Nine Inch Nails delivered their first performance since dropping Not The Actual Events, on the most recent episode of Twin Peaks: The Return. Trent Reznor and crew appeared onstage, dressed just as dark as the episode itself, to perform “She’s Gone Away” from the 2016 EP. They have otherwise not performed since 2014.
Based around an open and atmospheric low grade sonic howl, Reznor laments that he “Can’t get the feeling back” before repeating “She’s gone, she’s gone…she’s gone away.” The unified hollowness of the song’s live performance was heavier and darker to a large degree, compared to the studio rendition. Watch it below:
Listen to the studio version of “She’s Gone Away” below:
Nine Inch Nails personified the industrial music genre for most of America, with Reznor’s tortured vocals giving voice to the angst of a generation seeding the emo movement that followed. NIN’s formula of layered, clamoring beats, distorted instrumentation and breakneck tempo changes coupled with martyr complex imagery laden lyrics struck a chord in millions of disaffected souls.
Not the Actual Events comes three years after NIN’s 2013 Hesitation Marks and features guest collaborators Atticus Ross, drummer Dave Grohl (Nirvana, The Foo Fighters), guitarist Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), along with Reznor’s wife and fellow How to Destroy Angels bandmate, vocalist Mariqueen Maandig.
Earlier this month, Nine Inch Nails hinted at more new music, which would become the second release of three within a trilogy of EPs. Having not performed since 2014, the band will return to the live atmosphere this summer with festival appearances at Panorama, FYF Fest, and Riot Fest.