Nine Inch Nails peels it back at TD Garden

Concerts

NIN energized the crowd with an electric 20-song, 100-minute set. 

Trent Reznor hammered home his band’s message loud and clear, as Nine Inch Nails peeled it back, Friday night at TD Garden.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers pushed things to its sonic limits, energizing the crowd with an electric 20-song, 100-minute set. 

Hitting the road for the first time in three years, the Peel It Back Tour showcased NIN’s ever extensive and eclectic catalogue. 

Formed in Cleveland in 1988, Reznor’s industrial outfit has certainly carved out its own unique niche with its dark, keyboard laced-fusion and heavy guitar grizzle. Both were on full display Friday, with the band shifting between two stages. One of music’s most enigmatic frontmen, Reznor utilized both platforms well going from piano and keyboards to rhythm guitar. He guided his band’s frenetic ferocity, while keeping the audience at a respectful distance throughout, only adding to his mystery and legend.

“It’s good to be back here in Boston, thank you for coming out,” Reznor told the crowd. “We played Boston Calling the last time we were here. It’s good to be at our own show. We appreciate you. Thank you very much.”

Dressed head-to-toe in black, Reznor opened the show alone and seated at the piano on the smaller B-stage in the middle of the arena. His effectively eerie acoustic rendition of opener “Right Where It Belongs,” set the ominous tone, complete with a brief outro of “Somewhat Damaged” thrown in for good measure. The singer’s biting lyrics were accentuated with the capacity crowd joining in on the song’s curse-riddled conclusion.

Reznor also resurrected “Ruiner,” one of eight cuts taken from the band’s 1994 release “The Downward Spiral,” before eventually being joined by bassist Alessandro Cortini, and longtime cohort Atticus Ross on keyboards and synthesizers, building the momentum. Guitarist Robin Finck followed, providing some six-string crackle and buzz to the catchy “Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now).” The song’s familiar chorus echoed throughout the arena.

Drummer Josh Freese turned things up a notch back at the main stage. The former Guns N’ Roses replacement introduced himself with a rousing drum solo, beckoning the band to join him. Heeding the invite, Nine Inch Nails quickly reconvened for a brash take on “Wish.” But it wasn’t until launching into the full-throttle insanity of “March of the Pigs,” – arguably the best tune of the night – that the band finally hit full stride.

Forever cloaked in a shroud of mystery, Nine Inch Nails performed its main stage set in front of three large screens. The mosquito net-style staging was a bit unusual but served its purpose with assorted video and graphics projected over it.

Reznor’s musical foil, Ross provided plenty of added ambiance, lighting up the synth-fueled swagger of “Reptile.”  Bassist Cortini provided the techno-styled pacing of “Heresy” with equal aplomb.

The band’s heartbeat, Freese found the pocket with the piston-popping precision of “Copy of A.,” as Reznor danced to the infectious beat. The drummer’s impeccable timekeeping was kicked up further on the frantic “Gave Up,” playing in step to red pulsating strobe lights. 

Finck, another former G-N-R hired hand, complimented the drummer’s tempo with added guitar crunch and screaming backing vocal.

Opening act Boys Noize joined Reznor and Ross back on the B-Stage for a keyboard armistice. The trio went in full heavy metal rave mode on a handful of tunes, culminating with the whiplash stomp of “Closer.” 

While atmospheric, the B-stage set was hindered by its design concept. All three performers faced each other, with their backs largely to the audience. Was this another way of Reznor maintaining that unique buffer zone? One can only wonder.

Returning to the main stage, the veil hiding the band was finally lifted. Basking in unencumbered glory, Reznor and company ripped through the furious fourth act with the sudden shove of “Mr. Self Destruct,” before laying into “Less Than.” Finck cut through the riff-heavy mayhem of “The Perfect Drug,” stoking the bands potent firepower.

The band also took time to tip the cap to a legendary predecessor, David Bowie, tackling a paranoid cover of “I’m Afraid of Americans. 

“We had the privilege of working with David Bowie,” said Reznor. “(This song has) taken on a different meaning now.”

Not surprisingly, Nine Inch Nails saved its best for last. “Head Like a Hole” continues to get the biggest pop from the audience with its tireless energy and fury. Reznor capped the evening crushing the iconic and haunting “Hurt,” capping an emotionally charged night.

DJ Boys Noize opened with an hour-long set of industrial-strength house music. His synthetic-tinged tones may have induced a slight head nod here and there from some of the captive audience but would be better served in much shorter doses for one’s own sanity.

Nine Inch Nails, Aug. 29 at TD Garden

B-Stage

Right Where It Belongs (acoustic piano version; with “Somewhat Damaged” outro)

Ruiner (partial acoustic piano

Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)

Main Stage

Wish

March of the Pigs

Reptile

Heresy

Copy of A

Gave Up

B-Stage

Vessel (with Boys Noize) 

Closer (with Boys Noize)

As Alive as You Need Me to Be (with Boys Noize)

Came Back Haunted (with Boys Noize)

Main Stage

Mr. Self Destruct

Less Than

The Perfect Drug

I’m Afraid of Americans (David Bowie cover)

The Hand That Feeds

Head Like a Hole

Hurt