Gallery: Building 'Tension': An Inside Look at NIN's Massive Arena Tour

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    While still infused with plenty of dazzling tech and visuals, the Tension Tour exhibited much more restraint than previous NIN shows. The pared down visuals and expanded color palette complemented the newer material the band performed.
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    It takes a lot of power cords and interconnects to keep the automated grid, which included three screens and 14 lighting pods, working properly.
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    Moment Factory, a boutique Canadian outfit that's worked on a number of Cirque du Soleil shows and other industrial installations, created many of the visuals for the Tension Tour.
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    Trent Reznor sits down backstage for a quick chat before the KeyArena show on Friday, November 22, 2013 in Seattle, Wash.
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    For the Tension Tour, Reznor brought in bassist Pino Palladino, who helped bring out the deep groove elements of songs like "All Time Low."
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    From left to right, part of the Nine Inch Nails live band: Pino Palladino, Ilan Rubin, Trent Reznor, Alessandro Cortini, and Lisa Fischer.
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    Nine Inch Nails performing the song "Satellite" at the KeyArena in Seattle, Wash.
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    Trent Reznor and band behind one of the transparent Seiko LED screens NIN used for the Tension Tour. Specific video content was designed for each of the three screens. Using time code that was synced to individual songs, it could then be seamlessly transitioned from one display to the other.
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    R&B Backup Singers Sharlotte Gibson and Lisa Fischer. Gibson has recorded and toured with Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey. Fischer has performed with The Rolling Stones since 1989.
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    A shot of the giant V9 screen before the Seattle show. This high-definition display is made by PRG Nocturne and served as the backdrop for the Tension Tour.
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    Nine Inch Nails play at the Key Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013 in Seattle, Wash.
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    Strategically positioned between the three LED screens were 14 square pods, each equipped with nine magic panel LED lights. All of the lights were on a triple axis, meaning they could individually tilt and pan 360 degrees.
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    Glitchy abstractions of individual band member faces appear in real-time on the rear screen during the song "Satellite."
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    Giant translucent LED screens were lowered and raised during parts of the performance.
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