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Nine Inch Nails sets album release date, touring lineup

Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor has locked in a spring release for his first new studio album in more than five years, and has recruited a band to tour with him behind the set.

Titled "With Teeth," the new set will arrive in stores on May 3--by which time Reznor and his new backing band will have played at least two shows featuring material from the album; the group is scheduled to play at London's Astoria on March 30-31.

A North American tour itinerary is expected to surface soon.

Joining Reznor on stage during the outing will be longtime drummer Jerome Dillon--the only previous member of Reznor's touring lineup to return for the 2005 outing--as well as bassist Jeordie White (Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle), keyboardist Alessandro Cortini (modwheelmood) and guitarist Aaron North (Icarus Line).

North takes over for former NIN touring guitarist Robin Finck, a longtime NIN fixture over the past decade who has since defected to Guns N' Roses. Reznor apparently is more than happy with the switch, according to a message that he posted at his website on Saturday (1/22).

"... We looked all over for the right guitarist," Reznor wrote. "In retrospect, I believe we were looking for someone to fill Robin's shoes. When Aaron walked through the door, he pissed on Robin's shoes and kicked them out the door where they belong--effectively closing a chapter. A great chapter, but one that is in the past.

"This is a new entity that feels very fresh and vital. We are preparing to destroy you."

Concertgoers can expect a set heavy on selections from the new album, as well as updated versions of previous works.

"This band is capable of a lot, and I trust and respect everyone's musical ability," he wrote. "That sets the stage for things to change musically. We are reworking a number of older tracks that still matter to us, while focusing on the new material."

In other news, Reznor said he is still hoping to issue a deluxe-DVD version of "Closure." Originally released on VHS format in 1997, the flick documents NIN's tour in support of 1994's "The Downward Spiral," and also houses the group's music videos. Last year, Reznor announced plans to reissue the set on DVD, complete with 90 minutes of additional footage not included on the original release.

Reznor had hoped to deliver the disc to fans last fall, but legal entanglements waylaid his plans.

"'Closure' on DVD is done and has been done for a while," Reznor wrote in his recent website message. "Just waiting for a parasite (as in a greedy ex-manager with a delusional sense of entitlement) to be removed from my life before you can have it."

NIN's most recent studio set is 1999's "The Fragile."