One of the best songs of all time. It's basically perfect, i don't give a shit if it's their most famous song, it's one of those songs where there's a reason why they are well known.
Agreed, that Ruiner is the best song on the album. Adrian Belew's (ex-King Crimson) guitar solo late is such a nice touch, too, just as catchy as the rest of the song, but tripper in the sense that you can just lose yourself in it for awhile.
Hey Brad if its any interest to you, Chris Vrenna, NIN's drummer was my audio software teacher in college and he told us all about the recording of this album. The band was living in the Sharon Tate house for the two years they were writing and recording this album. They would be visited occasionally by Manson cultists who would take pictures of the house. They'd also be visited by fans of the band and they'd have a beer or do some coke. The whole pig motif on the album comes from the images of the Sharon Tate house taken on the crime scene right after Tate's murder, when the cultists had used her blood to write things on the door and walls calling the police Pigs, and I believe they also left a severed pig head behind.
And one of Sharon Tate’s relatives came and called him out on it cuz it was insensitive since a woman literally died, and he felt guilty and he moved to a different studio
@Jackpatkinson4 But he still took the door from the house and used it as the front door for the new studio that he built, so he probably didn't really feel that guilty
Mr Self Destruct - 1:26 Piggy - 4:29 Heresy - 5:56 March Of The Pigs - 7:27 Closer - 8:55 Ruiner - 13:59 The Becoming - 16:41 I cannot wait for your reaction to Eraser, one of the most intense songs I’ve ever heard
Closer is legit one of the best thing that NIN has ever produced. Trent's writing and production are menacing and dark that you want to listen to it again and again. Glad you're fucking with it.
@@arshsabir yes, at that time brad hadn't heard closer, and since it was the second highest rated song in the album he just brushed the request off... tho... it would've been funny if he actually indulged the commenter and listened to it, it would've been a hilarious moment in that video
Ruiner is a masterpiece track. I have a friend who said that when he heard that sort of grand organ/bagpipe sound prior to the chorus, he said it felt like a demon opening up his wings. I have never heard the song the same after that. This album saved my life. Thanks for sharing.
Mr. Self Destruct sounds like nasty, burnt film, rushing, rolling and playing at double speed, flashing horrific images at you faster than you can register what they are as each frame flies past your eyes.
The intro to Mr self destruct is literally the sound of a spiral.....drop a marble along the outside edge of a funnel and it will keep Pace with the intro ☠️
One of these days I was like "The Becoming sounds like Dante's Inferno" and then it hit me that Dante's Inferno has 9 circles which are set in a, you guessed it, Downward Spiral.
The Downward Spiral is one of the few albums where its ear-shredding abrasiveness and “hard-to-listen-to” qualities are actually positives and contribute to the album listening experience in a positive manner. Fantastic album. I could definitely understand why someone wouldn’t like it though.
Honestly, Pretty Hate Machine, Downward Spiral, and The Fragile feel like a connected experience to me. With Broken serving as the backdrop. After that With Teeth feels like a breath of air after spending the entire time in these dark masterpieces.
The Becoming is one of the most insanely produced tracks ever made. So glad you’re reacting to this man. The Fragile will also blow you away if you choose to do that one as well.
@@sirllamalot1980That freaky processed breathing and moaning over the perfectly clean acoustic guitar passages is such a good contrast, dude. Ugh, I love this album.
I love this album, but I definitely have to be in a good headspace to listen to it, because it can get really difficult to listen to some of these tracks if you’re not in a good place mentally
surprisingly i'm the opposite. this album has so much power over my mood that i literally cannot listen to it when i feel good. when i'm doing really bad this album is almost comforting in a fucked up way. i definitely understand how it can have the opposite effect depending on the person though. that's one of the things i like about it.
