FROM NIN TO HTDA
TRENT REZNOR'S NEW SIDE PROJECT

For long time Nine Inch Nails fanatics, it's hard not be excited by front man Trent Reznor's recent Hollywood success.  Although, it is bizarre to see him smile, but who can blame him when he's accepting an Oscar (let's not forget his Golden Globe win several weeks back).  With his announcement that the 2009 NIN tour would be the last one for the foreseeable future, fans were heartbroken....ok ok, I was heartbroken.  What would become of one of modern musics uber geniuses?  Had sobriety killed his hunger and creativity?  As we sat in the dark about his future he went off and got married, took to scoring movies, and formed a new band in 2010.  This came as no surprise to me since reading a 2009 article in which he stated that when sober the days become long.  After kicking his habits he released 3 full albums (With Teeth, Year Zero, The Slip) plus a double-CD of instrumentals (Ghosts) between 2005 and 2008!  Let's keep in mind the fact that prior to With Teeth he only released 4 albums between 1989 and 2005.  To believe he would quit NIN to sit on his ass was not a realistic notion.


David Fincher's film, The Social Network, was the most critically praised film of 2010 but was snubbed for best picture at both the Golden Globes and Oscars in favor of The King's Speech.  This did not mean the musical score was overlooked as Trent and production partner Atticus Ross walked home with statues at both.  As this happened, many NIN fans were at home asking, "who the fuck is Atticus Ross?"  Little did most know, they have been in the studio working with Mrs. Reznor (former West Indian Girl front woman Mariqueen Maandig) under the band name How To Destroy Angels.  What?  Did you think winning awards and marital bliss would have Trent naming his new band How to Gaze at Butterflies?   Don't be foolish (the name actually comes from the title of a song by 80's Industrial band Coil).  The band is a far cry from new territory.  We'll let his movie forays be his experimental ground.  Angels has a sound very NIN-ish but with the soft yet dark voice of Mariqueen replacing the hate fueled growl we are used to.



Long time enthusiasts should not be disappointed by their current self titled release which was offered as a free download last summer and somehow remained under the radar (get it here http://howtodestroyangels.com/home.html).  The six track album features heavy  and glitchy programmed drums, ominous droning guitars and synths, themes from personal oppression to being lost, and plenty of dirty nasty distortion.  A video was produced for the lead single "The Space Between" which has been viewed on youtube by nearly a million people since being posted, all without promotion or radio support (scroll down to view video).   The disturbingly dark clip features the newly joined Reznors as victims of what seems to be a wedding day homicide committed by Ross and his lady friend.  Odd visuals, considering the lyrics seem to be details about performing at a concert (who knows, it may be code for killing not killing on stage).  Not one to underestimate his fans' needs, Trent has offered up a slew of T-shirts, posters and other merch (despite not having a full album out or a tour planned) which can all be purchased on their website.  A full album has been promised for mid 2011.  Rumor has it he has just signed on to score the oddly titled genre flick Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and could be making a cameo appearance as well.  If historical figures hunting monsters doesn't quite do it for you, team Reznor/Ross is already hard at work on the score for Fincher's upcoming American version of Swedish best selling book and film The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo which is scheduled for release December of this year.

- D. Painter