"It's more song-oriented [than 1999's The Fragile]," says NIN mastermind Reznor. "It's much more lean. It's going to be twelve good punches in the face -- no fillers, no instrumentals, just straight to the point."

Rick Rubin (Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash) is producing the record. "It's kind of a new vibe this time around," says Reznor. "Different people, different approach.

While Bleed may be more streamlined than its predecessors, namely the expansive concept records 1994's The Downward Spiral and The Fragile, it won't exactly be light fare. "It's a complicated concept record," Reznor says, "but reduced to just simple songs. It's not epic in its scope. It's minimal and a bit brutal."

NIN plan to hit the road in the next few months to preview the new material. "It's been forever since we played," Reznor says. "I'm reenergized right now, my life's in order, and I'm ready to combat the shitty music that's out right now."

Danny Lohner talks to Kerrang! posted by Chris
An article with Danny Lohner appears in the latest issue of Kerrang! Magazine. He happens to spill the beans that the new NIN album may be out by the end of the year, as he is going down to New Orleans to catch up with him and see where it's at.

"Trent Reznor is like my mentor. I don't compete with him. He's on a another level when it comes to things like that." Danny Lohner, longtime bassist/guitarist/programmer with Nine Inch Nails, is aware that he's got a lot to live up to. NIN mainman Reznor famously revolutionised the art of movie soundtracks with his groundbreaking work on Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers and David Lynch's Lost Highway. Now Lohner has followed in Reznor's footsteps and put together the soundtrack to acclaimed Brit vampire flick Underworld."

Danny goes on to discuss bits of Tapeworm and the Underworld soundtrack. In other news, NothingStudios.com has opened up in case any of you need a place to record an album or play vintage video games and watch TiVO.