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
Legion
VNV Nation Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
a sound that rushes over me.
Engage an impulse to pretend
I have a faith as pure.
Not forgetting what it means to dream.
Indulging everything.
Entertaining thoughts that I've the strength
of those I yearn to be.
Reckless thoughts survive.
Anachronistic and impulsive.
And what will happen?
Will I dream?
I am too scared to close my eyes.
For a second please hold me.
None can change in me these things that I believe.
But I don't know what happens now.
I am too scared to close my eyes.
The lyrics to "Legion" by VNV Nation express a feeling of being overwhelmed by a powerful and positive emotion. The song begins by describing this sensation as an enveloping sentiment, a sound that rushes over the singer. The singer then makes a conscious decision to engage in pretending they have a faith as pure as those they admire. They hold onto the memory of what it means to dream and indulge in everything, entertaining thoughts that they have the strength of those they yearn to be.
The chorus of the song picks up on a theme of recklessness and anachronism. The cheers and tribute greet those who save, but the singer recognizes that reckless thoughts can survive in these moments. The singer then questions what will happen, wondering if they will dream. They express a sense of fear, as they are scared to close their eyes. In the second half of the song, the singer pleads for someone to hold them, expressing a vulnerability and a sense of being lost. They acknowledge that none can change what they believe, but they are still afraid of what might happen next.
Overall, the lyrics to "Legion" capture a theme of bravery in the face of uncertainty. The singer grapples with feelings of fear and vulnerability but also expresses a willingness to indulge in everything, holding onto the power of dreams and the strength of those they admire. The song encourages listeners to acknowledge their fears but not to let them hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Enveloped in a sentiment,
Wrapped up in a feeling
a sound that rushes over me.
An overwhelming sensation
Engage an impulse to pretend
Faking a belief
I have a faith as pure.
To appear religious
Not forgetting what it means to dream.
Remembering to be imaginative
Indulging everything.
Giving in to temptation
Entertaining thoughts that I've the strength
Imagining I am powerful
of those I yearn to be.
Like the people I admire
Cheers and tribute greet the saviours.
Praising heroes
Reckless thoughts survive.
Dangerous ideas persist
Anachronistic and impulsive.
Outdated and impulsive
And what will happen?
Wondering about the future
Will I dream?
Will imagination continue?
I am too scared to close my eyes.
Fearful of what lies ahead
For a second please hold me.
Asking for comfort
None can change in me these things that I believe.
Unwavering convictions
But I don't know what happens now.
Uncertainty about the future
I am too scared to close my eyes.
Afraid of what is to come
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK SHREEVE, PETER BRIAN HARRIS, RICHARD JON SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KawasakiZ-yd5fq
Enveloped in a sentiment,
a sound that rushes over me.
Engage an impulse to pretend
I have a faith as pure.
Not forgetting what it means to dream.
Indulging everything.
Entertaining thoughts that I've the strength
of those I yearn to be.
Cheers and tribute greet the saviours.
Reckless thoughts survive.
Anachronistic and impulsive.
And what will happen?
Will I dream?
I am too scared to close my eyes.
For a second please hold me.
None can change in me these things that I believe.
But I don't know what happens now.
I am too scared to close my eyes.
@Shyradko
This song is so amazing and calming
@karstenrotermann6718
One of my favorite songs forever!
@Honour2000
Forgot how good this song is. Now its hitting me in the feels with a sledgehammer.
F**k 2020 has been rough
@b.1099
Amen.
@MrMarouka
2022 would like to have a word with you.. xD
@Sinkthekitchen
@@MrMarouka Just wait until you hear what 2023 has to say lol
@agothicsoul
Best song ever! 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
@firstlight1986
This is my favorite song by VNV Nation, I love it!
@nroe1337
same!
@kellibear3614
If they play this in Denver next week I'm for sure going to cry and get emotional. This is one of the songs on my depression playlist for when I'm going thru it bad. Their music soothes me.