Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral

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Genre:	Rock
Style:	Industrial Metal
Year:	1994

Tracklist

		Mr Self Destruct	4:30
		Piggy	4:25
		Heresy	3:54
		March Of The Pigs	2:59
		Closer	6:13
		Ruiner	4:58
		The Becoming	5:32
		I Do Not Want This	5:41
		Big Man With A Gun	1:36
		A Warm Place	3:23
		Eraser	4:54
		Reptile	6:52
		The Downward Spiral	3:57
		Hurt	6:14

Credits (34)

Gary Talpas
Artwork [Package]
Artists & Audience
Booking
Gerry Gerrard (2)
Booking
Gary Talpas
Design [Package]
Charlie Clo
Edited By [Continuity]
Chris Vrenna
Edited By [Continuity]

Notes

This is the second studio album from Nine Inch Nails and their most commercially successful. It reached number 2 in the Billboard Top 200 and produced four singles: "March of the Pigs", "Closer", "Piggy" (radio only), and "Hurt" (radio only).

Album sales: 4,000,000
First release date: March 1994

CD version has non-standard packaging: it came in a CD single-type slim jewel case with an external booklet, all housed in a slipcase.

Japanese CD contains a bonus track, "Dead Souls", originally released on soundtrack Various - The Crow (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).

Versions

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178 versions

Image	,	–			In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory	Version Details	Data Quality
	The Downward Spiral LP, Picture Disc, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release	Nothing Records (4) – 522 126-2 PLP		1994	1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral 2×LP, Album, Gatefold	Nothing Records – 522 126-1	UK	1994	UK — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral 2×LP, Album, Promo, Gatefold	TVT Records – PR 5509	US	1994	US — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Slipcase	TVT Records – 74321 19348 2	Europe	1994	Europe — 1994
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, SR, ooooooo, Dolby HX Pro, S NR	TVT Records – 7 92346-4	US	1994	US — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Slipcase	Atlantic – 6544923462	Australia	1994	Australia — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Slipcase	Atlantic – 7 92346-2	US	1994	US — 1994
	The Downward Spiral LP, Album, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Red	Not On Label (Nine Inch Nails) – IS 2509 TP	UK	1994	UK — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral (Clean Version) CDr, Album, Promo	Chop 'Em Out – none	UK	1994	UK — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album	MCA Music Entertainment Ltd – 92346-2	South Korea	1994	South Korea — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album	MCA Records – BMGMM-4360	South Korea	1994	South Korea — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Club Edition, Slipcase, Specialty Records Pressing	TVT Records – 92346-2	US	1994	US — 1994
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Slipcase, PDO Pressing	Island Records – 522 126-2	UK	1994	UK — 1994
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Reissue, Slipcase	Atlantic – CD 92346	Canada	1994	Canada — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Slipcase	TVT Records – 6544923462	Australia	1994	Australia — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral 2×LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Green	TVT Records (3) – 522 126-1	Europe	1994	Europe — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral 2×LP, Album, Gatefold	TVT Records – 74321 19348 1	Netherlands	1994	Netherlands — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Mixed	TVT Records – 522 126-4	UK	1994	UK — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Slipcase	Nothing Records – CID 8012	Europe	1994	Europe — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Slipcase	TVT Records – INTC-92346	Canada	1994	Canada — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, CR Pressing	Atlantic – 79 23464	Canada	1994	Canada — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Club Edition	TVT Records – INTC-92346	US	1994	US — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album	Nothing Records – INC923462	Thailand	1994	Thailand — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album	TVT Records – 79 23464	Canada	1994	Canada — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album	TVT Records – 6544923464	Australia & New Zealand	1994	Australia & New Zealand — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Promo	BMG – none		1994	— 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album	Interscope Records – 92346-4	Thailand	1994	Thailand — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Promo	Island Records – none	UK	1994	UK — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, SR, \|\|\|O\|\|\|, Dolby HX Pro, S NR	TVT Records – 7 92346-4	US	1994	US — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Club Edition	Atlantic – 92346-4	US	1994	US — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Slipcase	Interscope Records – AMCY-674	Japan	1994	Japan — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album	Atlantic – 7654492346-2	Malaysia	1994	Malaysia — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album	Warner Bros. Records – 92346-2	South Korea	1994	South Korea — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral LP, Album, Unofficial Release	Not On Label (Nine Inch Nails) – plp 522426	Mexico	1994	Mexico — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral 2×LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Purple	TVT Records (3) – 522 126-1	Europe	1994	Europe — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Promo, Slipcase	Interscope Records – AMCY-674	Japan	1994	Japan — 1994	Recently Edited
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Unofficial Release	Always Records – ALR 098	Russia	1994	Russia — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album, Promo	Atlantic – 92346-4	US	1994	US — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral CD, Album, Unofficial Release	Interscope Records (2) – none	Russia	1994	Russia — 1994	New Submission
	The Downward Spiral Cassette, Album	TVT Records – 92346-4	Malaysia	1994	Malaysia — 1994	New Submission

