| | Vnv Nation Empires CD Vnv Nation Discography of CDs
 (8 Customer Reviews)
If you only hear the instrumental techno-blast of "Saviour" from Empires, it would be easy to dismiss this London duo as a faceless electronic act. But nothing could be further from the truth at VNV Nation's performances, exemplified on their third full-length. Not only have they put together a solid album from beginning to end, they've mastered a gloomy and intense approach to contemporary dance music with melodies that are able to extend songs to five or six minutes without getting dull. Judging by its motto that "one should strive to achieve, not sit in bitter regret," it's clear that VNV Nation practices what it preaches. The lyrics are ripe with despair and end of the world scenarios, but that's what makes Empires so powerful. ~ Kenyon Hopkin
Unknown Contributor Roles: Mark Jackson; Ronan Harris.
Personnel includes: Ronan Harris.
Recording information: Polaris, London, England (08/1999-09/1999).
CMJ (6/19/00, p.27) - "...A release tailor-made for pensive, underground dancefloors." Empires Music Review Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews OK?
I thought this was supposed to be industrial. They don't change the beat at all during the songs. Very Repetitive songs with not even that great a beat. I do not recommend it. Save your money for a girlfriend or other cd, cause this doesn't cut it.
Submitted by Joe (Cali)
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 Incredible
personally, this is my favorite VNV album. there are so many music categories out there with new ones popping up everyday so it's hard to keep track. I would say that VNV is more electronic/dance with a little industrial thrown in the mix. If you like Front 242, Thrill Kill Kult,NIN (pretty hate machine) you'll like this CD. "Standing", "Kingdom" & "Darkangel" are probably the 3 stand-out tracks.
Submitted by gore101 (Valparaiso, IN, USA)
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 VNV Nation, Empires
MOst of the CD is worth listening to.
Submitted by rjspeacock (Phoenixville, PA, USA)
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Fantastic record!!!
Empires is without any doubt an electro/industrial masterpiece. The entire album is full of extremely catchy beats, brilliant song structures, and Ronan Harris's memorable vocals. Empires is distined to remain a genre-defining classic in the forthcoming decades. I have had this album in frequent play since I purchased it a few years ago, and still don't seem to get tired of it. What some people may not know about is that there is a sister release, called "Burning Empires" (also released in 2000) which includes several remixes, a couple of great new songs and the excellent vocal version of Saviour. Unfortunately though Burning Empires has been out of print for some time now, and quite difficult to find. In any case, the group's most recent album, 2005's "Matter + Form" has been a very disappointing outing, so for those of you folks in the exploration phase, Empires is surely the best place to start the journey.
Submitted by Farshid Arjomandi (California, USA)
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This is a great Electro album of the finest caliber. It is not an industrial album as one particular reviewer was expecting, so do not be put off by his negative review. This is inspired music, enriched by Ronan's pure talent, passion and dedication to his art. This album was just a taste of things to come, however, it is still as refreshing to listen to now as it was on its day of release.
Submitted by embers fire (Den Haag, The Netherlands)
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Purchase Empires CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Vnv Nation Praise The Fallen CD (1999)
Empires album
 $13.69 
The rockin' starts out gloomy and gets even gloomier on VNV Nation's Praise the Fallen. The war-torn wasteland imagery in the ponderous opening track, "Chosen," pretty much sets you up for the rest of this disc. Even a song called "Joy" features lyrics like "Have I no control? Is my soul not mine?" ~ Tim Sheridan
The rockin' starts out gloomy and gets even gloomier on VNV Nation's Praise the Fallen. War-torn wasteland imagery in the ponderous opening track, "Chosen," pretty ...
| | Apoptygma Berzerk Welcome To Earth CD (2000)
Empires CD music
$13.89 
Stephan Groth (the young Norwegian techno-head who records under the name Apoptygma Berzerk, as well as other aliases) has found a winning combination of industrial textures and the beat-happy grooves of the techno subgenre known as Electronic Body Music. On "Welcome to Earth" he keeps things dense and mildly sinister (lots of chord washes in minor keys), but gives in to his poppier side on the choruses, and good for him. "Starsign" starts out creepy enough, but features a genuine sing-along refrain; similarly, "Paranoia" is built ...
