The Downward Spiral - Wikipedia

The Downward Spiral is the second studio album by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on March 8, 1994, by Nothing Records and ... TheDownwardSpiral FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia Jumptonavigation Jumptosearch 1994studioalbumbyNineInchNailsTheDownwardSpiralStudioalbumbyNineInchNailsReleasedMarch 8, 1994 (1994-03-08)Recorded1992–1993Studio LePig,BenedictCanyon,California TheRecordPlant,Hollywood,California A&M,Hollywood,California GenreIndustrialrockalternativerockindustrialmetalLength65:02LabelNothingInterscopeProducerTrentReznorFloodNineInchNailschronology Fixed(1992) TheDownwardSpiral(1994) FurtherDowntheSpiral(1995) NineInchNailsstudioalbumchronology PrettyHateMachine(1989) TheDownwardSpiral(1994) TheFragile(1999) Halonumberschronology Halo7(1994) Halo8(1994) Halo9(1994) SinglesfromTheDownwardSpiral "MarchofthePigs"Released:February25,1994 "Closer"Released:May30,1994 Alternativecover2004DeluxeEditioncover TheDownwardSpiralisthesecondstudioalbumbyAmericanindustrialrockbandNineInchNails,releasedonMarch8,1994,byNothingRecordsandInterscopeRecordsintheUnitedStatesandbyIslandRecordsinEurope.Itisaconceptalbumdetailingthedestructionofamanfromthebeginningofhis"downwardspiral"tohisdeathbysuicide.TheDownwardSpiralfeatureselementsofindustrialrock,technoandheavymetal,incontrasttotheband'ssynth-pop-influenceddebutalbumPrettyHateMachine(1989),andwasproducedbyNineInchNailsfrontmanTrentReznorandFlood. In1992,Reznormovedto10050CieloDriveinBenedictCanyon,LosAngeles,whereactressSharonTatewasmurderedbymembersoftheMansonFamily.Itwasusedasastudiocalled"LePig"forrecordingBroken(1992)andTheDownwardSpiralwithcollaborationsfromothermusicians.Thealbumwasinfluencedbylate-1970srockmusicalbumssuchasDavidBowie'sLowandPinkFloyd'sTheWallinparticular,andfocusedontextureandspace.Thealbumspawnedtwosingles,"MarchofthePigs"and"Closer",inadditiontothepromotionalsingles"Piggy"and"Hurt"."MarchofthePigs"and"Closer"wereaccompaniedbymusicvideos,withtheformershottwiceandthelatter'sheavilycensored. TheDownwardSpiralwasacommercialsuccess,andestablishedNineInchNailsasareputableforceinthe1990smusicscene,withitssoundbeingwidelyimitatedandReznorreceivingmediaattentionandmultiplehonors,whiledescendingintodrugabuseanddepression.Ithasbeenregardedbymusiccriticsandaudiencesasoneofthemostimportantalbumsofthe1990s,andwaspraisedforitsabrasiveandeclecticnatureanddarkthemes,althoughitwasscrutinizedbysocialconservativesforsomeofitslyrics.AremixalbumtitledFurtherDowntheSpiralwasreleasedin1995. Contents 1Writingandrecording 2Musicandlyrics 3Packaging 4Promotion 4.1Singles 4.2Tour 5Releaseandreception 5.1Accolades 6Legacy 7Controversies 7.1"BigManwithaGun"lyrics 7.2AllegedcontributiontotheColumbineshooting 7.3iPhoneapplicationrefusal 8Tracklisting 8.1Originalrelease 8.2Deluxeedition(Halo8DE) 9Personnel 10Charts 10.1Weeklycharts 10.2Year-endcharts 11Certifications 12References 12.1Bibliography 13Externallinks Writingandrecording[edit] AdrianBelewin2006.Belew'sapproachtoguitarpartsonthealbumimprovedReznor'sconfidenceintheinstrument. TheDownwardSpiralwasconceivedaftertheLollapaloozafestivaltourasTrentReznorthoughtofa"negativevibe"feltbythebandwhentheywereinaEuropeanhotel.NineInchNailsliveperformanceswereknownforitsaggressiveon-stagedynamic,inwhichbandmembersactangry,injurethemselves,anddestroyinstruments.ReznorhadafeudwithTVTRecordsthatresultedinhimco-foundingNothingRecordswithhisformermanagerJohnMalm,Jr.andsigningwithInterscope.Hewantedtoexploreafictionalcharacterwhoselifeispsychologicallywoundedanddevelopedaconceptaboutthealbum'sthemes;helaterusedtheconceptaslyrics.TheconceptwasbasedonReznor'ssocialissuesatthetime:hehadpersonalconflictswithbandmemberRichardPatrickandwasknownforenjoyingalcohol.[1][2][3]WhendevelopingTheDownwardSpiral,Reznorstruggledwithdrugaddictionandwasdepressedashewrotesongsrelatedtopersonalissues.HisfriendssuggestedthathecouldtakeProzac(fluoxetine),anantidepressant,butthischoicedidnotappealtohim.[4][5]Hewantedthealbum'ssoundtodivergefromBroken,emphasizingmood,texture,restraintandsubtlety,althoughhewasnotsureaboutitsmusicaldirection.[6]Thealbumwasmadewith"fullrange"andfocusedontextureandspace,avoidingexplicitusageofguitarsorsynthesizers.[7] Reznorsearchedforandmovedto10050CieloDrivein1992forrecordingBrokenandTheDownwardSpiral,[8]adecisionmadeagainsthisinitialchoicetorecordthealbuminNewOrleans.