Add Violence [EP]
by Nine Inch Nails
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 57
  3. Negative: 3 out of 57
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  1. DavidWasHere
    Sep 3, 2017
    7
    While nowhere as explosive as their last EP, Not the Actual Events, Add Violence is yet another fine record in the Nine Inch Nails catalog. It retains a lot of the throwback sound to older NIN records during the Pretty Hate Machine era, with dated synths and harsh percussion, Add Violence is addictively catchy and sinister at the same time, with lead single and opener Less Than being oneWhile nowhere as explosive as their last EP, Not the Actual Events, Add Violence is yet another fine record in the Nine Inch Nails catalog. It retains a lot of the throwback sound to older NIN records during the Pretty Hate Machine era, with dated synths and harsh percussion, Add Violence is addictively catchy and sinister at the same time, with lead single and opener Less Than being one of the catchiest songs Trent wrote under his famed project. It's a bit too safe like the last official NIN album, Hesitation Marks, and not containing any of the harsher and aggressive songs from Not the Actual Events, Add Violence is a good place holder for fans and still have some solid material worth spinning every once in a while.… Expand
  2. YT_Guyyy
    Jul 22, 2017
    8
    Definitely another solid EP from Trent. The sound is rather experimental and noisy like last time. Less Than is a good opener, and a solid song. The Lovers is a trippy, great song. This Isn't the Place and Not Anymore are both great songs as well. Most of the songs here have kind of a trip-hop sound, and it works well. THEN we get to The Background World, a "challenging" song to say theDefinitely another solid EP from Trent. The sound is rather experimental and noisy like last time. Less Than is a good opener, and a solid song. The Lovers is a trippy, great song. This Isn't the Place and Not Anymore are both great songs as well. Most of the songs here have kind of a trip-hop sound, and it works well. THEN we get to The Background World, a "challenging" song to say the least. I really like the way it just goes again and again for 12 minutes.

    It's just a good EP.    … Expand
  3. StevenX
    Jul 28, 2017
    8
    Trent Reznor throws us into the wayback machine to start here: the opening nearly-cheesy synth drums on the verses and big choruses would have sounded right in place on the "Pretty Hate Machine" album. Elsewhere, things are a little more experimental: "The Lovers" percolates moodily with near-whispered spoken word easing into ethereal vocals, and the wordless "This Isn't The Place" showsTrent Reznor throws us into the wayback machine to start here: the opening nearly-cheesy synth drums on the verses and big choruses would have sounded right in place on the "Pretty Hate Machine" album. Elsewhere, things are a little more experimental: "The Lovers" percolates moodily with near-whispered spoken word easing into ethereal vocals, and the wordless "This Isn't The Place" shows Reznor has been listening to a few late-period Gary Numan ballads. The closing tracks are the big payout: first, "Not Anymore" is space-jamming with the reverb turned up. Then the EP winds up with an NIN primer, mixing the lope of "Closer" with the angst of early EPs, and that's not a bad thing despite the totally anticlimactic and pretentious ending. Reznor and company still sound interested if not hungry, and when you do it as well as they do, interesting is enough.… Expand
  4. davidpirtle
    Oct 18, 2017
    7
    The first song and single from Add Violence, Less Than, is by far its weakest track, and it's not terrible, so that should give you some idea of how much more interesting is the rest of the EP. There's nothing amazing here, but if you're a NIN fan, this bit of music should please you.
  5. TheBestTaste082
    Sep 1, 2017
    7
    A more accessible step-up from their previous EP, NIN harken back to their Pretty Hate Machine days while continuing to dabble in their industrial experimentation. That being said, there isn't much to be said since it's so short, but Reznor and Ross still manage to deliver their music strongly through their undeniable chemistry, providing raw, powerful and hard-hitting cuts, even if theyA more accessible step-up from their previous EP, NIN harken back to their Pretty Hate Machine days while continuing to dabble in their industrial experimentation. That being said, there isn't much to be said since it's so short, but Reznor and Ross still manage to deliver their music strongly through their undeniable chemistry, providing raw, powerful and hard-hitting cuts, even if they though grow stale at some point. But this only suggests that the duo are capable of something more for their final EP in the trilogy.… Expand
  6. KryoYmir
    Mar 1, 2018
    8
    Add Violence is another solid release in an incredible discography. More electronic than it's predecessor Not The Actual Events, it explores more ambient themes and is generally more enjoyable. It further builds upon the unique world created by these EPs, and the physical component is a must-have.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. PopMatters
    Nov 15, 2017
    70
    Add Violence is unique not because it's unlike anything we've heard before; it's everything we've heard before. It recalls every previous Nine Inch Nails album, and yet none in particular.
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  2. AllMusic
    Nov 7, 2017
    80
    With Ross as a foil, Reznor's usual indulgences become focused and refined, making Add Violence a satisfying addition to NIN's less-essential, non-album output.
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 17, 2017
    80
    The five new songs that make up this extended play give it the heft of a full album. Like synth-rock pioneer New Order's early EP, "1981-1982," it contains as many engaging moments as lesser artists' full-lengths.
    Read full review
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