Not the Actual Events [EP]
by Nine Inch Nails
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
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  1. Bnhafwents
    Jan 5, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There's something with "Not the Actual Events" and it's something hard and strong on the lyrics, with a interesting work between Reznor and Ross. "Branches/Bones" makes something that remembers to Year Zero's Hyperpower with The Slip's 1,000,000. "The Idea of You" is an angry track with powerful energy between NIN and Dave Grohl. "Burning Bright" is the best track of the EP because is an excelent G#-tuning-industrial-metal interpretation of the new Reznor after his rehab and his new beautiful things in his life; he says here: "I came back and I'm destruction like before". "Dead World," and "She's Gone Away" are the weakest tracks of NTAE, but they have something that doesn't make them bad songs. The first one is a remind of Reznor and Ross film score work, and the second one manages to be a The Fragile's new song thanks to its depressive lyrics, and dark digital and natural sounds. It isn't one of the best NIN album, but it's a good return to rage that's part of the band's aesthetic.… Expand
  2. davidpirtle
    Oct 18, 2017
    8
    It may not be light years ahead of Hesitation Marks in terms of quality, but it's head and shoulders more interesting. Let's hope this first EP of a planned trilogy marks a new renaissance for the middle-aged industrial icon.
  3. KryoYmir
    Mar 1, 2018
    7
    After a three-year break, Nine Inch Nails returns. Taking a sharp turn away from the more upbeat electronics, Not The Actual Events is a punch to the face...and not much more. Taking the grunge and metal elements of earlier albums and combining them with the high production value of more recent albums, NTAE is an odd mix of elements from across NIN's career.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Jul 11, 2017
    90
    Not the Actual Events is one of the greatest Nine Inch Nails releases ever.
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  2. Kerrang!
    Jan 11, 2017
    80
    Throughout, NIN strike a masterful balance between drilling industrial assaults and eerie ambience. [14 Jan 2017, p.52]
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Jan 11, 2017
    80
    In five tracks and just over 20 minutes, Not The Actual Events manages to build on Nine Inch Nails' past while stepping resolutely into their future. And after 28 years, we’re still excited to see what comes next.
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