There are very few heavy bands that back up what they're trying to say. Modern day 'metal' bands have gone so commercial that it's hard to find the difference between them and, say, Britney Spears.
Beneath the hate and anger, Trent Reznor has a feeling for music. That feeling has no better showcase than The Downward Spiral.

It's very clever. It works as a whole. A mixture of loud guitars, intoxicating electronics and putrid lyrics, it comes across like a splash of vomit. And, of course, it comes across perfectly when you're feeling angry.

Reznor's music doesn't depend on his vocals, but he gets away with it most of the time. Unlike someone like Billy Corgan, Reznor's voice is flat, undemanding and plain stating. It all comes with the whole industrial thing. Modern day machines tugging along at the beat of a factory. Music must be behind in ideas, because this kind of thing was exploited by the Futurists in the 1910s.

As I said, it's really an album rather than individual songs. There are techno works (Heresy), groundbreaking songs (Closer), and instrumental reflections (A Warm Place). Without doubt it is one of the true originals of the 90s and one of the best. The Downward Spiral doesn't make for comfortable listens. It makes for a decent brain cell battering.

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4/5