Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral ALBUM REVIEW

[@Rebazar]

teen me: this is the realest shit young adult me: actually it was kind of adolescent older adult me: this is the realest shit

[@martinbogadomartinesi5135]

me unironically lmao

[@bm2672]

So true ! I started to listen to it again when approaching my 30's

[@Michael-wp2bp]

I remember the first time I listened to this so vividly, I was in a pretty bad place at the time and I remember having to switch it off cause it scared the shit out of me, it was like reading someone's diary, someone who was on a one way path to total annihilation with no hope, and I remember thinking to myself that my problems maybe weren't as bad as they could be, it took me another 6 or so months to work up the courage to play it again. Love this album, and it got me curious about so many different genres of music too

[@pignoramous]

Adult me: Ó W T H E E D G E

[@BeartoeConCarne]

Its always been the realest shit. Downward Spiral is the reason why i got bitches.

[@concrete_dog]

This album literally caused and cured my depression

[@rigoblues]

An album can't cause a depression, it can trigger it. But the root causes are somewhere else, my opinion, but I am glad to hear you consider yourself cured!

[@concrete_dog]

@@rigoblues I know haha, it was kind of a joke but I won't deny that this album was a big part of my life back then. But yes I'm better now :)

[@petersturgeon1585]

Frame from "The lighthouse" makes this message harmonize on so many levels

[@LandOfAbundance]

Lol

[@gigachad192]

@@rigoblues not only can an album not cause depression, but it also can’t cure it. OP’s comment was a joke too btw.

[@LukeAdamMiller]

I distinctly remember listening to Heresy in high school, and my mom overhearing the "God is dead" part. She said, "You know, son, these aren't exactly new ideas." I was like, "No shit, mom, but Nietzsche didn't write bangers."

[@echoradiata]

Fucking amazing comment

[@NationalPK]

You misunderstood Nietzsche

[@LukeAdamMiller]

@@NationalPK I don't think so . . . My understanding is that Nietzsche was talking about the implications for European moral philosophy in the wake of the Age of Enlightenment. (If I'm crudely reducing it to a single sentence.) Trent Reznor wasn't referencing any of that historical context, or discussing the impossibility of a system of objective morality based on religion, but the very simple notion of God being dead in modernity still seems present in the song. Obviously, Reznor isn't suggesting God is dead in the minds of all men, because the person to whom he's singing the chorus of the song is obviously still a believer, but I interpret the lyrics to still reflect/acknowledge a general decline in religious belief. Do you see it differently?

[@bzymek7054]

out al things that have never happened, this have never happened the most.

[@naccienac]

@@bzymek7054 r/nothingeverhappens

[@jamgrieve]

I like how he calls A Warm Place a "nice breather." I had the most difficult time listening to that track. I could not contain my emotions. An absolutely devastating track.

[@flowersbloom4262]

For me, it was the most tragic song on the album. After it, I was still sobbing when Reptile started playing.

[@syntheticreality549]

@@flowersbloom4262 literally what are you guys talking about. It’s there to chill you out before stuff gets intense again.

[@flowersbloom4262]

@@syntheticreality549 i doubt that was the intention. If you’ve ever been in a downward spiral yourself it feels like it never stops. The fact that it’s as musical as it is only drives home the rest of the ugliess around it. You can’t have light without knowing darkness, and the darkness after A Warm Place is *bleak*.

[@syntheticreality549]

@@flowersbloom4262 hmmm…perhaps you have a point. Different people experience the album differently and that’s part of the beauty✌️

[@nayalaa]

I feel like it’s the last bit of hope left and just as it fades into Eraser, it disappears and leaves the last bit of humanity left in him. Devastatingly beautiful.

[@LilDeuceDeuce]

Further Down the Spiral was one of the first ever albums I ever bought (mainly because it was super cheap for the time). I listened to it so much that some of those remixes are imprinted in my brain as the true versions of these songs and it feels weird listening to the originals

[@Rievax17]

"Everything's Blue in this world"

[@MyoticTesseract]

For some reason I wasn't expecting you to be into this lol

[@SlyHikari03]

Same. First album I ever listened to (For nine inch nails), weird first album for me to get into for the band…

[@brownfandango]

That remix album is reeeeally good

[@emomu]

the aphex twin remix was sooooo good

[@henatatorplays]

It’s funny to watch this thinking about how Trent Reznor scored the last Pixar movie

[@6slayer6sam62]

He did?!

[@MiloMenta]

Yeah lol

[@fungifago]

and it is one hell of a good soundtrack

[@penguins0392]

Which movie?

[@Mmxxaamm]

It's even more amazing to think how could he succeed at both things, creating one of the most aggressive and darkest testaments of the decadence of humanity, and creating the softest most tender uplifting sounds for a Pixar film.

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

The Downward Spiral is a disturbing and enthralling masterpiece. Everytime I listen to it, it still feels so fresh. It's one of my top 25 favorite albums ever.

[@rorshack23]

Is like to hear the other 24 (pls)

[@okapilovers2]

Me too, man. Top 5 for me, actually.

[@SprinkleB0mb]

This is a 10 out of 10 for me, favorite album of all time

[@alicenestpasmonprenom5784]

Top 3 for me

[@Gabe-qd4gz]

Trent has stated that Hurt was kind of an afterthought, the entire record was finished and all of the sudden one more song just came out of him out of nowhere, and he felt like it was a fitting end, an epilogue like you said.

[@pied6piper]

Actually he didn't want to add Hurt to this album for quite a long time. He felt it was too personal.

