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
Primary
VNV Nation Lyrics
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Speed maintained at a constant pace
The limit pushed until the limits break
The senses sharp, no failures, no mistakes
The spark ignites
We're engaging our engines
Only first and best
I can't stop
It's too late
Leaning up, accelerating
Far from ground, the sense
That gravity's decreasing
No time for thought
Only rate of change
Can't impede the rush
Once the countdown begins
Strong as steel
Testing all configurations
Machine control
Fused and integrated
This is life
This is real
This is not a simulation
The wake, slipstream
Collide, disintegration
I can't stop
It's too late
Leaning up, accelerating
Far from ground, the sense
That gravity's decreasing
No air to breathe
There's no atmosphere around me
I can't think, I can't speak
My speed is still increasing
Contact lost, no means
No means of communication
Moving faster now
On course to destination
I can't stop
It's too late
Leaning up, accelerating
Far from ground, the sense
That gravity's decreasing
No air to breathe
There's no atmosphere around me
I can't think, I can't speak
My speed is still increasing
The lyrics to VNV Nation's "Primary" describe the experience of pushing oneself to the limit, both in terms of physical endurance and mental focus. The song captures the feeling of being completely absorbed in a task, whether it be athletic, creative, or intellectual in nature. The lines "straight ahead, in lines, cannot deviate" convey a sense of discipline and determination, as the singer stays focused on their goal and refuses to be distracted or deterred by other concerns.
As the song progresses, the imagery shifts to that of a machine or vehicle, with lines like "testing all configurations" and "machine control, fused and integrated." This metaphor emphasizes the precision and efficiency of the singer's actions, as well as their ability to perform at a level that surpasses human limitations. The sense of speed and acceleration is conveyed through phrases like "leaning up, accelerating" and "the sense that gravity's decreasing," creating a visceral, almost dizzying effect that mimics the rush of adrenaline that often accompanies such experiences.
Ultimately, "Primary" is a celebration of pushing oneself to the limit and achieving a state of complete focus and mastery. The song suggests that there is a certain beauty and power in this kind of extreme concentration, even if it comes at a cost (such as the loss of communication and isolation described in the final lines).
Line by Line Meaning
Straight ahead, in lines, cannot deviate
We are making steady progress without any deviation from our path.
Speed maintained at a constant pace
We are constantly moving at a steady speed.
The limit pushed until the limits break
We are pushing ourselves to the limit until we inevitably break.
The senses sharp, no failures, no mistakes
We are vigilant, ensuring that everything we do is precise without making any mistakes.
The spark ignites
We become inspired and empowered to take action.
We're engaging our engines
We are engaging our inner resolve and determination to succeed.
Only first and best
Our focus is to be the best and to come in first place above all else.
There's no second place
We refuse to accept anything less than being at the top spot.
I can't stop
I have no control over the situation, and stopping is no longer an option.
It's too late
I have passed the point of no return, and there is no going back.
Leaning up, accelerating
I am pushing forward, going faster and with more determination than before.
Far from ground, the sense That gravity's decreasing
I am moving at great speed, and the sensation of gravity diminishing is overtaking me.
No time for thought
I am moving so quickly that there is no time for contemplation or introspection.
Only rate of change
The only thing that is important is the speed at which I am changing and moving forward.
Can't impede the rush
There is nothing that can slow me down or stop me.
Once the countdown begins
Once the countdown commences, there is no turning back.
Strong as steel
I am strong and resilient, and nothing will stop me.
Testing all configurations
I am examining and exploring all possibilities to determine my best path forward.
Machine control Fused and integrated
I am operating at maximum efficiency, and everything is working together like a well-oiled machine.
This is life
This is not a simulation. This is my real life, and I am in control of it.
This is real
This is not a drill or a test. This is the real deal.
The wake, slipstream
I am leaving a trail and an impact in my path, which propels me forward.
Collide, disintegration
As I move forward, I am colliding with my surroundings, and things are breaking down and disintegrating around me.
No air to breathe
I am in a place with no oxygen to breathe.
There's no atmosphere around me
I am in an environment where there is no atmosphere or air to breathe.
My speed is still increasing
I am still moving forward at an ever-increasing speed.
Contact lost, no means No means of communication
I am so far away from everything and have lost contact that there is no way to communicate with anyone else.
Moving faster now
I am picking up speed and momentum, and there is no stopping me now.
On course to destination
I am on my way to my final destination, and nothing will stop me from getting there.
Contributed by Madelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.