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[[Image:Broken.jpg|thumb|Halo 5 - ''Broken'']]

'''''Broken''''' (also known as '''''[[halo numbers|Halo 5]]''''') is an EP released in 1992. Although not technically so, ''[[Broken]]'' is usually considered [[Nine Inch Nails]]' second major release after ''[[Pretty Hate Machine]]'' since it consists entirely of new material; it was followed later that year by ''[[Fixed]],'' a companion EP of remixes of the songs on ''Broken.''

Music videos were shot for each song with the exception of "[[Last]]," "[[Physical (You're So)]]," and "[[Suck]]." These videos were included on the second part of the ''[[Closure]]'' VHS set. [[Peter Christopherson]] also compiled these videos along with an alternate version of "[[Gave Up]]" into what is known as the ''[[Broken Movie]]''.

==Inspiration==

The release of ''Broken'' followed on from a major disagreement between Reznor and his record label at the time, [[TVT Records]], and the influence of the conflict is evident in multiple aspects of the record. After the credits in the packaging, a line reads "no thanks: you know who you fucking are" followed by "the slave thinks he is released from bondage only to find a stronger set of chains." This is most likely directed towards TVT Records' Steve Gottlieb, who refused to allow Reznor out of his contract, resulting in a legal battle between the two parties.

Trent Reznor has also stated that during the [[Pretty Hate Machine Tour]] the songs grew more aggressive when played by a live band compared to their studio counterparts. Violence on-stage also became a common feature at their shows as a result of the band venting pent-up frustration and anger on their instruments. Consequently, ''Broken'' sounds much more abrasive and harsher with the increased prominence of distorted guitars, amongst other things.

==Audio Texture==

On this EP, there are louder mixes and more distortion on every instrument, including a classic Mellotron MKIV (originally owned by John Lennon), which can be heard most noticeably on the track "Gave Up". Reznor said he wanted the album to be "an abrasive, hard-to-listen-to thing...I wanted to make a record that the first time you hear it you don't like it, but you might want to hear it again, but by the third time it's pretty cool. By the fifth time, you really like it and possibly by the tenth time you're not sick of it and now it all makes sense"''

==Track listing==

#"[[Pinion]]" – 1:02

#"[[Wish (song)|Wish]]" – 3:46

#"[[Help Me I Am In Hell]]" – 1:56

#"[[Happiness In Slavery (song)|Happiness In Slavery]]" – 5:21

<ol start="98">

<li>"[[Physical (You're So)]]" – 5:29</li>

<li>"[[Suck]]" – 5:07</li>

</ol>

===Bonus Tracks===

The first 200,000 copies included a 3.5" CD with the bonus tracks "Physical" and "Suck" in a small envelope inside the digipak. After discovering that some unscrupulous record store owners were selling the bonus disc as a separate entity, Reznor had the format changed and the EP was re-released as a single CD, with the bonus tracks occupying track numbers 98 and 99. Tracks 7 through 97 all contain 1–3 seconds of dead air, leaving a gap of 1:31–4:33 between "Gave Up" and "Physical (You're So). Reznor has explained why the tracks were released as they were: ''"It was a way to distance them from the other music because it wasn't part of the same mind set. Unfortunately, the risk involved is, with radio being as conservative as it is, I knew they would jump on "Physical" or "Suck" because they're a bit more digestible than the other stuff, so I've tried to make them as obscure as possible."''[http://www.theninhotline.net/archives/articles/xart196.shtml]

In 1995, Nine Inch Nails performed "Physical" live with Adam Ant for two nights in a row [[1995/01/06 New York City, NY|in New York City]]. After Reznor introduced Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni on the second night, Adam Ant proclaimed to the audience, "It's nice to be on stage with the best fucking band in the world."

==Album Credits==

*Writing, performance and production: [[Trent Reznor]]

*7 written by A. Ant ©1980 CBS Records, Inc.

*8 written by T. Reznor/Pigface ©1991 Thumbless music, Leaving Hope and TVT Music, Inc.

== Press Sheet ==

An A4-sized press sheet included with the 12" vinyl promo includes the following passage from Reznor: