Let’s face it: Trent Reznor “retired” the live incarnation of Nine Inch Nails because he’s getting (already is?) married, 44 years old, and having a kid. Sorry to burst the artistic hype bubble there, but that’s probably the way it is and Godspeed Mr. Self Destruct, I say. Besides, there’s plenty on the horizon, including video games, “another Ghosts record,” and a Gary Numan collaboration at least. As for that last project, Gary Numan joined Reznor & company for the London stop of their “Wave Goodbye” tour this summer and not only were reviews of the collaboration brilliant, but we now (thanks to the T. Rez) have unfuckingbelievable HD footage to prove it.

“Ahh… finally catching my breath after it all,” Reznor wrote just before this past weekend. “Thank you once again for the last wave of shows and your interest and support over the years. We’re beginning work on a variety of things NIN and not-NIN related that we’ll inform you of when the time is right. Check back from time to time and who knows what you’ll find.”

He then posted the following two videos, available here or embedded below, and I know it’s a total cliché, but it’s like you’re really on stage with the band:

Out of all the bands covering Gary Numan of late (Dead Weather’s cut of “Are Friends Electric?” etc.), Numan told Music Radar recently that Nine Inch Nails’ version of “Metal” is among his favorites. Now that NIN’s Trent Reznor says the group is on its final concert tour, Numan took the opportunity to let his favorite admirers be his backing band.

Drowned In Sound’s Sean Adams posted a nice review of NIN’s Wednesday night show at London’s O2 Arena, where Reznor brought Numan up on stage to take the lead vocals for “Metal” and “Cars.” Check out a good quality video of the latter performance below: