Compiled and released as a bit of a teaser running up to the release of
Of Faith, Power and Glory,
Reformation 01 is actually a summary of the band's work that functions as a sequel of sorts to the group's previous live/DVD release
Pastperfect, drawing on the tours for
Matter + Form and
Judgement while also featuring a slew of remixes and rare tracks mostly associated with the latter album. Packaged in a sharp container with the band's coat of arms logo from the
Judgement tour embossed on the front, two of the three discs in the package cover the band's live work via CD and DVD, though in a nice touch neither disc duplicates the other in terms of exact performances. Arguably, seeing the band's energetic, almost hyperactive performances makes more of an impact than just listening to them, with
Ronan Harris running back and forth across the stage in between good-natured exhortations to get the often huge crowds going while
Mark Jackson attacks his drum kit with precision. Either way, it's a good testament to the band's ability to connect with its fans, as well as
Harris' skill as a raconteur in more than one language. The collection of studio tracks, though, proves to be the real ace in the hole for obsessives. A number of remixes take a bow, including a sharp take on "Carry You" that actually beats out the original, and a version of "Chrome" done by longtime
VNV associate and labelmate
Apoptygma Berzerk, but the real nuggets might be three wholly unreleased songs recorded at various sessions from 2002 to 2004. All are treats but "Still Waters" proves the winner, an at-once typical but powerful
VNV Nation song musing about individual identity and humanity welded to a surging arrangement and a final memorable chorus and conclusion. The accompanying booklet includes a slew of live shots, as well as song and album memories from
Harris in his now familiar detailed and wryly witty fashion, as well as a joint message from
Harris and
Jackson that sums up the band's defiantly unironic goals and good wishes as best as one could want.