The industrial rock band will be mixing it up over a series of six shows at the L. A. venue with The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Nine Inch Nails was pure fire during the band’s first of six sold-out shows at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles Friday night. The industrial rock group, fearlessly led by consummate performer Trent Reznor, was mighty from start to finish, coming out on time (9:45 p.m.) and straight away with thick fog, intense strobe lighting and rapid fire blasts of music that transitioned into “Mr. Self Destruct.”
For a man who was so dark, mysterious and who didn’t at all expect to live through 1994’s appropriately titled “The Downward Spiral,” Reznor, now 53, has gone on to be one of the most dynamic frontmen in rock music. He’s unafraid of experimentation and ferociously goes straight for the jugular with both the music and lyrical content. The band typically plays arenas or outdoor amphitheaters when it comes to town, however it opted to play the cozy into the 5,000-capacity Palladium for the series of six more intimate experiences while out on its Cold and Black and Infinite Tour in support of its latest six-song release, “Bad Witch.”
The smaller setting must have been of comfort to Reznor, who talked more from the stage than ever before. He played saxophone during NIN’s latest single, “God Break Down the Door” and though he’s notoriously a very stoic figure, the crowd caught quite a few glimpses of Reznor’s wide smile during the 21-song set.
