Reviews (page 6 of 14)
To be honest, my jury is still out on this guy. I wasn’t a follower in the day, and shunned the pressures to like his music. Thus I never gave it a chance. Now, much older and a little grayer, I feel like I need to hear more of what he’s trying to say. This is a good album clearly, and perhaps an important album in the day. I’ll go 4 stars, and make an effort to broaden my mind a bit further.
Var bombsäker på lågt betyg men det här är faktiskt ganska bra. Såg dem live i Arvika 2009 och det var inte särskilt bra.
Moods on mood on moods! Best listening in surround sound. Also, make sure you have a good batch of trees, because if not, you're liable to lose your sh*t!
Having heard Trent Reznor do so many movie soundtracks has made me way more open to the music of NIN and though I prefer the movie work, this is still good
- Wait I actually love this - The way it was so loud then so quite literally gave me so much joy for no reason whatsoever - OMD HURT IS SO REAL AND ONE OF THE BEST SONGS EVER I AM PUTTING THIS INTO A PLAYLIST Ultimately, one of the best albums I have listened to, sure I wasn't that keen on some of the songs but hurt is one of the best songs ever so that completely makes up for all the random ones. I really genuinely did love this so much and I am not just saying that because I expected the album to be so much worse. I had high expectations for this album and it so definitely lived up to the expectations.
distorted, weird and dramatic. loved it
This surprised me, expected to say this wasn't my thing, but really enjoyed my angsty walk to work listening to this
Pretty good album
Inventive, raw, sonically interesting, demanding to be played at volume. There's a couple of tracks that are a little average, but much of this is superlative.
I try to keep in mind the extensive work that was required to make synths and samples back in the 90s. It’s extremely impressive.
Raw. Powerful. Strong. Good pulse, instrumentation. Cohesive. Not my genre (too dark, too much scream sound, distorted guitars not my thing), but I liked it a bunch.
“Mr. Self Destruct” kicks open the cathedral doors with steel toe cap boots and introduces us to the beautifully manic priest of annihilation. Every snare hit feels like a bullet ricocheting through your mind palace. And then oh, sweet lord “Closer” arrives like a velvet whip to the ball sack, drenched in sweat, sex, and the scent of cheap perfume. It's not a song, it's a slow motion explosion in a pleasure lab. Each track is its own fever dream: “Piggy” drips like tar in a candlelit asylum; “Hurt” closes the curtain with the delicacy of a funeral held inside your own ribcage. If sorrow could take human form, it would sit silently in the corner while “Hurt” plays, gently nodding along, weeping through a grin.
Intense, sprawling, angry yet vulnerable. Admittedly, I have to be in the right mood to listen to it which deducts a star for me. But this is damn solid and a very worthy addition to this list.
So pesat, idustrial, amb ràbia. Està molt guay.
#DÍA 13: 1001 Discos Que Hay Que Escuchar Antes De Morir (English Translation Below) Tras la paliza emocional que fue ayer el nuevo álbum de Quadeca, hoy me toca escuchar otro en el que el artista muere conceptualmente al final… Qué alegría oye. The Downward Spiral es otro de esos discos que llevaba mucho queriendo escuchar, aunque siempre ha sido difícil para mí introducirme en la música Industrial. No es un LP que pueda escuchar personalmente a la ligera, no es mi estilo de confort, pese a que mucha música ruidosa sí lo sea. Aún así, desde luego que admiro la calidad de este proyecto, sobre todo la producción, que es mano de santo. Literalmente podría escucharlo sólo por las instrumentales, sin la voz, que es lo que menos me gusta sinceramente, posiblemente porque me parece muy Grunge en ocasiones y no me termina de cuadrar. Sin embargo las texturas tan corruptas e industriales, los tonos de guitarra que parecen oxidados, la percusión tan seca y violenta (sobre todo al final de Piggy) y ese manejo del sample tan sugerente e ingenioso para crear una atmósfera tan peculiar, son impresionantes como poco y han envejecido como el vino, podrían haberse creado ayer vamos. El concepto del disco, la espiral de decadencia, es proyectado de un modo muy interesante a lo largo de las canciones. Arranca con ese dibujo del personaje Mr. Self Destruct, una especie de reflejo de esa voz que todos tenemos dentro que nos inclina a sacar lo peor de nosotros mismos. Luego una serie de temas que nos muestran el desarrollo del estado mental del protagonista, quién finalmente acaba tocando fondo, completamente consumido por su oscuridad, haciendo daño a todo ser querido y disparándose a sí mismo en la pista homónima. Toda esta historia es realmente impactante, con letras de lo más pesimistas, oscuras y sin filtros, aunque tristemente empatizables. Favoritas: Mr. Self Destruct, Piggy, Heresy, Closer, Ruiner, The Becoming, A Warm Place, Eraser, Reptile, The Downward Spiral, Hurt Menos favorita: Big Man With a Gun #DAY 13: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die After the emotional meltdown that was Quadeca’s new album yesterday, today I have to listen to another one where the artist conceptually dies at the end… What a joy, huh. The Downward Spiral is another one of those albums I’ve been wanting to listen to for a long time, although it’s always been difficult for me to get into Industrial music. It’s not an LP I can personally listen to lightly—it’s not my comfort style, even though a lot of noisy music is. Still, I definitely admire the quality of this project, especially the production, which is absolutely brilliant. I could literally listen to it just for the instrumentals, without the vocals, which are honestly what I like the least—possibly because they sometimes feel very Grunge-like and don’t quite click for me in this album. However, the textures are so corrupted and industrial, the guitar tones feel rusted, the percussion is so dry and violent (especially at the end of Piggy), and the sampling is so clever and suggestive in creating such a unique atmosphere—it’s all downright impressive and has aged like fine wine. It could have been made yesterday, really. The concept of the album—the downward spiral—is portrayed in a really interesting way throughout the tracks. It starts with the depiction of the character Mr. Self Destruct, a sort of reflection of that inner voice we all have that pushes us to bring out the worst in ourselves. Then there’s a series of songs that show the protagonist’s mental decline, who eventually hits rock bottom, completely consumed by his darkness, hurting everyone he loves and finally shooting himself in the self-titled track. The whole story is truly impactful, with lyrics that are extremely pessimistic, dark, and unfiltered—though sadly relatable. Favorites: Mr. Self Destruct, Piggy, Heresy, Closer, Ruiner, The Becoming, A Warm Place, Eraser, Reptile, The Downward Spiral, Hurt Least favorite: Big Man With a Gun
Very interesting sonic choices made here, really demonstrates the descent into madness. I was familiar with ‘Closer’ for sure, but may have heard some of the other tracks back in the day as well. Couple weird song transitions hurt the flow, but overall I enjoyed it. The industrial/techno fits really well with the heavy rock. 4.25/5
Dance beats heavy abrasive, own it Closer Ruiner Big Man with a Gun Hurt 8.5
Doesn’t sound like anything but NIN. So good.
So good.
industrial sound with some good bangers. 4/5
If 10-grit sandpaper were music. not easy to listen to but a very unique style. Tracks 345 are quite strong, and this is the record that gave us Hurt which became Johnny Cash’s unforgettable ode 3.8
Classic NIN album
Honestly enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, Although I wish it had a bit less lyrical repetition. 3.6/5
Reznor atomizes the dark electronic music of it's predecessors (I am no expert but I would say Joy Division/Depeche Mode/and other emerging synth-goth stuff) into a landmark 90's album. Spawning a slew of similar artists into the mainstream. The textures and carefully destroyed and deconstructed sounds throughout the record hint at his future as a great film composer, while the themes of harm, sex, hate and technology feel visceral still today.
I really enjoyed their use of synth and soundclips from real life
Started this on a Monday, needed to get to a Tuesday to finish it. Rough listen. Can see why it's so influential, and wild how tracks can pump your blood despite this album coming out in 1994. I won't return to it, but not because of quality. Listening to this album feels a bit masochistic.
First my full listen to NIN album. Pretty aggressive, eclectic and industrial sound. I like it
4.1 2x listening on way to London (Berlin trip)
Ah, there’s something about 90s rage and cynicism that’s way more appealing than today’s rage and cynicism.
Do I need to explore why I liked this so much? Can I just say I liked it and move on?
Very different sound from what I expected, NIN is like the metal version of Linkin Park.
Experimental and telling of the genre. A tad repetitive, but Hurt really throws the whole album into relief in a fascinating way.
I do appreciate the edginess of this album and its willingness to branch out and combine new sounds. However, I didn't really love it, so I will give it 4/5 stars, but I recognize its addition to the game.
Surprised in a good way. Not a huge metal fan but the instrumentals are insane. Coworker said he did work in Classical music and that comes through in a dark, industrial way
as gritty and down as my life right now
Never listened to much NIN before but i am now a big fan. The album has a very cohesive theme and many songs that stand up alone as well. 4.5 stars.
Challenging. Noteworthy.
one of my favourite albums from my formative years. classic
I listened to this album MANY times as a teen so my rating might be a little biased.
Part of the challenge of reviewing this is that it's such a grimy, discordant and angry album. Some songs are incredibly abrasive and others are actively unpleasant to listen to. However! It's a great album overall, and I really appreciate it. I think the production is incredible. Obviously very industrial, but there's some super interesting synths and soundscapes in there that really work. It feels like a complete thing, like one big mood. You can almost imagine this whole album being the backdrop to a disgusting, grimy, post-apocalyptic world. I had this album on CD when I was younger, and my opinion on it (and the band) has changed somewhat over time. I've come to appreciate the weirder, slower tracks a lot more, whereas I was all about the upbeat, rockier, in-your-face tracks before. There's some great tracks on here, but it really works as an overall.
The US gave up its last free breath to a pedophile dictatorship today. This record is a distillation of the fury in me.
FYI: I'm reviewing the Deluxe Edition which includes all of the singles and other stuff that Trent and gang were putting out around the release of this album. I'm a huge fan of NIN's early stuff meaning this album, Pretty Hate Machine, The Fragile (some of it), and Broken. This album ranks pretty high for me because it's such a huge departure from Pretty Hate Machine. Where PHM was designed and packaged for radio and MTV airplay, Downward Spiral goes all over the place. Closer being the lead single was pretty awesome though. It's the best song on this album, no contest. While I like the album enough to give it a 5 just for fanboying, I don't think it's as good as PHM which is a definite 5 out of 5. This is a solid 4 out of 5 for me.
I feel like this could be four and a half stars. It’s such a loud album and so abrasive- the mixing makes it feel fuzzy even though I know it’s an intentional style choice. The way the album slows down at the end contrasts sharply with its aggressive opening. The elements of electronic music and metal blending with the rock is very cool. I really enjoyed this album.
Fear I might not be in a bad/weird enough mood for this but I'm up for it. Actually I'm always in a weird mood and I'm enjoying myself. Fear some of the punchier sound is being lost in my cheap headphones but my brother will work from home >_> Closer actually stands out as almost poppy compared to what's around it .. to its detriment? Not sure. Probably bc i don't really listen on headphones much but the production on this is Standout. I am surrounded by Yelling and Noises. See like A Warm Place is the sort.of track that I would never normally pay any attention to but it's placed perfectly as a Breather. Oooh I'm enjoying this horrible racket quite a lot you know. If anything it hangs around a bit too long and gets slightly too instrumental and less noisy toward the end. And i don't love Hurt, wish it was a bit muddier. Good closer tho. But yeah I'll definitely come back to this I really like it.
One of the most original and innovate rock albums of all time. Nobody combines aggression, melody, and sonic experimentation as well as Trent Reznor does.
Really threaded the needle here Trent. A truly ambitious project of industrial pop and rock that's too good sonically to get caught up in the fact that some of the lyrics are a tad cringy at times. 8.85/10 Favorite Songs: Hersey and Eraser
Crazy album!
Amazing album that I grew up listening to but I have a hard time putting myself in that headspace now. Trent is a brilliant musician and this album is his opus but by the end you just want to say “come on, man, just slit your wrist and get it over with.”
Excellent album without a doubt. It’s weird to me that Pretty Hate Machine is not on the list, but I guess this album is a bit more adventurous and on the experimental side. I do find some of the tracks tedious, but the standout tracks are pretty extraordinary.
Way better than I expected. Heavier, too. Quite an interesting record, I might get back to it someday.
well yes
4 stars for execution. Reznor is a mad man.
Подростковый бунт.
Definitely too abrasive for me to consider for general listening - I can't deny it's power as an emotional statement though - and Closer and Hurt are remarkable songs.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected. I was never much of a fan of the industrial sound, but the production on this is super interesting, with some cool machine samples etc. Favourite tracks: Heresy, March of the Pigs (nice 7/8, 8/8 time signature going on there), Closer (the ambient noise that accompanies the sparse beat is chef's kiss), A Warm Place, The Downward Spiral, Hurt (probably prefer Johnny Cash's version, but this is the OG and it's undoubtably a fantastic track).
Oh, it's the person who made Johnny Cash's most famous song! I don’t what it is about this album in particular, but most songs here are extremely memorable. Before relistening, I’d only heard it once a bit over a year ago. I’m terrible at remembering music, but here most songs almost immediately made me go, “Oh, I remember how it goes.” This is some really powerful noisy music that is produced so well that even on high volume, the loud parts are not painful. Despite being about 50% longer than an average album, it doesn't feel drown out; but the second half is quite a bit weaker than the first. It just slows down later on, with the songs becoming more personal and sensual. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but I preferred the more loud, angry sound of the first half. On a side note, whenever I see someone talk about this album, I always hear Danny Brown in my head. "And it's a downward spiral / Gotta figure it out, out / I gotta figure it out, out."
Listened running. Didn’t know loads about NIN but enjoyed this so may check out more of them
Noisy. but nice.
I lack personal knowledge of the context of the times but this does feel like a novel album. To have the range and end with a song like Hurt end the album is pretty impressive. That being said, not totally my style. Respect though.
Sounds gritty and dark and I enjoyed it
Heard it
There’s a lot of noises happening at me. Oh it’s quiet… never mind. Became a piggy then March brought it together. It feels better to be closer.
Maybe I was in the right headspace for this today.
Great album if you like metal. I like NIN, but I must confess I had not listened to an entire album.
100% not my thing man, whole lotta stuff im into, and even more stuff im not
So ahead of its time. So sexy, so scary! Just like a '90s horror movie. 8/10
Never dabbled with NIN before but I get it now, I'm sold. A strong start that it somewhat struggles to maintain, but excellent album overall.
I was a teen in the 90s into rock/metal/alternative/grunge and NIN were on my radar, liked quite a few of their songs but could never get into the albums as a whole. Listening to this again after a long time hit differently. It's a solid 3 from start to finish but songs like March of the Pigs, Hurt, Ruiner, Piggy and of course Closer push this to a 4 star for me. 7.5/10
Great art rock! Very intense. Excellent recording
Pretty solid album, but I prefer Cash's cover of Hurt.
honestly? hot
Yuh
Some bangers, a little slow near the end then ends with Hurt, a masterpiece
Fistfuck. Better than I remember, meandering at points. Feels like filling time on the CD. Hurt still is a masterpiece
Spirals into something
14/04/2025 It was creative and i have heard of a few of these songs before.