@@joaquin5929 I remember listening to Eraser for the first time, and it was one of the few songs that genuinely reduced me to tears because of how distraught and broken it sounded. Something really powerful. This whole album is close to my heart and helped me get through a difficult time in my life.
their first album pretty hate machine is one of the only albums where i never have the urge to skip any song at any moment. super innovative grooves, great lyrics that have lots of codependent themes that sum up all the most toxic and real thoughts he was having at the time with his relationships.
not even Down In It, or That's What I get? Cus TWIG is kinda boring, and I love PHM, but Down in it has the RAIN RIAN GO AWAY COME AGAIN SOME OTHER DAY
if i had to choose a worst song, i would probably pick that's what i get. and i like down in it. there are too many highlights on the album for those small parts to bring it down
Trent may have his moments on that album but you can’t deny how much the album slaps like yeah, first half is just banger after banger but that second half? Magnificent and I love is so much, it’s easily one of my favourite NIN albums.
@@davidsosa507 for sure, i understand that. i might like that part because it reminds me of faith no more, and i kinda see it as trent calling back to a time where he was younger and more innocent and happy. hence singing the corny nursery rhyme
@@tristanraine I think even trent himself didn't want star fudgers on there but he changed his mind at the last second for whatever reason. still a fun song to listen to tho lol
just a note/tidbit: the first song on this album the first track “Mr. Self Destruct” is a direct reference to the first track on Soft Cell’s 1984 album ‘This Last Night In Sodom’(also called “Mr. Self Destruct”). I think anyone can admit- it’s a fantastic title. NIN used to cover “Sex Dwarf” for their live shows, and of course, a cover of “Memorabilia” was used for the B side on the “Closer” single. Trent’s a big fan, needless to say. you can hear their influence in a lot of places in his music, IMO.
It is very awesome to see this record still has teeth with a younger generation. I was a teen when it came out and it blew my mind, think 1994 times lol. It sounds just a good now as did then.
The first time I listened to Mr Self Destruct I was walking home in the dark. The banging at the start felt like footsteps behind me and I jumped out of my skin when it properly kicked in.
The production, the lyrics, the themes, the storytelling, the sequencing, the album cover. It all works together so brilliantly to send us on such a dark and desperate journey
This album is so important in my life, because yes it is edgy but in a good way, its full of sincerity and raw emotion. Im glad that you react to it and i cant wait to see your impressions on Eraser, my favorite track.
What are the odds I just listened to this album for the first time last weekend. Truly the most emotional album I've ever listened to. Knowing where the narrator ends up, the final fight in "a warm place" before SPOILER: (killing himself) is so tragic. Even after the darkness he was in it ends with Hurt. The opening line to Hurt has to be the most beautifully simple line in music for me. Truly a masterpiece.
YOOOOOO BRAD IS REACTING TO ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF ALL TIME IM SO HAPPY! Brad if u ever need help with editing the second half plz lemme know imma watch this now so exciting!
Piggy is most likely a reference to an ex band member who's nickname was Piggy. I think the idea is that he's starting to stop caring about any emotional turmoil or trouble he's having with others, which is how a lot of suicidal depression starts, like its not even sadness just nothing at all
Yeah get NIN-pilled babyyy. Downward Spiral sends me EVERY TIME and I put it on pretty much whenever I’m in a state. Trent really gut punches and throws you around- it’s gorgeous and overwhelming and intense.
I love to see someone else talk about one of the most important albums ever released. He's very articulate and it's an accessible/easy to watch video. Great work!
This album is the most beautifully ugly masterpiece ever written. From walls of distorted guitar noise into groovy synths into gentle melancholic piano before slaying your face back into the wall of guitars... All in 1 song. A perfectly told story of a person embracing an alter ego and destroying himself
This album has been among my favorites for literal years, 8 years at the time of writing. Basically it's watching a movie through sound, and I love how ugly it is without being sonically unappealing. It helped me through a rough time in my life, I can't wait to see how you react to the rest of it. P.S, Mr. Self Destruct is my favorite track, but Closer belongs on all of my dance playlists
One of the things I love about this album, and you picked up on it as well. The album has a consistent aesthetic, but each individual song has its own unique character.
Ah yes, The Downward Spiral, one of the most well produced, head banging, dark albums ever made, very excited to see how Part 2 goes, it gets a lot darker further down the spiral.