[9]10050CieloDriveisreferredtoasthe"TateHouse"sinceSharonTatewasmurderedbymembersoftheMansonFamilyin1969;Reznornamedthestudio"LePig"afterthemessagethatwasscrawledonthefrontdoorwithTate'sbloodbyhermurderers,andstayedtherewithMalmfor18months.Hecalledhisfirstnightin10050CieloDrive"terrifying"becausehealreadyknewitandreadbooksrelatedtotheincident.ReznorchosetheTatehousetocalibratehisengineeringskillsandthebandboughtalargeconsoleandtwoStudermachinesasresources,amovethathebelievedwascheaperthanrenting.[10] ReznorcollaboratedwithformerJane'sAddictionandPornoforPyrosdrummerStephenPerkins,progressiverockguitaristAdrianBelew,andNineInchNailsdrummerChrisVrenna.[6]Belew'sfirstvisittothestudioinvolvedplayingtheguitarpartsin"Mr.Self-Destruct",andhewastoldtoplayfreely,thinkonreactingtomelodies,concentrateonrhythm,andusenoise.ThisapproachimprovedReznor'sconfidenceintheinstrument:hefoundittobemoreexpressivethanthekeyboardduetotheinterface.[11]BelewpraisedReznorforhis"commandoftechnology,"andcommentedthatthemusicofNineInchNailsmadeinnovations"thatarein[his]realm."[12]VrennaandPerkinsplayeddrumpartsrecordedliveinthestudio;thetrackswererenderedintoloopedsamples.Reznortookasimilarapproachtorecordingguitarparts:hewouldtape20-to25-minute-longsessionsofhimselfplayingguitarsonaharddiscrecorderwiththeStudioVisionsequencer.[13] MostofthemusicwasrecordedintoaMacintoshcomputerusingaboardandmanipulatedwithmusiceditorprogramsonthecomputer.Uniqueeffectssuchasanalyzingandinvertingthefrequencywereappliedtothetrackstocreateoriginalsounds.Thebandwould"getanarrangementtogether"andconvertitintoanalogtape.[14][13]Reznorsampledexcerptsfromguitartracksandprocessedthemtothepointofrandomnessandexpression.[15]Digidesign'sTurboSynthandZoom9030effectsunitwereusedextensivelytoprocessguitartracks,ofteninconjunctionwithaMarshallJMP-1preamp;[12][13][16]Zoom9030wasalsousedtodistortvocals.[13]Acousticdrumsinvarioussettings,aswellasRoland'sTR-808andR-70drummachinesweresampledthroughmultipleAkaiS1000sandaKurzweilK2000.Additionally,VrennahadcompiledvariousmoviesamplesonDigitalAudioTapesforReznortosample.[16]OtherequipmentsandsoftwareReznorusedforrecordingthealbumincludeOberheimOB-Mx,Minimoog,ProphetVSkeyboard,EventideH3000Harmonizer,ProToolsandvariousJacksonandGibsonguitars.[12][13][16] InDecember1993,ReznorwasconfrontedbyPattiTate,whoaskedifhewasexploitingSharonTate'sdeathinthehouse.Reznorrespondedthathewasinterestedinthehouseasherdeathhappenedthere.Helatermadeastatementaboutthisencounterduringa1997interviewwithRollingStone: WhileIwasworkingon[The]DownwardSpiral,IwaslivinginthehousewhereSharonTatewaskilled.ThenonedayImethersister[PattiTate].Itwasarandomthing,justabriefencounter.Andshesaid:'Areyouexploitingmysister'sdeathbylivinginherhouse?'Forthefirsttime,thewholethingkindofslappedmeintheface.Isaid,'No,it'sjustsortofmyowninterestinAmericanfolklore.I'minthisplacewhereaweirdpartofhistoryoccurred.'Iguessitneverreallystruckmebefore,butitdidthen.Shelosthersisterfromasenseless,ignorantsituationthatIdon'twanttosupport.Whenshewastalkingtome,Irealizedforthefirsttime,'Whatifitwasmysister?'Ithought,'FuckCharlieManson.'Iwenthomeandcriedthatnight.Itmademeseethere'sanothersidetothings,youknow?[17] Flood,knownforengineeringandproducingU2andDepecheModealbums,wasemployedasco-produceronTheDownwardSpiral.ItbecamehislastcollaborationwithNineInchNailsduetocreativedifferences.[6]A"verydangerouslyself-destructive,"humorousshortsongwrittenforthealbum,"JustDoIt",wasnotincludedinthefinalversionandcriticizedbyFloodinthatReznorhad"gonetoofar."Reznorcompletedthelastsongwrittenforthealbum,"BigManwithaGun",inlate1993.[18][19]Afterthealbum'srecording,Reznormovedoutandthehousewasdemolishedshortlythereafter.[9]TheDownwardSpiralentereditsmixingandmasteringprocesses,doneatRecordPlantStudiosandA&MStudioswithAlanMoulder,whosubsequentlytookonmoreextensiveproductiondutiesforfuturealbumreleases.[20][21] Musicandlyrics[edit] "Mr.SelfDestruct"(0:27) AlbumversionfromTheDownwardSpiral "TheBecoming"(0:27) AlbumversionfromTheDownwardSpiral "Ruiner"(0:26) AlbumversionfromTheDownwardSpiral Problemsplayingthesefiles?Seemediahelp. NumerouslayersofmetaphorsarepresentthroughoutTheDownwardSpiral,leavingitopentowideinterpretation.Thealbumrelaysnihilismandisdefinedbyaprominentthemeofself-abuseandself-control.Itisasemi-autobiographicalconceptalbum,inwhichtheoverarchingplotfollowstheprotagonist'sdescentintomadnessinhisowninnersolipsisticworldthroughametaphorical"downwardspiral",dealingwithreligion,dehumanization,violence,disease,society,drugs,sex,andfinally,suicide.[22][23][24]Reznordescribedtheconceptasconsistingof"someonewhoshedseverythingaroundthemtoapotentialnothingness,butthroughcareer,religion,relationship,beliefandsoon."[8]MediajournalistslikeTheNewYorkTimeswriterJonParelesnotedthealbum'sthemeofangsthadalreadybeenusedbygrungebandslikeNirvana,andthatNineInchNails'depictionwasmoregeneralized.[25] Usingelementsofgenressuchastechno,[26]dance,[27][28]electronic,[27]heavymetal,[29]andhardrock,[30]TheDownwardSpiralisconsideredindustrialrock,[31][32][33]industrial,[34]alternativerock[35][28]andindustrialmetal.[36][37]Reznorregularlyusesnoiseanddistortioninhissongarrangementsthatdonotfollowverse–chorusform,andincorporatesdissonancewithchromaticmelodyorharmony(orboth).ThetreatmentofmetalguitarsinBrokeniscarriedovertoTheDownwardSpiral,whichincludesinnovativetechniquessuchasexpandedsongstructuresandunconventionaltimesignatures.[38][23]Thealbumfeaturesawiderangeoftexturesandmoodstoillustratethementalprogressofthecentralprotagonist.[18]Reznor'ssingingfollowsasimilarpatternfrombeginningtoend,frequentlymovingfromwhisperstoscreams.[39]Thesetechniquesareallusedinthesong"Hurt",whichfeaturesahighlydissonanttritoneplayedonguitarduringtheverses,aB5#11,emphasizedwhenReznorsingstheeleventhnoteontheword"I"everytimetheB/E#dyadisplayed.[40] "Mr.SelfDestruct",asongaboutapowerfulperson,followsabuild-upsampledfromthe1971filmTHX1138withan"industrialroar"andisaccompaniedbyanaudioloopofapinionrotating."TheBecoming"expressesthestateofbeingdeadandtheprotagonist'stransformationintoanon-humanorganism.[5][24]"Closer"concludeswithachromaticpianomotif:Themelodyisintroducedduringthesecondverseof"Piggy"onorgan,thenreappearsinpowerchordsatdropDtuningthroughoutthechorusof"Heresy",andrecursforthefinaltimeon"TheDownwardSpiral".[41]ThealbumwaschieflyinspiredbyDavidBowie'sLow,anexperimentalrockalbumwhichReznorrelatedtoonsongwriting,mood,andstructures,aswellasprogressiverockgroupPinkFloyd'sTheWall,aconceptalbumfeaturingthemesofabuse,isolation,andmentalinstability.[42] Packaging[edit] Committere,aninstallationfeaturingartworkandsketchesforTheDownwardSpiral,"Closer"and"MarchofthePigs"byRussellMillswasdisplayedattheGlasgowSchoolofArt.Millsexplainedtheideasandmaterialsthatmadeupthepainting(titled"Wound")thatwasusedforthealbum'scoverart: Ihadbeenthinkingaboutmakingworksthatdealtwithlayers,physically,materiallyandconceptually.Iwantedtoproduceworksthatwereaboutbothexposureandrevealingandatthesamedealtwithclosureandcovering.GiventhenatureofthelyricsandthepowerofthemusicIwasworkingwith,Ifeltjustifiedinattemptingtomakeworksthatalludedtotheapparentlycontradictoryimageryofpainandhealing.Iwantedtomakebeautifulsurfacesthatpartiallyrevealedthevisceralrawnessofopenwoundsbeneath.Themixedmediawork'Wound'wasthefirstpieceItackledinthisvein(nopunintended)anditbecamethecoverofthealbum.Itismadeofplaster,acrylics,oils,rustedmetals,insects,moths,blood(mine),wax,varnishes,andsurgicalbandagingonawoodenpanel.[43] Promotion[edit] Singles[edit] "MarchofthePigs"and"Closer"werereleasedassingles;twoothersongs,"Hurt"and"Piggy",wereissuedtoradiowithoutacommercialsinglerelease.[44]"MarchofthePigs"hasanunusualmeter,alternatingthreebarsof7/8timewithoneof8/8.[5]Thesong'smusicvideowasdirectedbyPeterChristophersonandwasshottwice;thefirstversionscrappedduetoReznor'sinvolvement,andthereleasedsecondversionbeingaliveperformance.[45] "Closer"featuresaheavilymodifiedbassdrumsamplefromtheIggyPopsong"Nightclubbing"fromhisalbumTheIdiot.[16]Lyrically,itisameditationonself-hatredandobsession,buttoReznor'sdismay,thesongwaswidelymisinterpretedasalustanthemduetoitschorus,whichincludedtheline"Iwannafuckyoulikeananimal".Themusicvideofor"Closer"wasdirectedbyMarkRomanekandreceivedfrequentrotationonMTV,thoughthenetworkheavilycensoredtheoriginalversion,whichtheyperceivedtobetoographic.[46]Thevideoshowseventsinalaboratorydealingwithreligion,sexuality,animalcruelty,politics,andterror;controversialimageryincludedanudebaldwomanwithacrucifixmask,amonkeytiedtoacross,apig'sheadspinningonamachine,adiagramofavulva,ReznorwearinganS&Mmaskwhileswinginginshackles,andofhimwearingaballgag.[47]Aradioeditthatpartiallycensoredthesong'sexplicitlyricsalsoreceivedextensiveairtime.[48]ThevideohassincebeenmadepartofthepermanentcollectionoftheMuseumofModernArtinNewYorkCity.[49] "Piggy"uses"nothingcanstopmenow",alinethatrecursin"Ruiner"and"BigManwithaGun".[5]Thefranticdrummingonthesong'soutroisReznor'sonlyattemptatperformingdrumsontherecord,andoneofthefew"live"drumperformancesonthealbum.Hehadstatedthattherecordingwasfromhimtestingthemicrophonesetupinstudio,buthelikedthesoundtoomuchnottoincludeit.[16]ItwasreleasedasapromotionalsingleinDecember1994andreachedtheTop20ontheBillboardModernRockTrackschart.[44] Releasedin1995,"Hurt"clearlyincludesreferencestoself-harmandheroinaddiction.[50] Tour[edit] Seealso:SelfDestructTour ReznorperformingduringtheSelfDestructtour,circa1994–1995 TheNineInchNailslivebandembarkedontheSelfDestructtourinsupportofTheDownwardSpiral.ChrisVrennaandJamesWoolleyperformeddrumsandkeyboardsrespectively,RobinFinckreplacedRichardPatrickonguitarandbassistDannyLohnerwasaddedtotheline-up.Thestageset-upconsistedofdirtycurtainswhichwouldbepulleddownandupforvisualsshownduringsongssuchas"Hurt".Thebackofthestagewaslitteredwithdarkerandstandinglights,alongwithveryfewactualones.Thetourdebutedtheband'sgrungyandmessyimageinwhichtheywouldcomeoutinraggedclothesslatheredincornstarch.Theconcertswereviolentandchaotic,withbandmembersofteninjuringthemselves.Theywouldfrequentlydestroytheirinstrumentsattheendofconcerts,attackeachother,andstage-diveintothecrowd.[51] ThetourincludedasetatWoodstock'94broadcastonpay-per-viewandseeninasmanyas24 millionhomes.Thebandbeingcoveredinmudwasaresultofpre-concertbackstageplay,contrarytothebeliefthatitwasanattention-grabbingploy,thusmakingitdifficultforReznortonavigatethestage:ReznorpushedLohnerintothemudpitastheconcertbeganandsawmudfromhishairenteringhiseyeswhileperforming.NineInchNailswaswidelyproclaimedtohave"stolentheshow"fromitspopularcontemporaries,mostlyclassicrockbands,anditsfanbaseexpanded.[52][53][54]Thebandreceivedconsiderablemainstreamsuccessthereafter,performingwithsignificantlyhigherproductionvaluesandtheadditionofvarioustheatricalvisualelements.[55]Itsperformanceof"HappinessinSlavery"fromtheWoodstockconcertearnedthegroupaGrammyAwardforBestMetalPerformancein1995.[1][56]EntertainmentWeeklycommentedabouttheband'sWoodstock'94performance:"Reznorunstringsrocktoitshorrifying,melodramaticcore—anexperienceasdrainingasitisexhilarating".[57]Despitethisacclaim,Reznorattributedhisdislikeoftheconcerttoitstechnicaldifficulties.[58] ThemainlegofthetourfeaturedMarilynMansonasthesupportingact,whofeaturedbassistJeordieWhite(thenplayingunderthepseudonym"TwiggyRamirez");WhitelaterplayedbasswithNineInchNailsfrom2005to2007.[59]AfteranothertourlegsupportingtheremixalbumFurtherDowntheSpiral,NineInchNailscontributedtotheAlternativeNationFestivalinAustraliaandsubsequentlyembarkedontheDissonanceTour,whichincluded26separateperformanceswithco-headlinerDavidBowie.NineInchNailswastheopeningactforthetour,anditssettransitionedintoBowie'ssetwithjointperformancesofbothbands'songs.[60]However,thecrowdsreportedlydidnotrespondpositivelytothepairingduetotheircreativedifferences.[61] Thetourconcludedwith"NightsofNothing",athree-nightshowcaseofperformancesfromNothingRecordsbandsMarilynManson,Prick,MeatBeatManifesto,andPopWillEatItself,whichendedwithan80-minutesetfromNineInchNails.Kerrang!describedtheNineInchNailssetduringtheNightsofNothingshowcaseas"tight,brashanddramatic",butwasdisappointedatthelackofnewmaterial.Onthesecondofthethreenights,RichardPatrickwasbrieflyreunitedwiththebandandcontributedguitartoaperformanceof"HeadLikeaHole".[62]AftertheSelfDestructtour,ChrisVrenna,memberofthelivebandsince1988andfrequentcontributortoNineInchNailsstudiorecordings,lefttheactpermanentlytopursueacareerinproducingandtoformTweaker.[63][64] Releaseandreception[edit] ContemporaryprofessionalreviewsReviewscoresSourceRatingChicagoTribune[65]EntertainmentWeeklyB+[66]LosAngelesTimes[67]NME4/10[68]RollingStone[69]USAToday[70] TheDownwardSpiral'sreleasedatewasdelayedatvarioustimestoslowdownReznor'sintendedpaceofthealbum'srecording.ThefirstdelaycausedtheprocessofsettingupLePigtotakelongerthanheexpected,anditsreleasewaspostponedagainashewaseducatinghimselfdifferentwaystowritesongsthatdidnotresemblethoseonBrokenandPrettyHateMachine.HeconsidereddeliveringthealbumtoInterscopeinearly1993,onlytoexperienceawriter'sblockashewasunabletoproduceanysatisfactorymaterial.Interscopegrewimpatientandconcernedwiththisprogress,butReznorwasnotforcedbytheirdemandsofexpediencydespitecreditingthelabelforgivinghimcreativefreedom.HetoldrockmusicproducerRickRubinthathismotivationforcreatingthealbumwastogetitfinished,thusRubinrespondedthatReznormightnotdosountilhemakesmusicthatisallowedtobeheard.Reznorrealizedthathewasinthemostfortunatesituationheimaginedwhenthealbumwasrecordedwithanormalbudget,"cool"equipment,andastudiotoworkat.[1] ReleasedonMarch8,1994,toinstantsuccess,[1]TheDownwardSpiraldebutedatnumbertwoontheUSBillboard200,sellingnearly119,000copiesinitsfirstweek.[71]OnOctober28,1998,theRecordingIndustryAssociationofAmerica(RIAA)certifiedthealbumquadrupleplatinum,[72]andbyDecember2011,ithadsold3.7 millioncopiesintheUnitedStates.[73]ThealbumpeakedatnumbernineontheUKAlbumsChart,[74]andonJuly22,2013,itwascertifiedgoldbytheBritishPhonographicIndustry(BPI),denotingshipmentsinexcessof100,000copiesintheUnitedKingdom.[75]Itreachednumber13ontheCanadianRPMalbumschart[76]andreceivedatripleplatinumcertificationfromtheCanadianRecordingIndustryAssociation(CRIA)forshipping200,000copiesinCanada.[77]Agroupofearlylistenersofthealbumvieweditas"commercialsuicide",butReznordidnotmakeitforprofitashisgoalwastoslightlybroadenNineInchNails'scope.ReznorfeltthatthefinishedproducthedeliveredtoInterscopewascompleteandfaithfultohisvisionandthoughtitscommercialpotentialwaslimited,butafteritsreleasehewassurprisedbythesuccessandreceivedquestionsaboutafollow-upsinglewithamusicvideotobeshownonMTV.[78]Thealbumhassincesoldoverfourmillioncopiesworldwide.[79] ManymusiccriticsandaudiencespraisedTheDownwardSpiralforitsabrasive,eclecticnatureanddarkthemesandcommentedontheconceptofadestructionofaman.[1]TheNewYorkTimeswriterJonPareles'reviewofthealbumfoundthemusictobehighlyabrasive.Parelesassertedthatunlikeotherelectro-industrialgroupslikeMinistryandNitzerEbb,"Reznorwritesfull-fledgedtunes"withstrongeruseofmelodiesthanriffs.HenoticedcriticismsofNineInchNailsfromindustrialpuristsforpopularizingthegenreandthealbum'stransgression.[25]VillageVoicecriticRobertChristgaugaveitan"honorablemention"inhiscapsulereviewcolumnandsummedtherecordupas,"musically,HieronymusBoschaspostindustrialatheist;lyrically,Transformersaskiddieporn."[80]JonathanGold,writingforRollingStone,likenedthealbumtocyberpunkfiction.[69]EntertainmentWeeklyreviewerTomSinclaircommented:"Reznor'spettopics(sex,power,S&M,hatred,transcendence)areallhere,wrappedinhooksthathityourpsychewiththeforceofablowtorch."[66] Accolades[edit] TheDownwardSpiralhasbeenlistedonseveralpublications'bestalbumlists.In2003,thealbumwasrankednumber200onRollingStonemagazine'slistofThe500GreatestAlbumsofAllTime,[81]thenwasre-ranked201ina2012revisedlist.[82]TheRollingStonestaffwrote:"Holingupintheone-timehomeofManson-familyvictimSharonTate,TrentReznormadeanoverpoweringmeditationonNIN'scentraltheme:control."[82]Itmovedupto122onthemagazine'srevisedlistin2020.[83]Thealbumwasplaced10thonSpin's125BestAlbumsofthePast25Yearslist;theSpinstaffquotedAnnPowers'reviewthatappreciateditsbleak,aggressivestyle.[84]Itwasrankednumber488inthebookTheTop500HeavyMetalAlbumsofAllTimebyheavymetalmusiccriticMartinPopoff.[85]In2001,QnamedTheDownwardSpiralasoneofthe50HeaviestAlbumsofAllTime;[86]in2010,thealbumwasrankednumber102ontheir250BestAlbumsofQ'sLifetime(1986–2011)list.[87]TheDownwardSpiralwasfeaturedinRobertDimery'sbook1001AlbumsYouMustHearBeforeYouDie.[88]InMay2014,LoudwireplacedTheDownwardSpiralatnumbertwoonits"10BestHardRockAlbumsof1994"list.[89]InJuly2014,GuitarWorldplacedTheDownwardSpiralatnumber43intheir"Superunknown:50IconicAlbumsThatDefined1994"list.[90] Legacy[edit] RetrospectiveprofessionalreviewsReviewscoresSourceRatingAllMusic[23]Blender[91]Christgau'sConsumerGuide[92]EncyclopediaofPopularMusic[93]TheGreatRockDiscography8/10[94]Mojo[95]Pitchfork8.3/10[28]PopMatters9/10[41]TheRollingStoneAlbumGuide[96]SpinAlternativeRecordGuide9/10[97] TheimmediatesuccessofTheDownwardSpiralestablishedNineInchNailsasareputableforceinthe1990s.Theband'simageandmusicalstylebecamesorecognizablethataGatoradecommercialfeaturedaremixof"DowninIt"withouttheirinvolvement.Reznorfeltuncomfortablewiththemediahypeandsuccessthebandearned,receivedfalsereportsofhisdeath,depression,andwasfalselyreportedtohavehadarelationshipwithserialkillerJeffreyDahmer,andwasdepictedasasexiconduetohisvisualappearance.[98]NineInchNailsreceivedseveralhonors,includingGrammyAwardnominationsforBestAlternativePerformanceforTheDownwardSpiralandBestRockSongfor"Hurt".[99]AfterthereleaseofTheDownwardSpiral,manybandssuchasGravityKills,StabbingWestward,Filter,andMötleyCrüemadealbumsthatimitatedthesoundofNineInchNails.[100][101] ReznorinterpretedTheDownwardSpiralasanextensionofhimselfthat"becamethetruthfulfillingitself,"asheexperiencedpersonalandsocialissuespresentedinthealbumafteritsrelease.Hehadalreadystruggledwithsocialanxietydisorderanddepressionandstartedhisabuseofnarcoticsincludingcocainewhilehewentonanalcoholbinge.[102]Aroundthistime,hisstudioperfectionism,[103]struggleswithaddiction,andboutsofwriter'sblockprolongedtheproductionofTheFragile,andReznorcompletedrehabilitationfromdrugsin2001.[102][104] OneyearafterTheDownwardSpiral’srelease,thebandreleasedanaccompanyingremixalbumtitledFurtherDowntheSpiral.ItfeaturescontributionsfromCoilwithDannyHyde,J.G.Thirlwell,electronicmusicianAphexTwin,producerRickRubin,andJane'sAddictionguitaristDaveNavarro.[105]Thealbumpeakedatnumber23ontheBillboard200andreceivedmixedreviews.[106][107]Recoiled,aremixEPof"GaveUp","Closer","TheDownwardSpiral",and"Eraser"byCoil,wasreleasedonFebruary24,2014,viaBritishrecordlabelColdSpring.[108] RetrospectivereviewsregardTheDownwardSpiralasoneofthemostimportantalbumsofthe1990sandReznor'sgreatestwork.The2004editionofTheNewRollingStoneAlbumGuidegavethealbumfiveoutoffivestarsandcalledit"apowerfulstatement,andoneofthelandmarkalbumsoftheNineties."[96]WritingforEntertainmentWeekly,KyleAndersonrememberedwatchingthemusicvideoof"Closer"onMTVasanadolescentandexpressedthatthealbumchangedhisperceptionofpopularmusicfromthatofsongsheardontheradiotoalbumswithcoverart.[109]Stereogum'sTomBreihanremainsfavorabletowardthealbumsinceitis"theonethatmostfullyinhabits"NineInchNails'characteristicsandinfluencedyouthculture,withteenagerswearingrippedfishnetsontheirarms.[101]Thealbumwasalsoincludedinthebook1001AlbumsYouMustHearBeforeYouDie.[110]AccordingtoAcclaimedMusic,itisthe162ndmostacclaimedalbum,basedonappearancesincritics'all-timelists.[94] Controversies[edit] "BigManwithaGun"lyrics[edit] TheDownwardSpiral'semphasisontransgressivethemesdrewcriticismfromAmericansocialconservatives.SenatorBobDole,thentheheadoftheRepublicanParty,sharplydenouncedTimeWarner,theformerownerofInterscope'sformerparentcompanyWarnerMusicGroup,afterameetingbetweenMichaelJ.Fuchs(headofWMG),WilliamBennett,andC.DeloresTucker.Duringthemeeting,TuckerandBennettdemandedthatFuchsrecitelyricsfrom"BigManwithaGun".[111]InterscopehadpreviouslybeenblamedforreleasinggangstarapalbumsbyrapperssuchasDr.Dre,TupacShakur,andSnoopDoggthatweredeemedobjectionable.ReznorcalledTucker(whoerroneouslyreferredtoNineInchNailsasagangstarapact)"suchafuckingidiot",andclaimedthatthesongwasactuallyasatireofthegangstarapgenreasawholeandwasoriginallyaboutmadness.ReznorconcededTheDownwardSpiralcouldbe"harmful,throughimplyingandsubliminallysuggestingthings",whereashardcorehiphopcouldbe"cartoonish".[2][112]RobertBorkalsorepeatedlyreferenced"BigManwithaGun"inhisbookSlouchingTowardGomorrahasevidenceofaculturaldecline.Thebookalsoincorrectlystatesthatitisarapsong.[113] AllegedcontributiontotheColumbineshooting[edit] AnotherformoftheDownwardSpiral ...deeper&deeperitgoes.tocuddlew.her,tobeonew.her,tolove;justlayingthere.Ineedagun.Thisisaweirdentry ...Ishouldfeelhappy,butshitbroughtmedown. DylanKleboldfromoneofhisjournalstwoyearsbeforetheshooting. BeforetheColumbineHighSchoolmassacre,perpetratorDylanKleboldreferencedlyricsfromNineInchNailssongsmultipletimesinhisjournal.KleboldheavilyidentifiedwiththeprotagonistofTheDownwardSpiralasasymbolofhisowndepression.[114]OnMay4,1999,ahearingonthemarketinganddistributionpracticesofviolentcontenttominorsbythetelevision,music,film,andvideogameindustrieswasconductedbeforetheUnitedStatesSenateCommitteeonCommerce,ScienceandTransportation.[115]Thecommitteeheardtestimonyfromculturalobservers,professors,andmentalhealthprofessionals,thatincludedconservativeWilliamBennettandtheArchbishopofDenver,ReverendCharlesJ.Chaput.[115]Participantscriticizedthealbum,NineInchNails'label-mateMarilynManson,andthe1999filmTheMatrixfortheirallegedcontributiontotheenvironmentthatmadeincidentslikeColumbinepossible.[115]ThecommitteerequestedthattheFederalTradeCommissionandtheUnitedStatesDepartmentofJusticeinvestigatetheentertainmentindustry'smarketingpracticestominors.[115][116] iPhoneapplicationrefusal[edit] In2009,ApplerejectedaproposalforaNineInchNailsiPhoneapplication,citingobjectionablecontentinthetitletrack.Dayslater,Applereversedthedecision,butrefusedtoexplainitsreasoning.[117] Tracklisting[edit] Originalrelease[edit] AlltracksarewrittenbyTrentReznor.No.TitleLength1."Mr.SelfDestruct"4:312."Piggy"4:243."Heresy"3:544."MarchofthePigs"2:595."Closer"6:146."Ruiner"4:587."TheBecoming"5:318."IDoNotWantThis"5:419."BigManwithaGun"1:3610."AWarmPlace"3:2311."Eraser"4:5312."Reptile"6:5213."TheDownwardSpiral"3:5814."Hurt"6:16Totallength:65:02 Notes Theopeningsoundsof"Mr.SelfDestruct"areasamplefromthefilmTHX1138inwhichamanisbeingbeatenbyaprisonguard.[24] Thesampleofscreamsthatplaysthroughout"TheBecoming"isfromthefilmRobotJox,whenagiantrobotfallsonacrowdofspectators.[118] Thesampleatthebeginningof"BigManwithaGun"comesfromastudio-alteredrecordingofapornstarhavinganorgasm.Accordingtothealbumbooklet,this"sample"istitled"Steakhouse"andiscreditedtoTommyLee.[21] JapanesepressingsofthealbumcontainacoverofJoyDivision'ssong"DeadSouls",originallyincludedonthesoundtracktothefilmTheCrow.Thetrackisplacedinbetween"BigManwithaGun"and"AWarmPlace".[119][120] Thebreakin"Reptile"containsanaudiosample(startingat5:06)ofawomanfallingdownahillfromthe1974filmTheTexasChainSawMassacre.[121] ThefirstAustralianpressinghastracklengtherrors.Affectedtracksdonotplayattheirbeginningswhenselectedindividually("BigManwithaGun"hasthebeginningof"AWarmPlace"tackedon,likewiseallthesongsupto"Hurt"start41secondsearlierthantheyshould."Hurt"itselfhas44secondsofsilenceontheendasaresult);however,thediscplaysandflowscorrectlyasawhole.[122] Deluxeedition(Halo8DE)[edit] Tomarkthealbum'stenthanniversary,TheDownwardSpiralwasre-releasedonNovember23,2004,inhigh-resolutionSACDandDualDiscformats.Disconeofthealbum'sdeluxeeditionre-releaseisnearlyidenticaltotheoriginalversion;trackanomaliessuchassoundsfromprevioustrackscreepinguponstartoftracksarefixed,anditincludesastereoandmulti-channelSACDlayer.ThesecondbonusdiscisacollectionofremixesandB-sidesandalsoincludesastereoSACDlayerinadditiontotheRedbookCDlayer.Thelastthreetracksonthebonusdiscarepreviouslyunreleaseddemorecordingsfromtheoriginalalbum.[123][124] AlltracksarewrittenbyTrentReznor,except"DeadSouls"byJoyDivisionand"Memorabilia"bySoftCell.BonusdiscNo.TitleLength1."Burn"(fromNaturalBornKillers)4:582."Closer(Precursor)"(from"ClosertoGod")7:173."Piggy(NothingCanStopMeNow)"(fromFurtherDowntheSpiral)4:024."AVioletFluid"(from"MarchofthePigs")1:045."DeadSouls"(fromTheCroworJapaneseEdition)4:546."Hurt(Quiet)"(fromFurtherDowntheSpiral,USversion)5:097."ClosertoGod"(from"ClosertoGod")5:068."AllthePigs,AllLinedUp"(from"MarchofthePigs")7:269."Memorabilia"(from"ClosertoGod")7:2110."TheDownwardSpiral(TheBottom)"(fromFurtherDowntheSpiral)7:3311."Ruiner"(Demo)4:5112."Liar"(ReptileDemo)6:5613."Heresy"(Demo)4:01Totallength:70:38 DualDisc(Halo8DVD-A) TheDualDisceditionofTheDownwardSpiralcontainsthesameCDcontentonSideAastheDeluxeEdition,withaDVD-AudiolayeronSideB.WhenplayedonDVD-VideoplayersaDolbyDigital5.1multi-channelorDolbyDigital2.0stereomixofTheDownwardSpiralcanbeselected,alongwithvideosof"MarchofthePigs","Hurt"andanuncensoredvideoof"Closer".Thereisalsoaninteractivediscographyandanimagegallery.Highresolution24-bit/48 kHz5.1SurroundsoundandstereoversionsofTheDownwardSpiralcanbeplayedonaDVD-Audioplayer,allowingtheuserasimilarhighfidelityexperienceastheSACDlayeroftheDeluxeEdition.TheDualDiscreleasedoesnotcontaintheadditionalB-sidesanddemotracks.[123][124][125] Personnel[edit] CreditsadaptedfromthelinernotesofTheDownwardSpiral.[21] TrentReznor–vocals,allinstruments,drums(on"Piggy"),arranger,producer Mark"Flood"Ellis–producer,hi-hat(on"Closer"),ARP2600synthesizer(on"TheBecoming") ChrisVrenna–drums(on"Hurt"),programming,sampling,additionaldrums(on"Burn") AdrianBelew–texturegeneratingguitar(on"Mr.SelfDestruct"),ringmodguitar(on"TheBecoming") DannyLohner–additionalguitar(on"BigManwithaGun") AndyKubiszewski–drums(on"TheDownwardSpiral") StephenPerkins–drumloops(on"IDoNotWantThis") CharlieClouser–programming,continuity JohnAguto–engineer BrianPollack–engineer SeanBeavan–mixing BillKennedy–mixing AlanMoulder–mixing TomBaker–mastering BobLudwig–high-resolutionmastering(reissue) JamesBrown–5.1mix(reissue) NealFerrazzani–assistance(reissue) RussellMills–paintings DavidBuckland–photography GaryTalpas–package RobSheridan–package,additionalphotography(reissue) Charts[edit] Weeklycharts[edit] Chart(1994) Peakposition AustralianAlbums(ARIA)[126] 12 CanadaTopAlbums/CDs(RPM)[76] 13 EuropeanAlbums(Music&Media)[127] 38 FinnishAlbums(Suomenvirallinenlista)[128] 34 NewZealandAlbums(RMNZ)[129] 23 SwedishAlbums(Sverigetopplistan)[130] 33 UKAlbums(OCC)[74] 9 USBillboard200[106] 2 Year-endcharts[edit] Chart(1994) Position CanadaTopAlbums/CDs(RPM)[131] 92 USBillboard200[132] 59 Chart(1995) Position USBillboard200[133] 69 Certifications[edit] Region Certification Certifiedunits/sales Australia(ARIA)[134] Gold 35,000^ Canada(MusicCanada)[77] 3×Platinum 300,000^ UnitedKingdom(BPI)[75] Gold 100,000^ UnitedStates(RIAA)[72] 4×Platinum 3,700,000[73] ^Shipmentsfiguresbasedoncertificationalone. 