Pained, raw, and jarringly truthful. People are afraid of saying the kind of stuff talked about in these lyrics, even within music. Life sucks, and howling into the void about depression, sex, politics, and suicide is a perfect way of expressing that. Especially with the industrial rock genre, which historically hasn't exactly popped on the charts, but works so, so well with the lyrical content here. And yet Reznor and Ross churn out this excitingly gritty anger-anthology for the world to relate to so much it hurts. As another reviewer accurately wrote: "Raw, powerful, visceral, animalistic. Sexy. Twisted. Demented. I want Trent Reznor to whisper the word "piggy" to my ears over and over again." All that being said, it's still industrial rock. A genre I can't bring myself to love, no matter how hard I try. Although the vocals are near-flawless on every track, the other instruments veer in and out of being appealing – most obviously in the songs March Of The Pigs and The Becoming. (Which is certainly the point. Nine Inch Nails absolutely know what they're doing, musically.) The music is just too abrasive too often to place this album amidst the top tier, even if it does give most other music from the era a run for its money. NIN have created something really special here and I completely understand why others dub it the greatest record of all time. (Maybe a couple of relistens will do it... I'll keep you all posted.) 4/5 Key tracks: Heresy, March Of The Pigs, Closer, Hurt
When this came put it was something so diferent and innovative. Amazing and dark and hard and out there. In context back in the day they killed it with this production. After them tons more came to play like this and it got kind of sarurated but they were the mainstream pioneers so big credit. Listening to it today it was not as great as I remembered it when I heard it the first time. Its still awesome but maybe I grew out of this genere.
I haven't listened to this in a long time. So freaking intense. I don't think my old ears can take regular repeat listens but it deserves four stars.
Dope
Good, will need to listed to it again
an extremely chill and relaxing vibe for my drive home 🧘♀️🧘♀️🧘♀️
I like 4 of the songs: "Piggy", "March of the Pigs", "Closer", "Hurt". Especially March of the Pigs - what a great song. The rest of the album is OK, but still I give NIN credit for kind of owning/defining industrial music for this era.
Classic, forgot how good this was.
Stellar album! Dark and moody, but also extremely intense and visceral. It really does make the listener feel the anguish and desperation the album's character is going through, with the very stark and oppressive production filled with all kinds of distorted instrumentation. Still, at its very core, it manages to keep a foot firmly placed in standard rock song structures. And all the better for it, otherwise it could probably end up too alienating to maintain the emotional resonance it obviously strives for. Key tracks: Mr. Self Destruct March of the Pigs Closer Hurt
like lowkey 3.5 stars but 4 will have to do
Edgerlord masterpiece
Great album but I just don't find myself going back to it particularly often anymore
i've listened to this before but not in full, only the hit tracks Mr. Self Destruct - 5/5 Piggy - 5/5 Heresy - 5/5 March Of The Pigs - 4/5 Closer - 5/5 (obviously) Ruiner - 4/5 The Becoming - 5/5 I Do Not Want This - 2/5 (not good, skipped halfway) Big Man With A Gun - 3/5 (short) A Warm Place - 4/5 Eraser - 4/5 Reptile - 5/5 The Downward Spiral - 2/5 (zzzzzz) Hurt - 5/5 (obviously) Total score: 4.1/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nonsense screeching rock that I used to love in the 90s. I was a big Marilyn Manson fan by the late 90s and I got this CD on sale. I was always curious to find out where the antichrist superstar sound came from. I loved it at that time. I remember all the times I cried while listening to "Hurt". I didn't hear the Johnny Cash version until several years later. Today I didn't like it so much, it's over compressed, a lot of noise, screaming and distortion. But I give it 4 stars because it was an important album while I was a teenager.
I have a new appreciation for NIN after seeing them last month on their Peel It Back tour. They were not on my radar until this past year, and it took a few listens to get used to their music, but I'm a fan. The lyrics are as intense as the music. Some of these songs were so incredible live that I like this album so much more than when I first heard it before the show. (+1 on the post-show edit)
lydia (3) - not a big fan but that's cuz it's just not my genre </3 and lowkey did not like reptile Monica (4) - the good songs were rly good but the bad songs were just boring
A little intense to revisit this on a Monday morning at work, but also very cathartic! I immediately followed this up with the Johnny Cash version of Hurt, and was not disappointed.
4/5
i really liked this one. it was hard to understand the lyrics at times, but i liked the songs still. yeah not much to say here, would have to relisten to figure out which tracks stood out to me as favorites but i enjoyed the experience. i liked the ambient noises
Prinzipiell nice und stimmungsvoll, für mich noch etwas schwer in diese Musikrichtung reinzukommen
God is dead 😤😤😤 and no one cares 💥💥💥 If there is a hell 👹👹👹 I’ll see you there🔥🔥🔥
Dark, disturbing, 90s gold.
This Album is 31 years old this year? What? It could have been released yesterday. I've always NIN in my periphery, but never actually listened to them till now, I've been missing out. Its dissonant, yet melodic, growly yet smooth. I really like this. I didn't like the entire thing, some songs did grate on me, but in general, I enjoyed the album very much. 4/5
Very experimental
I liked this, but I still identify with the 17-year-old who turned his nose up at this album because Pretty Hate Machine was obviously the superior album.
Maybe not my favorite NIN album, but any album that has Hurt on it is going to get some stars from me.
A birth of a classic
Listened to this while playing Middara. I won my encounter! I actually never listened to this album even though it was a big hit when I was in high school. I actually enjoyed this album a whole lot more than I thought I might! The production was fantastic, and the lyrics, though dreary, were evocative. Great music for killing water loas.
So much angst. So much distortion. So much awesome. I'm glad I'm not as angry as I was so many decades ago when I thought this album totally ruled. It's still good. I hope the twentysomethings can find their voice similarly.
Это очень странный альбом в моей жизни. Во-первых, я очень уважаю этого чела по многим причинам. Мне в целом очень нравится индастриал-звук. И тем не менее этот альбом, который по всем параметрам звучит как что-то, на что я мог бы молиться, я никогда не смог по-настоящему полюбить. И не в этот раз. Это мега альбом, видимо с нереальным концептом. Здесь даже есть хиты, несмотря на невозможный звук. Хотя лучшая Песня на альбоме, объективно, это Hurt, я не могу не выбрать A Warm Place как лучший Момент на альбоме по моему субъективному мнению. Бонфайа в бесконечном мраке. Лучшая песня - A Warm Place.
Het is niet slecht, maar ik voel hem gewoon niet
Not my fav from NIN but good one
We are lucky to live in the same time as Trent Reznor
LOVE IT
90s Industrial rock. Destruction of a man. Recorded in Manson murder mansion. Leaves bad taste in my mouth, recording there to be edgy. Heavy, noisy, dark. Melodic despite all the noise. Can appreciate cthe art, kind of cool in the right mood.
album that makes you feel like you're at the rave in the beginning of Blade (1998) i've heard some of these songs so many times over the years that they've lost some of their staying power, but the deep cuts are some real heat too. "ruiner" is a new favorite
4/5, some good tracks favorited on spotify. Some of it was def weird/experimental but I'm sure that's normal NIN.
They should score a movie about a social media company. 4/5
Quite noisy but it was interesting and overall I liked it
A tough listen for sure. Not the most uplifting start to the day but you have to admire it's scope and it's all encompassing sonics. From the opening track to the end it's a ride. Menacing, threatening, frightened and confused. Not an album that I will have on heavy rotation as don't think I could cope but definitely a 4
Never really got into NIN, but there's no denying the badass-ness and creativity of the music. Solid album if you're in a dreary, down-in-the-dumps mood. Solid 4* from me.
Brutal, explicit, stunningly produced. Prop the peak of NIN. You may dislike it but you csbt ignore it. Strong.
the only problem with this album is I always expect Wish to be on it for some reason, and then it's not, and I have to take a second to go listen to Wish it does also run a bit long in my opinion, I get we're supposed to be getting this serious story of a descent but
I got this after seeing the captivating video for Closer. I had to have it, and I run-don't-walk’d to get it. I was 12 when this album came out, which is so weird to think about. I remember playing it through for the first time on my bedroom stereo, being jarred on the first track's into by the asynchronous thumps sounding like someone punching a wall or using a nail gun. But I was fascinated, and even though the material was sort of difficult for me to engage with, I remember feeling sort of determined to figure out a way to like it. This wasn't one I wore out, although I developed an appreciation for it, which remains.
Sound of my teenage years. I listened to it over and over again back then, but The Fragile will probably always be my favourite NIN album.
I didn't identify with this when I was a teenager and it was new. I don't identify with it now either, but I recognize it's quality. The second half lagged a bit, but there were some great moments throughout.
It is a bit bloated and there aren't a lot of "classic" individual songs, but as a whole it is excellent and it is incredibly ahead of its time and has held up pretty well.
Nice album. A bit doll/relaxed, but an interresting musical experience keeping my curriosity all the way through.
NIN has always been in the edge of my musical interest zone. I don't know why. Maybe because other artists took my whole interest back then. My first contact to the band was when I played Quake and fired all the Nine Inch Nails towards my enemies :) So now I listened the whole album from start to beginning first time for a very long time. And I liked it. There was a duller phase in the albums mid-section, but then it kept getting better and better until it reached Hurt. What an ending to an album. But that dull phase lowered my rating one star.
I remember liking Pretty Hate Machine, but was also very much into G.G.F.H's Eclipse album, Ministry's Psalm 69, Skinny Puppy stuff and such, before this one came out. By the time Downward Spiral came out, I was more or less moved on from industrial and felt like this didn't touch enough nerves. I was ready to give this album 4/5 before listening, but I would lean more to 3 stars as far as it grips me today. Now taking a re-listen years later, it has even more pop sensibilities than I remembered. It suprised me how much Marilyn Manson's sound was affected by Trent Reznor, seems to me it was especially this album. Upon looking into the matter, Sean Beavan (who also worked on NIN records), Skinny Puppy producer Dave Ogilvie and Trent Reznor produced Manson, so no wonder they share the same DNA. This is however very important album for a whole genre of music going mainstream, I'll stick with 4 stars for the historical values.
What a primal sound. I know a lot of this from when I listened to rock radio in high school, primarily Closer and Hurt, which are both still great. Closer is a little vulgar for what I tend to like now, but you can't deny how driving the song is and how much momentum it carries. My favorite that was new to me is probably Piggy. And while I've hated distortion in some other groups so far, that was mostly directed at shoegaze. This is anything but that. Industrial, feral, mechanical, brutal, it works a lot more here, like in Mr. Self Destruct. And the music is just good despite those harsh tones. Still, not my genre nowadays, but worth the listen for sure.
I’ve always thought of NIN as a group that I respect more than enjoy, but on this listen, over the second half of the album, I had a kind of a ha moment and really got it. It’s bleak and abrasive at times, then beautiful and contemplative.
Impression . Liked it more than I thought it would. Definitely good for the right mood.
Creative Industrial
This is a dark, innovative journey through self-destruction and despair, but it’s the standout tracks “Closer” and “Hurt” that truly elevate it. “Closer” captivates with its provocative groove, while “Hurt” delivers raw emotional depth that lingers long after the album ends. While the rest of the record is cohesive and bold, some tracks feel more like connective tissue than essential listening. Still, those two songs alone make this a landmark album worth revisiting.
Intense stuff, but also really good.
If this is industrial rock, call me Rosie the Riveter
Best: Ruiner Worst: I do not want this Liked songs: 86% Front half is somewhat decent but not amazing imo, back half is really good + the concept is really good + the album cover rocks. Elite study music
Ruined and closer were highlights
March of the Pigs Closer Hurt
Fav song: Hurt Gritty, industrial and forward thinking, as expected from Trent Reznor. Great production and songwriting all round and disturbing lyrical content throughout. Great listen, an iconic 90's album.
There were some very good songs on this album! I knew a handful of them already Sadly a lot of filler though and it was a bit long. I was hoping all these songs would have the same energy as March Of The Pigs - rather than the slower sort of songs Overall still a good album, but I do prefer the Johnny Cash cover of Hurt! 4 ⭐️
3.5
I was not expecting to like this one. I'm not usually drawn to industrial sounds, but this melds it with acoustic and distinct melodies. Thematically this album is definitely one for a mood, and considering the day I had at work today, I needed this mood. It's quite cathartic (8.3) ★★★★
4.5
I saw them tour this album and it still holds up! 4.5
I used to own this album and have listened to it a lot without even rel getting it, just for the asthetic lmao. But this was a challenge to come back to. Some how though, after pigs I suddenly loosened up and ended up liking ot more than ever did before.
This was cutting edge when it came out. Still holds up today.
Fantastic album. March of the pigs, Mr self destruct. Hurt, Closer. 1001 album worthy: Yes- 3/4
Agressive and poetic
This was bleak, but excellent.
The Good: Nine Inch Nails The Bad: Being stuck on a downward spiral The Ugly: Trying to get out of the spiral without any of the nails puncturing you and causing pain, and blood, and anguish, and mayhem, and… Like the music, don’t like the music, impossible to ignore the impact that this album had on putting Industrial music in the spotlight, or the soundtrack of the cult classic Se7en! The album has put me in a slight trance all day, my wife hating the music coming from my speakers, while I just kept on keeping on with whatever I was doing. And to think that during the ‘90s I did not listen to this album ever… A solid 4* for certain!
This album absolutely held up for me, god damn. Funny to hear this right after The Bends, which came out at about the same time. But I would rather listen to this any day, though obv not everyone's cup of tea. Having Closer, Hurt, March of the Pigs all on one album.. This is almost a 5 for me but I guess I'll hold back a bit. 4.3/5 Listening notes: This came at a good time, I have been recently remembering how freaking good NIN is. Been on a Pretty Hate Machine kick lately so excited to revisit this one. Mr Self Destruct - he really was doing crazy strange innovative sounds hey piggy pig pig pig pig GOD IS DEAD AND NO ONE CARES dude... March of the Pigs gets me SO AMPED. I have loved this song since I was a little kid lol. hell yeah. STEP RIGHT UPPPPP MARCH PUSH Yeah we're replaying that one. omg and it goes into Closer, jesus. how many goth couples have banged to this song, I mean it's gotta be in the millions. i mean this song is creepy but it is sexxyyy Into Ruiner. awesome. love that record scratch riff ... A Warm Place - such a calm interlude ... Closing out with Hurt... oof. you could have it all!! my empire of dirt!
Really good.
NIN is more beat driven “industrial” than I prefer- but this is a damn good album. The anger feels real.
He's an angry elf.
There’s a lot of gross context here and it’s pretty explorative. Besides that the album is deep and cohesive but in the way where the worst person you know will not stop talking about it. And the beats are good and sound is very strong throughout.
