After a six-yearhiatus, Nine Inch Nails returned with a sold-out concert in my area,including special guests A Perfect Circle.
Fronted by MaynardJames Keenan of the multi-platinum band Tool, A Perfect Circle launchedinto an hour-long set with frightening intensity. Keenan, wearing abright Hawiian shirt and long wig, exuded such energy the crowd couldn'thelp but be affected. Dancing across the stage, Keenan performed songsfrom the band's recent album, "Mer De Noms." Ending the setwith their single, "Judith," A Perfect Circle gave animpressive debut and a tantalizing taste of more to come.
After ahalf-hour set break, the crowd was growing restless when Nine Inch Nailsfinally took the stage and opened with a blazing rendition of"Terrible Lie." Led by Trent Reznor, NIN took the audience ona visual/audio trip, playing everything from "Head Like aHole" off "Pretty Hate Machine," to "TheFrail," a melodic, piano-infused rock song from "TheFragile."
With surreal images behind them, a light show thatwould make any technician drool and their original industrial sound,Nine Inch Nails performed with such energy, rage and passion I wonderedhow they could do it night after night. They ended the hour-and-a-halfset with the multi-platinum single "Hurt" off "TheDownward Spiral."
Funded and designed completely by frontman Trent Reznor, NIN's Fragility Tour proves that artists don't needcorporate sponsors to produce an amazing concert.
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