Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (FIRST REACTION)

[@verbatim7508]

"He made that song when his mom was out of the house" is the funniest statement ever made about Big Man with a Gun

[@_bats_]

I had my suspicion that these reactors were Canadian but their delivery of that line cast all doubt aside, hah.

[@thejohnkaufman]

Trent Reznor just throwing a distorted, blues-y guitar solo in the middle of "Ruiner" has always been hilarious to me. And also one of my favorite parts of that album.

[@anthonygonzalez9422]

He said it was a shameless homage to Comfortably Numb

[@robwalsh9843]

That guitar was apparently Adrian Belew

[@sgt.purp1e]

One thing I found so cool about the mixing of Hurt Is that in the title-track, it is stated the protagonist shoots himself In Hurt, strictly in one audio channel, everything is distorted and there's a wind sound effect running throughout it the whole way through. It's like you get to hear the damage done to his hearing due to the gunshot.

[@flowersbloom4262]

I’m not sure why but A Warm Place strikes me as the most tragic song on the album. I’ve seen a bunch of interpretations of it, but my take on it is it’s almost “the view from halfway down”, a last look at the world as something of beauty (and really taking it in) before shutting any love of life you might have left off, and yet knowing you can’t stop that from happening. The beginning of eraser creeps into the end of it, so even in the one emotional retreat on the album, you can’t stop the inevitable trainwreck. It gives you the space to collect yourself as a listener-and just enough lucidity, sonically, to hammer home the ugliness of everything that came before, and what will inevitably come after. My first full listen through of the album, I was still sobbing from A Warm Place after Eraser had ended. The abject horror of the situation just wouldn’t let up.

[@HeadDownFM]

Exactly how I see it too.. it's so sad and beautiful

[@CDmusic10]

To me it describes the feeling of my own depression more than most or any song can. I know people say it gives more of a "warm" feeling/ relaxing moment to the album, but for me "warm" is a sarcastic meaning that describes the darkness you feel around you and the hopelessness you feel that leads to the suicidal message of Hurt.

[@mollyesanborn]

Yes! So glad you're doing some Nine Inch Nails. This album took me a lot of listens to fully appreciate, it's so harsh but nuanced at the same time. Every element has its purpose, nothing is frivolous about its sound. If you get the chance definitely check out The Fragile too. I know its a long one but that album is just amazing. Sonically it's like the broken aftermath of the destruction from The Downward Spiral, a little bit more acoustic and restrained.

[@albumsofayear1669]

The Fragile is a great follow-up to The Downward Spiral! One of these days I'll get Rylee to react to it as well... Btw, love your channel! Your tier list video on NIN is one of the reasons I got into their music

[@mollyesanborn]

@@albumsofayear1669 aw thanks! That's one of my oldest videos haha, my ranking has changed a bit since then. I think I'd put The Downward Spiral in A+ now. And I'm loving your videos as well, they've got a great relaxing vibe to them. Can't wait to see what albums you'll be checking out next :)

[@ldhdjzjjaklzjdbd6610]

One of the greatest albums of all time, closer is one of the most interesting tracks I’ve ever heard. Mainly because it is simultaneously incredibly weird and disturbing but also very accessible and catchy. The dance breakdown at the end is just perfect.

[@alexiemery7821]

That's what made me laugh is that when it came out it was played along side Madonna and pop but they didn't realise it was about sexual degradation it's real meaning is disturbing just part of the story when the protagonist is still seeking that dark void he's trying to fill

[@kriswinklmann6401]

Just ONE of the greatest albums ever? So in other words you hate the album then? Just kidding I believe there's no Fanboys amidst the nine inch nails fan community. Just compare nine inch nails fans to call a duty or Star Wars fans I try to make a point not to take things for granted

[@lindacoy7165]

It’s so cool to see someone experiencing this album for the first time. Nice!

[@tquasa07]

I listened to this album upstairs in the dark on a winter night when I was almost 13, laid on the couch, waiting for mom to call me down for dinner. I didn’t have a smartphone or laptop, and it was 2008. I had just practiced my trumpet and then listened to the entire album without pausing. It was crazy!

[@synthetic240]

The sample at the very beginning is from an early George Lucas film called THX-1138. It takes place in an underground dystopia where people's moods are controlled with mandatory drugs. At one point, there's a channel on the holographic TV of a man (a dissident?) being beaten by a truncheon held by a blank-faced robotic policeman. It's actually a very good film.

