• Consequence
  • Music
  • Film
  • TV
  • Heavy
Menu Consequence
Menu Shop Search Sale
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Live
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Mobile App
Advertisement
  • Reviews
  • Album Reviews

Album Review: Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV

A-

Artists

  • Nine Inch Nails
  • Trent Reznor
Advertisement
Alex Young
April 22, 2008 | 11:23pm ET

    Nine Inch Nails released it’s sixth studio album, Ghosts I-IV, on March 2, 2008, signifying not only a departure from Interscope Records but also a departure from the traditional works that NIN fans have come to expect. This album, consisting of 36 instrumental tracks, was originally released for digital download through NIN’s Website for a bargain-based price of five bucks (a teaser of the first 9 tracks offered free of charge).

    Following this initial release, several other, more elaborate versions were made available, ranging from a Two-Disc CD set for ten bucks, to an Ultra-Deluxe Limited Edition for $300, which included CDs, vinyl, Blu-ray discs, photographs, books and Trent’s signature with a unique number topping out at 2,500. It is inarguable, by the overwhelming avant-garde sound heard on Ghosts I-IV, that Reznor and crew were geared up and ready to break free from the restraints of their record company.

    Sounding mostly like the soundtrack of an old horror flick, summing up Ghosts just in those words would be an injustice to the album and just a plain out lie. This mix of synths, distorted guitar-banging riffs, machine-like noises and ambient dreamy sequences, is severely different from the group’s previous albums, yet still delivers us a definite identifiable work of Reznor and company. Tapping the familiar and inevitable dark side, Ghosts also turns out sad, beautiful, and dare I say redeeming tracks, such as 22 on Ghosts III & 28 on Ghosts IV, among many others.

    Advertisement
    Related Video

    On NIN’s website, Reznor refers to Ghosts by saying “This music arrived unexpectedly as the result of an experiment. The rules were as follows: 10 weeks, no clear agenda, no over thinking, everything driven by impulse. Whatever happens during that time gets released as… something.” Many would interpret the quote as stupidity, if not an egomaniac’s recipe for disaster. To me, it spells out one thing and one thing only…truth.

    In listening to this album, I hear a musical liberation and a total freedom of expression that transcends the boundaries of what our ears are trained to hear, and more importantly, allows musicians to be what they truly are beneath the surface…artists. NIN allowed themselves to go wherever their minds took them and somehow also managed enough structure to work that into a cohesive whole, and in the end, they delivered us an album that’s entirely new, refreshing and close to perfection. I, among many, am grateful.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit

Artists

  • Nine Inch Nails
  • Trent Reznor

Sign up for updates

Subscribe to our email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitch
  • Tiktok
Advertisement

Popular Stories

tears for fears concert review

Music

Tears for Fears Debut Four New Songs Live at 2022 Tour Kickoff: Review, Photos and Setlist

the smiths songs ranked

Features

Every Song by The Smiths Ranked From Worst to Best

Listen to New Episodes of Kyle Meredith With...

Listen to New Episodes of Kyle Meredith With...

Advertisement

Kyle Mooney, Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant SNL

TV

Saturday Night Live Shakeup: Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney Leaving Show

aimee osbourne fire

Heavy Consequence

Ozzy Osbourne's Daughter Aimée Escapes Recording Studio Fire That Left One Dead

Personalized Stories

Around The Web

Latest Stories

Harrys House Review

Welcome to Harry's House, Harry Styles' Most Self-Assured and Thoughtfully Constructed Album to Date

May 20, 2022

jordana face the wall album review

On Face The Wall, Jordana Ascends

May 19, 2022

mr morale big steppers review

With Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar Chooses Himself and Makes a Masterpiece

May 13, 2022

the smile a light for attracting attention album review

The Smile's A Light for Attracting Attention Is an Album for Attracting Radiohead Fans

May 13, 2022

Advertisement

News

  • Music
  • New Music
  • Album Streams
  • Upcoming Releases
  • Film
  • TV
  • Pop Culture
  • Tours

Reviews

  • Music Reviews
  • Film Reviews
  • TV Reviews
  • Concert Reviews
  • Festival Reviews

Features

  • Editorials
  • Interviews
  • Lists
  • Rankings
  • Artist of the Month
  • Song of the Week

Live

  • Concert Tickets
  • Festival Tickets
  • Festival News
  • Tour Dates
  • Livestreams
  • Music Instruments & Gear

Heavy

  • News
  • Interviews
  • Concerts

More

  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Music Videos
  • Streaming
  • Wellness
  • Giveaways

Other sites

  • Heavy Consequence
  • Consequence Media
  • About
  • Privacy policy
  • Advertising
  • Terms
  • Contact
  • Copyright
  • Do not sell my personal information

Download our app

  • Get it on the App Store
  • Get it on Google Play
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitch
  • Tiktok
Consequence
Current story

Album Review: Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV

Menu Shop Search Sale
Consequence
News
  • All News
  • Music
  • New Music
  • Album Streams
  • Upcoming Releases
  • Film
  • TV
  • Pop Culture
  • Tours
Reviews
  • Music Reviews
  • Film Reviews
  • TV Reviews
  • Concert Reviews
  • Festival Reviews
Features
  • Editorials
  • Interviews
  • Lists
  • Rankings
  • Artist of the Month
  • Song of the Week
Live
  • Concert Tickets
  • Festival Tickets
  • Festival News
  • Tour Dates
  • Livestreams
  • Music Instruments & Gear
Podcasts
  • The Opus
  • Kyle Meredith With...
  • Stanning BTS
  • The Story Behind the Song
  • The What
  • Going There with Dr. Mike
  • The Rome and Duddy Show
  • Rootsland
  • This Must Be The Gig
  • Assembly
Videos
  • Interview
  • Video Essay
  • Fan Theories
  • Sole Kitchen
  • Annotated Video
Heavy
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Concerts
  • Premieres
  • Culture
  • Beyond the Boys Club
  • Mining Metal
Shop

Follow Consequence

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitch
  • Tiktok
Close
Close