Altsounds - Nine Inch Nails

Just like the title this album seems to of appeared out of no where, slipped beyond the mainstream managements with none of the shit in between and available free to anyone willing to welcome this new cyclone of artist freedom. Its not often you get to download an album free from such mainstream bands. Let's just hope it's the start of something new for major labels to consider how they're seen and how soon they shouldn't be needed.

Their previous album Year Zero seemed to of took a different direction to the typical NIN sound and only appealed to half of those die hard fans years ago. This one might just restore your faith. With elements of Year Zero like the electronic noise and upbeat drum patterns but also featuring tracks that throw you off as if you were back listening to the fragile and holds that atmospheric touch to give you goose bumps. It definitely offers a different element all fans can enjoy.

The first single release will be Discipline, which on the album does sound the key structure for a single, although too typically like YZ, as a few are and could do with a new drum beat in honesty. But songs such as 'Letting You' which take you back and sounding the most aggressive on the album is definitely going to be a fan favourite and key track to hear live to see if it can be pulled off, but NIN is full of surprises. Another key track that adds that diversity and only played by the piano is 'Lights in the Sky', beautifully written, its takes you to a different state of mind and played well into the next two instrumental tracks 'Corona Radiata' and 'The Four of Us are Dying'.

An actual CD and Vinyl release is planned for July but as it says on their website.. "Thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years - this one's on me"

Its free, so hey, what can you complain about really, go and download it!

Review by Nadine Ballantyne