Customer Reviews

Praise the Fallen

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After the spoken prose of Chosen kicked in, I knew I would love this CD. I have never been a big fan of repetetive "4-on-the-floor" dance club industrial, but despite the club feel this album is far deeper than anything else i have heard in the genre. What makes the music stand out are the poetic, "painted" lyrics that push through the dreary sonic wastes in the background. The synths are lush and bright, always shifting, and the imagery evoked by the full experience reminds me of Ian Banks novel "The Bridge". As the last words unfold in the song "Solitary", the vision of man's futility stabs you through the chest, leaving you out of breath and appreciative of the anthemic memorial "PTF2012" and the one-minute-of-silence aftermath that serves as "Schweigeminute". Sufice it to say - this is a great album. Now.. if only Wax Trax can bring "Empires" to the states (the VNV Nation follow up to "Praise The Fallen") I will be set...

Praise The Fallen (PTF) is a very well conceived EBM album. EBM is basically a lighter and faster variant of Industrial music, and even though PTF is significantly faster than anything put out by that bunch of anorexic labradors (by that I mean Skinny Puppy), it is not that much lighter. The beats in this record are utterly ferocious, and this is not a bad thing. However, at times, the beats tend to overwhelm the melody.

The melodies, although at times complex, are subordinated to pounding drums during some of the tracks, and this seems to grate owing to the fact that the beats are as rough as a cheese grater. If the melodies in some of the songs were played louder and more frequently, this would be a brilliant album. However, the dark and haunting sounds are sometimes drowned in repetitive drumming all to often, resulting in a record that has less melody, and dramatic impact, than it potentially had. The only songs that really manage to strike the balance (and also be the best tracks on the album IMO) are Joy, Procession and Honor. These songs are so catchy, and awfully danceable, that they would turn a retirement home into a rave. Still, most of the other tracks can get too rough, or, suprisingly, too sedate.

This, however, doesnt mean that VNV's first big album is bad. In fact, it is very good! The lyrics, although sometimes too preachy, are quite intelligent and compelling, and the times in the songs where they allow the melody to shine through are utterly breathtaking. If you are new to EBM and want to start with the sound of the Berlin Philharmonic being ripped apart by chainsaw-weilding Nazis (which this album is wonderful at creating), then I would reccomend this. However, a softer (and more depressing) alternative for an EBM novice would be Failure by Assemblage 23.

Although this record is too polar (your choice between sheet-metal instrumentals or boring ballads, with too few 'middle ground' tracks), it shows excellent promise and a vision that was fully realised in VNV's next album, Empires.

'Praise The Fallen'is the title of this VNV Nation CD from 1999. And this is my introduction to this hardcore
electronica/industrial trance outfit. Being a Delerium/Front Line Assembly fan I saw VNV as my own personal progression to explore new music and new sounds. I basically came across VNV Nation through Amazon.com reviews and picks and decided to buy this album to have a 'little taste' of what VNV is. I am now a fan, this is a style of music that one can dance to, chill out too as well as have as background music for a party with friends. All the tracks are interesting to listen too, the drums are worked in well with the synths and industrial beats. The vocalist is dark and mysterious and for this style of music that is a underpinning success. 'Joy', 'Solitary' and 'PTF2012' were the picks for me from this monumental album. And I now will look out for more VNV Nation releases.
If you like the works of Leeb & Fulber you will enjoy this from the anthem sounding VNV Nation.

Thank someone that Wax Trax/TVT decided to release this album to an American audience. "Praise the Fallen" is a wonderful mix of hard-stomping beats and heart-churning melodies. There are a few tracks of classically-influenced instrumentals which are particularly brilliant. The lead singer's voice is very similar to the lead of the Pet Shop Boys. Don't let that misled you, however. It is just right for the type of music that VNV Nation pounds out. Deluded with marching beats and militaristic and political overtones, this album is a moving listen and should become friends with anyone who likes EBM, Industrial, Gothic, or Techno/Electronica styled music. It is one not to miss. Check it out.

VNV Nation was one of the first EBM-type bands I began listening to, and nothing I've heard since can really compare. They're not industrial, not EBM, not really IDM... I like to call it "trancedustrial"

Their sound is very symphonic, with the sound of synthetic orchestras crashing against sequencers and drum machines. They play on the dynamism between old and new, war and peace, bravery and fear. For the most part bleak, but utterly truthfull.

For those who can't get past the monotone voice and constant beat, that's too bad. You're really missing out. Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson have painted a masterpiece covered in the soot of cannon fire from the openning spoken track to the last dreamy harpsichord note. note: there are 14 tracks on the CD. after the schweigeminute there is a slow, nearly baroque instrumental piece. A haunting and beautiful piece, simplistic but happy, buried in the rubble caused by the commotion of the other songs. No tracks truly stand out (besides the schweigeminute), and even the instrumentals (all five of them) have enough intensity to keep the listener's attention. When Ronan does sing, though, the lyrics are brutally honest, showing both sides of conflict and pain, as for every loser there is a victor.

"Praise The Fallen" is VNV Nation's second full length release, and is leaps ahead of their debut "Advance and Follow." Their third album, "Empires," should be out soon in the US, and is even better than PTF. Or if you already have "Empires," pick up PTF, there is no way one could be disappointed.

