Vocal Coach/Opera Singer REACTION to Nine Inch Nails "The Great Below"

#nineinchnails #thegreatbelow #reaction #trentreznor
My first Nine Inch Nails experience. Join me- a professional opera singer as I listen to Nine Inch nails for the first time performing "The Great Below"
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Performed by Nine Inch Nails
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Here's the original performance:
• • Nine Inch Nails - The ...
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Instagram: / cristinamrusso
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I'm Cristina, opera singer, speech pathologist singing teacher. I have spent over a decade in the music industry as a performer, and I’ve done some pretty cool things as an opera singer, film vocalist, lyricist and jazz singer.
Here you'll find videos that deep-dive into artists that you adore. We'll unpack what makes a great and not so great vocal performance, and we'll also get into some voice tips and education about the science of the voice.
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[@kzaccount3993]

Thanks for making the great videos, keep them coming 🙏🏼

[@cristinamrusso]

Aww thanks so much ❤️❤️ your generosity helps keep this channel going!

[@bigguy1164]

It's funny you said that about like how it sounds like you're listening through a seashell. Part of the album cover art is an enhanced close up image of a seashell. The ocean is a big theme to The Fragile. Reznor was in a huge creative rut and decided to end his life on the coast of California in a place called Big Sur. He ended up breaking his creative slump when he conceived a partial Instrumental called La Mer (it has lyrics but it's not the focus) which influenced a good deal of the rest of the album including this song.

[@mrdeceit8393]

This is my #1 song to be played at my funeral! I plan ahead.. I love NIN..

[@arachosia]

Haha…agreed. Or Leaving Hope.

[@damianstark5362]

Trent is a certified genius. I have been a fan of NIN since the very early nineties. Thank you so much for your fresh take.

[@tk-hf4oz]

This song is so, so many things. Beautiful, big, sad, tragic, unique. I rarely feel so many feelings from a song but Trent makes it happen.

[@arachosia]

Agreed. It will always be one of his best. Absolutely masterful in every way

[@tk-hf4oz]

@@arachosia I love it so much. He is such a genious.

[@dmwalker24]

I have to applaud your choice of song to start with. So many start with Closer, and though it is fantastic, and does the job it was created for, it immediately gives a lot of people some incorrect perceptions about what NIN actually is. This on the other hand, is one of my all-time favorite NIN songs. The composition is brilliant. The rhythm and phrasing. The use of leading tones, and harmonic extensions. It's like stepping into an alternate dimension.

[@AnotherFacelessDigitalNoOne]

Oh my goodness you're on one hell of a roll with tool and NIN... "and all that could have been". Another one of almost too many masterpieces ❤❤❤❤

[@anubisftn]

There are SO many great NIN songs, but I'd REALLY recommend "Something I can Never Have" or "Right Where It Belongs" for reaction.

[@GKViddingHD]

One of my 16 favorite NIN songs..

[@thejohnkaufman]

You narrowed it down to 16?!

[@user-co1ur3tw7i]

Greatest musician of our era, this is my favorite song of all time.

[@boggizzle]

This song is so incredibly underrated!

[@jakemidnight7458]

One of my favorites from NIN

[@astrolopitekos]

Did not expect a reaction to NIN. KZbin needs more of this (and Björk too). Man this whole album is so good. After many years I still hear new/different sounds here and there.

[@LePetitNuageGris]

Ooh, Björk would be an amazing one for her to check out, too. Maybe a song that really shows off her vocal prowess like I Miss You, or maybe a live performance of something like Pagan Poetry. What do you think?

[@oscarrios6048]

I’ve been a fan since 89’ and I always enjoy people first experience to NIN, he not only does great music for the band but all of his scores and soundtracks are also amazing.

[@JD_Slacker]

Early 90' for me, and I completely agree.

[@spinin1251]

This is a spectacular and very underrated NIN song. The whole album was when I truly realized that this guy was doing something else than just synth rock pop metal. Ambitious and great and something he should be proud of despite the fact that it wasn't as commercially successful as many anticipated and expected it to be. It feels like a little bit of a forgotten album in their discography. Almost like it didn't happen or like it was an experimental side project even though it doesn't completely deviate from what NIN music is. He lost a lot of casual fans there. But I remember hearing The Great Below for the first time on the headphones and loving it.

