Nine Inch Nails: Ghosts I-IV

The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
March 29, 2008

Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Album: Ghosts I-IV
Label: Unsigned
Rating:

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Trent Rezner knows how to make Instrumental music compelling. There were many people who voiced their concern about an Instrumental Nine Inch Nails album. But, I’ve had just enough experience with Trent Rezner’s Instrumental compositions in the past to know we were in good hands. Back in 1996 a game burst on the scene called Quake. I was addicted to this game when it came out, but one of the things that impressed me the most was it’s ambient soundtrack that went along with the game play. In fact, part of the reason Quake scared the shit out of me in certain areas was because of this amazingly effective soundtrack. I was shocked to see Trent Rezner’s name on the credits of the game. Mr. Rezner is also responsible for collaborating with Marilyn Manson on the soundtrack to a unsettling film called Lost Highway (which has one of the creepiest baddies I’ve ever seen on film, ironically played by Robert Blake). With Ghosts I-IV, Nine Inch Nails have crafted a 4 album set that shows incredible restraint and beauty, along with the moodiness we all expect from a Nine Inch Nails album.

This is a massive album to review. With 36 tracks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Ghosts I-IV is a unique listening experience, because you almost have to review each section of the album. That’s not going to happen in this review, you’ll have to break it down yourself if you want to get deep. Ghosts I-IV is compelling on many levels. First, you have many elements that have made up Nine Inch Nails albums in the past, only sometimes singled out and stripped down. The most surprising element of Ghosts I-IV was how reserved and laid back the album is. It almost plays out like the soundtrack to a movie.

Haunting, reserved and unexpected, Ghosts I-IV shows a new side of Nine Inch Nails. It seems that Trent Rezner’s new found freedom with becoming Independent will not only benefit his long time fans, it will benefit a whole new generation of music lovers and musicians. Ghosts I-IV is an exciting, fresh and innovative album.

Stand Out Tracks:

“03 Ghosts I”

“10 Ghosts II”

“21 Ghosts III”