Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (CD 1994)

On The Strength of their former release 'Pretty Hate Machine' I decided to purchase The Downward Spiral. Nine Inch Nails have gone from strength to strength over the years, yet when you look back to these defining albums, you can see exactly why they have scratched such a deep groove in musical history. Pioneering aesthetic musical fusion and a gift for warping 90'synths about as far as you can before the guts fall out - they have always been one step ahead of the game. The Downward Spiral represents an introspective journey of front man Trent Reznor, in an attempt to reconcile himself with himself, and beautifully highlights the downfalls of doing so amidst the treachery of others. The music itself, is a direct expression of the angst and confusion that the lyrics convey - yet it has been flawlessly and beautifully honed to express only what is necessary, thereby omitting all the garnish that isn't. Very moving in places, very visceral and direct in others, it will leave you wondering just how something so raw can be so soulful. Screaming guitar, piercing drum production and carefully reverbed bass and synth structures, years ahead of their time, stand head and shoulders above anything else of the time, and sound just and relevant and innovative today as they did back then. Excellent production and a no holds barred approach to fusion have made this album an absolute classic. The talent will speak for itself, so it seems pointless to continue along these explanatory lines. If I were forced to reduce my collection to five CD's, then The Downward Spiral would be one of them. A Timeless and relentless point of departure from the static rock scenes of the past and present, Nine Inch Nails will continue to define what a blistering rock ensemble and an all-encompassing approach to musical synthesis can achieve. Not only will you never regret this purchase - you will have to change your top ten. Musically speaking, there is much that can be said to endorse this purchase, but I'll leave the plethora of other magical ingredients as a surprise for the new listener - suffice to say that I'll give you the money back myself it you don't find it impressive. Of all the acts I've ever liked or been curious about, Nine Inch Nails remain the only artists that I will blindly purchase new material from, without having first read a review or heard a recommendation. If you're about to buy The Downward Spiral, then you need a spare shelf on your CD rack for the other essential Nine Inch Nails purchases that will follow. If I were given the choice to spend an evening with Nadine Velazquez or be offered a tenth of the musical talent of Nine Inch Nails, then I'd choose the latter (Although I'd utilize my new found expression to get her into bed promptly :) If You've got some money burning a hole in your pocket, you'll do far, far worse than spending it here. The best album I ever brought - and one which will continue to be regarded as a classic for the next century.

excellent state and quick delivery.excellent state and quick delivery.excellent state and quick delivery

i love nin.
reminds me of my ten angst years.
love the lyrics, emotional, poetic and violent!
brilliant orchestration

The downward Spiral is one of those albuns you cannot just categorize and label it as rock, art rock, etc. It is simply full of extremes and painfully crafted. From the demoniac Heresy to the sensually charged Closer. One of the best albuns of all time. A masterpiece!

Industrial metal at it's best, an album of sheer quality with songs like closer, hurt and march of the pigs if you don't have this in your collection you are missing out on one of the best albums of the 90's.

Great album!! Everybody should have a copy in their collection!! This is the second time I've bought it as I lost my last copy. Well worth it!!

What can I say really, The Downward Spiral was the starting point of my interest in Nine Inch Nails and the work of Trent Reznor. On first listening I think it can be difficult to soak in, but the album will grow within about 2 listenings.

If you've never heard it before I am sure it will seem as exciting to hear as it was for me. Trent wields industrial sounds to back up his gritty first-person perspective on a spiral that's destined for the end.

Truely recommended experience but for the weak willed.

Excellent.

By far the best Nine Inch Nails album. The more you listen to it the more you will like it. This album has the classic tracks March Of The Pigs, Closer and Hurt which is the most perfect track to end this album. You can sense and feel the emotions coming through on The Downward Spiral, it is absolutely faultless.