[@-Heavy-]

Actually,The Fragile is my absolute favorite album from them.Followed closely from The Downward Spiral.Those two albums belong in my top 10 of all time!

[@spinin1251]

@@-Heavy- It's your favorite album. It's one of my favorites too. And it is for many NIN fans. But it marked the end of NIN's popularity in the mainstream and a transition to a successful and diverse musical career for Trent that didn't really match the first part prior to The Fragile. He was no longer a poster boy for alt rock, but moving away from fame and more and more toward the projects he wanted to do. I'm not saying that's a bad thing or that this album was completely overlooked. Many critics liked it. But it also seems to be getting more appraisal retrospectively now. It went platinum originally, but was forgotten pretty quickly in the media as was NIN until their comeback several years later. In retrospect now it also seems more valuable than it was back then, even though I thought it was great the first time I heard it.

[@crowsheadband5020]

Such a pretty song. Damn I've been about this for years. What a treat to find in 2024.

[@descendfromgrace1]

Wow it's always nice to see where my name comes from. 7:23

[@evility1]

Thank you for choosing a deeper cut and not just the obvious tracks.

[@Mastodonian]

The Fragile is one of my altime favorite albums. Profound, deeply sad sometimes. A lot like Apocalyptica :) Especially this song, since its about his (grand)ma's death as ive read.

[@LePetitNuageGris]

Oh, wow… that really hits home if that’s the case. Thanks for the background. Grief is an incredibly painful emotion to process.😕 But it’s so important. I always tend to love music that gravitates towards it because it seems to aid my own battle with its release from my body. Also, are you perchance a Mastodon fan? I think that would be another great band for her to react to. Maybe a song like This Mortal Soil would be a good introduction to their music for her, or maybe even Oblivion. I don’t think she’s ready for something like Colony of the Birchmen, if you’re familiar with what I’m talking about. Lol

[@Mastodonian]

@@LePetitNuageGris yeah im from planet Mastodon ;) Maybe she should listen to Asleep in the Deep live at Georgia Aquarium? Or Toe to Toes? Peace and Tranquility? More Than I Could Chew? Too many too choose from.......

[@LePetitNuageGris]

@@Mastodonian I thought of Toes to Toes, too, and North Side Star because I feel like Brent’s prior musical inclinations really come through on that one and it might surprise her (don’t want to say anything that might spoil it in case she reads it haha). But now that you reminded me of Asleep in The Deep, oh my goodness, she should definitely do that one. It’s so beautiful. I think it’s perfect. Haven’t heard it live, but I’m sure it’s amazing. The video for Toes to Toes is fun.

[@Mastodonian]

@@LePetitNuageGris you should really check out the entire live at Georgia Aquarium performance, pretty awsome stuff!

[@chriskeentechnician]

That was amazing! It’s not a style I’d typically listen to, but I loved it!

[@MeabhMaybe]

If you enjoyed going through this song, Right Where It Belongs is just as beautiful!

[@ryanbizahaloni9839]

I listened to this album Left and Right, left and right. This whole album is amazing.

[@user-xr7kb4mg2b]

When ever I hear Nine inch nails it reminds me of my sister. She was a massive fan in the early 2000s and tried to sing like Trent...

[@paulahrendt1766]

Trent did a great concert together with David Bowie in Phoenix. Wish you could've been there. You would have loved how they shared each other's songs & played together. It was so unique with having David Bowie influence Trent & then Trent influence David. It blew my mind

[@scarfboy]

I'd never thought of it as a theme variation thing but it makes so much sense. So many little things that don't quite play by regular rules for a pop song - that work alongside the emotional side. Huh.

[@Kppot]

Trent is incredibly talented One of interesting point of The Great Below is that it has syncopated vocals, every second verse line is slightly ahead of the rhythm Like "Will she come" etc

[@vaporjoes]

You should see the live version of this. Its stunning.

