hope of reversing the situation.
Tears and medals in the rain.
Crying and mourning with medals getting wet from the rain.
Shall I recall when justice did prevail?
Should I remember a time when justice was served?
No reason to be found why reason did fail.
There is no justification for why things didn't work out according to reason.
The all clear resounding. The way was clear to rebuild this land.
Signaling that the coast is clear and it's time to rebuild.
Shall I call on you to guide me well, to see our hopes and dreams fulfilled?
Asking if someone can lead the way to fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.
On this day of our ascension.
On this day of progress or advancement.
Stand your ground this is what we are fighting for. For our spirit and laws and ways.
Standing firm for what we believe in and fighting to uphold our values and laws.
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. For heaven or hell we shall not wait.
Chaos and destruction are being unleashed, and they will not wait for divine intervention.
Shall I think of honour as lies or lament it's aged slow demise?
Wondering whether honor should be ignored as something dishonest or whether it should be mourned for fading away slowly.
Shall I stand as a total stranger on this day in this stone chamber?
Questioning whether they will feel out of place on this significant day.
Contributed by Brayden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.