.jpg)
Going from their sensual, synth-driven glory days of Nine Inch Nails to composing some of the most iconic film scores in recent years, the two work hard to keep the band firmly in the good books of your friend’s goth older brother. Few record collections are complete without that infamous mottled yellow cover of ‘The Downward Spiral’.
This time, the duo are hopping on a train of cinematic nostalgia on their latest single ‘As Alive As You Need Me To Be’, releasing in tandem with Tron Ares, a sci-fi sequel over a decade in the making. Many fans were delighted to hear of the band’s connection to both score and soundtrack after Daft Punk’s (the series’ previous contributor) eventual split, lamenting on the importance of sound to such a sleek techy cinema. Not many groups can mould themselves to that descriptor better than Nine Inch Nails.
Such an aggressive, pounding intro comes easy to the duo, weaving their signature electronics into a video-game world. It’s something of a grower, taking a few listens to settle on the ears, but once the heavy thumps and ticks of Reznor and Ross’ machines align, all cogs are spinning. The crisp production gives their classic industrial sounds a modern touch, ideal for the Tron universe. Images of neon motorcycles can’t help but spring to mind throughout.
Surprising not a soul, Reznor’s lyricism and vocals carry that desperation of their early music forward. Few artists approach their mic with such whining vulnerability, which is intended with the highest of praise. Nine Inch Nails are pathetic and moody in the best way possible. This time round, we hear of “An infection / Almost like a tongue on my back”. Classic Reznor. Verses are spat out in fury before a compressed pre-chorus, mixing a stretched vocal range and the band’s signature technicalities to deliver a hint at the film’s upcoming story. It’s a collaboration for the history books. That is, if Kerrang! Magazine were the author.