And then you have the remix album, Further Down The Spiral, which is even darker in some parts (The Beauty of Being Numb, The Art of Self Destruction, At The Heart of It All)
" it sounds like it's descending into the pits of hell... *smiley ball, I love it :D* " " Literal sounds of screaming and distruction GODDAMN is that beautiful "
Probably the album I've listened to and returned to the most out in my life. Brad, your ability to "get" a track so quickly and articulate its depths is actually pretty damn surreal. Usually when I listen to someone react to an album I'm familiar with it's to see if they reflect my own emotions in it, but you go way beyond that and so effortlessly. I'm glad you enjoyed it, hope you're doing well....as I feel that's necessary to say to someone who so quickly understands an album like this.
NIИ fan here, maybe is too early to say this but please react to The Fragile next, is my favorite album of them and I want you to experience that masterpiece Brad!
Maybe it's just because I've seen the video for it so many times, or maybe it's the lyrical content, but everything in "Closer" feels very _organic_ to me, like a melding of meat and organs and maybe some surgical equipment like an EKG and a bone saw.
I love this album. I always liked music, but Nine Inch Nails made me love music. also, the start of Mr Self Destruct was sampled from the movie THX 1138 (aka that flop George Lucas directed before making Star Wars)
Maybe it's because this album came out when I was 15/16, but "Ruiner" will always be the song of my teenage rage. Still love it, glad you loved it too!
I don't know if nihilism is really the thought that comes to mind. The particular brand of intensity that the album goes for lashes out at the world, but the intent is a lot more selfish and hedonistic.
dude when the high pitched vocals on the becoming it freaked me tf out lol. i cant wait for u to hear the next song which is one of my fav underrated NIN songs
FINALLY ! Love you Brad, NIN and this album got me into more heavy and distorted music like Daughters. When I come back to TDS, it's always a cathartic experience in an intense way. One of the best albums all time in my opinion.
The Becoming is not only my favorite song of the album, it’s my favorite song ever. Ruiner with The Becoming is, unsurprisingly, my favorite pairing of songs ever too.
I don’t think their whole catalog is must-listen, but I recommend checking out Pretty Hate Machine and the Fragile as well. With Teeth is pretty good too but not as good
I agree, i barely remember the albums post The Fragile, there are some great songs on those but i think listening to their discography is an acquired taste in my opinion, i hated TDS at first listen, now i love it.
I was like 14 when this came out and of course loved it, but didn’t really think much of the lyrics being a kid still. I was listening to it on my Discman at Christmas at my grandparents house. My uncle comes over and asks if he can hear what I’m listening to. He put the headphones on and listened for a minute. Now he is extremely Christian and he just looked at me concerned and asked why I felt the need to listen to this kind of music. He was genuinely frightened and I still laugh about it to this day. I don’t remember how i responded to him.
I listened to this album for the first time today, not knowing that you had made this video. Man, I was not prepared. I had just finished listening to Pretty Hate Machine for the third time. Of course, I was already familiar with Hurt, but I still somehow was not prepared for what was in store. PHM really does not prepare you. To put it simply, The Downward Spiral is easily one of the most affecting first listens I've ever had. I had a moment during that lethal combination of Big Man With a Gun and A Warm Place. I swear, I almost had to turn the album off and collect myself before moving forward. I didn't, though, but almost!
Loved the review, hated that you split it into 2 parts. It;s probably just me, but Closer was so overplayed when this first came out that I can't get behind it as the best track. The Becoming is the one I listen to on repeat. Maybe it's because it's more relatable? "The me that you know, he had some second thoughts; He's covered with scabs, He is broken and sore; The me that you know, He doesn't come around much; That part of me, Isn't here anymore." Hard to get better than that. There's also a stripped down (no electronics) version of this that blows me away every time I listen to it.
i love nine inch nails. i think it’s easy for a lot of people to get uncomfortable and hate their music because of how bizarre and sometimes aggressive it is. tbh i think that’s what makes it great.
we defo need the fragile reaction, or maybe hesitation marks, or maybe year zero or with teeth or the slip fuck we need EVERY nin album ahiorwahjeaiodh thank you Papa
I learned today your fav word may be tinge! Also your explanation for the sounds, lyrics, and how it comes together is amazing and so true! Also I love march of the pigs haha.
