How To Destroy Angels (stylised as "How to destroy angels_") is a musical project founded by Trent Reznor, Mariqueen Maandig and Atticus Ross, with Rob Sheridan later becoming a member in a mainly visual capacity.
The project was announced in April 2010, when they released a series of teaser videos. The band is named after How To Destroy Angels, a song, and first release, by Coil. The first single, "A Drowning" was released on May 4th 2010 via Pitchfork Media. There is currently a Q&A on their Facebook page.
The band released its self-titled debut EP as a digital download on June 1, 2010 with a physical release the following month. The band announced via twitter on 30th November 2011 that they would be putting out a cover of Bryan Ferry's "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" on The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack.
On February 26, 2011, Trent Reznor revealed that the first full-length album had been finished and would be released in early Fall 2011. He also revealed that the album would be free, with the options of higher-quality sound files for money and a physical release. The band was originally signed with The Null Corporation, but in 2012 signed to Columbia Records. At that point, the free album concept was no longer viable and the release was also pushed back to 2013.
On September 21st 2012, after several months of hinting, Trent Reznor finally announced that the band's second EP, An Omen EP, would be released on November 13th. He also announced that the band was now signed with Columbia Records and would be releasing their full length album, Welcome Oblivion, in early 2013. Welcome Oblivion was released on March 5th 2013, and was followed by a short North American tour, featuring Alessandro Cortini as an additional member.
Band members
- Mariqueen Maandig - lead vocals, swarmatron, keyboard
- Trent Reznor - guitar, backing vocals, keyboard
- Atticus Ross - bass, programming and synthesizer
- Rob Sheridan - art direction and synthesizer
Live band
The live band is currently:
- Alessandro Cortini - bass, backing vocals and synthesizer
- Mariqueen Maandig - lead vocals, keyboard
- Trent Reznor - guitar, backing vocals, keyboard
- Atticus Ross - programming and synthesizer
- Rob Sheridan - art direction and synthesizer
Live
The band's live debut was originally scheduled to be Coachella 2013, but an earlier date, in Pomona, California, was played. The live setup includes highly immersive visual effects to work with the music, manipulated live by Rob Sheridan from the stage. Songs from all three of the collective's releases have been played.
Discography
EPs
- How To Destroy Angels - 2010
- An Omen EP - 2012.
Albums
- Welcome Oblivion - 2013
Singles
- A Drowning - 2010
- Keep It Together - 2012
- How Long? - 2013
Music Videos
- "The Space In Between" - 2010
- "Keep It Together" - 2012
- "Ice Age" - 2012
- "The Loop Closes" - 2013
- "How Long?" - 2013
Other Appearances
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack - performing "Is Your Love Strong Enough?"
Interviews and feeds
| Name | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Trent Reznor 'Finished Recording' Next How to Destroy Angels Project | 2011-02-28 | Billboard |
| November 2012 Reddit AMA | 2012-11-13 | |
| March 2013 Reddit AMA | 2013-03-05 | |
| Making How to Destroy Angels | 2013-04-15 | YouTube |
| Trent Reznor’s How to Destroy Angels Plays Light Like an Instrument | 2013-04-19 | Wired |
Tours
Band Images
Banner designs
Since the site's conception, the banner design (featuring Mariqueen) has gradually changed to reveal more of her face (and slightly change in image quality), culminating in a fully revealed face as A Drowning was released:
- HTDA 06.jpg