[@kickliquid]

I use to nod off to a warm place :( Don't give up hope. you will make it through this.

[@stopbunsen]

46:18 I teared up when you read that out. I relate to this album more than I wish I did. I've been that addict who has hit bottom, multiple bottoms, and what you think is a bottom can give way to another. I'm lucky that I have been able to come back from that. Super fortunate. Many don't.

[@brandonx7215]

You guys need headphones for this album, you will hear so much more layers and nuances.

[@jcutfiend]

you gotta show them the fragile next 🙏

[@albumsofayear1669]

Not a bad idea... though would be a long video haha

[@hiddeneye9723]

@@albumsofayear1669 Would probably have to be done in two parts, but it would be worth it. A fantastic album.

[@PhotonVideos]

@@albumsofayear1669 based on Rylee's reception to the more tangible sound design you just know that The Fragile is going to be received well

[@lucastaylor0]

omg I would love that

[@sussychachi]

the track downwarld spiral is about him killing himself and the darkness wining the track hurt is about the little good side in him is warning others to stay away because he will hurt others who get close.. hurt ends in a fade out of errie distortion. i feel the darkness won and hes depression and anxiety won and he realized when he tried to kill himself that it was over for him hes realized hes broken and hurt is him realizing he cant be around others. the character needs serious help if hes alive still. the becoming is a scary song because it hints of him having other mental issues such as DID personality disorder. hes darkness wants to take over and it sounds like it did take over by the end of downward spiral. hes little good side is locked away screaming for help that scream in downward spiral in the background is his good side crying to be free. the dark whisper is his darkness trying to convince them of killing themselves.

[@isaiahdrews9536]

I actually believe big man with a big gun is him snapping and killing someone and a warm place is him finally feeling release. Then Eraser is the guilt finally getting to him, so he is asking some sort of higher power to erase him because he can't bring himself to do it. The thing I love most about NIN tho, is that all these songs are open to your own interpretation, Trent Reznor purposefully will not reveal the entire meaning of a song. He believes it's just better if you can take a song or a record and put your own meaning into it.

[@anthonygonzalez9422]

he was asked up front back in '94 on the 'Disturbed' interview CD if Big Man w A Gun was was a play on ganster rap, and he said it was. I think his words were "musically I think some of its interesting but lyrically its shit."

[@isaiahdrews9536]

@@anthonygonzalez9422 That makes sense, although I have heard him say in several interviews, that he didn't want to disclose any true meaning behind any of the Downward Spiral songs. He wanted the fans to give it meaning or some shit like that, either way though, makes sense it'd be about gangster rap. I'm a lover of all genres and think gangster rap is great, but Big man with a gun is essentially what most gangster rap songs are about lyrically lmao

[@Automation.Records]

I loved your description of the 90's, it disclosed an element of my personality to me that I hadn't really considered but immediately identified as true. Very insightful observation.

[@Shleemaa]

By the way, a lot of the guitar in this album was recorded by Adrian Belew, and you can really hear his imprint on the album. P.S. Great Reaction Video)

[@Atodaso]

Wow, and on vinyl :) I have a copy of the OG promo vinyl release on the way, and cannot wait to spin it.

[@deckofcards87]

Not sure if you knew this, but Trent admitted that he based the structure of The Downward Spiral on David Bowie's 1978 album 'Low', in that it moves from more lyrical songwriting into electronic land on side b, with more of an emphasis on dramatic atmosphere and instrumentals. Of course Trent later produced his hero Bowie's 1995 song 'I'm Afraid Of Americans' and toured with him throughout 1996. They did a beautiful rendition of "Reptile" together on the tour. Not to be missed.

[@turnleftaticeland]

Also “A Warm Place”’s melody is accidentally stolen from the Bowie b-side “Crystal Japan”

[@iamthewalrus.]

Ending of hurt can be interpreted different ways. If we look at addiction as an entity, like the reptile, or the Jungian shadow, the final blast can either mean the narrator blows off/completely separates himself from the negativity; and we are left with the residue of darkness that lingers that waits for its next victim. Or, the reptile wins, and the last line is a comforting like the narrator tells themselves before “pulling the trigger” and letting the evil take over, consuming the narrator till their is nothing left but the void.

[@SummerDream3r]

Great review, this was one of the landmark albums of that era. Surprised you guys haven't reviewed "Violator" by Depeche Mode, one of most iconic albums of the '90s.