Oh, and they are touring North America with Apoptygma Berzerk in fall '00. Those in the US may finally get a chance to experience them live...

Not all of the music on this CD appeals to me. I find some of it to be grating, and non-melodious; but, I'm warming to it with each listen. I was first drawn to VNV by the alluring despair of Forsaken (the vocal track is found on the Solitary EP, for those of you still searching), but it is Solitary itself that is the triumph here. An immortal machine, coursed through with a hypnotic chant of the most scathing, poetic lyrics you've heard in years, this song will never release you from its beguiling grip. The primary reason I'm giving this 5 stars (I believe it deserves 4, due to some minor inconsistencies) is that VNV Nation is the proud incarnation of one of the most powerful, passionate, and mesmerizing sounds on the dance floor today. If you love gothic or industrial music, you cannot call your collection complete without this!

After hearing the album's first real song "Joy", you will forever be a prisoner of VNV Nation's brilliance. This album is truly not to be missed!

"Empires" was a concept album that delivered the message to us that all empires end in ashes, the same way they begin. It delivered to us the message that ours is an empire that is already in the midst of a slow decline that is steadily getting faster. "Futureperfect" was a concept album that beckoned the question as to whether or not we are what was intended, and what we plan to do to better ourselves while we still have a chance. But before any of those two albums, there was "Praise the Fallen (PTF2012)," the first of VNV Nation's trilogy of pain and hope. While still predominantly instrumental, following the footsteps of the less-than-spectacular debut "Advance and Follow," this album shows VNV's new direction towards a sound with more mass appeal but no less impact. The lyrical presence on this album, while not as strong as on "Empires" or "Futureperfect," shows Ronan's growing ability to write thought-provoking words that can reach our hearts and our minds. All but one of the five vocal songs (why do people keep forgetting that he sings on "Voice" as well?) show Ronan singing with as much passion as on later material, but with a great deal more anger. The vocals are harsh, giving the sensation of a rallying call to arms. VNV Nation always questions the relevance of war, its futility, and yet on songs like "Joy" and "Honour" there is still the sense that conflict is needed. The most beautiful song on this album in my opinion is "Solitary." Here, Ronan sings in the soft intelligent voice we've come to know and love, telling us that change is all we can ask for...it is always there, we should revel in it, embrace it, not fear or fight it. It has the best lyric in VNV history, "With this line I'll mark the past as a symbol of beginning." I think it the best because it embodies all that VNV Nation stands for...the past is merely a beginning...the future is what we should look to, and we should start looking now. The instrumental passages on this album are a treat as well, showcasing a beautiful symbiosis between warm symphonics and cold electronics and beats. Ronan Harris and Mark Jackson have crafted a wonderful concept album that might be bleaker than "Empires" and especially "Futureperfect," but all things must start somewhere..."Praise the Fallen" was the first of three wonderful albums in a band's evolution, from underground sensation to being on their way to becoming one of the most intelligent and one of the most socially conscious bands ever.

"Praise The Fallen (2012)" is a top-notch EBM album. However, the touches of orchestration and emotive singing found here are fully realized in later albums. Several of these tracks are standard Front 242/Front Line Assembly/Icon of Coil stomp-industrial. That said, Ronan Harris does occasionally sing (well) and the lyrics are fiercely intelligent. These qualities keep PTF2012 from being just another "genre" CD. Plus, it's fun to see how many of the film samples you recognize.

"Chosen" sets the Germanic, military tone for the whole album. Where Nitzer Ebb or Von Thronstahl would shout about victory and unity in strife and war, Harris conveys grave doubts about the benefits of conflict. This gives way to "Joy," which could make the dead get up and dance. The gentle strings floating over the pounding rhythms reinforce an anthemic Big Brother (Orwell's book, not the CBS disgrace) vibe.

"Chosen," "Forsaken" and especially "PTF2012" do just fine without a beat; the music shines through like in Vangelis' "Blade Runner" score. The one-minute silence of "Schweigeminute" will either hit you as a profound statement on the indelible legacy of the fallen masses, OR you'll wonder why these yahoos wasted a minute on an empty track.

Most EBM bands I've heard over the past...jeez, TEN years are content to lay a 16th-note bassline over a stomp beat and call it a day. VNV Nation doesn't stop there. They include melody and lyrical content, and that has brought them forward to EBM masterpieces like "Further" and "Beloved."

I will bet any one of you ten bucks that "Burnout" (track 8) is an offshoot of Front 242's "Soul Manager" from "Tyranny for You." Just my opinion.

PTF2012 is a great album in the techno/trance/future pop genre. Although I prefer VNV Nations album "Empires", PTF2012 is a good compliment to it. VNV Nation breaks out of the the monotonous beat-box drone of a lot of stereotypical techno music, and delivers much more internally stimulating music. VNV Nation's style is more like poetry set to an electronic track, which invokes emotions that are generally left untouched by mainstream music (which plays songs about two things: love and hate). VNV Nations invokes personal integrity, national pride and honor, internal conflict, determination and the list goes on. Unique to their style is subtle allusion to historical events, which any good student can appreciate. A personal favorite is the song "Procession", a powerful song, which really gets the listener energized, until the eerie lyrics reveal the underlying themes of the song, pointing out how frighteningly easy it is to turn our own passionate responses into blind rage.