[@Salad531]

As great as the downward spiral is to end the album off thematically, I can’t imagine this album ending without Hurt.Thank god he made that decision

[@helterskelter7499]

​​@@Salad531 agreed its like the album's purpose is reaching it's climax "hurt". If the album ended with track "the downward spiral" it wouldn't be appropriate. Hurt reminds me of radiohead's closure on okc where you find yourself catching your breath after all this pain and insanity. Hurt is the realisation and the most positive depressing song I've heard. He's not necessarily committing suicide... he's just regretful and wishes he could change the outcome of his actions. The protagonist realises he doesn't want to die.

[@t-boogie1782]

Fun Fact: The guitar noises at the end of Mr. Self Destruct, as well as the solo in Ruiner were done by Adrian Belew of King Crimson

[@xivivix7195]

I was surprised that Melon didn't mention that.

[@t-boogie1782]

@@xivivix7195 Same here

[@windmillCR]

He also does that screeching guitar solo after the quiet bridge of The Becoming

[@t-boogie1782]

@@windmillCR Oh shit really? That's awesome!

[@xivivix7195]

@@windmillCR That's a guitar? I've spent 25 years of my life thinking that was a synth.

[@baileymoran8585]

This album helped me not kill myself. I had a nervous breakdown back in 2015-2018 after a very traumatic event that lead to temporary homelessness, a lot of loss, and some awful living situations. I became very agoraphobic and struggled with a lot of PTSD issues. I had been a fan for years but it really hit me then.

[@sharium4926]

Feel you man

[@Rose_Tinted1]

damn same

[@paystation4pro15]

Had a nice wank to this a few last week it aight

[@KingCrimson68]

Hope you’re doing alright now.

[@WFly101]

Fish 🐟

[@lewisdean107]

Literally an album I'm scared to tell people I relate to, not for any reason other than people think relating to negative music makes you feel worse, when in reality (for most) it makes everything so much more bearable. Bless Tront Reznor.

[@DaAxiomatic]

Makes sense. You know you're not alone in how you feel...

[@mykeptyson9177]

Be true to yourself.

[@bigbrotherbeane]

Praise be to Tront!

[@isaacdebolt3637]

trontttt

[@stocktonjames888]

Agreed 100% man, plus you don’t want people thinking you’re mentally disturbed, or in need of help.

[@thatrandomcomment968]

Who think Anthony should do a NiN discography "Worst To Best" list?

[@ricksanchez1327]

Me

[@LuchaGangsta]

Me 2

[@warnerunterbrink9386]

Me

[@JetpackGamer456]

@skrapyard444 unfortunately, he doesn’t review older bands that aren’t household names 😔

[@user-lv6mu8er9z]

@@JetpackGamer456 That's not true. Skinny Puppy and Ministry are significantly more well known (at least where I live) than Converge, Cannibal Ox, Emperor, The Microphones, Slint, and Roland Kirk all of whom he did classic reviews for.

[@MisterBrimm]

The Fragile has aged really well and is just about as good and my personal favorite of his.

[@purplegnome396]

I personally think it's leaps and bounds better than TDS. Best NIN record by a long shot

[@chronic_johnson_a.r.a.b]

It could do without Starfuckers Inc.

[@meme6335]

I think so too expect for one track, Starfuckers has always seemed like such an odd track on that album to me, it really seems out of place whenever I listen to it. I think I rank TDS ahead by just a fraction of an inch because of that track. What are your thoughts on that track? What are your favourite songs on the fragile?

[@chronic_johnson_a.r.a.b]

@@meme6335 I think Marilyn Manson's influences were a bit too strong, thematically on that track. I don't know how much, if at all, he was involved in the creation of the song, but they were known to work together previously. The lyrics of Starfuckers Inc sound like something Manson would have wrote around that time. While I like some of Manson's early work, he's often been pretty annoying when it comes to his lyrics. And they've aged to be even worse than they were back then. Otherwise, The Fragile is a great album.

[@vasvas8914]

@@purplegnome396 first disc, definitely. Second, probably not. Has some filler.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

Hip-hop head who got kicked-out on his 18th birthday, after school, on a Wednesday in early '96... I'd never listened to anything remotely like NIN, but a scrawny lil kid in my reading class who wore Docs with shorts, who I'd never really talked with, overheard my situation & offered to ask his patents if I could crash there. Every day Bret blasted some obnoxious wailing noise from the awful piecemeal blown out stereo in his room, which he'd used the EQ to completely drop out all highs & lows. Through the wall, I couldn't make any sense of it beyond obviously being the same few dozen songs. On my bicycle, on the way to night class to make-up credits, someone in a hatchback Civic was bumping the tightest & deepest baselines I'd ever heard, but I couldn't make out who the rapper was... till he got alongside in heavy traffic... & I realized it was the same song Bret had played a thousand times; Closer. I now give everything a chance listen. Been to all NIN shows in Phx since Fragile. Bret & I became brothers. He joined the army, served in Bosnia on duties related to uncovering & documenting genocide, became addicted, & struggled emotionally for 20+yrs until a final OD just over a year ago. I miss him & could never thank him enough for showing me what true unconditional empathy looks & feels like. Passionate music that truly means something is vital.

[@VojtaMarek]

shit, that was an unexpected plot twist. and a very sad one, obviously. i’m so sorry for your loss of Bret. also, thank you for your comment - i don’t know why, but the story kinda made my day.

[@danielbell579]

Thanks for sharing that wow.

[@wessaie]

remembering Bret with you man. all the love

[@whebshow6610]

love to bret, wherever he is. thank you for sharing that

[@robmoney]

I went to a Goth club some years back for their first 90s night. When the dj played Juicy the crowd went wild. They followed that up with Closer. The reaction was 10 fold.

[@soaribb32]

Juicy by whom?

[@towards_the_flame]

​@@soaribb32 biggie smalls

[@harrygood515]

@@towards_the_flame why would that play at a goth club?

[@zackzallie8735]

Goth chicks vibing to Biggie is such a plot twist to me.

[@mneri84]

@@soaribb32lol. I remember being in college and this was like a decade after biggie died and girls would still rush the dance floor for some reason.

[@philly_sports1558]

I think the original version of "Hurt" is just as good as Johnny Cash's cover. I always was intrigued how different the song comes across in both versions. The NIN version is much more angry and bitter while Cash's version is much more regretful and remorseful. Both versions are incredible though.

[@thebatman1482]

Johnny Cash's version is an old man thinking about his life, his joys and his lost opportunities while realizing that his death is approaching. The original is a young man that is so fucking desperate and disturbed that he doesn't even want to become old because he knows he can't make it like that and there's no way out of there. Both incredible songs, but the original is spine-chilling to me.

[@LucTonnerre2000]

As solid and heartbreaking as Cash's version is - nothing beats the original by NIN. That one weird note in the verses that is seemingly totally out of key makes it so scary and beautiful at the same time. The way Reznor sings it or even whispers it is brutally intense. The way the chorus grows and gets bigger and bigger until the final three distorted chords that just fade out - what an epic masterpiece of a song that is.

[@bencraig1249]

I use the original when feeling empty and sad, the Cash version just doesn't work in the same way for me.

[@thebatman1482]

@@bencraig1249 I think the placement on the album is really what gives it its strength. It's like a big summary of the protagonist's downward spiral, replicating even the gunshot, and after all the listener has been through those dissonant chords and the final distorted sound really hit you like a train.

[@elisecunliffe1123]

I think a lot of people who have that self destructive urge can spot and empathise with each other very well. With cash having the benefit of experience over reznors angst at the time.

[@marstheleanvampirequeen696]

literally the album that really got me into music

[@awienc]

Same. And Superunknown. Both released in 1994 which amazes me, just how packed that year was in terms of classic records

[@tornadorundo]

same here dude, this album is incredibly influential

[@sneakaholic011]

no exaggeration!! same

[@WobblyBits_X]

Even ~20 years after my first exposure to the album as a child, I still feel intense emotional reactions to it.

[@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield]

Closely related for me was "Antichrist Super" followed not long after by this.

[@Trainy2]

This album is a masterclass in musical texture

[@birberking6999]

yes but even moreso for the fragile

[@InfamousQwaQwaFruit]

Irrelevant to the Downward Spiral but that Big Business album is great and it's nice to see here

[@Tmanstext]

I read that as "musical torture" and honestly i kinda just ran with that for a few seconds like "yeah for sure"

[@pockit5107]

@@birberking6999 The Downward Spiral is better than The Fragile but both albums are good.

[@soaribb32]

And production And dynamics And songwritting

[@fernandoirangph]

02:34 "Mr. Self Destruct" 03:33 "Piggy" 04:06 "Heresy" 04:48 "March of the Pigs" 06:01 "Closer" 07:10 "Ruiner" 07:47 "The Becoming" 08:29 "I Do Not Want This" 09:18 "Big Man with a Gun" 10:04 "A Warm Place" 10:20 "Eraser" 10:54 "Reptile" 11:21 "The Downward Spiral" 12:12 "Hurt" --------------------------------------------

[@jordanarnold6783]

As soon as the little glitch sound starts at the beginning of March of the Pigs, I immediately feel the urge to jump and break stuff, 20 years later. Fuck this album is so damn good.

[@LukeAdamMiller]

If I listen to that song in a crowded space, the desire to start a mosh pit is ALMOST irresistible.

[@korndud]

"extreme lust and extreme self hatred" is my aesthetic

[@busterb7482]

They go hand in hand lol

[@itstoxicrick9605]

Just my Life 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@theeoddments960]

Same Fidel.

[@spoonmeanie5644]

@Oinky the Class Traitor Most of the time, yea

[@torstenatterberg5788]

Agony

[@TheFirestorm496]

We need a NIN Tier list or best to worst. Curious to see what Anthony thinks of the other albums

[@fungifago]

I agree would be interesting

[@chelseawitt6709]

Yes yes yes yes yes

[@etalex7074]

DO IT ANTHONY

[@13StJimmy]

I have a feeling he would put the fragile at the top, I think he’s mentioned that being one of his favorites and understandably so

[@BiLLz66614]

It would be interesting to see him go over albums like PHM, Broken and Fragile.

[@XNancyxBoyX]

My favourite record of all time, without a doubt. Thank you for reviewing this one! My interpretation of the last two tracks has always been that, throughout the story, the protagonist wants to eliminate everything that makes him vulnerable, what makes him human. He wants to rid himself of feelings, which is what he's referring to as "all of his bad parts". He's becoming more like a machine, which, to me, really starts happening during The Becoming. Then it becomes a struggle between his human part and his "machine", it goes back and forth until he realizes in A Warm Place that he fucked things up irreparably and regrets what he's become. Which leads to the final chapter, him (his human part) deciding he has to be erased. And finally, he kills himself. The downward spiral (track) is his emotionless, mechanical, "machine" part coldly describing what has happened. Then on Hurt, the human side that's dying or already dead reflects on what's happened. Anyway, this is incredibly long and I could keep going as this album is very close to my heart, but I'll shut up now. Just my two cents.

