Big VDGG fan here!
Dark, brooding, intense, excellent musicianship, complex, thoughtful lyrics. All brought together by Hammill’s ’pour you emotional guts out’ style of singing.
As far as I'm concerned, they stand up to the quality of most other prog bands of the time.
Not always an easy listen, but certainly worth the effort.
Also check out most of Peter Hammill’s solo releases. The early ones were not too far from VDGG in quality. These especially:
The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage
In Camera
Nadir’s Big Chance
Over