The pioneering industrial outfit NINE INCH NAILS (routinely abridged to NIN for casual digestion) revolves around the intense frontman Trent Reznor, brooding over lingering personal and psychological demons within lyrical intimations. Using sparse, multi-layered instrumentals amongst a melodic, faithfully structured background, such focally commercial instincts lucratively highlighted this musical vehicle amongst its numerous peers, leading to abundant critical acclaim. An imperfect, human facet deeply contrasted with the robotic, mechanical approach of others, much to the open delight of avid fans. Such cavernous, rooted perceptions significantly propelled the notoriously gloomy, introspective Reznor into an alternative symbol during the 90's, and the pensive vocalist still goes relatively strong in the post-millennium decade.

Delivered on May 17th 1965 as Michael Trent Reznor Jr. to parents Michael Reznor and Nancy Clark in the modest town of Mercer, Pennsylvania, the young son was affably welcomed into the marital home of his maternal grandparents at the tender age of five. This came as the unfortunate result of divorce, though smaller sister Tera remained with her mother, while Reznor has repetitively confirmed that his comparatively uneventful childhood was largely blissful. Successfully rehearsing to play the piano, he also patiently studied classical harmonies, later aptly learning the tenor sax and the tuba in school groups. 'Judas' in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Professor Harold Hill' in 'The Music Man' were given acting school roles during this early phase.

A whole year became devoted to calmly studying Music and Computers at Allegheny College, while squeezing in numerous local performances as keyboardist and lead vocalist to New Wave synth Pop group OPTION 30. The inaugural line up became ultimately complete with Tim Smith on guitars and supporting vocals, Jim Nordstrom as bassist and saxophonist and Todd Nero on percussion. Only a shy handful of recorded demos preserve their largely forgotten memory, subsequently repackaged with interviews as an eponymous album in 1997 on Shriek Records, cynically exploiting the famed notoriety of NINE INCH NAILS. No songwriting was accredited to Reznor, their original compositions penned by the duo of Smith and Nordstrom. the notable exceptions were reworked versions of 'Lies' by THOMPSON TWINS, 'Der Kommisar', now wielding English lyrics, by FALCO, and a live rendition of 'Ice House' by ICE HOUSE. The initial intentions of victoriously graduating were decidedly scrapped in warm favour of a musical path, which instigating a permanent move to Cleveland, Ohio alongside high school friend Chris Vrenna, competently armed with TWEAKER and MARILYN MANSON credits.

A triumphant audition during 1985 culminated in a keyboardist role within Cleveland AOR act THE INNOCENT, mainly composed of erstwhile members of BREATHLESS and the DONNIE IRIS group respectively, though this fleeting tenure was short-lived - three months to be exact. An only album entitled 'Livin' in the Street', featuring an adolescent Reznor on the jacket cover, was issued by Chicago's Red Label Records in that same year.

Subsequent gigging with local bands notably included a stint with local synth pop group EXOTIC BIRDS in 1986, once again fluently handling keyboards, adeptly coupled with programming and backing vocalist duties. Andy Kubiszewski ably supplied lead vocals, Tom Freer assaulted skins, while Mark Best and Frank Vale completed the transient personnel. Shortly later, Reznor's friend Chris Vrenna undertook drumming responsibilities from the departing Tom Freer, who instead opted to join the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra. The 1986 'L'Oiseau' album boasted Reznor as a noteworthy contributor, though no songwriting credits were attributed to the future NINE INCH NAILS frontman, the sole creative reigns being in the hands of founding member Kubiszewski. EXOTIC BIRDS folded in 1988, but one time EXOTIC BIRDS John Malm Jr. later played a key role within the career of Trent Reznor, both temporarily managing Reznor's group and co-founding the label Nothing Records with the shrewd musician in 1992.

The 1987 drama movie 'Light of Day', directed by Paul Schrader and remarkably featuring prolific actors Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett, saw Reznor in a relatively minor role. Alongside Mark Addison, from NATION OF ONE, and Frank Vale (a fellow EXOTIC BIRDS member), he twinkled keyboards within fictional group 'The Problems' during a film scene cut at the Euclid Tavern in Cleveland, Ohio.

Later he gained employment in the trading of favourable synths at Pi Keyboards, then subsequently at the local Right Track Studio as a mere janitor, a recording location mapped behind the Forward Hall Music Club. Studio owner Bart Koster gradually permitted Reznor to delicately shape his solo compositions during lone hours unrequited by others. Quintessential Industrial acts such as SKINNY PUPPY and MINISTRY intricately flavoured the groundbreaking sound, the inaugural demo's recorded mostly as a solo effort. Reznor had brittle faith in his initial compositions, clasping gracious hope a small independent label would issue a 12", but this fragile optimism proved unwarranted. An auspicious demo tape given to roughly ten American labels spawned no less than eight contract propositions, though chosen agent John Malm Jr. and Reznor consequently inked a deal New York label TVT Records, primarily known for distributing novelty and television jingle records.

With only a single month allocated to wholly cut the debut album, producer John Fryer, a worthy CV including LOVE AND ROCKETS and COCTEAU TWINS productions, convened Reznor at the Blackwing and Roundhouse studios in London, England, though this initial effort dubbed 'Industrial Nation' was overwhelmingly rejected by TVT owner Steve Gottlieb. Fryer aided in skilfully nurturing NINE INCH NAILS' debut 'Pretty Hate Machine' with the pivotal assistance of numerous respected producers, namely the MINISTRY, CABARET VOLTAIRE, DEPECHE MODE and K.M.F.D.M accredited Adrian Sherwood, Mark 'Flood' Ellis whose impressive CV comprises DEPECHE MODE and ERASURE amongst its prolific achievements, and the TACKHEAD and FATS COMET esteemed Keith LeBlanc. The inaugural release was recorded at numerous venues; Unique in New York City and Synchro Sound in Boston, Massachusetts besides the previously mentioned locations in the native Cleveland and London respectively.

A list of 200 potential band monikers became whittled down to one - the name NINE INCH NAILS survived a fortnight trial, appeared great in print and could be naturally abbreviated.

Lead off single 'Down In It' was issued in vinyl format in September 1989, a month prior to the album debut. Lifting visible inspiration from SKINNY PUPPY's 'Dig It', it markedly featured two exclusive remixes of the track by Adrian Sherwood and Keith LeBlanc. A complimentary music video shot in Chicago, was directed by Eric Zimmerman and Benjamin Stokes with commendary production by H-Gun, mercilessly responsible for several MINISTRY visuals and REVOLTING COCKS' 'Stainless Steel Provider' also. It garnered unfavourable coverage courtesy of the dour FBI in its original incarnation. The impending climax of the short film involved Reznor tragically plummeting from a colossal building to the awaiting street, which precisely crafted a stationary pose eerily reminiscent of 'Lodger''s album cover, DAVID BOWIE's 1979 Krautrock record. A camera attached to a massive helium filled weather balloon descended into the atmosphere when holding ropes abruptly snapped, whereabouts unbeknownst. A year later, a farmer discovered the camera in his field located 200 miles away. Under the vague impression it was a surveillance camera for uncovering marijuana abuse, he submitted the misleading item to Chicago's police department. Developing the film and prematurely assuming the transparent hallmarks of a snuff murder, the infamous tape landed in the fumbling hands of the FBI. The professional conclusion of trained pathologists delivered the unusual verdict that Reznor's body had underwent three weeks of decomposition, the sheepish result of starch remnants. A gang slaying was heavily suspected, partly due to bizarrely clad group members casually vacating the scene.

An inaugural touring schedule opening in support of THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN commenced from late January to mid March 1990, noting a relatively fluid line up consisting of Chris Vrenna as thumping skinsman, and Richard Patrick, and future FILTER co-founder, whose esteemed brother Robert played the T-1000 in 1992 sci-fi movie 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' directed by the Academy Award winning James Cameron. Nick Rushe undertook the volatile keyboard vacancy. Rapidly acceding from mid April by early gigs headlined by PETER MURPHY of BAUHAUS, David Haymes fulfilled the keyboard position instead. To challengingly play before wearisome, unresponsive audiences was the chosen objective.

March 1990 heralded sophomore single 'Head Like A Hole (clay)', boasting yet another Eric Zimmerman video direction. Trent Reznor, Richard Patrick (FILTER) Chris Vrenna (TWEAKER), with guesting drummer Martin Atkins (owning PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED and KILLING JOKE credits) performed the celebrated track inside a robust cage for the viewing MTV audience, culminating in the frontman entangled sufficiently in tape dangling from the ceiling. Its US release maintained a longer duration than the album itself, a wealthy glut of contrasting remixes worthily revamping 'Head Like A Hole', 'Terrible Lie' and 'Down in It' respectively. An untitled four second eleventh track is, oddly enough, presenter Kelly Ripa wailing "Let's hear it for Nine Inch Nails! Woo! They're good!" during a band appearance on the defunct teen music program 'Dance Party USA'. An inferior UK variant pitifully collected only two of these, with the additional bonus of an exclusive remix.