[@iximusic]

🖤

[@evanscruggs6037]

That is a really great interpretation. I've always felt like he might have somehow survived though, at least for a little while, based almost entirely on the "needle tears a hole" line in Hurt. What would that be if he's already dead? Maybe it's an IV going into his arm, reminding him in some distant way of his excesses on the way down the spiral. Maybe he actually survives an attempt, and goes on to be the person in The Fragile. Just my own musings. Either way, the fact that we can talk about these pieces of music in this way is a testament to their greatness

[@aman-mn6xj]

i agree otherwise but to me Hurt is the human in him and all the last emotions and feelings and their last moments before he shoots himself (the loud electric guitar bang which fades into silence) but yeah anyway such a great record in my top 10 for sure

[@kornskater]

I once heard someone comment on this album saying “ you can’t listen to the downward spiral without being changed in some how.” My personal feelings is I just love how coherent the narrative is through out the whole album. The truest concept album I’ve ever experienced.

[@shrimpy420]

Fuck yes. The album that felt like home to me as an edgy angry teen. One of my all-time favorite albums and one of the best albums ever.

[@pseudonymous8702]

it feels like home to me as a depressed fuckup adult

[@HonkeyKongLive]

Bought this bad boy in 1995 to throw in my Sony Walkman. Listened to it until it basically broke lol.

[@MyToasterIsMoist]

Damn I almost had a mini-stroke when I saw this in my notifications, I love when you do classic reviews man it fills my taint with joy

[@negativezer0591]

fills ur what

[@MyToasterIsMoist]

@@negativezer0591 fills my what?

[@mattcombssucks9326]

His TAINT

[@kiwibiird]

his what?

[@myusernameusedtobereallycr2075]

I want fantano to fill my taint with joy too

[@lauronamieltoral462]

Screaming "I wanna f you like an animal" while I was locked in the basement isn't a review Trenthony Reztano Jokes aside, this is absolutely a Classic/10

[@Nik.No.K]

I covered that song with my band as a teenager and my very Christian parents were in the audience at a show we played it at😂 They weren’t too happy about that

[@starropenisthe4th786]

@@Nik.No.K lmfao that’s amazing

[@yearnpill]

@@Nik.No.K I thought they would be happy with the line “you get me closer to God” ;)

[@jordan45453]

@@Nik.No.K cringe.

[@ganesha.k.s]

Trent Reznor is the kind of guy who can score movies like The Social Network, Gone girl and The girl with the dragon tattoo while also doing scores for movies like Pixar's Soul. That alone basically says a lot about his aesthetic. Dude was nominated for The Oscar 2 times in 2021 alone since he did the scores for both Mank and Soul. And won it. Which is impressive on its own until you realise that it's his second oscar victory. What a legend.

[@wjlince]

You can find that melody from the outro of Closer in a few other places on the album, kind of like the recurring riff on The Wall. Most easily heard in the title track riff, but it's also the same chord progression in the chorus of Heresy.

[@theskulldoesntalk]

That's called a leitmotif

[@ihatehumans5185]

i believe it also appears on Piggy

[@soaribb32]

@@ihatehumans5185 on the outro and the organ on the second verse

[@waz3128]

@@ihatehumans5185 played in slightly varied notes, but definitely a nod to it

[@ARsuffix]

It's about f**ggin' time one of my favorite albums gets on your classics review! Idk if I should feel old now, but a solid assessment of this pivotal Trent Reznor/NIN release.

[@chazlear3250]

In all seriousness, the '94 Woodstock performance of Closer is one of the best live performances I've ever seen

[@zerrothewolf8316]

the entire concert is great, that Pinion intro that segues into Terrible Lie is just something else

[@ngominh259]

The funny thing is: technically it wasn't anything to write home about, but emotionally/culturally/viscerally it was the most dangerous and gratifying performance ever.

[@alexanderton5384]

I've never seen Anthony have such a hard time describing what the song sounds like. One of my favorite albums !

[@trevorburdine4463]

I've always interpreted hurt as a suicide note of some sort.

[@ballerplayapimphuztla]

The last few lines "If I could start again, a million miles away.... I would keep myself... I would find a way." really feels to me like the person finally giving up on trying to make things better and just resigning to suicide. Also the distortion at the very end some people have theorized is representative of what the character is hearing after shooting himself in the head.

[@GazB85]

There was gonna be another song after it called 'Just Do It' but someone who was working on the album with him and another person, not sure if it was a friend or another music person, told him not to put it on as it was about the protagonist committing suicide and that said that people would actually end up committing suicide to it and it's just lead to a load of shit. The lyrics haven't even been released for it.

[@asterism5768]

@@ballerplayapimphuztla The guy is already dead. The distortion is from the hole in his brain.

[@soaribb32]

The Downward Spiral is the song when he kills himself, with a spoken passage about a lot of blood running from a tiny whole. And then Hurt is like his *Soul* looking back at his life from the grave.

[@sleep6837]

​@@soaribb32there's a low whistling wind sound plaything throughout the song....like breeze blowing through the hole in the protagonist's head after he's taken his life. Fucking genius

[@ChallockStudios]

I met a girl I liked and quoted "Closer" hoping she'd go out with me It didn't work but my cellmates pretty cool and thought it was funny

[@quantumpiss4206]

Hahahaha underrated

[@demun6065]

Cool album. Unfortunately Fantano didn't even do his research to understand that "god is dead, and no-one cares" is a quote from a famous German atheist philosopher.

