The Downward Spiral
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| The Downward Spiral | ||
|---|---|---|
| LP by Nine Inch Nails | ||
| Released | March 8, 1994 | |
| Recorded | ??? | |
| Genre | Industrial rock | |
| Length | 65 min 03 s | |
| Record label | Nothing | |
| Producer | Trent Reznor, Flood | |
| Professional reviews | ||
| Allmusic.com | 4 stars out of 5 | link |
| Nine Inch Nails Chronology | ||
| Broken (1992) | The Downward Spiral (1994) | Further Down the Spiral (1995) |
The Downward Spiral, released on March 8, 1994, is a concept album by Nine Inch Nails. It is their 8th official release and is therefore also known as Halo 8. The Downward Spiral is usually considered to be Nine Inch Nails' third major release after Pretty Hate Machine and Broken.
The Downward Spiral helped the band to much greater prominence, especially through the second single from the album, "Closer", which was released with a controversial video directed by Mark Romanek, which featured S&M imagery. When a censored version of the video was demanded, Romanek responded by replacing the offending scenes with a slide which stated simply "Scene Missing", to reflect the censorship.
The Downward Spiral powerfully evokes images of both aggressive and depressive states, and many people find it unlistenable. Others consider it to be Trent Reznor's finest work (although Reznor himself denies this). Critics have stated that this album demonstrates Reznor's underlying pop music sensibility, and credit his ability to blend it with typically taboo themes (as seen in the catchy "Closer"). Other critics have cited a 'calculated nihilism' has the album's main weakness. Reznor has publicly stated that he has suffered from depression, and has been reported as suffering from bipolar disorder. The album's concept is based on a character trying to rid himself of what is holding him back, such as religion and society and using sex to escape himself. The character eventually has to face his internal void. In theme, the album reaches a climax in the title track, followed by "Hurt", which acts as an epilogue of a sort.
The Downward Spiral produced a remix album entitled Further Down the Spiral.
"Hurt" has been covered by Johnny Cash, the video for which was directed by Mark Romanek.
The Downward Spiral was recorded at Le Pig in Beverly Hills, California, a studio space located in the house where Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson. Reznor has made conflicting statements regarding whether he knew of the house's history before choosing to record there.
In an update on the official Nine Inch Nails Website (NIN.com) Reznor announced that a Deluxe Edition of the album will be released on November 23, 2004. The album has been remastered into 5.1 surround sound, and will come in two versions: SACD (with bonus SACD disc) and DVD-Audio (with image gallery, discography, and three bonus videos: Closer (in surround), March of the Pigs, and Hurt). Both Versions will also play on standard CD players, as the SACD has a CD layer, and the DVD-Audio is a DualDisc.
In 2001 Q magazine named The Downward Spiral as one of the 50 Heaviest Albums Of All Time.
| Contents |
Track listing
- "Mr. Self Destruct" - 4:30
- "Piggy" - 4:24
- "Heresy" - 3:54
- "March of the Pigs" - 2:58
- "Closer" - 6:13
- "Ruiner" - 4:58
- "The Becoming" - 5:31
- "I Do Not Want This" - 5:41
- "Big Man With a Gun" - 1:36
- "A Warm Place" - 3:22
- "Eraser" - 4:53
- "Reptile" - 6:52
- "The Downward Spiral" - 3:56
- "Hurt" - 6:15
The Japanese version has an extra track, "Dead Souls" that fits in between "Big Man With a Gun" and "A Warm Place".
SACD version bonus disc
- "Burn"
- "Closer (precursor)"
- "Piggy (nothing can stop me now)"
- "A Violet Fluid"
- "Dead Souls"
- "Hurt (quiet)"
- "Closer to God"
- "All the Pigs, All Lined Up"
- "Memorabilia"
- "The Downward Spiral (the bottom)"
- "Ruiner (demo)"
- "Liar (reptile demo)"
- "Heresy (Demo)"
Personnel
- John Aguo - Engineer
- Tom Baker - Mastering
- Sean Beavan - Mixing
- Adrian Belew - Ring mod & texture generating guitars
- Flood - Producer
- Bill Kennedy - Mixing
- Andy Kubiszewski - Drums
- Tommy Lee - Steakhouse
- Danny Lohner - Guitar
- Alan Moulder - Mixing
- Stephen Perkins - Drums
- Brian Pollack - Engineer
- Trent Reznor - Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Arranger, Producer
- Chris Vrenna - Drums, Programming, Sampling
Chart positions
Album
1994 The Downward Spiral The Billboard 200 No. 2 1995 The Downward Spiral The Billboard 200 No. 2 1996 The Downward Spiral The Billboard 200 No. 2
Singles
1994 Closer The Billboard Hot 100 No. 41 1994 March Of The Pigs The Billboard Hot 100 No. 59 1994 Closer Mainstream Rock Tracks No. 35 1994 Closer Modern Rock Tracks No. 11 1994 Closer To God Hot Dance Music/Club Play No. 29 1994 Closer To God Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales No. 29
