Concert Review: Nine Inch Nails
By Ganei HaTa'arucha for Jerusalem Post on September 5, 2007
His lack of prolific production is often attributed to his proclivity for tiring, extended world tours. Of course, Reznor's infamous depressive tendencies come into play as well, but on the other hand, it's the iconic singer-producer-songwriter-arranger-performer's self-loathing that provides the fuel that drives his art and his band, Nine Inch Nails.
It was Trent Reznor's raw emotions that took center stage on Wednesday night before several thousands of Israeli goth-metal-techno-pop fans - genuinely emotive introspective moments, packaged with literally 11.5 tons of tour production material. Flanked by keyboardist Alessandro Cortini, drummer Josh Freese, bassist Jeordie "Twiggy Ramirez" White, guitarist Aaron North, walls of lighting effects and moving video curtains, Reznor blasted through nearly two hours of NIN favorites and strong recent material.
Reznor knows how to put on a good show, with even the melodies lending themselves to the theatrical spectacle - not that any testosterone-fueled anger was compromised. Trent Reznor might be the only professional headbanger out there to be able to wear capri pants on stage and lose zero rock credibility.
Over an hour into the set, bathed in countless white lights, the front man took a moment between songs to genuinely thank the audience for having welcomed the band so warmly and for having waited so many years for the show. For a few seconds, though, Reznor confessed that he'd forgotten what he was talking about, as a fan clamored forward wearing a tee-shirt that read "The Perfect Jugs" - a pun that plays off of the NIN song title "The Perfect Drug." Remembering where he was, Reznor promptly promised that Israel will remain a stop on all future Nine Inch Nails world tours.