Closer To God (halo)

Halo 9 - Closer To God

Closer To God (also known as Halo 9), released on May 30, 1994, is a remix compilation released to promote the Nine Inch Nails song "Closer" from the album The Downward Spiral. The UK releases do not bear a halo number.

The "Thrust" remix of "Closer" was intended for this release, but was left off. Trent Reznor would later release it for free on remix.nin.com. Another mix that was released on the unofficial download-only compilation Uncoiled, and later released semi-officially on Recoiled, may have originally been planned for release on Closer To God.

Track Listing

US

CD

This version incorporates tracks from both UK EPs, sharing cover image with first and subtitle with second.

1. "Closer To God" - 5:05
2. "Closer" (Precursor) - 7:16
3. "Closer" (Deviation) - 6:15
4. "Heresy" (Blind) - 5:32
5. "Memorabilia" - 7:21
6. "Closer" (Internal) - 4:15
7. "March Of The Fuckheads" - 4:43
8. "Closer" (Further Away) - 5:45
9. "Closer" - 6:26

Cassette

     A  "Closer" - 6:25
     B  "March Of The Pigs (live)" (from the music video) - 3:12

UK

"Closer"

CD

Released in a digipack format with space for two CDs. Titled "Closer" on outer package, but Further Away on the CD art.

1. "Closer" - 6:26
2. "Closer" (Deviation) - 6:15
3. "Closer" (Further Away) - 5:45
4. "Closer" (Precursor) - 7:16
5. "Closer" (Internal) - 4:15

12" Vinyl

Released in a slightly oversized cardsleeve with room for part 2.
     A1  "Closer" (Deviation) - 6:15
     A2  "Closer" (Further Away) - 5:45
     A3  "Closer" - 6:26
     B1  "Closer" (Precursor) - 7:16
     B2  "Closer" (Internal) - 4:15

Closer To God UK part2

"Closer to God"

CD

Released in a slimline case with different artwork from Part 1.

1. "Closer To God" - 5:05
2. "Heresy" (Blind) - 5:32
3. "Memorabilia" - 7:21
4. "March Of The Fuckheads" - 4:43

12" Vinyl

Released in thinner cardsleeve for integration into part 1.
     A1  "Closer to God" - 5:05
     A2  "March Of The Fuckheads" - 4:43
     B1  "Heresy" (Blind) - 5:32
     B2  "Memorabilia" - 7:21

12" Promo Vinyl

     A1  "Closer to God" - 5:25
     A2  "Closer" (Precursor) - 7:16
     B1  "Closer" (Deviation) - 6:15
     B2  "Heresy" (Blind) - 5:38
     C1  "Memorabilia" - 7:21
     C2  "Closer" (Internal) - 4:15
     C3  "March Of The Fuckheads" - 4:44
     D1  "Closer" (Further Away) - 5:44
     D2  "Closer" - 6:25

Artwork

The cover art is frequently misattributed to Russell Mills, as he created the art for all other releases from The Downward Spiral period. It was actually done by photographer Joseph Cultice, though he is uncredited on the packaging.[1]

In an interview with Revolver magazine[2], Cultice elaborated on the photo shoot that resulted in the halo's cover:

"I never shot still lifes of bugs before. But I'd assisted a guy named Hans Neleman, who was lighting things with mirrors and little teeny hot lights and laying things between layers and layers of glass — that's like coffee and milkshakes and snot and dirt and stuff from the street. On this one the bug is right on top and sharp, but all that stuff below is different layers of junk on the glass. Remember that movie Interview With a [sic] Vampire? It had just finished wrapping … The guy that brought the bugs was part of the company that did all the animal wrangling for Interview With a [sic] Vampire — all the alligators and all that. He brought boxes and boxes — like Ikea clear boxes — filled with millipedes and cockroaches. We shot like 50 different pictures of bugs, and this is the one that turned out to be the cover. Trent was there the whole day, because he wanted to hang out with the bugs."

Credits (track numbers as in US edition)

1. Trent Reznor, Sean Beavan, Brian Pollack
2. Coil, Danny Hyde
3. Jack Dangers, Craig Silvey
4. Dave Ogilvie, Anthony Valcic, Joseph Bishara (misspelled as "Bisara")
5. Trent Reznor, Robin Finck, Sean Beavan, Chris Vrenna, Brian Pollack, John van Eaton, Sugar and his friend
6. Bill Kennedy, Scott Humphrey, John "Geetus" Aguto, Paul Decarli, Eric Claudiex
7. Adrian Sherwood
8. Bill Kennedy, Scott Humphrey, John "Geetus" Aguto, Paul Decarli, Eric Claudiex
9. Trent Reznor, Flood, Alan Moulder
   

• 1–4, 6–9 written by Trent Reznor ©1994 Leaving Hope/TVT Music, Inc., ASCAP. All rights reserved
• 5 written by David Ball and Mark Almond ©1981 Phonogram Ltd. (London)
• 9 taken from The Downward Spiral ©1994 Interscope Records.

Cassette Credits

• "March Of The Pigs" (live) from Side B: Trent Reznor, Robin Finck, Chris Vrenna, Danny Lohner, James Woolley

External Links

• Closer To God at nincatalog.com
• Closer To God at Amazon
• Closer To God at eBay

Discography

Previous release - "The Downward Spiral" Halo number: 9 Next release - "Further Down The Spiral"