The Bad Witch is the ninth studio album released by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. It was released on June 22, 2018, and serves as a follow-up to their previous EPs "Not the Actual Events" and "Add Violence". The album is considered a part of a trilogy, collectively known as the "Trilogy of EPs". With the Bad Witch, Nine Inch Nails continues to explore the dark and industrial sound they are known for. The album features a mix of aggressive and atmospheric tracks, showcasing the band's versatility in creating intense and haunting music. Trent Reznor, the frontman and primary member of Nine Inch Nails, incorporates elements of industrial rock, electronic music, and experimental sounds to create a unique and captivating listening experience.
Now onto my review:
Tea s rebellious nature and innate use of Dark magic make her go against tradition, like when she proposes to the elders that Likh, a boy with a silver heartsglass, become an asha instead of a deathseeker, or when she refuses to kill the azi , the most powerful of the seven daeva , and makes it her familiar to prevent Mykaela from having to face it in battle; after all, Mykaela is already too weak from her previous encounter with a daeva and facing the most powerful one of them might just kill her. But Tea will do anything to protect her from anything and anyone that seeks to use her, and kill her in the process, including the elders of the asha association.
Trent Reznor, the frontman and primary member of Nine Inch Nails, incorporates elements of industrial rock, electronic music, and experimental sounds to create a unique and captivating listening experience. Lyrically, the album delves into themes of despair, anger, and disillusionment. Reznor's lyrics often reflect personal struggles and societal issues, drawing from his own experiences and observations.
BOOK REVIEW: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Hello everyone. Welcome back to Bibliophilia Book Reviews. Today I will review The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco, the first book of The Bone Witch trilogy. I first saw this book at Barnes and Noble and bought it primarily for its gorgeous cover. This review has spoilers. For more information about this author and her books, visit her website here.
“Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise. If there’s anything I’ve learned from him in the years since, is that the dead hide truths as well as the living.”
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco is a fantasy young adult novel about a girl, Tea, who discovers that she is a necromancer—or bone witch—when she raises her brother Fox from the dead. Consequently, she is taken from her home in Knightscross to train as an asha—or magic wielder—at the Valerian (school for ashas) in Kion, where she is inevitably immersed in the politics of the kingdoms and immediately at odds with the elders of the asha association. The book consists of two intertwined stories—one in the present, where a bard relates his experiences with the young bone witch as she is telling him her story, and another in the past where Tea is telling her story to the bard in the form of flashbacks.
The story begins when a bard arrives to the beach where the exiled bone witch lives surrounded by the bones and skulls of monstrous creatures, bones that she uses to resurrect the daeva (seven of them); she raises each one of these creatures from the dead and orders them to die again in an attempt to tame them. Each chapter contains a passage in italics where we are told the story in the now, which is narrated by the bard, and a flashback where we are told the story in the past, whose narrator is Tea. Neither storyline converges by the end of the first book. The story ends however where it began, with the main character exactly in the same place (in the past) she was in when the story started (in the present). In other words, at the beach in the Sea of Skulls. Thus the story structure is a circle, so technically they do converge but only at the end of the entire trilogy.
The album's tracks often have cryptic and introspective lyrics, inviting listeners to interpret and engage with the messages being conveyed. In terms of critical reception, the Bad Witch has received positive reviews from music critics. The album was praised for its experimental approach and the band's ability to create a dense and atmospheric sonic landscape. It was also noted for pushing the boundaries of industrial rock and embracing a more avant-garde sound. Overall, the Bad Witch is a testament to Nine Inch Nails' ability to continuously evolve their sound while maintaining their signature style. It further solidifies the band's status as pioneers of industrial rock and experimental music. The album's dark and introspective themes, combined with its unique musical approach, make it a compelling addition to Nine Inch Nails' discography..
Reviews for "Trent Reznor's Influence on the Industrial Rock Genre through "Bad Witch"
1. John - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Bad Witch" as a fan of Nine Inch Nails' earlier work, but I was left disappointed. The album feels lacking in substance and direction. The songs blend together in a monotonous and repetitive way, making it difficult to differentiate between them. The experimental nature of the album also doesn't resonate with me, as it feels like the band is trying too hard to be edgy and different. Overall, "Bad Witch" just didn't connect with me, and I found it to be a forgettable addition to Nine Inch Nails' discography.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I can't quite pinpoint why, but "Bad Witch" just didn't resonate with me at all. The songs feel disjointed and chaotic, lacking any real cohesion. The album tries to be experimental and avant-garde, but it comes across as messy and confusing. It feels like Nine Inch Nails was trying too hard to be edgy and different, losing sight of what made them great in the first place. I couldn't find any enjoyment in listening to this album and ended up feeling frustrated and disappointed. Definitely not their best work.
3. Mike - 2 stars
As a long-time Nine Inch Nails fan, I was eagerly anticipating "Bad Witch," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The album lacks the trademark aggression and intensity that made the band stand out. The songs feel watered-down and forgettable, with none of them leaving a lasting impact. Additionally, the experimental sound that Trent Reznor and co. were going for just didn't work for me. It feels like they were trying too hard to break new ground and ended up losing their way. Overall, "Bad Witch" is a lackluster addition to the Nine Inch Nails catalogue.