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Rating: For those who have had the fortune of listening to Empires, this review might be redundant: just one listen is enough to grasp the greatness and impact of this work. For those who have yet to savor it, I hope to give an idea, if possible, of what this platter represents.
But let's proceed in order, the name of the band: VNV, which stands for Victory Not Vengeance, says a lot about the project of this combo, explicitly aiming to unite past and present: the memory and music of past civilizations with the most modern electronic music, this music is precisely EBM, or if we prefer the purest synthpop, not contaminated by the brutality of Suicide Commando, or the commerciality of Apoptygma Berzerk, but full of arpeggios and orchestrations while still being compelling on the dancefloor, creating a genre of its own, the FuturePop.
This album is the third work of the Anglo-Irish duo, dated 1999, and called to reaffirm what they had accomplished in previous releases. The reaffirmation comes in the form of 8 tracks (plus intro and outro) of decently danceable electronics, but despite this, it's rich in emotions.
It starts with "Kingdom" and "Rubicon", two fairly fast songs where the keyboards take the lead, contrasted by the vocals, sweet and dreamy, continuing with "Saviour", an instrumental piece that turns out to be the most lively of the platter.
The subsequent "Fragments" leaves aside the more purely wave-like diversions and the keyboards, for a song almost entirely drum-machine and vocals, the synth parts are minimal, and the frantic beat rhythm sets the tone for lyrics speaking of great future works. "Distant", a slow electronic string-driven piece, is the most unusual track of the album, contrasted by the final trio of fast and danceable tracks.
Empires is one of the fundamental albums of synthpop and alternative electronic music in general, and despite this, it is the ultimate expression of a highly personal and original music that sees many imitators.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Firstlight (02:10)
Instrumental
Part 1 of 3 -
Firstlight - Empires (TK: 01)
Instrumental
Archlight - Empires (TK: 10)
Lyrics
Lastlight - Burning Empires (TK: 01)
Lyrics
03 Rubicon (06:20)
Praying for myself.
These thoughts I try to hide.
I have faith in me and hope this will survive.
But it's tearing me apart.
I can't hear the words by which I guide.
So I must ask again, who will carry me.
I can not deny that nothing can defend
From the helplesness that's cutting deep inside,
And I can't prevent the thought that nothing's real.
Seems I've waited years for this day to end.
The strength I need to feel, the pride inside of me,
Are not there behind the face staring back at me.
The anger and the pain of knowing where I am.
I have come so far and I cannot return.
Nothing I can do that I have not done.
No words I can say. No truth left that I can see.
So must I let this end, and everything falls apart.
Before I live my life as I have always done.
Tell me what to do so I do nothing wrong.
Something I can hope for. Something real that I can see.
So nothing falls apart. So this does not end.
I cannot return. I can't start again.
Nothing to deny, nothing to defend.
From the helplessness, it's cutting me so deep inside.
And I can't prevent the thought that's nothing's real.
It seems I'm waiting years for this day to end.
Praying for myself.
These thoughts I try to hide.
I have faith in me and hope this will survive.
But it's tearing me apart.
I can't hear the words by which I guide.
So I must ask again, who will carry me.
Nothing I can do that I have not done.
No words I can say. No truth left that I can see.
So must I let this end, and everything falls apart.
Before I live my life as I have always done.
Tell me what to do so I do nothing wrong.
Something I can hope for. Something real that I can see.
So nothing falls apart. So this does not end.
I cannot return. I can't start again.
Nothing I can do that I have not done.
No words I can say. No truth left that I can see.
So must I let this end, and everything falls apart.
Before I live my life as I have always done.
Tell me what to do so I do nothing wrong.
Something I can hope for. Something real that I can see.
So nothing falls apart. So this does not end.
I cannot return. I can't start again.
06 Standing (05:40)
Eyes betray the soul and bear it's thinking.
Beyond words they say so many things to me.
A stranger here reborn it seems
Awaking wonders deep in me.
If nothing's ventured nothing's gained
So I must seize the day.
And fighting time so hard I pray
That this moment lasts forever.
And will the world stay standing still at least for me.
Through my eyes stare into me.
I bear my heart for all to see.
With my face turned to the sun there ever standing still.
It wasn't you it wasn't me it wasn't anything.
It was a day so long awaited and a chance to be as me.
I let the wind run through my hands
Before I turned to walk away.
In distant days I long to sense it all so clear.
And fighting time so hard I pray
That this moment lasts forever.
And will the world stay standing still at least for me.
Through my eyes stare into me.
I bear my heart for all to see.
With my face turned to the sun there ever standing still.
And fighting time so much I ask.
I will this moment last forever.
Though seasons change and things come to pass
Remain inside of me.
And fighting time so hard I pray
that this moment lasts forever.
And will the world stay standing still at least for me.
I had no faith before that day in any vow or deed.
Days followed days and years were meaningless.
Despite the wisdom of defeat
I bore my heart for all to see the wonders I'd seen.
08 Darkangel (05:28)
In your dream you see me clear
I have no restraint, no fear
Powerless I watched from faces I'd assumed.
My purpose set. My will defined.
Caress the air. Embrace the skies.
Escape the sorrow and restraint of mortal cities.
Give me time I will be clear. Given time you'll understand.
What posseses me to right what you have suffered.
I'm in this mood because of scorn. I'm in a mood for total war.
To the darkened skies once more and ever onward.
So many years I stood among
the thoughts and tears of those I served.
Among my own I was alone through my own doing.
All the years I walked unknown behind the faces I assumed.
Powerless to clear your mind of what you'd suffered.
They fall again.
They fall again.
Give me time I will be clear.
Given time you'll understand
what posseses me to right what you have suffered.
I'm in this mood because of scorn.
I'm in a mood for total war.
To the darkened skies once more and ever onward.
There is no faith in which to hide.
Even truth is filled with lies.
Doubting angels fall to walk among the living.
I'm in this mood because of scorn.
I'm in a mood for total war.
To the darkened skies once more and ever onward.
I'd only come here seeking peace.
I'd only come here seeking me.
It seems I came to leave.
09 Arclight (04:58)
Forget your fear, and want no more
At first light lay proud foundations
Sense the greatness that before you unfolds
Seek no more for hollow answers
Answers that lay within you all along
Farewell to dawns seen through saddened eyes
Farewell to pasts to sorrows chained
Forget your fears and want no more
You will be strong and want no more
You'll be adored, you will have everything
You will be strong and want no more
Forget your fears, you will have everything
And want no more.
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