
On the eve of launching a lengthy North American tour, Nine Inch Nails has released a physical version of the band's latest studio album, "The Slip."
The set, initially released in May as a digital-only download, hit stores this week in a special CD-plus-bonus-DVD configuration, limited to 250,000 copies worldwide on individually numbered digipaks. Each set includes a 24-page booklet and three-sticker set.
The DVD portion of the package includes five live performances filmed during rehearsals for the band's upcoming tour, while an additional vinyl version of the album, featuring the record's 11 tracks on 180-gram vinyl with a 24-page booklet, will be released Aug. 12 in the US and Canada.
"The Slip" has been downloaded 1.6 million times worldwide since its May 5 release, according to a press release. Fans can continue to download the digital version of the album for free from NIN's website.
The group is currently preparing to kick off a 30-city North American tour with its appearance tomorrow (7/25) at British Columbia's Pemberton Festival. The first headlining date follows Saturday (7/26) in Seattle. Details are below.
Joining frontman and sole fulltime member of NIN Trent Reznor on the tour will be guitarist Robin Finck, keyboardist Alessandro Cortini, drummer Josh Freese and bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen. Aside from Meldal-Johnsen--best known for his work with Beck--all have played with the band in the past, with Cortini and Freese having participated in the band's 2005 and 2006 world tours, and Finck a veteran of the band's 1994 and 1995 touring lineup.
The initial digital release of "The Slip" followed a four-disc, 36-track instrumental collection, "Ghosts I-IV," which appeared in early March. The first "Ghosts" album can be downloaded free, while fans were given the option of paying $5 for the other three volumes, $10 for a physical double-CD set, or $75 for a deluxe edition including audiophile versions of the album's tracks on Blu-Ray and DVD discs and a 48-page hardcover book.