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Externallinks[edit] Albumreview—ByAbsolutePunk Albumreview—ByAlternativePress vteNineInchNails TrentReznor AtticusRoss Studioalbums PrettyHateMachine TheDownwardSpiral TheFragile WithTeeth YearZero GhostsI–IV TheSlip HesitationMarks BadWitch GhostsV:Together GhostsVI:Locusts Extendedplays Broken Fixed Live2013EP Remix2014EP NottheActualEvents AddViolence Livereleases Closure AndAllThatCouldHaveBeen BesideYouinTime Remixalbums FurtherDowntheSpiral ThingsFallingApart YearZeroRemixed Boxsets HaloI–IV Singles "DowninIt" "HeadLikeaHole" "Sin" "MarchofthePigs" "Closer" "ThePerfectDrug" "TheDaytheWorldWentAway" "We'reinThisTogether" "IntotheVoid" "TheHandThatFeeds" "Only" "EveryDayIsExactlytheSame" "Survivalism" "CapitalG" "Discipline" "CameBackHaunted" "Copyofa" "Everything" "LessThan" "GodBreakDowntheDoor" Promotionalsingles "HappinessinSlavery" "Wish" "Burn" "Piggy" "Hurt" "Starfuckers,Inc." "Deep" Othersongs "SomethingICanNeverHave" "GaveUp" "Mr.SelfDestruct" "JustLikeYouImagined" "AlltheLoveintheWorld" Compilations LightsintheSky:OverNorthAmerica2008TourSampler NINJA2009TourSampler TheFragile:Deviations1 Games Quake YearZero NineInchNailsRevenge Tours Self-Destruct Dissonance Fragility Performance2007 TwentyThirteen TouringmembersCurrent RobinFinck AlessandroCortini IlanRubin FormerGuitaristsandbassists RichardPatrick DannyLohner JeordieWhite AaronNorth RichFownes JustinMeldal-Johnsen JoshuaEustis PinoPalladino EricAvery AdrianBelew Drummers JeffWard ChrisVrenna JeromeDillon JoshFreese AlexCarapetis Keyboardists JamesWoolley CharlieClouser Backingvocalists LisaFischer RelatedBands Option30 TheInnocent ExoticBirds LuckyPierre Prick Pigface Tapeworm MarilynManson HowtoDestroyAngels Filter Jane'sAddiction QueensoftheStoneAge People MariqueenMaandig JohnMalmJr. MarilynManson KevinMcMahon RussellMills RobSheridan GaryTalpas Albumsandsongs NaturalBornKillers LostHighway "OldTownRoad" "OnaRoll" PrettyEightMachine RadiantDecay Recoiled IfICan'tHaveLove,IWantPower Articles Discography Songsrecorded TrentReznordiscography Awardsandnominations Bandmembers Liveperformances Concerttours NothingRecords Broken(film) BeatsMusic "I'mAfraidofAmericans" AnotherVersionoftheTruth 10050CieloDrive "Rachel,JackandAshleyToo" TwinPeaks:TheReturn TwinPeaks:MusicfromtheLimitedEventSeries Category Authoritycontrol MusicBrainzreleasegroup Retrievedfrom"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Downward_Spiral&oldid=1073325204" Categories:1994albumsAlbumsproducedbyFlood(producer)AlbumsproducedbyTrentReznorAlbumsrecordedatA&MStudiosAlbumsrecordedatRecordPlant(LosAngeles)ConceptalbumsInterscopeRecordsalbumsNineInchNailsalbumsNothingRecordsalbumsObscenitycontroversiesinmusicAlbumswithcoverartbyRussellMills(artist)AlbumsrecordedinahomestudioHiddencategories:CS1maint:othersinciteAVmedia(notes)CitecertificationusedforUnitedKingdomwithoutIDCS1Finnish-languagesources(fi)GoodarticlesUsemdydatesfromDecember2020ArticleswithshortdescriptionShortdescriptionisdifferentfromWikidataArticleswithhAudiomicroformatsAlbumchartusagesforAustraliaAlbumchartusagesforCanadaAlbumchartusagesforNewZealandAlbumchartusagesforSwedenAlbumchartusagesforUK2AlbumchartusagesforBillboard200CertificationTableEntryusagesforAustraliaPagesusingcertificationTableEntrywithshipmentsfiguresCertificationTableEntryusagesforCanadaCertificationTableEntryusagesforUnitedKingdomCertificationTableEntryusagesforUnitedStatesPagesusingcertificationTableEntrywithshipmentsfootnoteArticleswithMusicBrainzreleasegroupidentifiers Navigationmenu Personaltools NotloggedinTalkContributionsCreateaccountLogin Namespaces ArticleTalk English expanded collapsed Views ReadEditViewhistory More expanded collapsed Search Navigation MainpageContentsCurrenteventsRandomarticleAboutWikipediaContactusDonate Contribute HelpLearntoeditCommunityportalRecentchangesUploadfile Tools WhatlinkshereRelatedchangesUploadfileSpecialpagesPermanentlinkPageinformationCitethispageWikidataitem Print/export DownloadasPDFPrintableversion Languages ČeštinaDeutschEspañolFrançaisGalego한국어BahasaIndonesiaItalianoLatviešuMagyar日本語PolskiPortuguêsРусскийSuomiSvenskaTürkçeУкраїнська Editlinks