The band's first release was a self-titled EP, released on June 1, 2010. The band released a track from the album, "A Drowning", as a digital single, and a second song, "The Space in Between", debuted as a video on Pitchfork on May 14, 2010. A third track, "The Believers", was made available through Wired magazine's iPad application, along with a dissection and analysis of the song, and through a free digital download from the official website. "The Believers" is also featured on the soundtrack of the 2011 film Limitless.
The band recorded a cover of the Bryan Ferry song "Is Your Love Strong Enough?," which was released December 9, 2011 on the soundtrack for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
On 21 September 2012, Trent Reznor posted an update on the band's Facebook page confirming new activity. He revealed that the band has "partnered" with Columbia Records for the next series of releases - 'An Omen' EP, which was released on 13th November 2012, and their full-length debut album titled "Welcome Oblivion" which was later released March 4, 2013. He also revealed that videos would made and that the band would be performing live, but did not have any further details. On 25th September 2012, Mariqueen Reznor posted a picture of the cover of the vinyl version of the An Omen EP via her twitter account.
Since then, How To Destroy Angels has toured on a limited scale including performances at Coachella 2013 and appearances with Trent Reznor's main project Nine Inch Nails, as well as releasing music videos for Ice Age and How Long, directed by John Hillcoat and Shynola, respectively.
The Space In Between
How to Destroy Angels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sense the crowd expecting something more
Opened up, proudly on display
What we tried so hard to hide away
Blinding light illuminates the scene
Try to fill "The Spaces In Between"
Narrative drawing to a close
Still remain the things we couldn't kill
In your eyes I can see it still
How we choose the framing of the scene
Hate begins to spill across the screen
Blinding light illuminates the scene
Try to fill The Spaces in Between
The lyrics of How to Destroy Angels’s song “The Space In Between” speak to a sense of vulnerability and exposure, both physically and emotionally. The image of blood on the floor suggests violence or harm, while the crowd suggests a public, performative aspect to this harm or exposure. The lines “what we tried so hard to hide away” indicate that the violence or harm is something shameful or hidden that the performers would prefer to keep concealed. It is as if they are being forced to expose themselves for an audience, and the audience expects even more than what is already being presented to them.
The phrase “spaces in between” could refer to the gaps or silences in this exhibition of harm or vulnerability. Perhaps the performers are trying to fill these “spaces” with something, maybe with a performance or an explanation of what has happened. The lines “arms entwined in a final pose” and “narrative drawing to a close” suggest that this exhibition is part of a larger story or message that the performers are trying to convey. However, the final lines of the song show a sense of despair or inevitability: “hate begins to spill across the screen” implies that the audience’s fascination with this harm is leading to more harm and violence, and no matter how much the performers try to fill these “spaces in between,” their effort seems to be in vain.
Line by Line Meaning
All our blood lying on the floor
We have exposed all our vulnerabilities and weaknesses for the world to see
Sense the crowd expecting something more
We feel the pressure to meet the expectations of those who are watching us
Opened up, proudly on display
We have willingly revealed parts of ourselves that we once tried to keep hidden
What we tried so hard to hide away
Despite our efforts to conceal our true selves, we have now exposed them
Blinding light illuminates the scene
The harsh reality of our situation is being highlighted and brought to our attention
Try to fill "The Spaces In Between"
We are attempting to fill the gaps, the missing pieces, or the uncertainties that exist within our lives
Arms entwined in a final pose
We are holding onto each other, trying to find comfort and support in one another as we face the inevitable end
Narrative drawing to a close
Our story is coming to an end, with nothing left to say or do
Still remain the things we couldn't kill
Despite our best efforts, there are still aspects of ourselves that we cannot change or eradicate
In your eyes I can see it still
Even though time has passed, I can still see the pain and struggle that we have gone through in your eyes
How we choose the framing of the scene
We have the power to manipulate how others perceive us and our situation
Hate begins to spill across the screen
Negative emotions and attitudes are starting to surface and become apparent to those who are watching
Blinding light illuminates the scene
The harsh reality of our situation is once again being brought to our attention, forcing us to confront it head-on
Try to fill The Spaces in Between
We are still attempting to fill the voids in our lives and make sense of all that has happened
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ATTICUS ROSS, MARIQUEEN ARRABACA MAANDIG, TRENT REZNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Antoinette Alvarez
Love the music ♡
sadraconic
All our blood lying on the floor
Sense the crowd expecting something more
Opened up, proudly on display
What we tried so hard to hide away
Blinding light illuminates the scene
Try to fill "The Spaces In Between"
Arms entwined in a final pose
Narrative drawing to a close
Still remain the things we couldn't kill
In your eyes I can see it still
How we choose the framing of the scene
Hate begins to spill across the screen
Blinding light illuminates the scene
Try to fill The Spaces in Between
lokidelrey
it's almost 2020 and i'm still obsessed with this
Gary Scerri
Same
Elizabeth Burroughs
Almost 2022...we can keep going.
E •
It's now halfway into 2021 and I'm still obsessed with this.
lokidelrey
@Ксения Зайцева this comment is from december 2019 einstein
Mathew Cherian
I love this song even till today 💪
deltaomegaable
the heaviness of the instrumentals contrasts perfectly with mariqueens soft voice. a masterpiece.
WickedLiquid
This video feels kinda like a David Lynch or Cronenberg movie. Could you imagine Trent scoring one of their films? It would be 2 hours of HOLY FUCK
Rob James
Some sort of ironic comment