By Mark Schliebs

INDUSTRIAL metal band Nine Inch Nails has uploaded their latest record onto one of the world's most controversial file-sharing websites – The Pirate Bay.

Less than six months since he encouraged Australian concert-goers find his music online and “steal, steal and steal some more”, frontman Trent Reznor released the nine-track Ghosts I album as a torrent on the Swedish-based website.

A Swedish court is currently trying The Pirate Bay, which has the world’s largest directory of BitTorrent files on the web, for alleged breaches of copyright law.

On a message posted on the notorious website, Reznor said the band “personally” uploaded the new album and said people were free to spread it amongst friends.

“We believe BitTorrent is a revolutionary digital distribution method, and we believe in finding ways to utilize new technologies instead of fighting them,” Reznor said.
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“We encourage you to share the music of Ghosts I with your friends, post it on your website, play it on your podcast, use it for video projects, etc.”

One thankful downloader said more artists should be utilising BitTorrent technology.

“Now all we need are more artists shunning the labels and releasing stuff independently and then maybe all this crap will finally stop,” the downloader said.

On the official website that the record was launched 24 hours ago, the band said traffic was so large it crashed the server.

“The response has been absolutely phenomenal, and we couldn't be happier, but our servers have taken a beating, causing numerous problems with the download site,” the band said.

“If you're familiar with BitTorrent, you can download Ghosts I, the first of the four volumes, for free, from our official upload at The Pirate Bay.”

In a Sydney concert last September, Reznor reportedly described his then record label Universal Music Australia as “greedy f***ing assholes” because of the price of his records.

“One way or another these mother f***ers will get it through their head that they're ripping people off and that's not right.”

Damnit I was just going to post this

But also note that NIN reserved parts II, III, and IV of the album for sale as a $5 download.

However, this should be a fair sample of what you'll get from the rest of the 20-odd songs. I'm not a NIN fan myself, so won't rush to download the free stuff. It is a smart publicity stunt, though. Last year I listened to the new NIN nails album on a library checkout, days before the official release date. It wasn't bad, but not my cup of tea. I don't see what the excitement is about. But if Reznor can find success apart from the slavery of the major label cartel, more power to him. Even if he only broke even on his recordings, he would make a mint on concerts. And he does, I'm sure.

Reznor was not completely happy about another artist's album he produced and released last year, which was offered for free download with an option for people to buy it. Percentagewise, few did. Pay for it, that is. So I imagine that is why he tried this new tactic of coming out with a package of 30+ songs, but only intentionally releasing 9 of them free.

well the package and all is not typical Trent NiN in fact its an experament that went on till it stoped leting the music take them.
I am a NiN fan and this is surely diffrent! but still a great idea as Radio head did as well you can buy a special set for 500USD sounds like hes counting on the true fans (and he has them)

Bear in mind that if we go by the amounts artists get paid in a major label contract and compare that to an album he successfully sells online under his own label, he's going to make a lot more money from the music sales, even at $5 a shot.

And... Er... How about a link?

http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4059158/Nine_Inch_Nails_-_Ghosts_I_(200 src="http://images.dmusic.com/v7/emoticons/cool.gif" align="middle" alt="8) (Cool)" title="8) (Cool)" />

do i win something for making the most unholy mess in a news article? just Google "NIN - Ghosts TPB"

http://ghosts.nin.com/main/

don't even have to torent it

Q: Is the musical content of the CD versions any different from the downloads available here?

A: No, the CD versions contain the exact same 36 tracks as the full download.



Other information:

Ghosts I-IV is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license.

Dude, this record is awesome. I can see where this may alienate some hardcore NIN fans, but this is by far Reznor's finest work, in my opinion. This is "outside-the-box" art for sure. Anyone who likes weird, ambient soundscapes should like this.

This really accents the REAL reason the
labels have wanted to get rid of TPB
and P2P in so desperately.
Unfortunately, they needed to close it off
before this happened

More proof that p2p is competition. that's why they fear it.

you gotta love it, and big ex-label act
showing .. big-time .. a legitimate use
of Bit-torrent, and further legitimizing
TPB ... nice.

" Dude, this record is awesome. "

Personally .. I didn't like it.
that said .. word is they SOLD OUT of
all of their limited edition 300.00
box sets.

Free downloads hurts artists indeed .. hee hee.

yep its sold out!

Hahahaha. Go NIN!