A low key headlining tour aptly dubbed 'Hate' kick started in May, concluding in August. witnessed Lee Mars as the latest keyboardist. MINISTRY leader Alain Jourgensen's recurrent side project REVOLTING COCKS fittingly hired Reznor as backing vocalist during their August tour leg.

'Sin' plausibly emerged in single format throughout October, borrowing a line from 'In the Hills, the Cities', a visceral short tale written by acclaimed Liverpudlian author Clive Barker. Sherwood and LeBlanc undertook remixing duties, distinctly altering the title song. It also came genially underpinned by NIN's inaugural cover interpretation gracing official release. A QUEEN track originally penned by Freddie Mercury, the newly rebuilt 'Get Down, Make Love' was fashionably produced by Alain Jourgensen under the recognised 'Hypo Luxa' pseudonym and cut in Chicago, Illinois. Indeed, Jourgensen's short lived industrial side project 1000 HOMO DJS significantly cut a restyled interpretation of BLACK SABBATH's 'Supernaut' with Reznor hired as guest vocalist, though an ongoing dispute with label TVT records prevented its release until its inclusion on the multi-disc compilation 'Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years' in November 1994. Jourgensen's vocals substituted on both the single cut and the 'Nativity in Black' tribute album unveiled in October 1994.

Christmas 1990 inevitably engendered the 'Sin' tour, drawing to a potent close in February 1991. In the summer the group appeared at inaugural Lollapalooza festival extravaganza, a cultural package initially founded by agent Marc Geiger, manager Ted Gardener and vocalist Perry Farrell as an emotional farewell tour for JANE'S ADDICTION. Such unusually diverse artists as ICE-T and BUTTHOLE SURFERS figured amongst the eclectic roster. Jeff Ward (MINSTRY and LARD) occupied the vacant drum stool on this occasion, the brother of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Ward and an admitted heroin addict. Later, gloomily unable to discard the malicious habit, he committed suicide via asphyxiation through carbon monoxide poisoning on March 19th 1993 at the tender age of 31. James Woolley inhabited keyboards this time.

European gigs were opening for THE WONDERSTUFF and CARTER THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MACHINE, which proved highly disastrous according to band reports.

Discovering a staunch supporter in Axl Rose himself and frequently championed by the GUNS N' ROSES frontman, NINE INCH NAILS actually gigged at two European stadium dates on August 24th and 31st: in Mannheim, Germany and at London's Wembley Stadium respectively. The resounding majority of the traditional heavy metal audience were stiffly unimpressed, willfully aiming missiles at the brave group, only in attendance to view the headline act and the other guest act SKID ROW. Axl gratefully invited NINE INCH NAILS to join them on a flourishing U.S. tour, though the worthwhile offer was briskly declined so the weary, fatigued batteries could be brimfully recharged for new, fresh recorded material.

PIGFACE, the ambitious brainchild of Martin Atkins that formed in 1989, wisely recruited Reznor among the perpetually changing cycle of distinguished cult musicians to kindly donate contributions towards September 1991's 'Gub' album. 'Suck', co-authored by Martin Atkins, Paul Barker (erstwhile MINISTRY bassist), Bill Rieflin (R.E.M and MINISTRY accredited) and lastly Reznor who provided vocals, quickly became a sizeable underground hit and arguably PIGFACE's finest hour. Another album cut, 'The Bushmaster' utilized Reznor's skills on loops.

Healthy finances pooled from the sold out Lollapalooza tour were initially earned to wage a triumphant lawsuit to vacate the TVT label, fostering survival through a vicious court litigation battle. Eventually, a tentative deal was fortunately negotiated. TVT/Interscope was co-founded, the deal inked on August 22nd 1992 between the respective labels TVT and Interscope. The sub label Nothing, a venture between Reznor and John Malm Jr., saw financial injections from this project. All key, elementary decisions relating to NINE INCH NAILS TVT remained very much involved in, much to the disgruntled chagrin of Reznor. 'Broken', an EP collecting six numbers, finally saw the much vaunted light of day in September. The authoritarian glare of the strict record label compelled the group to record the long overdue compositions at various locations, though heavily shrouded in secrecy. From March to August, Hell in New Orleans; Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, South Beach Studios at Miami Beach, Village Recorder & A&M in Los Angeles and Pig at Beverly Hills played fleeting host. Nitzer Ebb (engineer to U2's phenomenally massive 'Achtung Baby' album) lent production skills.

A darker, abrasive sound effectively replaced the harsh synth Pop of yesteryear. The usual method of songwriting via drum machine coupled with keyboards was ditched in favour of the traditional guitar - 'Happiness in Slavery' became an exception to the adopted rule. Erstwhile intentions to nakedly strip down to guitar, bass and drums precipitated the tangible realization the world may view it as garage music. Instead, these three indispensable instruments became sampled, manipulated and processed. Even a Mellotron MKIV, once property of the late JOHN LENNON, thoughtfully loaned by Ted Field, an Interscope co-founder, featured upon 'Broken', most exceptionally on the song 'Gave Up'.

The initial 200,000 copies of the EP boasted an additional two track disc. More commercially digestible than the other songs, these unlisted bonus cuts featured on songs 98 and 99 respectively at the end of the EP disc in future pressings, deliberate obscurity. Tracks 7-97 strangely contained one second of silence, a direct violation of the minimum four second track length obligedly required by the Compact Disc Digital Audio Standard - some CD players become consequently puzzled. Subsequent pressings thankfully corrected this grave mistake, complying with format rules. An industrial adaptation of ADAM ANT's 'Physical', a jubilant song to perform live which dated back to the Lollapalooza tour, harboured deep ambitions to realise mainstream distribution as a 12 inch, sadly prevented by the label dispute. 'Suck', a live favourite Reznor had co-penned in the PIGFACE unit, became another complimentary ingredient prescribed the NINE INCH NAILS treatment.

'Fixed', a companion disc housed remixes of tracks previously showcased upon 'Broken', distinctly modified by such assorted luminaries as J. G. 'FOETUS' Thirlwell, noted producer Sean Beavan, Chris Vrenna and Bob Flanagan. A heavier remix of 'Last' committed by NIRVANA producer and GARBAGE drummer Butch Vig failed inclusion.

A notoriously celebrated music video depicting a grisly portrayal of the song 'Happiness in Slavery' became directed by Jon Reiss, though universally banned. The late Californian performance artist Bob Flanagan starred, a famed sufferer of cystic fibrosis who utilized the positive elements of masochism to gallantly fight the vicious disease by sagely subverting pain into pleasure. Devoutly offering a candle to the awaiting altar, he ceremonially disrobes his clothing. Ritualistically washing his naked, vulnerable frame, he surrenders himself to the disquieting, monstrous implement via straps. The sadistic machine gleefully enacts a brutal orgy of sexual molestation and torturous suffering which culminates in eventual death, all genuine footage with the obvious exception of the callous murder. Reznor views the unsettling incident while shrieking the lyrics safely behind a metallic gate, which open during the video's conclusive moments to allow entrance to the room. A 12" promotional vinyl issued a month prior to 'Fixed' also incorporated three remixes of the scandalous track in addition, victorious enough to contend for 13th place on the US Modern Rock charts.

Graphically unrelenting, 'Wish' briskly followed in its trailblazing footsteps during early Spring 1993, though to a markedly lesser degree. Avante garde musician Peter Christopherson of COIL and THROBBING GRISTLE notoriety occupied video direction this time. Precautionary, towering caged walls shield them from grave injury by wild denizens of fuming men pounding the cage's exterior, yet a suspended man hoists axeman Richard Patrick off his toes, while sticksman Chris Vrenna is apprehended through minor spaces within the cage. A brief concluding snippet illustrates men overrunning the cage, armed with dangerous weapons, deemed too explicit by some TV censors. On February 24th 1993, 'Wish' earned a prestigious Grammy award for 'Best Metal Performance', despite containing the discourteous phrase 'fist fuck'.

The groundbreaking 1994 'The Downward Spiral' album probably received much of its inherent menace due to Reznor's chosen location for recording. Basic tracks being laid down at the Los Angeles house notorious for it being the building where 60's hate guru Charles Manson had his 'Family' cult kill actress Sharon Tate among others. The band made a spectacular showing at the Woodstock '94 festival. 'Further Down The Spiral' album was released in the United States in a different format to that released in Europe.

Touring ensued with Reznor pulling in guitarists Danny Lohner (previously with ANGKOR WAT and SKREW) and ex-BAT YOUR LASHES man Robin Finck together with drummer Chris Vrenna.

1995 was taken up mainly by Reznor's almost all consuming involvement in the soundtrack to the cult teen movie 'Natural Born Killers'. Revolutionizing the soundtrack concept, which previously had been merely a vehicle to promote certain artists and very little to do with the actual film work, Reznor succeeded in segueing hundreds of songs into one whole, often overlaid with dialogue.

Reznor's Nothing label also played host to discoveries PRICK and the controversial MARILYN MANSON, both acts produced by the man himself. Reznor would also produce TWO, the most controversial musical excursion of JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Rob Halford.

Finck joined GUNS N' ROSES during their limbo years, would return to NINE INCH NAILS but then resumed activities with GUNS N' ROSES.

The quartet that made up NINE INCH NAILS at this juncture comprised of Reznor, Lohner and keyboard players Charlie Clouser and Keith Hillebrandt.

By late 2001 Vrenna would be ensconced in the latest KILLING JOKE reformation. Reznor, Clouser and Lohner would unveil a collaboration with TOOL and A PERFECT CIRCLE singer Maynard James Keenan dubbed TAPEWORM. Whilst being a high profile union TAPEWORM's progress in the studio was slow, the first fruits of their labours being a track billed as 'Vacant' actually being performed live by A PERFECT CIRCLE.

Clouser announced the formation of a further side project dubbed REVENGE OF THE TRIADS in early 2002, working in league with A PERFECT CIRCLE's Troy Van Leeuwen and Jason Slater of THIRD EYE BLIND and SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY. Meantime, Reznor was in collaboration with former RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE frontman Zack De La Rocha working up tracks for his solo record. NINE INCH NAILS would be afforded some further, if unexpected, publicity when Country star JOHNNY CASH covered 'Hurt' for his 2002 'American 1V: The Man Comes Around' album.

Reports suggested Reznor would spend early 2004 writing new NINE INCH NAILS material, provisionally for an album dubbed 'Bleedthrough', with producers Atticus Ross and Rick Rubin. It would be reported that FOO FIGHTERS drummer Dave Grohl recorded a guest appearance during a session at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California in July. By November it would seem the 'Bleedthrough' title had been dropped in favour of 'With Teeth'.

As 2005 rumours drew in concerning the band's live line up, pinpointed at guitarist Aaron North, formerly of THE ICARUS LINE, bassist Jeordie White (a.k.a. Twiggy Ramirez of A PERFECT CIRCLE and ex-MARILYN MANSON), keyboard player Alessandro Cortini and drummer Jerome Dillon. The first live dates announced, a brace of back to back shows at London's Astoria venue in late March, sold out in a record breaking 20 minutes. Support band for Summer US dates would be THE DRESDEN DOLLS.

'With Teeth' sold over 271,500 copies in its first week of US sales to debut on the Billboard album charts at number 1 and by June had been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales shipments in excess of 500,000 copies.

Controversially, the band cancelled its announced performance at the MTV Music Awards ceremony when the organisers objected to the band's plans to use a backdrop of president George W. Bush. Rather than compromise, NINE INCH NAILS pulled out of the show. The band announced a major US Winter tour to close out the year partnered with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. However, NINE INCH NAILS' concert at the Cox Arena in San Diego, California on 16th September would be halted in mid set after drummer Jerome Dillon started experiencing chest pains and sought medical treatment. He received a clean bill of health after an observational period in hospital. Cancelling a scheduled gig at the Oakland Coliseum the band announced they were to persevere but with a new drummer, Josh Freese of VANDALS, INFECTIOUS GROOVES, PEARL JAM, GUNS N' ROSES, BLACK LIGHT BURNS and A PERFECT CIRCLE repute duly stepping into the frame to cover for two gigs, Salt Lake City and Denver, before the band recruited Australian drummer Alex Carapetis in time for their 7th October Chicago date. Carapetis had previously sessioned for DELTA GOODREM and LENNY KRAVITZ. However, by early December Carapetis had been ousted and Josh Freese had once again assumed the drum role. Summer 2006 dates saw NINE INCH NAILS partnered with veteran British Alt-Rock outfit BAUHAUS.

Trent Reznor played his first solo show of his career on Saturday October 21st 2006 as part of an all-star San Francisco Bridge School Benefit event, a aid a Bay Area educational facility for students with severe speech and physical impairments, organised by NEIL YOUNG. For the show Reznor was backed only by a four-piece string section as he played subdued versions of NINE INCH NAILS tracks such as 'Piggy', 'The Fragile' and 'Hurt'.

NINE INCH NAILS announced extensive touring plans for Europe throughout February and into April 2007. A 19 song live DVD, entitled 'Beside You In Time', was launched to coincide with the album 'Year Zero' issued on April 17th. The March 5th Birmingham Academy concert was cancelled after Trent Reznor lost his voice.

On June 5th 2008 Trent Reznor issued a statement "I am proud to announce the final personnel line-up of NINE INCH NAILS for the foreseeable future. We've added, we've subtracted and we've wound up with unquestionably the strongest line-up I've EVER had. Joining me onstage will be Robin Finck, Alessandro Cortini, Josh Freese and Justin Meldal-Johnson."

NINE INCH NAILS tapped LOSTPROPHETS' Ilan Rubin to handle drum duties in 2009. US touring had the band co-headlining alongside a reformed JANE'S ADDICTION with support from Tom Morello's STREET SWEEPER.