Trent Reznor and his gothic, industrial creation Nine Inch Nails spun hate, anger and depression into a two-hour theatrical event consisting of loud, driving rhythms, screaming guitars and grinding percussion.
As the lights dimmed the malevolent keyboards filled the arena as Reznor walked through the stage's shroud and threw it to the ground. With a blinding flash the rest of the band, consisting of guitarist Robin Fink, keyboardist/guitarist Danny Lohner, keyboardist James Woolley and drummer Chris Vrenna, stomped around the stage.Reznor propped one foot on his monitors like a panther ready to strike as he shouted out the words to "Mr. Self Destruct."
Heart-stopping dynamics and a spectacular light show sent the audience of about 12,000-plus into a spiraling frenzy. But thanks to over 100 in-view security guards, the mosh pits were done away.
Perforated spotlights scanned the audience as green, blue and deep purple stage lights emphasized the grim mood of Reznor's verses. During every chorus, however, the stage exploded with a flash of white lights as the band members screamed and literally abused their instruments. In "Happiness in Slavery," Reznor ripped a keyboard from its stand and dragged it to the edge of the stage, where he slammed it into the ground before hurling it into another keyboard, destroying it.
Halfway through the concert, the audience was treated to a movie projected onto a giant scrim featuring decomposing animals, war and disease. Bright yellow spots highlighted Reznor's image through the scrim as he almost whispered the suffering lyrics to "A Warm Place."
"Suck," from the EP "Broken," got the audience chanting along with Reznor. They grabbed at his guitarist, pulled him down and almost sent him over the edge of the stage.
As the guitars cranked a furious refrain during "Down in It," Woolley batted his keyboards and ignited the electronic percussion. Each apocalyptic tone echoed through-out the arena while the audience danced and headbanged.
"Head Like a Hole," the single from NIN's debut "Pretty Hate Machine," was the highlight of the set. Reznor let his anger run rampant as he and the audience screamed the chorus and chanted the bridge. Reznor's distorted vocals set the mood as the crowd went ballistic.
The encore featured the new single "Closer," taken from the album "Downward Spiral."
After ending the song and thanking the audience, Reznor directed a scathing monologue, laced with profanity, toward Mayor Dee Dee Corradini and Delta Center owner Larry H. Miller for barring opening act Marilyn Manson from performing because it was deemed "unacceptable" for an all-ages venue for its explicit lyrics depicting abuse, destruction and decadance. Even the band's merchandise was banned from the souvenir tables. Lead singer Mr. Manson walked on stage, ripped up a religious text and threw it into the audience. The song "I Do Not Want This" ended the show.
Opening act Jim Rose Circus treated (if that's the word) the audience to razorblade and sword swallowing, a bed of nails and lightbulb eating. While there was some music (a keyboard and guitar), the set was actually a freak show intended to shock the audience and prepare them for Nine Inch Nails.