[@UnityTheorem]

There are a lot of comments so i don't know if anyone noted this previously, but Trent was trying to give the listener the feeling that they were submerged under water. Like when you lay down in a bathtub or pool and your ears are experiencing external water pressure that isn't normally there. Everything becomes muffled and bass is louder. Midrange sounds tend to sound higher than normal and any bass at all is very amplified. Also there's an echoing effect that Trent has captured masterfully in this recording.

[@LePetitNuageGris]

“Unsettling” is definitely a very apt and typical explanation of Trent’s music. He’s a master of atmosphere. If you’re interested in more of his interesting artistic choices, might I suggest checking out “The Lovers” from the EP Add Violence. It doesn’t contain as much singing, but everything he does vocally and instrumentally is just so… emotionally raw and really pulls you in. Even if you don’t know what the song is about, once you find out the story, you’ll realize he still managed to communicate it all to you on a purely electrical, somatic level without you even knowing (for the story of the song after you’ve listened, if you’re curious, check out the Song Exploder podcast episode where he explains this exact song and all of the instrumental choices behind it. It’s divine). As for a suggestion from a band that isn’t Nine Inch Nails, I think you’d probably really like TesseracT. Dan Tompkins’ vocal control is just… something to aspire to, for me. It’s so smooth, and he barely looks like he’s even trying when he switches from clean to harsh vocals, which is of course what you want. But he’s just so calm and smooth, yet so skillful. I highly recommend. A song by them I might suggest is King. Particularly, I think you would enjoy watching the video where he sings it live from the studio. You’ll get a very clear image of his neck, face, etc while he’s singing, and it’s just stunning. I don’t have the exact link, but I’ll pull it up and add it in the replies to this comment. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you decided to do a blind reaction to it!

[@LePetitNuageGris]

Not sure what happened to my reply, but it seems to disappear whenever I add the link.😅 I’ll just tell you the name of the video. It’s TesseracT - Daniel Tompkins - King (from Sonder) - Live in the studio vocal performance 2020. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you check them out. His range is really magical.😊

[@t3nn1nj4s]

If you like recurring themes, you should check out The Fragile album in its entirety; he does that a lot on several tracks. The Fragile is my desert island album. It really is meant to be a cohesive, single-sitting listen. If i had to pick one track, though, I highly recommend the instrumental Just Like You Imagined. You're right, though; most of his music is meant to be unsettling.

[@TheCowOfNow]

very rare NIN choice, love this track tho

[@thejohnkaufman]

One of my favorite songs about drowning yourself in ocean.

[@-Heavy-]

The fact that it's the last song on that album , is pretty much adding the dark atmosphere here.Trent once again proved with the whole double album 'The Fragile' that he is a true mastermind when it comes to composing!

[@callahan123]

Ok, but it´s not the last song. It is the last song on the first CD out of two...

[@stecumo6459]

thanks for the reaction and please do more nine inch nails,they unsettle you in a good way.also his side project with his wife "how to destroy angels-a drowning" as it has one of the most hauntingly beautiful outros you will ever hear

[@matthewgoodA1206]

This is definitely a deep cut in the Nine Inch Nails catalogue. Nonetheless it’s one of my favorite tracks of his. To me it’s extremely existential. “I will take my place, in the great below.” Seeming to accept his fate or destiny as one who occupies some sort of lower and darker echelon of life.

[@BuzzaB77]

lots of binaural recording techniques on this whole album and the previous. Gorgeous production, sound design, engineering, writing and arrangement. proper art.

[@TaylorHolmesish]

Just subscribed. Liked. All the things. Then went looking to see if I could find a ballot box to stuff... nothing, but I'd be using backhoes and dumptrucks to vote for a reaction from an artist by the name of Ren. Have you heard of him? You really need to experience a song called Hi Ren. Pretty much anything is mold breaking and different. But Hi Ren is usually where reactors start when the head down the amazing rabbit hole that is the world of Ren.

[@beszt95]

This song into the first track on disc 2, "The Way Out is Through" is amazing. My two favorite songs from The Fragile. If you want to talk about a build, there's your track, it's soooo good and such a powerful payoff.

[@CerpinTaxt138]

The Fragility Tour was amazing. Spectacular show

[@hiroakiureshino5938]

Thank you for sharing, this group is very new to me but with your analysis it was so interesting.

