Nine Inch Nails ‎– Broken

Not many EPs are actually mini-albums (typically they are remixes and covers, etc.) This is one of those rare ones. A 27 minute blast of anger plus 2 scathing covers. Once it kicks in with Wish it doesn't let up save a slow interlude. This one was inspired by his live band after touring, hence a more rock and metal instrumentalism. I remember hearing about how Trent pulled the original version, which had the 2 covers on a 3" CD, because retail stores were taking the single out and selling it separately. He then tacked them at the end of the EP as tracks 98 and 99, after 7 - 97 tracks of blankness. That impressed me a lot that he did that.

Perhaps Trent took an Al Jourgensen approach to this album. He went from Synth Pop and took a head dive into the Metal arena. This is NIN's hardest release to date. The music is quite simple compared to his other releases. I would rank this as my least favorite NIN album, but it is still awesome! This is a perfect companion to help relieve stress or a bad experience. Once again, Trent has made a different record for a different occasion! 4/5

Very different from previous NIN's works - really aggressive and more rock oriented. Songs like "Wish" or "Happiness In Slavery" are great mixes of rock energy with electronic noises. I really like almost true metal "Last" (only percussion is programmed). Worth mentioning are also unlisted bonus tracks, two covers: Adam Ant's "Physical" and Pigface song "Suck". Peculiar that last one is much better than original and my personal favourite from the whole EP.

I can't listen to this album when I'm happy. But, on those rare occasions when I'm mad as hell, this album is perfection.
Its puts me in the mind to break furniture, to destroy, to scream and yell and rip shit apart. To punch walls and smash printers, to swing a bat at an electric appliance until nothing remains of it but tiny pieces scattered all over the carpet.
Two songs that go with it are March of the Pigs and Burn.
The bonus track are great, but not part of the mood.

The way this EP opens up, is really awesome, and it isn't too harsh-sounding for me, but it seems like, from there the rest of the album just gradually descends into choas.