[@soaribb32]

@@demun6065 cuz it's not really the quote by verbatum.

[@nicholasromig5506]

this record sounds like absolutely nothing else, ever. Reznor is my hero, and he always goes so hard.

[@User-xw6kd]

My recs for classics week - Television - Marquee Moon New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies Popol Vuh - Aguirre/Hosianna Mantra Scott Walker - Scott 4/Scott 3 The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land Neil Young - Harvest/On the Beach Vangelis - Blade Runner

[@jonny9365]

Boards Of Canada - Music Has The Right To Children

[@naumchomsky8840]

Eh Fat of the Land is only a classic with nostalgia goggles. I love it to death but it's got some really bogus tracks throughout.

[@nathanieledwards7150]

Thats a great fucking list man. Im glad I'm not the only one listening to the Blade runner soundtrack in these here strange days

[@leorrocher]

Power corruption and lies ❤️

[@jens2049]

Blade runner Nice

[@louisschofield5290]

Trent been waiting 27 years for this

[@sncrch]

Surprised he didn't focus more on Reptile. For me the strongest track on the album and an industrial classic. The drums, machine sounds, the atmosphere the song creates is extraordinary.

[@Chilipotamus]

Reptile blew my mind the first time I listened through, I had to listen to it again

[@KingGizzard673]

Because I’d this review, I listened to NIN for the first time. Thank you. This is why I love your classic reviews. What a great band.

[@Bandstand]

Had to come early for this one 🤝

[@TheHolySandwich]

Gross

[@luxmar1]

Genius

[@LeBeautiful]

Greatness

[@swingAE86]

You and william maranci are like the main TND comment crew

[@MyBeautifulDarkTwistedFantasy6]

Me too

[@scotttape9327]

I’m sweating like i’m in a rave been in this room for 3 days

[@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield]

Think I'm hearing voices Paranoid and think I'm seeing ghostes, OH SHIT

[@Michael-wp2bp]

@crsor4 someone's gona come on here and be mad about that

[@tatwho]

@@Michael-wp2bp no one can be mad as Trent ‘borrowed’ a lot on this album ha ha. Now that may trigger some fans. Just wish he didn’t steal hurt from cash

[@Michael-wp2bp]

@@tatwho Yeah, Trent's cover ain't bad tho, gotta give him an A for effort at least

[@pseudipto]

been in this room for 365 days

[@colefisher1240]

I remember hearing this for the first time in high school. It scared the shit out of me Hell it still does.

[@dopey473]

It's MY mental breakdown and I get to choose the music! Edit: Also i'm pretty sure the becoming is more about the protagonist metaphorically becoming a machine AKA he has lost all feelings and has become 100% apathetic.

[@wickedhyperstyler]

I agree. I always viewed it as the protagonist numbing himself (probably with drugs and because of negative states like depression).

[@Radi0he4d1]

Read some psychologist's book where one of her clients was into listening to NIN on her iPod and one-night stands with strangers, which made her sad, meaning more NIN and stray pеnis in a downward spiral of depression. That's the aesthetic of this album.

[@luizaksnes.8374]

I really recommend "Earthling" by David Bowie. It's an underrated album

[@My_Anarchist_Superhero]

One if his most overlooked albums by the general public, and so out-there.

[@SB-jq8jj]

His most underrated album

[@salmon_wine]

Absolutely for sure. Both versions of Afraid of Americans, Earthlings on Fire, and Looking for Satellites are such fascinating songs- but Seven Years in Tibet might be one of Bowie's best tracks and feels almost foreshadowing of Blackstar's sound

[@superdupermcgee]

I like Earthling but I think Outside is Bowie's true crowning achievement from his 90s period. It is not as accessible so I feel it's an even less talked about album. Whereas Earthling is catchy and fun I find Outside to be dark and compelling and, coincidentally, a bit like Bowie's own TDS album (it's even a concept album). It's also aged better than Earthling, which sometimes sounds like Bowie's vocals are just laid over a corny techno beat. My second favorite 90s Bowie is probably Hours, another overlooked gem.

[@hollandscottthomas]

Interesting! I really love Bowie a lot but didn't connect much with his 90s stuff, maybe I'll go back and revisit.

[@idith7403]

And now Trent Reznor is doing soundtracks for Pixar

[@JohnDoe-mj6cc]

They're fucking good though

[@idith7403]

@@JohnDoe-mj6cc even his soundtrack for Mank is awesome

[@berry11756]

@@idith7403 yeah I loved how I forgot he scored mank and then in the credits I had an “oh sh*t” moment and was even more impressed

[@oaktree2406]

Do you even Bad Witch brah?

[@ArgKaiser]

Now THAT is a downward spiral

[@ElliYeetYT]

Never clicked so fast in a long time.

[@purplegnome396]

Was thinking the same thing

[@isabellasinclair8215]

Sgdgshsjsjs same

[@fingibb4723]

Same bro

[@rreznor660]

Cause he too busy reviewing Taylor swift and rap shit nowadays

[@hughmunro4577]

he knowwsss

[@elyssapalmer2298]

March of the pigs actually alternates between 3 bars of 7/8 and 1 of 4/4 which imo, makes it even more difficult to follow than if it was just 7/8

[@iximusic]

Yes totally agree!