[@leebfrontline]

I seen this song live in Anaheim California with apc 2000 obviously I well never forget 🙏🏻☺️

[@debbiewilson8157]

More NIN!!!

[@johncrowder2957]

Film score or just awesome epic music. Trent was a classically trained pianist who turned...well, you give him a term if you can. nobody else really can apply a label. even though everyone else can try. I've seen him live with the only synth that bounces...2005 WITH TEETH. Look at the album and you will find a rabbit hole you may willingly never escape...like me...

[@ancientwombat1003]

Hey you should do Bjork she does a lot of strange vocalizations and really incredible vocal gymnastics. Some songs to look at are Hyperballad, Pluto, Enjoy, I miss you

[@markd6170]

Great Analysis - More from NIN would be songs'This Isn't the Place' or 'Something I can never have'.

[@Qliphirot]

Everytime I listen to this song I get shivers all over my body. Also, you remind me of Emily Blunt for some reason lol

[@user-to9km5cg1z]

Next song from the same band is the day the world went away

[@user-le1ob2jk6d]

This whole series Left/Right is a masterpiece and this song makes sense in context of the rest of the song I bet she'd be blown away to find these melodies and themes are repeated in certain songs across both albums he's a musical prodigy ❤

[@Gr13fM4ch1n3]

​@@user-le1ob2jk6d i love his repeated motifs

[@vktr17]

Thanks for the video, pleasure as always. A suggestion for the next review: Klaus Nomi, Total Eclipse. He was an opera singer too.

[@finetti09]

God i love it

[@conradregenbogen539]

I love your NZ-akzent... been in Hamilton for two semesters of Psychology in 1997/1998 , so please accuse my rugged English - it is a while ago... I would be very interested in your opinion of "Sarajevo" by Max Richter. It is probably not interesting enough for a YT-video, since the vocal line is limited to three notes. But since I love this song the most and really value your videos I place my wish (are you Santa Claus?) for a reaction of this intense, highly emotional song.

[@-oooooo0]

Diana ankudinova cant help falling in love with you will blew ur mind

[@fishblades]

This is a tough album to listen to. It's a double album and there's a constant sense of unsettling dread mixed with hope. It's really beautiful in some places but it takes its toll on you, I assume that was the point.

[@alika124]

You know, I don’t know why It never came to mind Trent did movie scores also. It makes soo much sense and it never clicked to me. I used to listen to The Fragile constantly at work and always think to myself how I would love to write a big budget movie using the entire album as the template for the writing. The album has such an amazing atmosphere to it, it feels like a world is being created, lived in, and destroyed every time I listen to it

[@OperatorUnnamed]

If you want to hear a great voice metal from the late 80's early 90's, Listen to Skid Row, "I remember you" and "wasted time"

[@willowpiano]

I saw them perform this song back in 2000 with the person I was dating at the time. I bawled my eyes out. They couldn't figure out why.

[@ericarezzo6675]

anyone who likes Trent should hear this new movie sound track song he did called "the great wide open" for Bones and All soundtrack. So awesome. Hidden Trent gem.

[@JesseRobertsF-T-C]

You should check out the sister song to this one titled And All That Could Have Been.

[@meaghancolman8319]

That is one of my FAVOURITES. Learned it on piano. Favourite is beside you in time

[@jameslewis9292]

I'd like to recommend Staind's live performance of Something to Remind You.

[@lesliedavis2389]

I think she would really like "TOOL" also...

[@Duffitz]

love the ship on the wall in the background

[@LePetitNuageGris]

Lol I didn’t notice that before. It’s a nice and subtle homage to anyone who’s familiar. :P

[@davidmcgirr748]

Another amazing video. Could you do Hozier, Too Sweet?

[@eckligt]

Now that you've done a lot of analyses, have you found your "niche" or favourite styles within popular music/rock/metal?

[@sduckham]

I would love to see you react to The Idles performance of Never Fight a Man With a Perm at the Mercury Awards. I believe it is one of the greatest live punk performances this century. It isn't the best vocal performance but the passion behind it is undeniable. The Idles never give less than 110% but the irony of the crowd they are performing in front of adds so much to the song.

