Ghosts VI: Locusts

Released simultaneously with Ghosts V: Together in March 2020, Ghosts VI: Locusts (Halo 34) represents the darker, more confrontational side of Nine Inch Nails' ambient output. While the first Ghosts I-IV was a collection of varied instrumental sketches, Locusts is a cohesive exploration of dark ambient and industrial textures heavily influenced by Reznor and Ross's Academy Award-winning film score work. The album was released for free as a gesture of solidarity during the initial COVID-19 lockdowns, specifically designed to reflect the 'grim' and 'antisocial' reality of the time. Sonically, it departs from the rock-oriented structures of the band's main catalog, opting for long-form compositions, metronomic clock-like rhythms, and dissonant jazz elements. It stands as a stark, historical artifact of the pandemic era, prioritizing atmosphere and psychological tension over traditional melody or rhythm.