[@MCLemonyfresh]

Yes! I had to learn this song on bass for a 90’s cover show and it was a freaking doozy

[@flowersbloom4262]

Yes 29/8 goes HARD

[@Lepstick_-]

I cannot believe i slept on this album for so long, just listened to it for the first time and was just blown away

[@korndud]

did you call "a warm place" an ambient interlude?! it's one of the greatest instrumentals of all time.

[@tornadorundo]

It is an ambient interlude, but definitely not just made for an interlude, it’s really an amazing song, I listen to it when I need peace

[@korndud]

@@tornadorundo it's not an interlude at all tho? it's literally a song.

[@milkburps6370]

@@korndud it acts like an interlude because it is so chilled out compared to the rest of the album

[@Lilnaomi3]

I mean, he also ignores things the original artist has said about their music, ya know the person who created it. I don't think intention behind the work is the focal point of this video but the authors interpretation of it. I don't agree that it is a musical interlude, but it certainly is transitional if one thinks about what it signifies during the chracters journey. I can see how someone would feel it is stylized to function as one or a break. It is very much a calm spot or an acceptance leading to conclusions.

[@lily91109]

There's some unofficial lyrics somewhere and I think about them a lot. The sun is a star in someone else's sky, the moon is making someone cry.

[@ryanrutkoskie6943]

This album was recorded in the former house of the “Manson Family” murder where Susan Atkins wrote “Pig” on the front door in Sharon Tate’s blood. “Piggy” was also Trent Reznor’s nickname for Richard Patrick while he was in the band.

[@TipTheScales27]

Sharon’s aunt approached Trent and asked him why he recorded in that house. He said that he felt so guilty afterwards that he cried like a baby... he definitely regrets doing that

[@MrDieg999]

Wait this album was recorded in Sharon tate's house.

[@maxwellsdem0n]

@@TipTheScales27 Also one of the columbine shooters refer to the album, and Piggy specifically, I always wondered if he knew that, and how he felt about it. Not that it matters I just never heard anything about it, which is ironic considering the media massively went after Marylin Manson for the shootings even though he was never referenced in the diaries.

[@ryanrutkoskie6943]

@@MrDieg999 yeah Downward Spiral and Broken EP

[@MrDieg999]

@@maxwellsdem0n he always haved wash his hands about this, the history is like he bought the house and after that he realised what house was. even though he didn't think to much about it, till tate's sister ask him why he rent it to record the album, that's when reznor tell himself "what if this was my brutally murdered sister house, what i would think about it?", so he just leave the property.

[@JamesBriano]

March of The Pigs is an utterly ferocious track; perfectly placed on this album.

[@thetroubledmonk]

There is literally no album ever created that can define or capture the heart of depression and self hate as much as this one. I don't care how happy your life is, how rich you are, or how much you believe in the goodness of people, this album has the ability to suck that hopeful air right out of the fucking room. This is an 10/10 album, it is one of the greatest pieces of art ecer created, and it is also an album I cannot willingly listen to now that I have found some inner peace.

[@HotStrange]

Every time I listen to this album it blows my mind all over again. Idk how the fuck Trent did it. The title track gives me feelings that no other song ever has. It’s truly the sound of losing all hope.

[@Joel-do4xs]

Lets agree: we need more classics weeks than one.

[@LastOneLeft99]

Was my favorite record as a teen in the 1990s. Ruiner is a very underrated song.

[@vladimirploppers5789]

Yeah but I guess they haven’t mastered it live I guess

[@stealthbeatle4945]

Also the FDTS Version absolutely slaps too.

[@warganization]

one of our band favs thx fantano

[@TheAndrewj96]

One of my favorite albums of all time, and one of the most important records for my evolving taste in music as a teenager. So happy to see you review it.

[@vaporeon1606]

I‘m completely obsessed with the downward spiral, it’s such an aggressive, attractive and all-encompassing album. One of my all time favorite albums!

[@theofficialksr05]

Who else agrees that their show at Woodstock 94' is one of the most batshit insane performances you've ever seen?

[@LastOneLeft99]

I watched it live, a friend of the family had got the pay per view.

[@andrewedwards1339]

Totally agree. Absolute peak watch.

[@countdooku7152]

Didn’t they perform their entire set covered in mud?

[@LastOneLeft99]

@@countdooku7152 Yeah the whole thing is on youtube, was a great show

[@GoAsCloseAsYouCan]

Supremely epic 🎯

[@JohnnyKnoxvil]

Amazing.... I was literally like “damn I haven’t heard this album in a minute let’s listen” and this was like two hours ago. Then BAM

[@colefisher1240]

bro fantano is following you

[@cainification]

Haha good one

[@misssarahsings]

I haven’t been this early since he was still posting on thatistheplan

[@eatfugu]

I miss right wing fantano

[@neoyuls]

@@eatfugu right wing? lmao what are you talking about

[@its_drez]

@@neoyuls it’s a meme you dip :^)

[@jackdavidson2205]

This is one of the best reviews I have ever heard. As someone who grew up with this record and thought I got what it offered, you point out the layers I missed. You also find the absolute perfect way of detailing the emotional sonic ride where I feel that you understood the journey. Your carefully crafted words capture what the downward spiral is as art and a devolution of ones mind and inner being.

[@robinsonnox9980]

I've never liked The Downward Spiral but I relistened to it not even a week ago, and it's effect on me still lingers. I have underestimated how striking and soul-piercing that album is.

[@AzaelWorld]

FINALLY AFTER YEARS OF ASKING FOR THIS! NIN=GOAT

[@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield]

This and "Pretty Hate Machine" feel like they should've already been a part of the Classics segment.

[@Maxi-jr7sw]

@@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield and the fragile too...

