VNV Nation - Burning Empires (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Stunning compliment to Empires

cthulhukid | Purgatory | 05/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Get this limited edition double CD set while you still can! It includes the standard version of the "standing" single, as well as a seven track disk of alternate mixes from the new album "empires.""lastlight" is a remix of "firstlight" and "arclight" and adds to the sparse and unusual beat. "kingdom (restoration)" is a harsher version of the harshest song on "Empires." "legion" is treated to two remixes: "janus" and "anachron." "Janus" is sped up slightly with a heavier beat, while "anachron" is given much the same feel as "distant" from "Empires:" slow andmourning, and absolutely percussionless. "Saviour (vox)" is the same instrumentally as on the album, but Ronan has added the vocals he couldn't quite get right before. The song feels complete know. "Fragments (splinter)" is given a splintered march rhythm but is otherwise quite similar to the album version. The real jewel of the bunch is a new song called "Further." VNV Nation keeps topping themselves with every release, and this is no exeption. "Further" has a haunting melody and melancholy lyrics with a chorus that sends shivers down your spine. I've been singing "further" for days. it's one of those tunes that sticks with you.If "Empires" were the glory days, full of power and strength, "Burning Empires" is that world crushed. "Burning Empires" is that world dirtied through combat and twisted by change. the songs are all familiar but twisted and harsher, grittier. The thematic beauty of VNV Nation knows no bounds. These CDs are the prize of my collection right now. It would be hard to feel let down after a listen."

Limited edition that sets the standard...

Si Wooldridge | Chippenham, Wiltshire England | 07/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not really a remix album as stated in other reviews, more a limited edition CD single of Standing with a set of remixes from the Empires album. Admittedly CD1 does contain most of the songs from Empires, and is the length of an album but isn't classed as a remix album anywhere on the packaging.Anyway, this was the first release I bought from this UK band after recommendations on the Modern Synthpop mailing list. I normally prefer my music to be synthy and bouncy so I wasn't really 100% sure about this. My fears were not realised however as this really is a stunning piece of work. It's very dark with high bass, but the melodies are there and it's sung rather than shouted (my stereotypical view of this genre that's slowly being re-examined). I've since bought the Empires album that this was based on and while I do like the original versions of the songs presented here, it did take me a long time to get away from the way I'd gotten used to listening to them on Burning Empires. These versions have definately added to the overall style and atmosphere of these tracks and I hope they take what they've learned here into their next album proper.Anyone who's heard the fuss about VNV needs to start here, any fan of VNV would be daft not to already have this in their collection."

Great music if you can skip a house payment!

Scott Sweet | Colorado Springs, CO | 04/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"4700 copies worldwide...ridiculous. (Having purchased this album, I don't claim for a second to be above the frenzy.)Amazingly, nearly all the remixes on these two discs are better than the original versions from "Empires." It's a head-bobbin' blend of EBM stomp and intelligent sing-along melodies.Disc One:
"Lastlight" gets off to a slow start, then fleshes out nicely with a "Violator"-era Depeche Mode sound. The addition of vocals is nice, since Ronan Harris has a Peter Gabriel charm without the high notes. "Further" is the big winner, with a driving beat and some of VNV's most yearning, thought-provoking lyrics to date. "Legion (janus)" has a snarlier synth sound than the original, and "Saviour (vox)" has a nice computer effect on the vocals. "Legion (anachron) is a soothing, orchestral closer.Disc Two:
This is the "Standing" single also sold separately. A good band can do multiple versions of a song without inducing sleep. "Standing (still)" is an easy, low-impact dance track. "Standing (motion)" adds some Lords of Acid energy to the mix. "Radius 2" (I don't know how to type "2" as superscript on here) has a lot of warm synth and reminds me of VNV's "Genesis" or a gentler "Solitary." The original cut of "Standing" ends the CD."Burning Empires" is full of dancefloor gems, but it's almost a guilty pleasure given the insanity involved in getting your hands on it."

A must have for VNV Nation fans

Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 11/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I have been a fan of VNV Nation for less than a year, in that short time I have managed to acquire as many albums and singles as I could of my favorite band. A good friend of mine had mentioned "Burning Empires" to me awhile ago and I have been trying to find a copy of "Burning Empires" that didn't require selling one of my internal organs. She recently surprised me with a burned copy of this EP of remixes to my second favorite VNV album. I was beyond ecstatic to say the very least. I already own the "Standing" remixes which I bought awhile back. Now that I have listened to "Burning Empires", I can definitely see what my friend was raving about. I absolutely loved the previously unreleased song "Further". I was so taken aback by the gorgeous melodies. I was even more taken with the Vox version of "Saviour". I loved the inclusion of vocals on one of my personal favorite VNV instrumentals. Next to "Beloved", I almost wanted to weep. That is how beautiful I found the song to be. I have already heard "Legion (Anachron)" because that same friend burned that song on a goth/industrial compilation for me some time ago. It was a classic. All the songs on "Burning Empires" were awesome. VNV Nation can never disappoint me. They could read the phone book and make it sound interesting."

One of the best...

Ilker Yucel | Annapolis, MD United States | 07/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Remix albums are hardly rarities in the electronic music market. With electronic bands churning out more singles and EPs in a 6-month period than most other genre bands put out in their entire career, they are among the most common sights in any band discography. However, in the case of VNV Nation, not only have they released a remix album that stands above the rest, but is also extremely difficult to find for less than the cost of a limb, let alone if you can find it at all. Of course, the band blames their former label for poor distribution, but that's neither here nor there. "Burning Empires" is perhaps one of the top five best remix albums ever released. An excellent complement to the fantastic "Empires," this CD reinterprets the songs off that album into a fresh new perspective, enhancing the power of the songs, and even giving us a couple of new ones. The "Standing" single is also included, and it is incredible. The song is so emotionally uplifting with its catchy chorus and beautiful lyrics, the two mixes, (Still) and (Motion) more than do the original justice (which is also included). "Lastlight" is a remix of "Firstlight" and "Arclight," with a more upbeat rhythm, making the song far more danceable. It's one of two excellent examples of VNV's ability to infuse orchestral-driven melody with pulsating rhythms. The second example being the (Anachron) mix of "Legion," substituting the beat of the original with sweeping symphonics. "Kingdom (Restoration)" is an interesting mix that ups the ante from the original, giving it an even more aggressive feel. The vocal version of "Saviour" is my favorite track, for while the music is exactly the same as on "Empires," the vocals really enhance the song and make it feel complete. Ronan Harris' voice is very sad in this song, and the addition of vocoder vocal effects really give the song an extra punch. "Further" is one of two new songs (the other being the dance instrumental "Radius^2" from the "Standing" single), and it is absolutely beautiful. They are, I think, some of the best lyrics Ronan has written."Burning Empires" is a rarity, not just because of it being a limited edition release, but also because it's one of the few times when it surpasses its expectations. It's got all the elements of a great remix album, but the mixes are so diverse and so well done that it's not only an excellent complement to the source album, but it stands as an album on its own. If you can ever find a copy of it, I highly recommend it. It'll be expensive, but it will be more than worth it. "Burning Empires" is one of the best. Hear it!"

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