Radiohead Came Close To Splitting

Oxford giants Radiohead could have split prior to the release of their celebrated album 'In Rainbows'.

Radiohead are now riding the crest of critical acclaim, having re-written the rules with their DIY album 'In Rainbows'. Nominated for a Mercury, performing at the Grammy awards it seems that the Oxford group can do no wrong.

However it wasn't always like this. The band released their album 'Hail To The Thief' in 2004, and were greeted with shrugged shoulders. Too long, too complex and too unwieldy moaned fans.

After this Radiohead threw themselves into recording sessions, while negotiating a new deal fresh from the shackles of EMI. Now guitarist Ed O'Brien has revealed that the pressure nearly caused the band to split.

Speaking to Midem the musician revealed that the future of the band was "in the balance" prior to 'In Rainbows'. Continuing, Ed O'Brien explained that the success of the album made them decided to carry on.

"The recording of the album took three years," he revealed. "Which is a long time by anybody's standards. It' pretty much half killed us. Whether the band would continue was very much in the balance."

Referring to the release format, O'Brien revealed that "it was empowering".

"You can't put it into a balance sheet, this feeling of empowerment. It completely rejuvenated us as a band. It got the creative juices flowing. You can't put a price on that. That's the stuff that keeps you going."

Radiohead are currently working on new material.