VNV Nation
Praise the Fallen


2.5
average

Review

by pizzamachine USER (635 Reviews)
September 5th, 2011 | 27 replies


Release Date: 1998 | Tracklist

Review Summary: utter misery befalls "Praise the Fallen" rendering it VNV Nation's worst album.

There is a time in everyone’s life when everything seems to be crashing in on them. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong, and it is understandably disheartening. There are many ways of getting through a difficult time, but a common one seems to be the use of music. A reason why I’ve listened to music so frequently in my life is because I had Major Depressive Disorder for around five years. As my feelings were numbed, music was a way to temporarily heal my inner pains. I intentionally looked for the most depressing music I could find, because I needed to know that there were others like me facing the same situation. Looking back at it, the type of music I listened to was a good indicator that I was quite miserable.

As listening to music can help one through a tough time, so can the process of writing songs. Ronan refers to Praise the Fallen as a form of self-help for him when he was facing struggles in his life. Now I’m sure that we can all agree that this album probably means quite a lot to him, but the effect it has on other people is quite sad. Simply put, this is one of the most depressing albums you will hear in your lifetime. Yes, it’s still futurepop, but futurepop isn’t always rainbows and gummy bears. This time around the synths are dark and dreary, almost as if the synths themselves are depressed. Combined with a powerful sense of melancholy that comes from strings, the music is truly moving - moving in the sense that it makes you want to jump off a cliff.

In Praise the Fallen, important question are raised. Questions like:

“So why do I love when I still feel pain?
When does it end, when is my work done?
Why am I lone and why do I feel that
I carry a sword through a battlefield?”

Clearly the questions of a soul in misery, Ronan Harris unleashed, into the music, whatever emotions he had left. With his inhumanely depressed vocals, he breathes death into the album, sapping all joy around him. The singing really sinks it, that the music is indeed very moody. Therefore, songs that are catchy suddenly become mundane, and melodies are drained of the joyful gleam that the band would soon be known for. Praise the Fallen is a dark chapter in Ronan’s life, as well as VNV Nation’s discography. Quite a pain to listen to, only a soulless machine would go unscathed after listening to it. Enter the darkness at your own risk.



Recent reviews by this author
Strange House All Is As WasSvitlana Nianio Kytytsi
Twelve Foot Ninja Mutant Dreams and Face TransplantsJinjer King of Everything
Darko (US) StarfireDropout Kings Riot Music
user ratings (54)
3.6
great
other reviews of this album
enderpotator00 (4)
VNV's darkest, yet their most overlooked effort.......



Comments:Add a Comment 
pizzamachine
September 5th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Hey Lakes : ) it's futurepop, all synthy and stuff.

pizzamachine
September 5th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

magic link: http://grooveshark.com/#/album/Praise+The+Fallen/263226

bloc
September 5th 2011


70683 Comments


Nice work kintups.

I always think Judgment is their worst album but I am always forgetting this one.



pizzamachine
September 5th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Yeah this one is pretty forgettable BLOC.

pizzamachine
September 5th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I wouldn't miss your album for anything hehheh

Tyrael
September 5th 2011


21108 Comments


Great review Pizza

Omg this thread... must...not...laugh...with...Lakes...

pizzamachine
September 5th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Nice 3.5, Lakes proves yet again he isn't a terrible user!

Tyrael
September 5th 2011


21108 Comments


I'm not very fond of depressive music if it's not BM so yeah no I didn't listen and I didn't rate either

pizzamachine
September 5th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

No sarcasm, I think you're cool.

Tyrael
September 5th 2011


21108 Comments


Maybe if you made a depressing doom album...

Tyrael
September 5th 2011


21108 Comments


Well I wouldn't hate it (if the guitar work's good ofc) :[

Ovrot
September 5th 2011


13304 Comments


YES! A PIZZA MACHINE REVIEW

psite45
September 5th 2011


275 Comments


I don't mind this album, not that i listen to much VNV at all anymore i'd have to say this is one of my favorites and that Futureperfect is my least.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
September 6th 2011


18262 Comments


140, holy reviews Batman!!

Acanthus
September 6th 2011


9812 Comments


I might have to check this out, I enjoy finding the darker tracks and seeing if I like them.

Sorry to hear about the MDD sir

pizzamachine
September 6th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

thanks :] I've been over it for a few years

Tyrael
September 6th 2011


21108 Comments


Woah... I thought I was the only one (jk)

pizzamachine
September 6th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

whatcha trying to say boy? BOY

Tyrael
September 6th 2011


21108 Comments


That you're not the only one :[

pizzamachine
September 6th 2011


27668 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

sorry to hear that Ty :[



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy