Why the world still needs an album by Nine Inch Nails. What a man does whose heart has been broken one too many times. Whose soul feels empty and dark and is a step in front of the abyss. He will not start making music instead. For 25 years, Trent Reznor tried his fears to transform his despair and his injuries in sounds and melodies. It is therefore not the first. For many musicians and artists their creative work was a struggle against their own demons and had as often as therapeutic implications. Unfortunately not for all. Reznor`s great role model and idol Ian Curtis with his band Joy Division late 70s also created music, which in its bare cold and threatening unfathomable to this day is unique. Curtis went with his music in the darkness - but could not find back 1. Reznor is still there what a little miracle comes. Obviously driven by demons, which no one wants to drag to light, Trent Reznor went with his band Nine Inch Nails from the beginning to the path of greatest resistance. The debut album Pretty Hate Machine 1989 shone with extravagantly beautiful pop melodies, which blew up the artist with hard techno sounds and milled guitars in all items. The texts in turn reflected the cold 80s and granted a first look into the disillusioned 90s. Wounded souls, suicide thoughts, naked despair and hopelessness were the formative issues. The album has evolved over the years to the underground sensation, Single Head Like A Hole classic in the Goth-cellars. A dispute with his label of course prevented Reznor provisionally publish more music. In the fall of 1992 finally came the mini album Broken. Even die-hard fans were not prepared for this concentration of noise, anger and self-loathing, which spilled Reznor in almost 21 minutes longer than his listeners. There are polarized such that little music. Broken has no middle ground. Finding the music it somehow quite well not go. The EP2 played Reznor free to focus on the official successor of his debut. For over a year he werkte alone in his studio on The Downward Spiral. He composed, recorded, produced and arranged. To describe the perfectionist as egomaniac would be an understatement. Which ultimately applies to all great artists. The hasty compromise, the worthy adaptation, the supposed concession to the work of this working method rarely creates artworks of lasting importance. The Downward Spiral what Nine Inch Nails published in spring 1994 is all great art - with long-term significance. A milestone and undisputed driving force for the rock music of the past 20 years. The pain was at Reznor never show or calculus. The man tore his chest and put his battered heart on the table. No wonder that tormented teenager souls found in this music appreciation and empathy. The ambitious double album The Fragile followed in 1999 and could not hold all the high level, however, strengthened the reputation of NIN - as one of the key bands of the 90s. The 00s can easily be called the Lost Weekend for Trent Reznor. Three marbled NIN studio albums, a side project and diverse soundtrack work could not hide his disorientation. The (almost) instrumental album Ghosts I-IV from 2007 then left the most loyal fans back helplessly. In addition to the musical Still Stang but there were other positive developments on the home front. Reznor has successfully fought his drug addictions. Since 2009, marriage and children give new support and its still short textual trips to the ancient chasms are accompanied by cautious optimism in recent years. Meanwhile, Reznor has also worked with director Davin Fincher found a congenial partner in the world of film. Also Fincher`s films devoted to sometimes human abysses beyond the pain threshold (Seven, Fight Club, Panic Room). Reznor has composed for Fincher two soundtracks and recorded (The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), and also received the Oscar for the former. The early retirement seemed assured. Thus, the surprise was great as this summer a new album of Nine Inch Nails was announced. Unbeknownst to both friend and foe to Reznor has (once again) a year holed up in his studio and worked on hestitation Marks. The album can be traded as a big surprise. Reznor is musically and technically sound back to the Spartan and often barren sounds of his debut, gives again with the lyrics his personal development. Apart from this, it would be presumptuous of an Oscar winner and happy family man to expect more songs about teenage angst. The album is very reflected in its theme and now the bad word is grown, yet rock n 'roll. The rage and anger are still there only more focused and controlled. Here someone is looking for its center and make it a glorious past to the present to transform without having to repeat it. Not only the work of a master, but a real masterpiece. Trent Reznor cemented with hestitation Marks its status as exceptional artists. Playing tips from a concept album pick out is always sinful. Nevertheless Copy Of A is recommended. A minimalist techno beat drives menacing advance the number. The guitars milling with squeezed tight energy like a wild animal just before the jump. A nerve-wracking introduction to the album which then the first single can be equal to follow. Came Back Haunted lost in the old fears and new paranoia and remembers not only technically sound to the early work. Find My Way in turn is a naked ghostly ballad which reminds us of Something I Can Never Have from the debut album. Disappointed turns out to be small fine masterpiece in the Dubstep dueled with metal guitars. While I'm Still Here is the ballad at the end, which sends a sawed and disturbing saxophone solo the listener into the cold lonely night. The album marks a welcome return to form and style of the early work without sounding to Retro. The feidgliedrig composed songs are masterfully arranged, the production is astounding and immaculately. Fortunately, Reznor has this time also allows a reasonable bassist. The bass sound organic and alive as rare in NIN belongs. The guitar shine through diversity, which is also illustrated on the guest list sure. The Progrocker Adrian Belew (King Crimson) engages in some titles in the pages, as well as Lindsey Buckingham full-time guitarist for the soft rockers Fleetwood Mac. Musical boundaries wiedermal find only in the minds of fans instead of what to get riled about the exceptional cooperation on the Internet. Trent Reznor does not care, he is now working with the most diverse artists. This is even with the bonus CD, which comes with the Limited Edition, nachzuhören. The English Popexzentriker Todd Nungren All Time Low has remixed and created a completely new song. What comes next for all Trent Reznor, a collaboration with Paul McCartney? Everything seems possible. Hestitation Marks is ultimately awaited sequel to Pretty Hate and Downward and their logical continuation. It took 24 years to complete at the Triple Up. The new album comes full circle. The hate machine only more quietly stutters in Reznor`s life and also the spiral turns back up only highlights the importance of Hesitation Marks namely to end a long trip. Reznor has both the content as well as the musical curve got. Of course also offers Hestiation Marks painful glances into the darkness - Some scars remain forever. But you no longer appear so ugly in a new light. Andi Bauer