Due to problems with the band's record label, TVT, the followup EP, Broken, was recorded in secret. The CD, which contains 6 songs plus two hidden tracks, was more like the live show. The music was loud, almost to the point of being unlistenable at some points. Reznor had recently broken up with a long time girlfriend, and this angst, along with the record label troubles, set the climate for this bitter release. The two hidden tracks were both covers: Physical from Adam Ant and Suck by Pigface.
What would become of Nine Inch Nails? were they going to be an alternative band, and industrial band, or a heavy metal band? Their sound matured with each album they released. The public awaited their next offering. This came in the form of The Downward Spiral. The attitude of this full-length album may have been just as dismal as Broken, but it was much more refined. The musical textures were far deeper than the band's other releases, with layers of samples and guitars and piano. The tour that followed was wildest and most shocking. the newly discovered Marilyn Manson opened for NIN on many dates.
After the Spiral tour concluded, we heard little from Nine Inch Nails. Reznor produced a few movie soundtracks, including Natural Born Killers and The Lost Highway.
In 1999, after a four year break,Trent finally released The Fragile, an epic two-CD album which confirmed that Trent was still a genius and could do no wrong. It featured a song, Starfuckers Inc, which was seen as a vicious attack on once friend, Marilyn Manson. The break up of their friendship had made Trent angry and he felt betrayed. During the making of The Fragile, Trent's grandmother died and he fell into despair. He made a song called I'm looking forward to joining you, finally. The first half of 2000 saw Trent as a happier person, and the release of the Starsuckers inc. video.
It featured Trent and a mystery date going to a carnival and playing games like "smash the plate" with celebrity faces on. The plates featured some of Trent's least favourite people: Fred Durst, Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson and himself. In an ironic twist, the "mystery woman" turns out to be Marilyn Manson in drag; signifying their renewed friendship. During a NIN show in New York, Marilyn Manson appeared on stage for the end of Starfuckers inc. and stayed on to sing The Beautiful People. NIN fans now await the new releases, and material from the side project Tapeworm which features Trent, Charlie Clouser, Danny Lohner, Maynard James Keenan and Phil Anselmo.
