Complete with a blistering and blinding lighting set the moodiest man in music, Trent Reznor, brought Nine Inch Nails to a strong crowd of 12,000, as the band satisfied the fans after a long absence.

Nearly 6 years after the May 2000 show at the Palace, the live version of Nine Inch Nails seemed tighter and more organic in their 90 minute set. Trent Reznor lead the band into the leadoff track off their latest album “With Teeth”, “The Collector”. The fans patiently waited until the second track, when the group really had the crowd going during “Wish”. From there, the set straddled the line between ambient industrial-lite tunes, and the hard charging classics.

“Terrible Lie” and “March of the Pigs” were ran through early; to the crowd’s delight. During a slower part of the set, the group played behind the curtain; while the giant curtain/ video screen showed a contrast of peaceful and disturbing imagery.

Once the band came out of the imagery, the massive hit “Closer” had all the kiddies singing the now classic line “I want to f--- you like an animal”. The sing-a-long to “Closer” was nowhere near as loud as the sing-a-long as the one given later in the set to “Hurt”. The latter track was almost chilling, as nearly everyone in the crowd belted out the lyrics. Trent Reznor even acknowledged the passionate singing from the crowd, and noted how little he actually does address the crowd.

To finish the set the group sent the fans packing with a pounding version of their first hit; “Head Like A Hole”. The music has aged well over time; with the new songs blending well with the older tracks. Only the material from “The Fragile” seems awkward, and disjointed live. This is why Reznor is playing arenas, and industrial greats Ministry cant seem to get out of Harpo’s….

Opener Queens of the Stone Age disappointed in their 60 minute set and spent too much time jamming, leaving most of the fans bored; or in this case, heading for the bathroom. Queens ought to talk to Reznor, to discuss techniques to keep the crowd entertained.