Two classics (Hurt, Closer), everything else feels a bit incidental but it’s a cool sound and genre I don’t hear often 3.5 rounded up
01) Mr. Self Destruct - 8,5 02) Piggy - 8,5 03) Heresy - 8,0 04) March of the Pigs - 8,5 05) Closer - 9,5 06) Ruiner - 8,5 07) The Becoming - 8,0 08) I Do Not Want This - 8,0 09) Big Man with a Gun - 8,0 10) A Warm Place - 9,0 11) Eraser - 8,0 12) Reptile - 8,0 13) The Downward Spiral - 8,5 14) Hurt - 10,0 TOTAL: 8,50 (85/100) Current ranking: 71/360 I don't know why I didn't listen to NIN as a teenager, this just seems like something I would really like. I like the sound of industrial rock, it sounds so disturbing but in a good way. It doesn't make me want to kill anyone, if you're worried. Speaking of killings, I find the album link with two famous American crimes very interesting. The album was recorded in the house where Charles Manson, allegedly inspired by the Beatles and their "The white album", killed Sharon Tate and her companions. On the other hand, this album allegedly inspired the perpetrator of the Columbine High School massacre. It seems to be very easy to inspire idiots with guns...
good
Liked it more than I expected
4.5 rounded down could be a bit overhyped, or could be that i just need to give it a few more listens highlights: mr. self destruct, march of the pigs, closer (aug 21 2024)
Cot. I've never listened to a whole NIN album. It's a bit of a journey. Closer is a filth ridden banger. Dirt and grime is a constant companion throughout. I'll be back for more.
Music that makes me feel young... I got to see NIN in September 1995 open for David Bowie. A lot of music from this album was played that night. I was 15 and had my mind melted. Music is magic. Memories attach and like a time machine take you back when you hear it.
Great album.
Oh the college flashbacks. I really liked everything without vocals. There’s a reason Trent got real big in movie soundtracks recently.
I told you it wasn’t just a phase 😉
3.6 Sounded pretty harsh at first but as it went along I got more into it. Lots of interesting layers to everything. Not everyday listening for me, but I sure its its a jewel of industrial music
Trent Reznor, o lo que es lo mismo Nine Inch Nails, es el productor, creador e intérprete más prestigioso de la música industrial desde los años 90. Su capacidad para crear texturas sonoras a través de capas superpuestas alcanza uno de sus puntos culminantes en éste su segundo disco. Contiene un éxito que lo catapultó a la fama, "Closer", un profundo drama sobre la necesidad de un hombre por obtener sexo a cualquier precio para poder superar su angustia vital, un objetivo que le obsesiona y le hunde si no puede alcanzarlo. De todas formas el álbum se encuentra plagado de grandes temas como "March f The Pigs", aparentemente una crítica al consumismo, o el extraordinario tema final sobre el suicidio, el conmovedor "Hurt".
flashbacks to when I was a “deep” teenager - you wouldn’t understand 🙄 … fantastic album though.
The good songs (especially the hits) bang. Heresy is definitely getting added to my playlist. I am also a firm believer that the Nine Inch Nails version of Hurt is superior. But some of the more garbled songs dragged, so I can’t give this album a 5.
Started shaky but definitely cohesive as a whole. Not my cup of tea but good art
Making the edgelords feel validated and mainstream, doing lord's work.
luv listening to an album and being able to point it as a reference to other albums
Includes the infamous Hurt. Overall a pretty mellow album for NIN, I enjoyed it though.
On the surface, maybe shock factor for the sake of it, but the use of motif and level of detail for each song should give pause. Interesting, too, is the level of noise which is done in a unique way. For instance, the drums and beats are not just rhythm but rather another voice. By albums end, it leaves an emotional and uncomfortable mark. Good rule of thumb...if you know anyone who is listening to this on heavy rotation, you should check on their emotional state.
Point off for recording at the scene of the murders? though I guess he repented. There are some pretty great songs on this, and very cool innovations in sound. Hurt and closer, march of the pigs all time bangers
Objectively awesome but not something I could listen to every day
It's a great album!
This is an awesome album for the industrial genre. This is something that influence a lot of other musicians and is very unique. 4.25/5.
Still strong!!!!!
Good go for when you're in the mood for this. Pretty Hate Machine is better, but this'll do the trick!
Depressing. Destructive. Delightfully so
Too hardcore for me, but I can tell it is good.
Y'know, I like this album quite a fair bit—I think it'd be weird if I liked Weird Al's pastiche of this album and not the album itself—but I'm not as gaga for it as I know the others in my group are. Sure, I like a lot and appreciate how it meshes together all of these harsh elements and melodies and makes it sound seamless, but it all comes down to that ever-so-intangible and unexplainable "X factor." Simply, industrial rock isn't my thing, and I didn't hear anything on here that made me wanna explore more. Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" is more up my alley, y'know. Still, I don't feel I can give this thing less than a 4; it's just that well put together. Still gonna bring down my group's average, but, hey, not as bad as I could have.
I have known this album well for 5 or 6 years, and though I haven't listened to it for a long time, I can say that it still holds up to my memories of it. The album title is fitting because it captures a man's spiraling mental state quite well. I prefer the earlier NIN material to this, but I get why this is the most famous material.
Driving, dedicated, blistering stuff. Truly enjoyable. I mean, I think the lyrics are kinda one-note and on the nose and repetitive, and they don’t say quite as much as he thinks, other than, yes, depression does suck. But it’s a great listen, and stands the test of time, in the face of thousands of imitators.
Dark, chaotic, and deeply emotional, TDS captures a raw sense of despair. It blends heavy industrial beats with vulnerable moments, creating a balance between aggression and introspection. The harsh sounds crash against moments of quiet, almost tender reflection. It’s heavy, but there’s beauty in its chaos.
The first 6 songs on this album are top notch, grade-A certified. Closer is a jam and should be an instrumental cover for someone (I'm sure it is). The interplay of soft-loud is on full display with some excellent melodies. The second half drags and is a little too much wallowing. Even Johnny Cash took Hurt and made it so much better. PS - the video for "Closer" is a classic and you can instantly picture it in your mind if you've ever seen it before.
If you are going to do "industrial" music, this is the way to do it. I bet Trent Reznor loves Einsturzende Neubauten. What is the fascination with pigs on this album? This album could have been the soundtrack for the movie Seven rather than just Closer over the opening credits. Closer is the biggest hit from Nine Inch Nails' career and for good reason, great song. The screeching saw on metal sounds are distracting from what is a pretty good album otherwise. There aren't too many songs that benefit from terrified screaming on a loop in the background. I love the piano on the album, it works great in creating the feeling of the album. It's hard to tell if Trent is mad at himself or someone else in these songs, very teenage angsty. You can feel the angry young male energy pouring out of each song. From Closer on it gets better. The industrial noise component of the album is tiresome. The Downward Spiral ties together the musical themes from Closer and Hurt, the two big singles off the album, it's interesting. Hurt is a great song, I think I like it better than Closer. Johnny Cash's cover is great too.
I like Nine Inch Nails ^_^
This was actually very good. I enjoyed the instrumentation and the songwriting was interesting and varied. I didn’t like how edgy the lyrics were and how the audio quality seemed to dip on some of the vocals. HOLY SHIT IT’S THE RICK AND MORTY SONG
The highs are high enough that it deserves a 4.
Heard it a few times before. Trent us quite the edge lord but it's a good album. March of the pigs and gave me nostalgia for mtv2. 7/10
Industrial rock isn't typically my cup of tea but I enjoyed a good portion of this album.
Loud, intense and dark. Absolutely love this record. Always blows my mind that it was able to shift millions of copies in the pre-internet age and with no radio play.
Never thought I would be a metal fan, but I loved it. So much emotion and rage, and I hung on. It is timeless in the topics they explored, but timestamped by the style, but experimental all at the same time.
This was very long! But I enjoyed it. Don't know if I would listen to much of it again, but I appreciated it. Closer is obviously iconic, but felt a bit violent at the moment. Think that's a me issue though!
Actually not bad
This album holds a lot of significance and I respect the hell out of Reznor and NIN. There are some good tracks on here but also some experimental 90's duds. I can't bring myself to give this less than a 4 though due to Trent's brilliance.
