How to Destroy Angels [EP]

How To Destroy Angels | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 6, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: The Null Corporation
• ASIN: B003N7GATM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,650 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The first post NIN project of Trent Reznor featuring vocals from wife and ex-West Indian Girl Mariqueen Maandig and his regular collaborator Atticus Ros

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good debut, room for improvement..., July 6, 2010

By 

Richard Shaheen "Cody" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Destroy Angels (Audio CD)

If there is one thing I was hoping for with the release of the eponymous EP from How To Destroy Angels it was for something completely beyond the norm for Trent Reznor. I'm a HUGE Nine Inch Nails fan, so as far as I am concerned, anything the man touches is solid gold (and I haven't been let down yet). HTDA is no exception; it's a quality record from a quality group of musicians. My only complaint would be that it does sound a little too NIN-ish. Some of these tracks sound like they could have been b-sides or unreleased tracks from Year Zero, which wouldn't have been a bad thing if this was a Nails release. It sounds as though Trent is trying to get out of his comfort zone here but just can't seem to get all the way out. Some tracks are stellar standouts that offer a lot of hope that some amazing things are in the works; "Fur Lined" in particular has a very unique feel that sets it apart from Reznor's previous work. "The Space In Between" is a bit out there for him, but still manages to toe that line of comfortability. The addition of Mariqueen Maandig-Reznor certainly adds an interesting element to the equation, her vocals are haunting and breathy which does wonders for the music; Reznor singing would have not made quite the impact.

All in all, this is a good record; not a great one, but a good one. If Trent and company can find a way to get themselves out of their comfort zone, they could deliver a truly amazing album.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Try to fill the spaces in between.", June 25, 2010

By 

Matt Jacobs "Adrenaline" (Trumansburg, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Destroy Angels (MP3 Download)

This is the self-titled debut EP by How to Destroy Angels, a group formed by Trent Reznor, his wife Mariqueen Maandig, and producer Atticus Ross. It sort of sounds like Nine Inch Nails release The Slip if a woman was singing. It will be released physically early next month, but you can still download it online for free if you want. So yeah, it's pretty enjoyable electronic/industrial stuff, and it's hard to go wrong when you don't have to pay. My two favorite tracks happen to be the opener and closer, "The Space in Between" and "A Drowning". The former has a perfect, ominous sound countered by Mariqueen's pleasant voice that nicely introduces you to their style, and the latter has a nice build up and release for the record's climax. The other tracks are totally fine too, with my third favorite probably being "The Believers". I'm not sure how dedicated any of them really are to the future of this project, but their first effort is fairly strong and might be worth some further development.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trance with Trent Reznor, September 29, 2010

By 

H. Bickel (Colorado) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How To Destroy Angels (MP3 Download)

When Trent Reznor announced that he was disbanding Nine Inch Nails he said he was tired of being constrained with the type of music he created because of the expectations that people had with that name. Not his exact words (by a long shot!) but definitely his meaning behind them.

It's obvious to me that he was quite inspired by his wife in creating this "band" if you can call it that. It is Trance with a Trent twist. Like early NIN it doesn't quite fit into any preconceived or pre-marketed genre. As always, he is a musical genius and quite possibly/probably ahead of his time. It's very chill and relaxing - not what you would normally expect from him!

Personally I think a lot of the bad reviews here were from people who wanted NIN reincarnated. Mariqueen Maandig certainly doesn't have the voice to do Industrial, but she is marvelous singing this.

If you have an open mind, like/love Electronic/Trance (not just Club stuff) music, like/love Trent Reznor's style of music then give this a shot.