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Reviews

badasscat1 May 21, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album, Remastered, SACD, Hybrid, Stereo, Compilation, All Media, Deluxe Edition, 10th Anniversary Edition) B0003739-36

The back of my slipcase has a sticker that says "Disc Made in Austria" but it is clearly this pressing (SACD logo on discs, plastic slipcase, IFPI 94A8 and Sony DADC on both discs). So that could be another identifier. The sticker is obviously meant to be taken off as it has a little thumb tab for removal, but I just never removed it. Anyway, great sounding SACD and a great multi-channel demo too.
ykittori Mar 18, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (2×LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Gatefold, 180g) 602465089943

Numbered copy of 1601 - sounds bloody good, mine arrived with no warps, dead quiet and great dynamics! Overall pleased with the quality.
ninfan74 Mar 2, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (2×LP, Album, Promo, Gatefold) STPR 5509

If I could rate this higher than 5 stars I would. Soundstage is super wide and the low end just crushes. Hearing the drums hit from all over just sounds intense. If you can afford a copy of this, do it. It's how this album was meant to sound.
G-Dollaz Feb 26, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (2×LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition) 602445269051

Damn, according to pretty much every other comment on this variant, I’m apparently the only person who doesn’t despise the look of this artwork.

I personally couldn’t care less about it being GUCCI related, I just like how it reminds me of another depraved and animalistic record that is dear to my heart; “Filth” by Swans.
nochain Feb 25, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (2×LP, Album, Promo, Gatefold) STPR 5509

My copy loops at a couple places on Hurt. Could this be a needle problem? The record looks fine to my eye and otherwise sounds amazing.
Dontoy Feb 23, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (2×LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Gatefold, Definitive Edition, 180g) B0025683-01

Hands down the best pressing I own. I absolutely love how this sounds.
TReitan Feb 1, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (2×LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Gatefold, Definitive Edition, 180g) B0025683-01

A stunning presentation of this “album of all albums” on vinyl. However, the Japanese SHM-CD is still the best sounding version of this album in existence..
TReitan Feb 1, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (CD, Album, Limited Edition, Promo, Reissue, Slipcase, SHM-CD) UICY-91220

The absolute definitive version of this legendary album, as far as sound goes..

I have listened to this album endlessly and more than any other album in existence, in virtually every format or version available, and this is hands-down the best sounding of them all. Better than the SACD from 2004, and better than the definitive edition the band released on vinyl in 2017.

If you don’t have the proper equipment to listen to it on though, you won’t get the full sonic experience the SHM provides; you have to be willing to pony up the money in order to understand.

As a hardcore NIN/TR acolyte who owns everything they’ve ever released, this is an absolutely stunning sound presentation in every sense of the word. This album has never sounded better, nor will it likely ever.
TReitan Feb 1, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (CD, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, SHM-CD) UICY-91220

The absolute definitive version of this legendary album, as far as sound goes..

I have listened to this album endlessly and more than any other album in existence, in virtually every format or version available, and this is hands-down the best sounding of them all. Better than the SACD from 2004, and better than the definitive edition the band released on vinyl in 2017.

If you don’t have the proper equipment to listen to it on though, you won’t get the full sonic experience the SHM provides; you have to be willing to pony up the money in order to understand.

As a hardcore NIN/TR acolyte who owns everything they’ve ever released, this is an absolutely stunning sound presentation in every sense of the word. This album has never sounded better, nor will it likely ever.
TReitan Feb 1, 2025
referencing The Downward Spiral (2×LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition) 602445269051

Artwork so laughably awful, I wouldn’t wipe my ass with it, let alone pay actual money for a copy 😂😂😂