Feels good to watch someone genuinely appreciating this album for its pure musical intrigue and sonic depth. It stands on its own even if you completely ignore the (decidedly edgelord) lyrics. "The Becoming" is my favorite NIN track of the whole catalog.
I remember finding this album when my dad left it out in the living room when I was like 11. I heard heresy and it shocked poor little nominally-christian me into turning it off. Hour later I was back at it. Oh that's weird, you just articulated something I've kinda felt in a way for ages and in some of the music I listen to. That 'confidence in this fucked up feeling' hit for me. Like, after a certain point of just ceaseless un-relieved fury, you hit this kind of zen point where you feel nigh-unstoppable in your nihilism. Course, you still have no goals or outward reason to continue to exist, but its a nice feeling in the moment.
Fun fact: when _Scaled And Icy_ was getting ready to be released, Zane Lowe told Tyler Joseph he was expecting it to sound like _The Downward Spiral_ and was really surprised by the super happy, poppy feel it had instead
The emotional whiplash of Brad saying "It's like descending into the pits of hell. Smiley ball!" Is the same energy that this album gives off.
100%!!! I remember first hearing Closer and feeling like the end was honestly the musical equivalent of someone descending into madness.
I'm glad he loved Closer. Closer is a legitimately a masterpiece in about every aspect you can have in music
Literally a perfect song
One of the best songs of all time. It's basically perfect, i don't give a shit if it's their most famous song, it's one of those songs where there's a reason why they are well known.
In love with their whole discography but Closer is still my favorite from them, it’s genuinely a perfect song.
Hard to imagine Trent having sex though
@@ihate_5x108 Not so hard, considering his amount of children.
Ruiner is too underrated and honestly I’d put it up there with Closer. It’s some vamp shit forreal
Hard agree, I really love the transition from Closer into that addictive drum groove
Ruiner is the best song on the album. Not the most popular, but the best composed.
@@jagdhillon757 I personally think Reptile’s the best one on here.. all tracks are amazing though
@Clap Em Carti didn’t invent vampires. I think Trent and Carti could make some truly insane shit though
Agreed, that Ruiner is the best song on the album. Adrian Belew's (ex-King Crimson) guitar solo late is such a nice touch, too, just as catchy as the rest of the song, but tripper in the sense that you can just lose yourself in it for awhile.
"This is the most intense corner of this album so far"
Hoo boy, can't wait till he gets to the last third of this thing
predicting 9/10 and big man with a gun as worst track from him but fuck man from like do not want this to hurt is just insane
@@TooMuchFez I think big man with a gun is an amazing track. Disturbing, but amazing especially within the album as a whole
Last 3 songs of TDS looking like Black and White Mr. Incredible.
if only he had headphones and could hear everything and how the production was structured to use spatial placement and movement of sounds.
@@walker1tnranger The only reason I don’t skip it is because of how well it sets up A Warm Place.
Hey Brad if its any interest to you, Chris Vrenna, NIN's drummer was my audio software teacher in college and he told us all about the recording of this album. The band was living in the Sharon Tate house for the two years they were writing and recording this album. They would be visited occasionally by Manson cultists who would take pictures of the house. They'd also be visited by fans of the band and they'd have a beer or do some coke. The whole pig motif on the album comes from the images of the Sharon Tate house taken on the crime scene right after Tate's murder, when the cultists had used her blood to write things on the door and walls calling the police Pigs, and I believe they also left a severed pig head behind.
This comment needs to get more attention!
And one of Sharon Tate’s relatives came and called him out on it cuz it was insensitive since a woman literally died, and he felt guilty and he moved to a different studio
Conversations with him must have been so interesting
@Jackpatkinson4 But he still took the door from the house and used it as the front door for the new studio that he built, so he probably didn't really feel that guilty
Sound on Sound has a good article that goes more into the production, of Closer, specifically.