[@tainteddream6592]

Please, would you consider reacting to Viviane Donner singing 'The Great Gig in the Sky'? It’s stellar! She’s a Brazilian treasure with a stunning voice

[@el-violador]

There is a cover version of the song "Reptile" that Trent performed that in my opinion is better than the original. Not really vocal prowess but watching them do it live is awesome

[@el-violador]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/naemnX2Fdpqfp6Msi=_dUZZO3WMpVgOvR-

[@DarkMoonWayfarer]

Hi Cristina, I think I recommend this song a while back (I have a habit of erasing all my comments). Great video! Man, there's too many amazing NIN songs to recommend, plus all Trent's film scores. He also had a band which included his wife Mariqueen and also Atticus Ross (his film scoring partner in crime). The band is called "How to Destroy Angels" (HTDA) and Mariqueen does the vocals. They only put out one album and a couple of EPs and some NIN fans felt like Mariqueen was being Yoko Ono and got all bent out of shape for no tangible reason...and I think she unfairly got a bit of flack. There's a song called Ice Age which is hauntingly beautiful and in some way parrallels this song....there's mention of the ocean coming and washing them away much like the lyrics in this song. There's a music video for it which is really good too.

[@LibertyRPF]

Here's a suggestion for a song that has a ton of little vocal details that I love: C'Mon Billy by PJ Harvey

[@leebfrontline]

World 🌎 music at its modern era

[@eltongolds6934]

Interesting fan choice. Wouldn't be mine to show-case his vocal ability or the bands either

[@ancientwombat1003]

Ever heard of Gojira? I love the vocals on Ocean Planet

[@a-world-view]

this reminds me of Bear McCreary's version of "All Along The Watchtower" for BSG. Please try that. There is a live version on Bear McCrearys channel, it's called: So say we all.

[@DireWolf271]

Great stuff as usual. And I'm going to keep begging, I would love a reaction to Dax Riggs! There is a great Night is the Notion live performance on here that he does, but there is a lot of good stuff he does as Dax Riggs, Deadboy and the Elephantmen, or Acid Bath.

[@benmacdhui]

Agents of Oblivion as well

[@Aren.K]

Dax has such a great voice!

[@politicalscientist8880]

interesting choice for a first NIN listen

[@christophergonzalez3973]

Commenting again in the hopes that you do Queen's "Somebody To Love" You can find the vocal stems here on youtube and, unsurprisingly, Freddy is incredible. Somebody To Love was Freddy's favorite song they ever did and it really shows through in the isolated vocal track!

[@Imwesleycardoso]

Please, react to Devin Townsend - Kingdom or any Rammstein song

[@ElLocoDeLosKame]

Amazing video, you MUST react to Dimash Kudaibergen - Ogni Pietra or S.O.S. That will blow your mind.

[@user-ml2kw2xu2j]

Heard this song a myriad times, unbelievable. Everytime I`m wondering is it just me or is there bit of autotune on "in the great below" part?

[@duendedoo1803]

Leprous - slave

[@archonpanagiotis6158]

Hello! Sending you a special voice. I don't know if you like it...! Dimitrios Sourlanzis Dimitrios Sourlantzis in a demonstration of Byzantine chanting. In temples it is avoided because there is a delay and the vocal display of abilities is avoided. They suggested him to sing Opera in a European country but he preferred to serve the Orthodox Christian church, through Byzantine Music. Archon Music Teacher of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Kon/polis". (1920-2006) Dimitrios Sourlanzis passed away in August 2006 at the age of 86. " Τριάδι " - D.Sourlantzis ΣΟΥΡΛΑΝΤΖΗΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ - Απόσπασμα χερουβικού ήχος Α΄ (1962) kzbin.info/www/bejne/habRZoOHpLucfMk Ο ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΣΟΥΡΛΑΝΤΖΗΣ ΣΤΟΝ Ι.Μ.Ν. ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΜΗΝΑ ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΟΥ kzbin.info/www/bejne/p56pc6mwjdFjrbs

[@BadAtGaming100]

Wait…you mean we don’t hear the ocean?!

