Burning Empires [Import]

VNV Nation | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Depen
• ASIN: B00004TF67
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #496,838 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning compliment to Empires, May 17, 2000

By 

"cthulhukid" (Purgatory) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burning Empires (Audio CD)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Limited edition that sets the standard..., July 24, 2001

By 

Si Wooldridge (Chippenham, Wiltshire England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burning Empires (Audio CD)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music if you can skip a house payment!, April 30, 2003

By 

Scott Sweet "Music Freak" (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Burning Empires (Audio CD)

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.