Mr Self Destruct - 1:26
Piggy - 4:29
Heresy - 5:56
March Of The Pigs - 7:27
Closer - 8:55
Ruiner - 13:59
The Becoming - 16:41
I cannot wait for your reaction to Eraser, one of the most intense songs I’ve ever heard
And "I Do Not Want This" as well! The 2nd half of the song is intence af
I wanna see his reaction to Reptile and the title track
i agree about eraser. as soon as the drums start, you feel this intense resolve like no other song.....
agree on eraser it has "ruining" psychological effect
Closer is legit one of the best thing that NIN has ever produced. Trent's writing and production are menacing and dark that you want to listen to it again and again. Glad you're fucking with it.
The fact that so many people recommended it in the 'bad songs in good albums' video is still so baffling to me... Like... Wat
@@murciadoxial8056 wait what. did they commented on this song for bad songs in good albums?
@@arshsabir yes, at that time brad hadn't heard closer, and since it was the second highest rated song in the album he just brushed the request off... tho... it would've been funny if he actually indulged the commenter and listened to it, it would've been a hilarious moment in that video
@@murciadoxial8056 Anyone who thinks that really has no idea of what he's talking about.
It competes with the Fragile on my list but that's a hard bloody close fight and I love it.
Ruiner is a masterpiece track. I have a friend who said that when he heard that sort of grand organ/bagpipe sound prior to the chorus, he said it felt like a demon opening up his wings. I have never heard the song the same after that. This album saved my life. Thanks for sharing.
It's incredible, best and most unique Nine Inch Nails track by far imo.
Mr. Self Destruct sounds like nasty, burnt film, rushing, rolling and playing at double speed, flashing horrific images at you faster than you can register what they are as each frame flies past your eyes.
The intro to Mr self destruct is literally the sound of a spiral.....drop a marble along the outside edge of a funnel and it will keep Pace with the intro ☠️
"screams and sounds of destruction, Goddamn is that beautiful"
-BTIM
One of these days I was like "The Becoming sounds like Dante's Inferno" and then it hit me that Dante's Inferno has 9 circles which are set in a, you guessed it, Downward Spiral.
The Downward Spiral is one of the few albums where its ear-shredding abrasiveness and “hard-to-listen-to” qualities are actually positives and contribute to the album listening experience in a positive manner. Fantastic album. I could definitely understand why someone wouldn’t like it though.
One of the few? Have you heard of noise rock?
radiohead listener discovers other sub genres
@@solartea_I don’t even like Radiohead
@@philly_sports1558swans, death grips, clipping, Godspeed you black emporer…etc. there are many artists with multiple albums in which this is the case
Nobody does. They just pretend to because they think it makes them sound cool. It doesn't.@@philly_sports1558
It would be great if you could listen and record your reaction to The Fragile by NIN too. This is possibly Reznor's best album.
oh 100% what an incredible album
Honestly, Pretty Hate Machine, Downward Spiral, and The Fragile feel like a connected experience to me. With Broken serving as the backdrop. After that With Teeth feels like a breath of air after spending the entire time in these dark masterpieces.
The Becoming is one of the most insanely produced tracks ever made. So glad you’re reacting to this man. The Fragile will also blow you away if you choose to do that one as well.
I love how clear the hushed vocals are within the chaotic noise of the track. Something I think Trent has mastered with his music production
@@sirllamalot1980That freaky processed breathing and moaning over the perfectly clean acoustic guitar passages is such a good contrast, dude. Ugh, I love this album.
I love this album, but I definitely have to be in a good headspace to listen to it, because it can get really difficult to listen to some of these tracks if you’re not in a good place mentally
The last leg of the album really gave me a mental breakdown because of this, I couldn’t even sleep
surprisingly i'm the opposite. this album has so much power over my mood that i literally cannot listen to it when i feel good. when i'm doing really bad this album is almost comforting in a fucked up way. i definitely understand how it can have the opposite effect depending on the person though. that's one of the things i like about it.
@@joaquin5929 I remember listening to Eraser for the first time, and it was one of the few songs that genuinely reduced me to tears because of how distraught and broken it sounded. Something really powerful. This whole album is close to my heart and helped me get through a difficult time in my life.
