Atticus Ross

New Release: Nine Inch Nails- Ghosts V: Together & Ghosts VI: Locusts

ghosts_V-VI_Tracklistings-1536x768.jpg

Today, saw a surprise release of two new Ghosts albums from Nine Inch Nails. In a statement released by Trent and Atticus, they had this to say about the release.

“FRIENDS-

WEIRD TIMES INDEED…

AS THE NEWS SEEMS TO TURN EVER MORE GRIM BY THE HOUR, WE’VE FOUND OURSELVES VACILLATING WILDLY BETWEEN FEELING LIKE THERE MAY BE HOPE AT TIMES TO UTTER DESPAIR – OFTEN CHANGING MINUTE TO MINUTE. ALTHOUGH EACH OF US DEFINE OURSELVES AS ANTISOCIAL-TYPES WHO PREFER BEING ON OUR OWN, THIS SITUATION HAS REALLY MADE US APPRECIATE THE POWER AND NEED FOR CONNECTION.

MUSIC – WHETHER LISTENING TO IT, THINKING ABOUT IT OR CREATING IT – HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE THING THAT HELPED US GET THROUGH ANYTHING – GOOD OR BAD. WITH THAT IN MIND, WE DECIDED TO BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL AND COMPLETE THESE NEW GHOSTS RECORDS AS A MEANS OF STAYING SOMEWHAT SANE.

GHOSTS V: TOGETHER IS FOR WHEN THINGS SEEM LIKE IT MIGHT ALL BE OKAY, AND GHOSTS VI: LOCUSTS… WELL, YOU’LL FIGURE IT OUT.

IT MADE US FEEL BETTER TO MAKE THESE AND IT FEELS GOOD TO SHARE THEM. MUSIC HAS ALWAYS HAD A WAY OF MAKING US FEEL A LITTLE LESS ALONE IN THE WORLD… AND HOPEFULLY IT DOES FOR YOU, TOO. REMEMBER, EVERYONE IS IN THIS THING TOGETHER AND THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN SOON.
BE SMART AND SAFE AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

WITH LOVE,
TRENT & ATTICUS

 

DOWNLOAD LINK: https://store.nin.com/products/ghosts-digital-download

 

Nine Inch Nails- Ghosts V: Together & Ghosts VI: Locusts:

 

Cover Songs: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (David Bowie)- Life On Mars

maxresdefault.jpg

If you’ve been watching the new HBO series Watchmen like I have, you are probably pretty enamored by the music as well as the show. As most of you know, David Bowie is/was a huge inspiration to Trent Reznor. Trent and Atticus’s cover of Bowie’s “Life On Mars” is quite a somber yet contemplative version. Plus with it being instrumental, it gives off a much deeper vibe. This will be available on Volume 3 of the Watchmen score which comes out December 16.

 

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross- Life On Mars:

 

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller

b5803cfeddce34d081498aa6cf3fb38e.1000x1000x1.jpg

I love this topic. It’s a lot of fun to showcase a song at a time that deserve their due. As I’m sure over time, you’ve all come to realize that Nine Inch Nails is my all time favorite band. Through the years, Trent has written some pretty amazing songs and a lot of them have never really gotten the attention the deserve. One such song I’d like to highlight is “Getting Smaller” from 2005’s With Teeth. I still remember hearing this song for the first time and thinking to myself, what a great song this is, and as time went on I kept thinking why wasn’t this song a single or a live staple. Something fun about this song is that the drums on this track were played by the one and only Dave Grohl. This song too, is one of the best songs on With Teeth. I truly hope that when Nine Inch Nails comes back around to touring again, this song makes the set list.

Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller:

 

Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at The Palladium

IMG_5212.JPG

When a band as big as Nine Inch Nails opts to play small venues and do multiple nights, you know that it’s going to be special. Back in 2009, I was lucky to get to go to a few of the Wave Goodbye shows Nine Inch Nails did in Los Angeles. I was able to go to the Wiltern, Fonda and Palladium shows. Each of those nights have always stood out in my concert going history. The Palladium show that evening was special as The Downward Spiral was played in its entirety. Last night didn’t have that happen but it was one of those shows that rank pretty high in my now 18 times seeing Nine Inch Nails.

(more…)

Album Review: Nine Inch Nails- Bad Witch

ninbadwitch.jpg

The final installment of Nine Inch Nails 3 EP set is finally upon us. Bad Witch is the conclusion to Not The Actual Events and Add Violence and it provides a sense of closure to this piece of work. What Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have created is something that they should be proud of. Each EP stands out on its own merit, with each representing something different. Bad Witch seems to take a little bit from each of the other two and deconstruct it and open the wound for all to see.