Liked what I heard, but I did kinda miss some due to focus on work. Need to give it a second listen for sure. Will I listen to again: 90%
😬
🫨
Classic. I had no idea it Hurt was a Nine Inch Nails song, but there you go.
Missed out on this album when I was a teenager. It's great. 4.28
I love NIN, but this is not my favourite album from them, as groundbreaking as it is. I love most of the songs and the delivery though. It definitely made an impact on the music industry.
Awesome album. Reminded me of my angst filled teenage years
First time listening to this band's album. Got that industrious rock sound that I've been looking for.
So disgusting, yet so beautiful. Trent is such an incredible writer and this album feels so original and unique compared to anything else that was happening at the time. I can see the complaints of it feeling dated, but it doesn’t feel like that for me. The instrumental period towards the end makes the album drag just a bit, but the final two song finale makes up for it. Little complaints here. 4/5
4.5 rounded down. Love the dark feelings with some lighter tracks thrown in there. It feels like there are many layers to unpeel for each track. Haven't listened to this album in 10 and forgot how much I enjoyed it. I don't care for the "I want to fuck" lyrics that show up a few times but I'm not normally a lyrics person when the music is so dense. I just like to ~~~feel~~~~ it
Man. Machine. This album blurs the line. This album feels a bit like prince - especially Sigh it the Times. It is meticulous. Contained. Except when it is allowed for boil over. The slow descent that wraps out the album - Eraser to Reptile to TDS to Hurt. It truly is the sound of coming undone...
Mg, me robé March of the Pigs (que ya la conocía de Fortnite).
Just enough (or little enough) industrial and electronic sound to make things interesting.
Now I want to play Quake again.
That whole angsty, angry Gen-Xer stereotype? Yeah, this is the album that launched a generation of anger. When I would go to the Industrial clubs in the mid-90s this sound that Trent Reznor established was everywhere. It became mainstream and launched singles like Hurt and Closer - never before had you had such aggression spit out over the radio airwaves and on MTV. 4.5/5
more hardcore i like it, not perfect though, has a very aged and edgy sound.
If there were any question as to why Nine Inch Nails is regarded among industrial royalty, "The Downward Spiral" is the answer to that question. Many NIN fans argue about whether this is or isn't their best album, but most agree that it is among their best. And it goes without saying that it is definitely home to their biggest hit, "Closer". The music here is expertly layered with so much sound, you almost have to listen more than once to hear all the delicate nuances. It is crafted in such a way that it not only conveys but brings out the most raw, raging emotions. Trent Reznor and NIN is absolutely a legend in this regard, and in pioneering industrial rock in general. I would put this at about 3.5, but I am pretty sure this is the only NIN album on this project, which seems wild to me considering some of the people who are on here more than once. So I'm rounding up for the sheer impact and uniqueness that NIN has brought to the music scene over the years.
A raw and oppressive album that is unrelenting in its message of pain, longing and apathy. I almost feel like the overly harsh and very loud sound add to the discord and despair the album conveys. It's not an easy listen, which makes it almost feel like an art piece instead of just another album. Jarring and yet not as unpleasant as you'd think. Top tracks: Heresy, A Warm Place, Hurt
This album probably sounds a lot better when you're not sick with a headache. I love songs that go from one extreme to another, the little piano and acoustic breaks between the industrial sound was great.
Trent Rezner is a spooky guy with incredible ideas. Didn’t he record this album in Celio St. where the Manson murdered took place? Industrial metal is not my thing, but I can get into for a bit. This album was unlike anything heard when it came out. It’s the soundtrack in hell, and not in a bad way.
I never felt like I cared much for NIN, but this album changed that perception slightly. Closer is still overplayed, but the rest of the songs are diverse and interesting. Some interesting melodies and rhythms. Lyrics are engaging and seemed relevant for the time.
I’m a casual fan of early Wax Trax material, and loved Pretty Hate Machine years back, but I never really gave NIN’s later material attention. Digging this a lot more than I expected. It’s got just the right blend of chaos and aggression, but still sticks with that early industrial dance beat to keep it focused. Probably going to be listening to this more.
Even as a fan of extreme genres like death metal, noise rock, and post-hardcore, I still wasn’t prepare for the violent, nihilistic jolt of The Downward Spiral. Somehow, I missed NIN growing up, which makes little sense because I would’ve obsessed over this as a kid. Thankfully, the abrasiveness still feels fresh today, and won me over instantly. After the initial shock wore off, though, I was really able to dig into how intricate and meticulous this whole record is. Reznor builds a track with a lot of meat on the bones, and that creates a splatter painting of pure sonic chaos, but if your ears can stomach loud, then there’s a lot of texture and craft to appreciate here. For me, the sheer scope of The Downward Spiral is a double-edged sword, though, and at times borders on bloat. It opens great for a first listen, but the real beauty of this record is in its mid-section. It’s a small issue, but it is glaringly obvious on relisten that the album doesn’t really kick into 5th gear until “Heresy.” But from there, it keeps my attention locked in until “Big Man With A Gun.” I’d also say the last leg starts to wear thin; while I respect and understand the logic of the sparser tracks like “A Warm Place” and the title track, it’s almost too much whiplash, especially when a) Reznor has quiet moments sprinkled throughout the tracklist already, and b) these songs are maybe the least detailed songs on the whole album. That said, “Hurt” is a gorgeous song, both from a production standpoint and a songwriting perspective, and it honestly might be one of the best closers of all time. It’s records like this that make me wish that this list had even more space for the loud, the abrasive, and the strange, because The Downward Spiral is an obvious testament to how even those records can be mind-bending yet remain catchy, and build to create amazing works of art.
This is a great album. It seems like such a unique space in the rock genre because it leans heavily into electronic music. I've always liked NIN, but I'd never listened to the whole album before. It's consistently great all the way through. 'Hurt' is a hell of a closing song too. I listened three times.
Deep, dark, energised. Somehow this album provides flutters of hope even though it’s messages seem hopeless.
I bought this CD when it came out out of appreciation for "Closer" which I thought was so amazing (and still do). However I don't remember the rest of the album very well, so I assume that I wasn't so into repeated listening of the extended amounts of angry screaming. That said, it's rough to listen to but still very powerful.
Simplesmente caótico. Fácil de se entender porque é uma banda tão conhecida. Algumas músicas são excelentes, outras eu achei bem chatinhas. Mas a variedade é inquestionável.
✅✅✅ Wow. I knew a couple of these songs from the radio, but I had no idea how sophisticated this album was. It's very dark, but also beautiful and very raw. The drums are great. This will be added to the rotation of shit I come back to when I'm really depressed
Never one to judge when I was younger, but I always classed NIN as a Yankie B-Tec Depeche Mode. After listening to this for the first time in its entirety, I was quite impressed, it has a lot of depth to its arrangements, some fast thrashy and some dead slow. I've heard 2 songs covered by other artists, so it must be quite influential. I still can't shake off that US insincerity to some of the emotion - us Brits do that much better, or maybe that is because of cultural reasons? For that it's losing a atar
Bought it on release.
Dang, we're on a real 90s kick around here. This was another record released when I was a teen that I am now judging in hindsight and with the passage of 30 years. This one still holds up, mostly. As with any of this kind of stuff--during an industry-wide race to publish woe-is-me diary entries as song lyrics--there are some clunky moments here. But the sonic textures and sound choices made by ol' Trent are still moving, arresting, awesome. Some of this still freaks me out; the whispered messages in the opening track are still frightening as fuck. Reptile is sui generis, constructed entirely from blocks of noise. And Hurt remains a sad bastard classic. I still hang with The Downward Sprial. Even taken a couple myself, since 1994. So this record still resonates with me.
Album 444 of 1001 Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral Rating : 4 / 5 Lots to take in on this one with just a single listen. A good concept album takes a bit more time. Not terribly uplifting. This rating could go up.
