Released November 13, 2012 Length 32:32 Artist How to Destroy Angels Label Columbia Records | Recorded 2011-12 Sigil 03
(2012) Sigil 04
(2013) Release date 13 November 2012 | |
 | ||
An omen EP_
(2012) Welcome oblivion
(2013) Genres Post-industrial music, Electronica, Trip hop, Dark ambient Producers Trent Reznor, Mariqueen Maandig, Rob Sheridan | ||
An Omen EP (stylized as An omen EP_) was the second extended play release by American post-industrial group How to Destroy Angels, released November 13, 2012. Produced by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor, his wife Mariqueen Maandig and longtime collaborator Atticus Ross, the EP contained various tracks later issued on their 2013 debut album, Welcome Oblivion. It focused on Maandig's vocal style, with a lighter tone than its predecessor.
Contents
The full EP was released for streaming purposes on November 8, 2012 at The Hype Machine and the band's official Soundcloud channel, five days before the official release date, then was released in digital and vinyl formats afterwards. As with many of Reznor's official releases, it was designated with a unique name and number: An omen EP_ is "SIGIL 03".
The release was announced by Reznor in 2011, and initially slated for a November 2011 street date. However, due to Reznor's dissatisfaction with the output, it was put on hold until he felt it was up to standard, taking it on what he referred to as a "Mulholland Test Drive". The title was announced on September 22, 2012 as An Omen EP.
This was Reznor's first musical release (from either Nine Inch Nails or How to Destroy Angels) on Columbia Records, and his first non-independent release since Nine Inch Nails' Year Zero Remixed, which was released on Interscope.
Promotion
The first single, "Keep It Together", was debuted on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio One show on October 8, 2012, and the track was released via digital download a day later.
Art direction
Artwork, graphics and promotional photos were conceived by the entire band, and primarily executed by Rob Sheridan. He used a technique of creating glitch art similar to his previous work with Nine Inch Nails, not with Photoshop effects, but instead by placing raw images onto analog VHS tapes, then disrupting those very signals and photographing distortion through a CRT monitor.
Release
All versions were released on November 13, 2012.
Critical reception
Critical response to the EP was generally favorable, with an average rating of 78% based on 11 professional reviews on Metacritic.
Track listing
All tracks written by Trent Reznor, Mariqueen Maandig and Atticus Ross.
Songs
1Keep It Together4:30
2Ice Age7:00
3On the Wing4:54