Starting off with “Shit Mirror” is a perfect way to set the tone for what this EP is to be. Plus with a title like “Shit Mirror” you know you are going to get something that tingles up and down your spine. “Ahead Of Ourselves” is classic NIN over and over. This song could have been found on Broken or The Downward Spiral. And live, this song is one of those that the crowd will eat up. “Play The Goddamned Part” acts more as a segue but adds a very distinct mood to the middle part of the record. “God Break Down The Door” is a very Bowie-esque song that is more of a tribute to the late David Bowie. The saxophone parts on the song make the song feel bigger than it is and full of texture. “I’m Not From This World” is a stark and ambient track that will sink into your head and guide you along an escape from yourself. “Over and Out” segues perfectly from the previous song and in a beautiful way that is almost haunting and leaves you with a mantra.

The distorted electro jazz that permeates from the speakers as you listen to this EP, sucks you in to a vortex of awesomeness. The entire album is a David Bowie tribute in a way. You can definitely hear the inspiration and influence all over this album. In particular Bowie’s “Low” era. Bad Witch is a pessimistic album but it does come with a grain of optimism. It’s crazy to think that it’s been 30 years since Nine Inch Nails was first formed. Being a fan since I was a little kid till now as a full on adult, I and many of the fans out there, have been able to witness the true artistry of Trent. Each era and album that has ever been put out tells its own story. With the world the way it is now, it’s no wonder that this 3 part saga feels the way it does. Bad Witch is the perfect way to end this chapter. I sincerely hope that there is more to come. Trent and Atticus seemed to have really hit on something full of inspiration.

 
Overall Rating: A

 

Nine Inch Nails- Bad Witch:

Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at The Joint

IMG_4257.JPG

There are certain bands that I will always go see no matter how many times I’ve seen them live. Nine Inch Nails is atop that list and I’ve now seen them 17 times. Each time has been it’s own experience which makes all the shows that much more unique. This past weekend I had the pleasure to see my favorite band at The Joint in Las Vegas and it was just as epic as you would think it was. Trent and company would be performing on 3 different dates and I was lucky enough to be at 2 of the 3. I have to say I’m pretty sure I was at the best shows of the weekend.

(more…)

New Release: Nine Inch Nails- God Break The Door Down

dc2592c9b90d9d96841223264168b01594b48b66.jpg

Nine Inch Nails are getting ready to release a new EP on June 22 called Bad Witch. The first song released from that release is this very David Bowie inspired song “God Break The Door Down.”

 

Nine Inch Nails- God Break The Door Down:

Album Review: Nine Inch Nails- Add Violence

8c7153e1-0971-40db-aab8-9c4757a6dc4a.jpg

How do you keep people’s attention these days when everything is so “instant?” Well, Trent Reznor has figured out a way to keep himself busy and creative. Rather than release a full length album, Trent has broken up the album format with a series of 3 EP’s. The first EP, Not The Actual Events was released late last year and set a tone of what was to come. The sounds permeating through combine lots of synths, ambience, new wave and industrial. In a way, Trent has pushed the boundaries towards a more stripped down “post-industrial” sound. The new EP, Add Violence, is chock full of intelligent and dark laden vibes that will make you feel like you are riding a huge wave into an abyss.

The first track “Less Than,” is a perfect way to open the EP and grab your attention. The song itself has a bit of a Pretty Hate Machine meets Hesitation Marks sound, giving you that “full circle” approach to where Trent is at in his musical journey. From there the EP takes a left turn and moves in a very Bowie-esque way. “The Lovers” and “This Isn’t The Place,” really show the love Trent has for Bowie in the way the music is delivered and the way the vocals are performed. There is definitely inspiration on these songs from David Bowie’s final album Blackstar. “Not Anymore” takes you on a sharp right turn from there and thrusts you into a reverb saturated, dark synth, almost classic angsty Nine Inch Nails song. Closing out the EP is “The Background World,” an almost 12 minute song that is layered with multitudes of sounds and synths that have an almost Massive Attack sort of feel to it.

Add Violence is Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross doing what they do best, and that is all you could ever ask for. Their work together over the years has truly become intriguing and thought provoking. The scores they have done for different films seems to have really inspired them both to see where they can take Nine Inch Nails. These 3 EP’s are not only the logical step for Trent and Nine Inch Nails but, also seems to be a new model for releasing music.

Overall Rating= A

 

Nine Inch Nails- Add Violence:

 

Less Than Video:

New Release: Nine Inch Nails- Less Than

Trent Reznor promised more new Nine Inch Nails music this year and he didn’t disappoint. The new upcoming EP is entitled ADD VIOLENCE and the first single from that is called “Less Than.” What a great song. It contains elements of Pretty Hate Machine and Hesitation Marks, making this a full circle track. 

I can’t wait for the whole EP which, will be released July 21!!!

Nine Inch Nails- Less Than: