Broken

Halo 5 - Broken

Broken (also known as 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.

Track listing

The original CD packaging included a 3.5" CD with the bonus tracks "Physical" and "Suck." This was later changed to a single-CD format with the bonus tracks occupying track numbers 98 and 99. Tracks 7 thru 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)."

"Pinion" – 1:02
"Wish" – 3:46
"Last" – 4:44
"Help Me I Am In Hell" – 1:56
"Happiness In Slavery" – 5:21
"Gave Up" – 4:08

"Physical (You're So)" – 5:29
"Suck" – 5:07

Album Credits

Writing, performance and production: Trent Reznor
(2,3 and 6) Production: Flood, Trent Reznor

Caution: Not for use with mono devices

Management: John A. Malm, Jr. for Conservative
Assistants: Brian Liesegang, Sean Beavan, Chris Vrenna
Additional engineers, etc. along the way: Paul Kendall, the Bill Kennedy, Leo Herrera, John (Genghis) Aguto, Mike Baumgartner, Martin Brumbach, Trevor Bum-Cleaver Sadler
Extra real drums on 2 and 6: Martin Atkins, Chris Vrenna
Barks and roars: Maise

The sound on this recording was influenced by my live band in 1991 featuring: Richard Patrick, Jeff Ward, James Woolley

Studios: Hell (New Orleans), Royal Recorders (Lake Geneva), South Beach Studios (Miami Beach), Village Recorder (Los Angeles), A&M (Los Angeles), Pig (Beverly Hills)
Mastering: Tom Baker at Futuredisc
Merchendise: Paul Steels, Jerry Long
Legal: Michael S. Toorock
Booking: Gerry Gerrard for Intertalent
Publicity: Sioux Zimmerman

Thank you: Jimmy Iovine, Ross Earls, Island UK, Eric Greenspan, Rick Rubin, Joe McEwen, Seymour Stein, Susie Tallman, Mark O'Shea, Ian Copeland, A&M Studios and Kevin Westenberg, Sheira Rees-Davies
No thanks: You know who you fucking are

The slave thinks he is released from bondage only to find a stronger set of chains.

Sleeve design and photography: Gary Talpas for Black Sun

Press Sheet

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

Broken was secretly recorded from march to august 1992 in a variety of locations
without the permission of
the record label
to ensure it could fester without Divine intervention
now They just leave me alone and let me do what I want

"Broken was a hard recording to make
Broken is an ugly record made during an ugly time in my life
Broken marks phase three of nine inch nails: the becoming
I am starting to realize what this is all about
and I don't like it

Flood starting out producing but I ended up
I'm not sure why

maybe I am what everbody seems to think I am♠

nine inch nails is still not a real band with real people playing real instruments
there will be no touring for Broken

I am starting work on my new full-length recording - The Downward Spiral - which I
hope will be finished the beginning of 1993

some will come along for the ride, some won't
Trent Reznor, 1992

Broken

Contents

Inspiration

Track listing

Album Credits

Press Sheet