It punches you in the chest while telling you your not alone imo
@@windyhollow7869 I’m like you. If I’m happy I still absolutely love the album but it doesn’t hit like it does when I’m fucked up and depressed.
their first album pretty hate machine is one of the only albums where i never have the urge to skip any song at any moment. super innovative grooves, great lyrics that have lots of codependent themes that sum up all the most toxic and real thoughts he was having at the time with his relationships.
not even Down In It, or That's What I get?
Cus TWIG is kinda boring, and I love PHM, but Down in it has the
RAIN RIAN GO AWAY
COME AGAIN SOME OTHER DAY
if i had to choose a worst song, i would probably pick that's what i get. and i like down in it. there are too many highlights on the album for those small parts to bring it down
Trent may have his moments on that album but you can’t deny how much the album slaps like yeah, first half is just banger after banger but that second half? Magnificent and I love is so much, it’s easily one of my favourite NIN albums.
@@ninjax9675 respect, I do like Down in it, is just kinda corny. PHM is a solid 9 anyday for me tho
@@davidsosa507 for sure, i understand that. i might like that part because it reminds me of faith no more, and i kinda see it as trent calling back to a time where he was younger and more innocent and happy. hence singing the corny nursery rhyme
i would die if you reacted to their whole discography
nice pfp :]
When then lets hope he doesn’t then. You will miss their future projects
I would love for him to go through The Fragile, amazing piece. I think he may not like Starfronkers.
@@tristanraine I think even trent himself didn't want star fudgers on there but he changed his mind at the last second for whatever reason. still a fun song to listen to tho lol
@@Cyro23 honestly I wouldn't of minded if it stayed as a B-side on TDTWWA single, really fun live though lol
just a note/tidbit: the first song on this album the first track “Mr. Self Destruct” is a direct reference to the first track on Soft Cell’s 1984 album ‘This Last Night In Sodom’(also called “Mr. Self Destruct”).
I think anyone can admit- it’s a fantastic title.
NIN used to cover “Sex Dwarf” for their live shows, and of course, a cover of “Memorabilia” was used for the B side on the “Closer” single. Trent’s a big fan, needless to say. you can hear their influence in a lot of places in his music, IMO.
It is very awesome to see this record still has teeth with a younger generation. I was a teen when it came out and it blew my mind, think 1994 times lol. It sounds just a good now as did then.
The switch from Big Man with a Gun too A Warm Place is probably one of the most real things I’ve ever heard in music history
Big Man with a Gun *to A Warm Place. It's not that hard
@@copbabycombo1311 you don't have to be like that dude
@@cockjockey5110 you don't have to be like that either dude
@@copbabycombo1311 they might have dyslexia, or just got it wrong. Don't have to make it a whole big thing
@@cockjockey5110 Yeah, I don't have to. Just like you don't have to go to work.
Excited! NIN have been my obsession recently, obviously with this album starting it
NIN has been a lifelong obsession of mine starting in 1993. It’s been quite a ride and I never want it to stop.
Closer feels like a evolving music monster that pulls you in.
There is no other song that's so industrial and organic at the same time.
Not only am I excited for a part 2 but a reaction to their album The Fragile. A real absolute masterpiece imo
You reacting to this album is a upward spiral for your channel. This is gonna be fun love this album.
The first time I listened to Mr Self Destruct I was walking home in the dark. The banging at the start felt like footsteps behind me and I jumped out of my skin when it properly kicked in.
The production, the lyrics, the themes, the storytelling, the sequencing, the album cover. It all works together so brilliantly to send us on such a dark and desperate journey
"This is dark :D this is destructive :DD this is disgusting :DDD" what a mood lmao
Can't wait for part two!
This album is so important in my life, because yes it is edgy but in a good way, its full of sincerity and raw emotion. Im glad that you react to it and i cant wait to see your impressions on Eraser, my favorite track.
"Literal screams and sounds of destruction"
"Godamn is that beautiful"
as an angry person bitter about past abuse and feelings of worthlessness,this album has been a friend for many years
What are the odds I just listened to this album for the first time last weekend. Truly the most emotional album I've ever listened to. Knowing where the narrator ends up, the final fight in "a warm place" before SPOILER: (killing himself) is so tragic. Even after the darkness he was in it ends with Hurt. The opening line to Hurt has to be the most beautifully simple line in music for me. Truly a masterpiece.
hurt sounds like if depression was a song
YOOOOOO BRAD IS REACTING TO ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF ALL TIME IM SO HAPPY! Brad if u ever need help with editing the second half plz lemme know imma watch this now so exciting!
Piggy is most likely a reference to an ex band member who's nickname was Piggy. I think the idea is that he's starting to stop caring about any emotional turmoil or trouble he's having with others, which is how a lot of suicidal depression starts, like its not even sadness just nothing at all
Yeah get NIN-pilled babyyy. Downward Spiral sends me EVERY TIME and I put it on pretty much whenever I’m in a state. Trent really gut punches and throws you around- it’s gorgeous and overwhelming and intense.
That opening sample is from the george lucas movie THX 1138 where a prisoner gets beaten by a guard
I love to see someone else talk about one of the most important albums ever released. He's very articulate and it's an accessible/easy to watch video. Great work!
This album is the most beautifully ugly masterpiece ever written. From walls of distorted guitar noise into groovy synths into gentle melancholic piano before slaying your face back into the wall of guitars... All in 1 song. A perfectly told story of a person embracing an alter ego and destroying himself
This album has been among my favorites for literal years, 8 years at the time of writing. Basically it's watching a movie through sound, and I love how ugly it is without being sonically unappealing. It helped me through a rough time in my life, I can't wait to see how you react to the rest of it.
P.S, Mr. Self Destruct is my favorite track, but Closer belongs on all of my dance playlists
One of the things I love about this album, and you picked up on it as well. The album has a consistent aesthetic, but each individual song has its own unique character.
Ah yes, The Downward Spiral, one of the most well produced, head banging, dark albums ever made, very excited to see how Part 2 goes, it gets a lot darker further down the spiral.
And then you have the remix album, Further Down The Spiral, which is even darker in some parts (The Beauty of Being Numb, The Art of Self Destruction, At The Heart of It All)
" it sounds like it's descending into the pits of hell... *smiley ball, I love it :D* "
" Literal sounds of screaming and distruction GODDAMN is that beautiful "
Good to see a new upload, hope you’re okay ❤️ This album is one hell of an experience!
Probably the album I've listened to and returned to the most out in my life. Brad, your ability to "get" a track so quickly and articulate its depths is actually pretty damn surreal. Usually when I listen to someone react to an album I'm familiar with it's to see if they reflect my own emotions in it, but you go way beyond that and so effortlessly. I'm glad you enjoyed it, hope you're doing well....as I feel that's necessary to say to someone who so quickly understands an album like this.
The Becoming - That track is one that stays with me over many others.
*_It won't give up. It wants me dead. God damn this noise inside my head._*
NIИ fan here, maybe is too early to say this but please react to The Fragile next, is my favorite album of them and I want you to experience that masterpiece Brad!
Dude, as a life-long NIN fanboy you have no idea how happy it makes me to watch someone hear it, love it, and f'ing *get* it. Smiley ball
Maybe it's just because I've seen the video for it so many times, or maybe it's the lyrical content, but everything in "Closer" feels very _organic_ to me, like a melding of meat and organs and maybe some surgical equipment like an EKG and a bone saw.
I love this album. I always liked music, but Nine Inch Nails made me love music.
also, the start of Mr Self Destruct was sampled from the movie THX 1138 (aka that flop George Lucas directed before making Star Wars)
This album was truly a watershed of industrial-metal/rock. Great review.
8:56
Hes heard Closer before doing this video so you fucking know he was planning this gag from the very start
I've been jamming this album quite a bit recently. Nice little surprise to see this video. Hope you like the album!
Maybe it's because this album came out when I was 15/16, but "Ruiner" will always be the song of my teenage rage. Still love it, glad you loved it too!
wtf are the odds that I just happened to listen to this album for the first time a week ago, and now you're reacting to it...
