Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral

Label: Nothing
Catalogue Number: HALO09
Format: CD
Date: 1994
Style: Industrial Rock / Alternative Rock
Rating: 8/10
Reviewer: Sidney James

With the release of The Downward Spiral, Nine Inch Nails really began to push at the boundaries of Industrial rock. Where Pretty Hate Machine had been held back by it’s influences, The Downward Spiral sees Trent Reznor break away from the gravitational pull of his peers and move in a innovative and ground breaking direction.

In some ways the song remains the same, Mr Self Destruct which kicks off the album could easily have appeared on the Broken mini album. It mixture of thrashing guitars and runaway drums fits in with what Nine Inch Nails had created before. However the Next track Piggy slows the pace down and breaks in quieter musical elements to the Nine Inch Nails sound.

From there onwards The Downward Spiral peels off into a spectrum of different styles and approaches. From the short blast of energy that is March of the Pigs (it’s piano breakdown still being one of those classic moments), to the dance floor cyber slam of Closer and Ruiner. Throw in the Birthday Party style stomp of Big Man with a Gun and the unnerving ambience of a Warm Place and you have an a diverse but balanced sound

While most attempts at creating a diverse sound by many bands, sees them dropping the proverbial banana skin, Nine Inch nails successfully manage the task with great aplomb. Sure most of the music is painted in shades of black, but it maintains a balance, which makes the album a riveting listen from start to end. The contrasts between the tracks acting like the ebbing tides of the ocean.

A criticism, which I will hold against Trent Reznor, is that he is not one of the great lyricists. Closer and its dubious lyrics still make me cringe ever time I hear it. Tie this in with the Manson (Charles not Marilyn) obsession and it seems that Mr Reznor is not often out to shock, which might work in the Mid Western American Bible belt, but to the more cultured European ear is just comes across as crass and infantile.

If you can forgive the lyrics (I know I can) and you will find a deeply rich tapestry of sounds and ideas verging on the dark side of music, but at the same time acting as a guiding light in a world of mediocrity. The Downward Spiral is the album that finally proved that Trent Reznor was a man with a unique and masterful understanding of music rather than being another player in a crowded marketplace.