Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral
Amidst the countless manufactured pop groups, pseudo- punk bands and no-brained ‘nu-metal’ there are number of musicians who do their own thing, regardless of the trend and have something genuine to say. Even a cursory listen to The Downward Spiral clearly shows that Trent Reznor is a member of this sincere and dedicated minority.
A one man band when writing and recording his material, Reznor records albums that take years to produce - The Downward Spiral was released around five years after his first full-length album, Pretty Hate Machine. This was a mixture of dark atmospherics, synthesised drums and pessimistic lyrics; although that hasn’t changed, The Downward Spiral is still something of a departure. The deep and sometimes disturbing lyrics are still evident, but the 80s vibe has given way to a more chaotic industrial metal sound consisting of not only the programmed drums and synthesised effects of his first album but adds layer upon layer of over-distorted guitars and general noise to make it much loud- and desparate-sounding.
The opening track, Mr Self Destruct starts with a sample of what can only be described as a punchbag being given a very thorough beating. This is a very fitting introduction, since the pounding beats and fuzz-laden guitars that accompany the lyric “I am the voice inside your head (and I control you),” grab the listener by the throat and refuse to let go. Following this dramatic entrance, Piggy keeps a steady pace, with the lyrics spoken almost in a whisper, with an infectious bass line driving the melody along. Yes, that’s right - melody. Although the third track, Heresy is another angst-ridden wall of noise which sets the mood for the majority of what follows, there is a continual presence of a tune. Even if it’s buried beneath samples, crashing drums and looped guitars, Trent is always singing and playing a discernable melody. Closer, with its vulgar and painfully honest lyrics, has a foot-tapping groove that will stick in your head as well as any ‘catchy’ song on the radio.
Not all of it is relentless, however. The appropriately titled A Warm Place offers the listener time to catch their breath and take a break from the harsh reality that surrounds it, before the crashing drums of Eraser kick in. Hurt (more recently covered by the late and great Johnny Cash) brings the album to its conclusion, being possibly one of the most haunting and emotional songs of the last decade. The off-kilter sounding verse riff and downbeat lyric are in contrast to the hopeful-sounding and almost uplifting chorus, which ends on three over-distorted chords before descending into ear-splitting guitar feedback.
In Summary
The Downward Spiral is a heavy album to put it mildly, with loud riffs and nihilistic lyrics. However, what Trent Reznor has created is a very powerful and honest musical experience which sets his work apart from other bands with the ‘The world is messed up and so am I’ attitude. He inhabits a very dark place, but you will feel very much rewarded for being taken there. A raw, meticulously crafted, screwed-up masterpiece.
Tracklisting
- Mr Self Destruct
- Piggy
- Heresy
- March of the Pigs
- Closer
- Ruiner
- The Becoming
- I Do Not Want This
- Big Man With a Gun
- A Warm Place
- Eraser
- Reptile
- The Downward Spiral
- Hurt
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