This has sat, well attended, on my unrated pile for two years. It took a few listens to understand it, but then once it clicked I enjoyed it and heard more with every listen. I now think it's great. Creative, interesting, well produced, occasionally filtyh. I'm a fan.
Influential, the singles all go hard
I think that Nine Inch Nails are ehh I think this because its good but its not as good as I thought it would be I liked his singing the instruments I did not like the bad words but I was ok of listening the bad words
Nicht schlecht, ich gebe 4 Punkte, die ich im übrigen gerne nachträglich auch noch Primal Scream zukommen lassen würde. Geht aber nicht :-)
Favorite Tracks: Hurt Closer
this album is killer! some really hard industrial rock, that actually grooves and (in my opinion) doesn't sound like machines clanging. i've been more of a Trent Reznor fan ever since watching the Sound City documentary, which I highly recommend, listening to him talk about music, his methodology, is something really awesome to experience. anyways, back to the album, this album is a real smash to the face. its hard, its heavy, its grinding along... and then it ends with Hurts... and just slowly fades away. a really really good album.
★★★★½
It’s good
Genious mix of synth-pop, metall, industrial and a lot of angryness.
'The Downward Spiral' is a perfect example of beauty in cacophony and comfort in noise. While a bit difficult at first, once I'm locked into the groove (for me, it's usually when I get to the song 'Closer'), I am fully immersed in its cyborg, synthetic fusions of alternative rock and electronic music. Relatively straightforward drum and synth grooves are overdubbed with layers of impalpable distortion and noise - like with the first half or 'Ruiner'. It feels like the traditional hard rock formula from the 70s is mangled into something dystopian on this album to an unrecognizable degree. With that said, the band also knows exactly when to slow it down to fit the narrative - like on the gorgeously ambient 'A Warm Place' or the painfully tragic 'Hurt' The "mechanization" of the hard-rock genre into industrial perfectly fits the overarching story put on display here as Trent Reznor describes the gruesome process of losing his humanity and turning into a machine, most evident in a song like 'The Becoming'. Troubled lyrics paralleling Reznor's real-life grapples with depression are delivered through contrasting means - be that faint whispers or clipping screams - juxtaposing feelings of both anger and defeat through the inability to act. Obviously, there's more to the story when analyzing the specific songs - as self-loathing related to sexual desires and religion also play a big part in building the concept here. Many albums attempt to deliver a sort of 'Downward Spiral' effect with their concept albums, but few have been as effective, both instrumentally and lyrically, as this one. By the time I get to the song 'Hurt', I'm always emotionally drained.
command and conquer soundtrack ruiner, warm place, hurt
What a trip. Dynamics and tension ark across the album are top notch.
I didn't really have the time to listen to this one as closely as I think it deserves. The music is very complex. There are lots of non-musical sounds mixed with heavily processed synths, but then the there are pleasant acoustic guitars. I find myself wondering how they even started composing these songs. I don't know if the angsty lyrics always work for me. Maybe when I was younger I would have identified with them more. Hurt is the perfect final track. The fact that he wrote such a beautiful and poetic song, and still recorded it in such a complex way was definitely a risk. But it comes across beautifully.
Very raw at times. Visceral (like on I want to F*** you like an animal) but also deep and emotional. Hurt is of course absolutely wonderful, but Johnny Cash's cover of this is just a million times better.
Giving this a 4 for the arrangements alone. Not really into the lyrics or vibe at times but the brilliance of the creation is undeniable. It’s like industrial classical music
Always found Nine Inch Nails to be an aquired taste. I've heard the album a few times before, but it's only recently started to click. Unnecessarily pretentious at parts, but an undeniably important cog in the musical niche they've created.
Interesting music, never really knew that NIN was this electronic. Just wish it wasn't all woe is me, though.
I was not looking forward to this listen. March of the Pigs - Was that Ben Folds ? A lot of this album makes me feel like part of the Cyber Generation, like I'm hacking the planet or surfing the world wide web. A Warm Place - Cinematic This is a real solid album, just a little immature. A few tracks being cut would have improved it even more. The lyrics are not great but easy to ignore. How important are lyrics? We have amazing nonsense songs. Some artists admit to putting in place holders when making a song. Millions of people listen to music in languages that they don't understand. On the other hand Johnny Cash made the lyrics of Hurt important.
A LOT. I think I enjoy it but it's a lot to process, especially as a background listen. I like some moments a lot like the opening/backing track (?) of Heresy. I do not want this is also a highlight, but it feels weird to call it that when it's so intense. Closer and Hurt are probably the best songs on the album. 4.
Pretty unique
Every once in a while, an album comes along that alters the way people look at it and hear a certain kind of music. Almost every single popular genre has been faced with this at some point. And if there are people trying to argue that this record didn’t do that for industrial metal, they might need to take a look back at the last 30 years. In the time since its release, The Downward Spiral has acted as the fuel for every experimental metal outfit of the last 3 decades. Any project that is even somewhat aligned with industrial music released after 1994 is influenced by this record in some way. And I think as a gateway to the genre, it’s not a bad start. If you aren’t into this, maybe industrial music isn’t your thing. This isn’t an easy listen. I think people have a perception of what NIN sounds like because of songs like Closer and Hurt, but Mr. Self Destruct is far more telling as to what you are getting here. This is an album powered by some incredibly intense emotions. And remains as one of the angriest, horniest, and most deviant records ever put out. But all of these emotions are expressed in a cathartic manner. This doesn’t feel angry to the point where there is a disconnect between artist and listener. Make no mistake, this is still industrial rock. But the guitar sounds you will be hearing on this will be unlike anything you have probably ever heard. Trent moved very far beyond the conventional means of creating music like this, and it’s sort of mind blowing how many unique sounds one man can come up with. I’m aware that it’s a basic pick, but Closer is still my favorite song. The layers and layers of different textures are just wonderful. And its fusion of industrial, funk, and electronic dance music is really cool. I’m not 100% on board with every idea this presents, but this is a decade and genre defining album that will undoubtedly continue to move people for many years. Rating: 8/10
Heavy, gritty and super industrial. Gotta be in the right frame of mind to listen to this, but it's a powerful piece of work.
3.8 GOATed gym album faves: closer, hurt, mr self destruct
Dude's mad and I'm not mad about it
No, Trent Reznor, I don’t want you to do those things to me.
Listening to this album is the closest I can get to meeting my husband as a teenager.
NIN was far too scary for 11yo me, but this album has aged surprisingly well. Such a unique sound that conveys huge doses of bitterness and darkness without feeling overwrought.
I like the aggression and the drums
Es tan incomodo pero a la vez puedo reconocer lo tan bien que esta hecho que me siento como... culpable por que me guste?? es un sentimiento tan extrano pero de alguna forma es adictivo. Nine Inch Nails hizo un trabajo terrorífico con The Downward Spiral, un trabajo que definitivamente ningún otro artista pudiera replicar en cuanto creatividad y producción se refiere. Inspirador y a la vez algo que no quieres que se vuelva a repetir por pesado que es, como si de un trauma se tratara. 8/10.
Este álbum es incómodo de escuchar, no lo disfruté. Es estresante, abrumador y de verdad suena alguien cayendo a un punto más y más oscuro en su vida. Habiendo dicho esto, también creo que el álbum está hecho con ese mismo fin. Tonces una parte de mí le quiere dar un 5 y la otra un 2.
Good.
This shit goes hard. Never listened before and first time hearing the original Hurt which I really liked.