[@albumsofayear1669]

Violator is a great album, maybe we'll discuss it on here someday!

[@ReplicantV]

Wow, great reaction!

[@willjoslin811]

Did you know that at the beginning of March of the pigs, Trent repeats the phrase... 'He will Huff" referring to the big bad wolf from the classic three little pigs.

[@brandonx7215]

A Warm Place is David Bowie cover initially titled "Crystal Japan"...check it out.

[@mikev4638]

This is definitely a great album, I'm not even a huge Industrial fan, but Reznor is super talented. Plus, that Johnny Cash cover of Hurt is still one of the best cover songs of all-time.

[@mortdewerewolfe691]

Interesting to think what Cash would have done with Mr Self Destruct, or IDNWT.

[@stephenryan1912]

Pig was a member of the band that left

[@taffysaur]

That sound effect at the start is someone being beaten with a police truncheon. It’s from George Lucas’ first movie, the dystopian sci-fi THX-1138. I recognised it immediately upon first listening to this album, and it is a very Nine Inch Nails type of movie for sure.

[@diegocozzolino4295]

it wants me dead goddamn this noise inside my head

[@alexiemery7821]

If you listen to the downward spiral title track it's not a nice break he's contemplating suicide it's just hard to hear his voice

[@Clefargle]

Great reaction please give Broken, pretty hate machine, fragile, year zero, hesitation marks, and the slip your ear sometime

[@Remedy462]

The Downwar Incel. That is what this album is. Genius, even before Incel was coined. Insecurity. Wrath. Superiority. Depression. Suicide.

[@labrada9099]

definitely has nothing to do with incels, sex addiction is rampant throughout the album.

[@carcrashjayson]

choo choo

[@thehappysmiler420]

Pleaseee do The Fragile 🤧🤧🤧

[@parkerswaxmuseum3746]

wait a minute... are you... playing the directors cut of this album??

[@jack_rabbit]

march of the pigs is 3 repetitions of 7/8 and then the last is 8/8

[@minamur]

you should give the album "ende neu" by eisturzende neubauten a listen for a different flavor of industrial-ish-ness

[@jvig7353]

Appreciate the reaction, but did you fellas realize you have your yeti microphone backwards? The diaphragm of the mic is face-forward and you're basically supposed to have the logo facing into you.

[@sussychachi]

one of the most haunted albumsthe singer recorded it alone in the manson house were the cult murdered and raped innocent young adults.

[@flowersbloom4262]

It was written in the sharon tate house. The cult was the manson family.

[@sussychachi]

listen to angel dust by faith no more the singer is very influential to many nu metal bands. mike patton also has 6.5 octave range with singing and screaming. :) also might wanna check out his more creative but crazy stuff with mr.bungle like their first album and second and third. its kind of interesting because the downward spiral is the darknest album for me but mike pattons work with his other bands like fantomas. fantomas first album and suspended animations too me seem more disturbing and crazy and creative then the downward spiral. trent reznor is a hella good singer and band, very influential. but mike patton in my opinion is more creative. to be fair though mike patton is a experimental rock/metal god. his work with bungle and faith no more and fantomas alone says alot. am sure though trent and mike respect each others and i love both of them for different reasons. both of them are gods in the rock and metal world.

[@jaymcmullen6274]

please do an alice in chains album, mad season's above would be a great suggestion.

[@stephenryan1912]

This is torture on someone you think is a friend

[@stephenryan1912]

My fellow trans. Dont let them fool you

[@politicalscientist8880]

I recommend a new setting... seems a bit awkward the set up lol

[@strangenate27]

Talk less

[@boti5055]

The video is titled "reaction", and not "quietly listening to TDS"

[@peloquin5652]

the gay dude on the left looks pretty ridiculous

[@samanthapalus1085]

I recommend you talk to someone about this, as it isn't normal to be so triggered by such trivial things.

[@janos2938]

Gay

[@samanthapalus1085]

I'm sure you meant that as a compliment :)

[@ZERXERZANZIGER]

Great work he put out on this album. What makes me love The Fragile even more is the simple fact he was working on some of the tracks from The Fragile during his earlier work. Over the years he kept perfecting and keeping it on the back burner to create a masterpiece. Don't know many people that have heard of the Swans. Their early stuff with Jarboe was amazing. Huge fan of Jarboe. Some of her side tracks were crazy. Anhedoniac was a strange album by her but was pretty good. My favorite swans albums are Omniscience and Children of God. They were quite the trip.