NIN – ‘And All That Could Have Been’ DVD Review

Released in 2002 after some delay, the ‘All that could have been’ double-disc set created a new standard in music DVDs. Until this point DVDs were often cash-in affairs, either converted from VHS or flung together to snag the last possible pound from long-suffering fans. This raised the bar. Filmed with what feels like a million cameras during NIN’s Fragility tour, the viewer is treated to dizzying close up shots form cameras mounted on the bands instruments and jaw-dropping distance views which reveal the astonishing set, designed by none other than Pink Floyd’s lighting designer. 

Of course, all of the above would be for nothing if the music was not up to it. One of the reasons for the lengthy delay was allegations of studio overdubs and audio work, but, even if true, this only serves to enhance the visual feast. The audio is crystal clear and every crashing chord and snarled vocal is represented perfectly. Furthermore the set-list is a NIN fan’s dream with heavy and chaotic versions of ‘Head like a hole’, ‘Terrible lie’, ‘La mer’, ‘The Wretched’ and ‘Gave up’ all leading up to a heart-rending (and show stopping) rendition of ‘Hurt’ which still sounds fresh and pained after all these years. 

Special features are not obviously represented so well, with only multiple angles on several songs (‘La Mer, The great Below’ and ‘The mark has been made’) and an audio commentary from the set designer. However, dig deeper and fans can uncover a real treat in the form of a whole menu of extras (can’t be bothered to search? Ok press 6 or 7 (depending on the version) at 11:19 on disc 2) which includes  awesome versions of ‘Reptile’, ‘The day the whole world went away’ and ‘Starf***ers Inc’ (featuring Marilyn Manson) as well as trailers for The Fragile. Rumour has it that Trent was enraged when details of this ‘Easter egg’ leaked onto the net, but then NIN fans were always liable to share the wealth as quickly as possible (not to mention the potential for one-upmanship by finding it before anyone else) and the extra features are a generous and valuable assortment for fans to feast on. This DVD is a welcome souvenir for a tour that made it only briefly to these shores and won awards for best tour of the year in America. It also captures NIN at the end of their drug addled ‘Fragility’ days, as compared to the rather more streamlined band witnessed on ‘Beside you in time’. Packaged in a slip case digi-pack, with stunning art work, this is well worth tracking down. Exceptional.