I'm the unassuming fan Reznor did not know existed when he submitted this album. I don't know what it is about NIN, about the anger, about the sadness, about the negativity that fills this album, but I find it cathartic and raw. Other bands, artists, and songs that attempt to replicate this sound don't work for me. Mr. Self Destruct is as perfect an opening track as Hurt is a closing one. Reznor taps into something that is clearly painful and sadly associated with individuals who tragically have done some terrible things in this world. But, intelligent, thoughtful, emotional listeners realize this album and this artist is not trying to rile people up or harm anyone, but rather open up and satirize some dark emotions that are confusingly already present. All of the animal imagery, specifically pig-related animal imagery is meant to criticize an easy to lead and manipulate group of people who inadvertanly allow the minority to rule. I love an album that swings for the fences like this. It is an uneasy listen at times, but the more time spent understanding what Reznor is doing here, the less disturbing it becomes. This album is a rare alternative masterpiece that must be experienced from beginning to end.
A very intense industrial album. Trent Reznor is a great producer. Even with the brutality of the lyrics and sound elements, the songs maintain an engaging and even catchy quality. Big hits include "Closer" and "Hurt," the latter of which is a great closing track. Unfortunately I do find myself resonating with lots of the lyrics. "I Do Not Want This" and "Eraser" are good. It can become an awkward listen while at work or at 8 in the morning.
4/5
Goed album, oncomfortabel om naar te luisteren. donker en zwaar.
I love the opening of this album, Both “heresy” and “March of the pigs” are brilliant if a bit on the nose, Trent does this wonderful combination of noises his odd vocals, mixed with his occasional changes to a soft tone over this crazy industrial noise is so refreshing untill it’s not. The middle of the album suffers from not being as distinct as the beginning and by the end it feels as though all momentum is lost. Thankfully it ends on the brilliant “hurt”. This is a super interesting concept that’s so close to a 4 but just falls short through a mediocre beginning but gets a 4 solely because I have the las a 3.
Another that could be a 5 if not for the length. Just too long, but a solid album start to finish. Trim the fat. Cash definitely crushed the “Hurt” cover.
I have actually never listened to Nine Inch Nails. They scared me when I was a kid haha and then I just always thought it would be stupid nu-metal or something. This is a really unique sounding rock album. The electronic music mixed with the industrial rock is pretty interested. It's very abrasive and angry sounding. Some really interesting production and surprises on the album too. Holy shit things got really heavy at the end of this record though. I understand that it's a concept album of someone in a suicidal spiral but damn the title track was a little heavy for 9am on a Monday.
This album was wild, but so well done. Extremely aggressive and sad, but really cool and interesting sounds. Some songs feel like heavy disco, while other songs are down right metal. It reminds me a lot of Depeche Mode but again, way heavier. Some of the slow songs surprised me though, really methodical and deep. Overall, I really liked this one.
I've listened to a lot of metal and punk but this is still thr heaviest album I've ever heard
This album is really moving, I don’t tend to listen to music that affects my mood negatively because I don’t need help with that 😀 but this was so so good. I heard a lot of elements of nu metal which is a genre I love, and it was good to listen to an album/artist which influenced that genre. A great part of doing this project is opening myself up to music like this and I’m so glad I started because this album is really great. Standout tracks: - Heresy (3.5/5) - Closer (5/5) - Ruiner (3.5/5) - I do not want this (3.5/5) - A warm place (4/5) - Hurt (5/5)
3.5
Great classics, Soo depressive, but Soo intense , love IT
I liked this album More than i expected
Someone said im not angry enough to like this and I thought it was silly but while listening I said let me play some competitive on a literally any team based rank game, I played marvel Rivals got angry and it did sound a bit better
One of my favorite NIN albums. Has a great dynamic mix from blaring metal to creepy quiet. Dark stuff, but brilliant.
- Irgendwie ein cooles Album, auch wenn es Parts gibt, die hin und wieder etwas anstrengender sind. Wobei ich mir auch ziemlich sicher bin, dass Nine Inch Nails genau das bezwecken wollten - Unangepasst, düster, krass - Normalerweise bin ich auch kein Fan von so industrial -Einschlägen, aber bei NIN passt das einfach so authentisch ins Konzept. 4/5
Cool industrial rock! The electro synths mixed with distortion guitar really sells it
Lots of hits and misses. But the misses are really far of target.
Carried hard by Hurt with the help of Closer
Enjoyed this album throughout.
Cutting edge at the time. Have to be in a certain mood to enjoy it. And if you're in that mood all the time, you probably need help.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! 4 stars.
I can see why this group is so heralded. I need to hear more of them. Standouts include Piggy, March Of The Pigs, Closer, and Hurt.
I forgot how hard closer goes. When the “beat” drops during the second half it makes me wanna run through a brick wall. That being said, I hope I never hear the word penetrate in any song ever again. This album is a weird one where it’s like a understand the vulgarity and why it’s used, especially how shit was going in the 90s but does that make it “better”?? Hard to say. But I did really enjoy this album. I knew hurt was NIN song but don’t think I had actually heard it all the way through. I was expecting to really not like it just because of how much I like the cover but I was pleasantly surprised and like it in its own right. Fun fact if you didn’t know. Lead singer Trent Reznor does a lot of movie/tv scores now. He’s done essentially every David fincher movie (which when you rewatch those movies, all the electric synths really make those movies so great)
This is how you put together an album that goes against the mainstream without being so absurd that it's impossible to listen to (Looking at you Tom Waits). It's a hard industrial rock album that has both crass offensive lyrics as well as a deep meaning behind them. It's very easy to see how this can connect with people who feel so far removed from pop radio. I'm not sure why "Closer" became the standout song on this album. It doesn't feel that much different from anything else on here. I think "March of the Pigs" is the best representation of this album (and probably my favorite song on it). It's hard, fast and dark, but then the middle and ending hit you with a light piano and beautifully sung chorus. I think it perfectly represents the grittiness of songs like "Closer" and the beauty of songs like "Hurt" .
The angst of the thing was too much for me even as an angsty youth, so it’s certainly too much now. But man, if he was just singing “beebabooba woo woo wee woo” instead of actual lyrics, this would probably be a 5 to me. Reznor knows how to ride the line between noises and nice sounds like no one else. No surprise he’s had a whole other second career as a composer. Coulda done anything, did NIN. Cool stuff.
Day75 - a really good album with 2 classics
I gave this two listens. At first, I thought maybe it had not aged terribly well, and that it might be almost a parody. But the more I listened the more it felt like a really good album. Nice precursor to the film scoring Trent would go on to do.
A digital nightmare. Brilliant.
6 / 10 Mezcla de Techno, Methal y Rock. Demasiado "ruido" para mí.
Cringe, but the good kind of cringe
A couple of supermassive hits. Some of the lesser known songs were also pretty good. Would definitely listen to this again.
This album is all in on its apocalyptic diseased industrial electronic rock hell. Trent Reznor does a compelling job with tortured lyrics, music and vocal delivery through much of the album. This singular vision makes the tracks pretty compelling whether heavily instrumental (where mood is everything) or in the depth of twisted lyrics, such as from March of the Pigs. Very engaging.
Don't think I've ever listened to these before. Really enjoyed it, could see myself getting into them more. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Don’t know why I liked this so much but it was really enjoyable for me. Never heard any NiN but I’m vibing it
New respect for NIN. Solid. A little grating at times.
Graduated high school in 1991 when this album came out. Got to be one of the most influential albums during this time. Just for that alone I’m marking it high.
Oh man. This brings back some memories. Graduating High School, first place at Auburn, blaring NIN with the windows open. I bet I was annoying as hell. Pretty Hate Machine was my go to but definitely had this one in the rotation. 4 instead of 5 since Pretty Hate Machine is better. Was awesome to hear this album again. It's been so long and somehow kinda forgot about NIN. Well done random generator.
Quintessential NIN
Þetta er svo drullugóð plata, frábært flæði í henni.