A musical pioneer and visionary, and likely the most technologically innovative artist to date.
As leader (singer/songwriter) of Nine Inch Nails, Reznor not only garnered success early in his career, but managed to stay ahead of the curve as decades passed. Where others in the past have neither understood nor embraced technology (i.e.
Metallica's Lars Ulrich suing Napster in 2000), Reznor uses it to his advantage at any ample opportunity.
Today, he writes, records, produces and markets his music on his terms. This process always involves a
computer, the Internet or both.
His music has always and continues to shine light on the ugly aspects of human existence. Common themes are broken love, betrayal, lost
faith and drug addiction.
His most prolific
work to date is "Year Zero," a concept album taking place
15 years in the future, where a citizen in the dystopic nightmare finds solace in various heartwarming and destructive human characteristics. Reznor said rap drum beats from classic
hip hop artists inspired his compositions on this album, a new direction for Reznor and mainstream
rock (quite possibly a new form of "rap
rock," or more appropriately titled "rock rap").
Trent Reznor
Born: May 17, 1965 in Mercer,
Pennsylvania
Years active: 1988-present
Albums:
Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
Broken (1992)
The Downward Spiral (1994)
The Fragile (1999)
With Teeth (2005)
Year Zero (2007)
The Slip (2008)
Innovations:
-Places a number on all his releases after the term "
Halo," which includes singles, live performances and video releases
-First major artist to release songs online in Garage Band format for fans to remix (2005)
-First to attempt to release catalog of music online for free, including in Garage Band format (2007)
-First album with color change CD label (Year Zero, 2007)
-Purposefully placed
USB drives with tracks from "Year Zero" in bathroom stalls at concerts prior to its release for fans to share on the Internet
-Released formal LP album online for free download (The Slip, 2008)
Notable collaborations:
-Marilyn Manson
-Maynard
James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle)
-Zach de la Rocha (Rage Against the Machine)
-Saul Williams