[@juninplays8742]

'Sounds like you're listening through a sea shell'... omg so good, then of course 'staring at the sea...' Nailed it.

[@Togo_Aus]

another great reaction Cristina. Another reaction i recommend is Linkin Park - Given Up. I believe you will enjoy Chester the lead singers passion in this song.

[@argueljeanmichel9897]

the best singers were in the 70s and you haven't react to them....Elisabeth Zharoff an opera singer and others opera singers or vocals coach said that Ronnie james Dio is one of the best singer of all times of all genres, so try to listen him, in 'stargazer' with his group Rainbow, live 1976 video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIe7qmSFncZ4iLs ...and in a 1993 video live in 'kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZmkc6Bmgqhso9U......and there's so many monsters of singing in that period......

[@caseycassette]

Nine Inch Neo 😉

[@cristinamrusso]

😂

[@AntonNidhoggr]

I can’t really recommend something from Trent since there are too many choices, and all the songs are so different. Since you’re a vocal coach I would probably recommend “Just like you imagined” (as a joke, not a lot of vocals in there😅) To me as a synth player Trent will always be the source of inspiration. His ability to come up with various weird sounds and use them in perfect place is unsurpassed.

[@mikk449]

Посмотрите dimah-sos. Думаю будет интересно, вам.

[@LePetitNuageGris]

Oh god, yes. Dimash’s version of SOS still gives me goosebumps and makes me tear up. It’s just phenomenal. As an opera singer, I think she would highly appreciate his skill. He’s crazy talented.

[@colinfraser7150]

It's supposed to be unsettling. Anyone who isn't unsettled at least somewhat, somewhere by some NIN song is TRYING really hard to be a sociopath.

[@goatkiller666]

I find his music calming. But I am autistic and not a sociopath. (After watching Dexter trying to pretend to be human, I was actually worried that I was a sociopath for a while. But no, just autism.) Then again, I think The Becomming to be a love song.

[@exactlywhatisaid]

pausing every 10 seconds is a great way to ruin the vibe

[@Nardinus]

I didn't get what is so impressive in this song... The musique and voice are ok tiers, no real performance except the one scream at the 2/3 of the song, the clip visuals are ok tiers.

[@meaghancolman8319]

The clip is a fan made piece of art, so I wouldn’t merit it as much. The song is ethereal and it’s part of a concept album. David Bowie was probably Reznor’s biggest influence and the entire left and right side of this album are just phenomenal. The layering is also what sets it apart from other mainstream music. The man is a genius with composing. Trent reznor is the only true member of NIN, he hires a band to tour but he records almost everything himself

[@arachosia]

It’s painfully beautiful with incredible atmosphere. I don’t know how anyone could NOT be impressed by it. It’s so far beyond what 99% of musicians could ever dream of doing.

[@joshs8685]

This song is an absolutely terrible entry point for NIN.

[@cygnusx555]

I disagree this song is amazing

[@Chet_Thornbushel]

Why do you say it’s a terrible entry point? I think it’s a great showcase of them creating a space and feeling in unique and unexpected ways. And in my opinion that is what NIN is all about. So I’m curious what you find is lacking?

[@tquasa07]

“…and all that could have been” And soaring vocals on “I descend from grace in arms of undertow” Pretty good opener imo

[@j_clarkson]

Why would you listen to music for the first time with headphones only partly on your ears?! Is there something more important in the room you are in that you need to listen to?!

[@astrolopitekos]

Her own voice when speaking :-)

[@j_clarkson]

@@astrolopitekosIt's like visiting an art gallery and wearing sunglasses!

[@cristinamrusso]

Yep. Otherwise I shout 😂

[@j_clarkson]

@@cristinamrussoThen you should look at feeding your mic output into your headphones instead. If your audio interface has zero-latency/direct-monitoring facilities (most decent ones do these days) you can feed the mic straight out to your phones without having to be converted from analogue to digital and back again and avoiding any delay. As it is, you're robbing yourself of the full impact of the music.

[@cristinamrusso]

I did do that but I also find that incredibly distracting, this is the compromise that I find works best for me.