| | Covenant United States Of Mind CD (2000)
Empires music CDs
$13.09
Covenant is a Swedish electro-industrial dance-pop trio consisting of Eskil Simonsson, Joakim Montelius and Clas Nachmanson. Their sound has been compared to that of a poppier Front 242, or maybe Prodigy. I'd say they're more like a cross between the chilly hookiness of Kraftwerk and the portentous self-importance of Laibach. The problem is that their hooks aren't as hooky as Kraftwerk's, and their self-importance isn't as justified as Laibach's. Simonsson's deep, chesty voice and dour delivery lend a certain weight to the songs, but the lyrics aren't often capable of supporting that weight; if you're going to deliver lines like "Dead stars/Still burn/Dead still/Stars burn," you'd better either be singing a very worthwhile tune or you'd better be well buried ...
| | Assemblage 23 Failure CD (2001)
Empires songs
$12.95
After such a powerful debut release, Failure was a much-anticipated follow-up from electro act Assemblage 23. Tom Shear did not disappoint, and Failure transcended any expectation. The sound of Assemblage 23 has evolved into something darker and more refined, and Shear has more to say. The combination of these elements leaves a release that is energetic, emotive, and uses sound in an original way. Failure opens with one the strongest tracks. "Naked" is honest and uplifting despite the heavy dance beat and smooth electro melody. "I Am the Rain" and "Disappoint" are equally danceable, but again Shear has not compromised the complexities of his harmonies or the gravity of the music in doing this. Tracks such as "Tried" and "Longevity" slow the pace, allowing Shear's heavy vocals to take the fore over percussive synth melodies and ...
| | Vnv Nation Futureperfect CD (2002)
Empires album
$12.79
Much like labelmate and fellow EBM luminary Apoptygma Berzerk, VNV Nation has gradually shed its gloomy industrial dance sounds for pulses of lush synth that frequently border on trance. There are some instrumental tracks on Futureperfect, but vocals are still a key component for the duo. Ronan Harris sings faithfully about the human spirit on such dynamic cuts as "Genesis" and "Epicentre." There are some surprisingly slow moments on the band's fourth album that will have dance aficionados wondering where the sure-fire beats have gone. "Holding On" is nearly a ballad and may take some getting used to for longtime fans. On the other end of the spectrum, "Structure" retains glimpses of industrial with several bursts of machinery noise. Though Futureperfect ...
| | Assemblage 23 Defiance CD (2002)
Empires CD music
$12.95
Welding together dance beats, slick melodies, and moody vocals, Assemblage 23's Tom Shear crosses the catchy synth pop of Depeche Mode with the dark grooves of industrial on Defiance. Always danceable, always a little disturbing, tracks like "Opened" never lose their pulsating momentum, while grittier numbers like "Drive" skillfully echo ...
| | Jocelyn Enriquez Jocelyn CD (1997)
Empires music CDs
$13.49
San Francisco native Jocelyn Enriquez released her debut Tommy Boy Records release Jocelyn in 1997. Enriquez's Paula Abdul-like voice is pleasant enough to carry the mostly unremarkable dance-pop tunes on the album, but a few moments truly shine. The Latin-style "Lovely People" is a keeper, the dance club hit "Do You Miss Me" is irresistibly catchy, and she turns the Yazoo ballad "Only You" into engaging house music. The club hit "A Little Bit of Ecstasy" is by far the best track here. The sultry vocal, naughty lyrics, and unpredictable tempo changes make "A Little Bit of Ecstasy" a dancefloor classic along the lines of Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby." Unfortunately, Jocelyn is marred by too many schmaltzy ballads. But Jocelyn is generally an entertaining and often captivating listen, as long as the music is directed toward the dancefloor. ~ William Cooper
Includes the singles A Little Bit Of Ecstasy, Do You Miss Me and a cover of Yaz/Yazoo's Only You.
Recorded at Music Quest, Union City, California; Quad Recording and Mirror Image West, New York, New York.
Personnel: Jocelyn Enriquez (vocals, background vocals); Elvin Reyes (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, keyboards, bass guitar, drum programming); Gregor Hubnor, Ron Lawrence , Ira Krupenye, Jon Kass, Laura Corcos, Jill ...
| | Ray Appleton Killer Ray Rides Again CD (1996)
Empires songs
$15.49
| | Women & Songs 4 CD (2000) Import
Empires album
$23.29
| | Canterach CD (2001) Import
Empires CD music
$14.35
| | Papete Jambo CD (2003) (Import) Brazil
Empires music CDs
$20.99
| | Fabulous Stroka Band Having A Party CD (2005)
Empires songs
$11.39
| | Johann Sebastian Bach Bach: Goldberg Vvariations / Homecoming Woodwind Ensemble CD (2007)
$12.79 |
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