[@zeemancan3713]

@@Maxi-jr7sw the fragile touches my heart in ways the downward spiral never will

[@Maxi-jr7sw]

@@zeemancan3713 same 😩😩

[@fert7921]

Yes

[@PLAGUE-KARM]

Eraser has one of the most chilling endings to a song I’ve ever heard

[@_chipchip]

Yeah it’s pretty fucking intense. But I can’t help but yell along

[@PLAGUE-KARM]

@@_chipchip Same

[@orang3lazaru5]

It’s even creepier on Further Down the Spiral..

[@captainbarnark8709]

IMO Eraser is such a “final thought” album that it makes Reptile feel out of place. Why does Eraser end with the protagonist screaming “Kill me” and then he thinks of his ex girlfriend before ending it?

[@nathankrikke6849]

Same with The Becoming.

[@zackzallie8735]

Fun fact: They recorded this album in the murder site where Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson family

[@bryanbeckett869]

That's not very fun.

[@zackzallie8735]

@@bryanbeckett869 Fun to know, not the situation itself.

[@saturnz7029]

trent lived there while recording the album, then when the album released he moved and the house got demolished

[@pied6piper]

I wonder if this album's fixation on pigs does something with PIG written in blood over the wall on the night Tate was killed.

[@kirb_erus]

@@pied6piper Well Trent did name the house "Le Pig" when he was in there so he definitely knew about it.

[@absaxoclar]

The chord structure for A Warm Place almost perfectly matches David Bowie's Crystal Japan and when played both songs during an interview with both Reznor and Bowie present apparently neither had put that connection together. Its also pretty similar to the main melodic line from Depeche Mode's song Stripped

[@waz3128]

I wonder if Alan Wilder / Martin Gore also heard the Bowie song

[@dudeskeela]

Seeing NIN during the Ninja tour back in 09 is one of my fondest musical memories. Trent performed for at least 3 hours, it was mindblowing. Thanks for reviewing this.

[@-jessieh-]

one of the best written rock records ever imo

[@aledandrian]

Trent was on such a hot streak with this album, even the one quiet track for the sake of breaking the tension is one of the greatest ambient songs of all time

[@mx_untitled2376]

One of my favorite albums... It’s truly one where I feel like I’m going on the same dark, fucked up psychological journey as the protagonist. Hurt is one of the most emotionally painful songs for me to listen to...and I mean that in the best way possible.

[@derk486]

NIN Hurt is superior to Johnny Cash imo

[@joeldukes303]

Easily, even after “giving” Hurt to Johnny

[@oldcat7]

One of the most heartbreaking stories ever told on an album. Hits all the emotions.

[@maxiegil8226]

„The Downward Spiral” aka the album that gave me depression in 2020

[@Windows98.]

2002*

[@tylerhackner9731]

And into 2021

[@jd1800]

Next year will be Year Zero.

[@duhotatoday3277]

*Helped me to overcome my depression in 2020.

[@TipTheScales27]

It’s personally helped me deal with my depression

[@paragonofgood]

The Downward Spiral is the Neon Genesis Evangelion of the music industry.

[@cynical8330]

The Neon Genesis theme is one of the most popular and well known pop songs in the world and even more so in Japan. The Neon Genesis theme is the Neon Genesis Evangelion of the music industry.

[@JorgeGomez-hx5uu]

@@cynical8330 well put lol

[@paragonofgood]

@@cynical8330 Lol, I know that. I'm just referring to The Downward Spiral as being thematically similar to NGE since it touches on depression, self-destruction and existentialism.

[@andreasvarousiadis9464]

i learned from a comment that downward spiral synchronizes perfectly with the "end of evangelion"

[@_chipchip]

I love this.

[@luccacamillo]

"Much of the time, this album literally sounds like hell" --> The first thing that popped into my head was The Becoming's instrumentals.

[@gimmedataids]

Along with the constant screaming and wailing in the background. Incredible song

[@ikesours6558]

(T2) Cameron's Dante's Inferno

[@anishsawan6496]

Transition more like Trent-sition. I will be here all night.

[@busterb7482]

Yooooo lets gooo

[@Descro382]

This comment was typed in front of a live ostrich

[@ItsPumaPuma]

You’re coming home with me

[@blackspring3207]

The most relatable thing about this record is that it is THIS depressed, THIS horny, AND he hates the pigs.

[@totalsurprise889]

Ruiner is my favorite track on this album. One of the best live.

[@davelabonte7806]

Mr Self Destruct is also wonderful live.

[@nekozombie]

Ruiner is probably my favourite song in existence alongside Planet Telex by Radiohead

[@BoySamusMetroid]

The guitar solo is just so, so incredibly good.

[@ptbempire]

it's my favorite next to Reptile

[@vladimirploppers5789]

It’s very rare to see it live

[@dylane8281]

This is definitly my favorite album, since the first time i heard this i was in my own downward spiral and self destructive behavior, so to me it is a very personal record. I remember also listening to this when i was picking up my dad from a institution after some stuff happened. But apart from that this album was also the anthem of when i skayed a lot with friends wich was the best time of my life! It helped me through one of my darkest time's. Through grief, abuse, lonelines, depression, suicidal tendencies. This is one of the album's that litteraly saved my life and now i am happier than ever and a beacon of postivity acording to my friends!

[@baileymoran8585]

The theme of the ruiner and the becoming are very connected. The ruiner is basically someone doing something that ended up being the final straw. Either it’s directed at another person, or the protagonist is directing it at themselves. ‘You didn’t hurt me. Nothing can hurt me’ transitions into the becoming. The protagonist is now numb, and mistaking that for being ok, but they are still feeling their pain on some level in the back of their mind. They are numb by anger and almost convinced they are happy in their mental breakdown.

[@lily91109]

I love this album. I have cried so much to it. Fuck, my favourite lyrics are from The Downward Spiral (song) and they're not even spoken in an even pattern. This is really an album to think about, and I will keep thinking about it even when I'm better.

[@projetocaoskako]

This album is fantastic. One of my favorites. The guitar solo in ruiner caught me completely off guard

[@iximusic]

During the bluesy breakdown?

[@projetocaoskako]

@@iximusic yeah

[@TheKingShyGuy.]

Downward spiral? Yeah that describes today pretty well...

[@0Enigmatic0]

The past 4 years really

[@thisisisabella3634]

Literally the perfect ending to the day.

[@nerdaitami7205]

@@0Enigmatic0 The past twelve years more like. maybe even more

[@philly_sports1558]

America has been on a downward spiral.

[@totlyepic]

If you're thinking today was really a "today" thing, you haven't been paying attention for a decade.

[@peach_total]

the transition to robotics in The Becoming is metaphorical; it’s him deciding that he’s going to hide or destroy all of his vulnerability or insecurities (aka “bad parts”). it plays into the themes you see later in Big Man With a Gun: he’s putting up walls of power, violence, and sexual dominance because he couldn’t handle dealing with his sadness and insecurities

[@luna.37]

In a mid-90s interview, he spoke about Big Man with a Gun being written from the point of a r@pist... But he regretted it as some thought he was promoting such violence, when he was really implying such men are vile cowards. But seeing him speak recently, he talked about having become increasingly disinclined to talk about what songs meant to him as people imagine their own interpretations, andhe wants to let people have their own meanings.

[@ilobko]

He just loved Tetsuo movie at that time.

[@johnserrano8258]

How dare you put out a downward spiral review while I destroy my life with late night homework.

[@flipppip1277]

A classic review of Alice in Chains "Dirt" would make me so happy.

[@mrclaytron]

That's a great review man, I really enjoyed this. I really like your interpretation, and I tend to agree with your thoughts. The Downward Spiral, for me, is my number one album of all time. It's very strange, but somehow when I was going through some pretty dark and disorienting times in the mid 90s, it feels like this album got me through. Trent Reznor is an incredible producer - his attention to detail, and original approach to music and sound manipulation really is amazing. I'm so glad he was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - as pointless as this may be, it's great recognition of a real talent.

[@rensopinto2139]

This album will always be harsh and abrasive af. Love it. Doesn’t age

[@KaneK1234]

THIS IS THE GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME! HOLY COW!

[@CommanderWar64]

@@falo4043 it’s called an opinion dude

[@cedrikpelletier5735]

@@falo4043 dude, Trent Reznor is the modern mozart. He has such a wide range of music capabilities that it puts to shame almost every popular artists we hear nowadays. Sorry but the albums (and artist) you mentioned doesn't stand a chance agains NIN discography. However These artists are yes talented and greatly represent the music scene right now. Imo, today's rap won't age as well like an album such as The Downward Spiral, this record didn't age a second since it's release, 25 years ago.

[@falo4043]

@@CommanderWar64 I think you don't got the joke

[@falo4043]

@@cedrikpelletier5735 I'm just kidding bro, this is a joke, obviously none of them are better, you really think im serious saying kid laroi or nba youngboy is better than this?

[@cedrikpelletier5735]

@@falo4043 im glad to hear that! my faith in humanity has been restored (sorry for the beef hahaha)

[@hummingwires]

The homage to Bowie's "Crystal Japan" during "A Warm Place" is my favorite moment off the album.

[@hectorh.micheos.1717]

I love this album, full stop. And seeing Anthony describe it so eloquently and positively feels me with a joy that is totally incongruous with the album. Still, I really appreciate you taking the time to get some light shed on The Downward Spiral, may all the people who get to know this album because of this video find it as powerful, moving and beautiful as I do, or more.

[@nonsense2369]

Hurt is a suicide note. It lulls you into a sense of understanding since it bares the protagonists own thoughts. The final blast of music equals the gunshot. At least imo…

[@vivian8106]

I liked the contrast between the music from soul being so beautiful despite coming out in a dark time, vs downward spiral being incredibly dark and coming out in a time we're all currently nostalgic for...

[@jwhittle91]

This is legit one of the best albums ever made. Hard, raw, and intense. Always been in my top 10.

[@buckofazoo]

people always talk about how sloppy and chaotic the drum outro of piggy is, but it always made sense to me. I think every hit is exactly where it's supposed to be.

[@waz3128]

Its one of my favourite parts of the record. I believe Trent was just doing a mic check on the drums while Flood was recording and they later decided to use it in Piggy

[@RenaGDE]

I made myself not listen to music for month - when I was done with this experiment I found myself listening to this a lot - and it had been years since I listened to it. I don't know, maybe I just really needed to shatter the silence. Cool review.

[@stocktonjames888]

As a depressed, angsty teenager in high school I listened to this album a lot during my whole stint in High school. The lyrics and the music as a whole really related to how I felt at the time. Now being a little older, I still enjoy the music, and I can respect the album as a cautionary tale, and reflect on how life ebbs and flows. still a fantastic album love it to death still one of my favorites!

[@eruvielherrera8067]

this album in 2020 helps me to surpass all the bad moments. such a classic and masterpiece album ♡

[@glipk]

Lol