God tier album
One of my favorite albums ever. There's so much to unpack here. Glad you listened to it Brad!
It can be sometimes a bit too nihilistic but overall it is one of my all time favourite album!
“Too nihilistic”
too nihilistic? bruh
I don't know if nihilism is really the thought that comes to mind. The particular brand of intensity that the album goes for lashes out at the world, but the intent is a lot more selfish and hedonistic.
@@manicstatic370 well i mean, is he wrong? sometimes the album is far too nihilistic to listen to in full if you're usually a happy go lucky gug
I don't mean it as any insult to the music at all. It's just that sometimes I'm not in the mood for some of the intensely hopeless themes.
This album is industrial, thematic, cohesive perfection.
dude when the high pitched vocals on the becoming it freaked me tf out lol. i cant wait for u to hear the next song which is one of my fav underrated NIN songs
ironically, this video is honestly the most enthusiastic and happy brad has seemed to be in a long while
real happy things are turning around for him
This and The Fragile are two of my favorite albums of all time so this was so exciting to see ! great reaction as always
The Becoming is one of my favorite things Trent Reznor has ever done. It's just such a brilliant song.
I am going to respect you like a human
FINALLY ! Love you Brad, NIN and this album got me into more heavy and distorted music like Daughters.
When I come back to TDS, it's always a cathartic experience in an intense way. One of the best albums all time in my opinion.
The Becoming is not only my favorite song of the album, it’s my favorite song ever. Ruiner with The Becoming is, unsurprisingly, my favorite pairing of songs ever too.
I wish I could experience my original first play through of this album and The Fragile. Awesome to see this vid and live vicariously again.
“Ruiner”, and “The Becoming”are my two favorite songs.
I swear, I am mentally sane.
Amazing album , and good reaction brad, the best aspect from it , its when you describe the tracks (in their musical way) after listening to them
I don’t think their whole catalog is must-listen, but I recommend checking out Pretty Hate Machine and the Fragile as well. With Teeth is pretty good too but not as good
Year Zero is almost mandatory tbh.
I agree, i barely remember the albums post The Fragile, there are some great songs on those but i think listening to their discography is an acquired taste in my opinion, i hated TDS at first listen, now i love it.
@@davidsosa507 pretty great album
don't forget about the broken EP. absolutely essential NIN imo.
The Fragile and Still
I was like 14 when this came out and of course loved it, but didn’t really think much of the lyrics being a kid still. I was listening to it on my Discman at Christmas at my grandparents house. My uncle comes over and asks if he can hear what I’m listening to. He put the headphones on and listened for a minute. Now he is extremely Christian and he just looked at me concerned and asked why I felt the need to listen to this kind of music. He was genuinely frightened and I still laugh about it to this day. I don’t remember how i responded to him.
The word you’re looking for on the track Closer is (Eargasm), because it’s exactly what the track is. An absolute monster eargasm!
would love to see you eventually do their whole discography. there’s so much to dig into with every album
I listened to this album for the first time today, not knowing that you had made this video. Man, I was not prepared. I had just finished listening to Pretty Hate Machine for the third time. Of course, I was already familiar with Hurt, but I still somehow was not prepared for what was in store. PHM really does not prepare you. To put it simply, The Downward Spiral is easily one of the most affecting first listens I've ever had. I had a moment during that lethal combination of Big Man With a Gun and A Warm Place. I swear, I almost had to turn the album off and collect myself before moving forward. I didn't, though, but almost!
Its crazy to think theres people who haven't heard closer. This song has been ingrained in my mind since i can remember
holy shit let's go. I'm a lifetime trent reznor fan, so glad to see this.
My favorites have always been The Becoming and Ruiner! Glad to see todays youth enjoying the classics!
I found your channel about 2 weeks ago and couldn't find any NIN anywhere, I'm glad you reviewed this even if you hate it which you won't
Loved the review, hated that you split it into 2 parts. It;s probably just me, but Closer was so overplayed when this first came out that I can't get behind it as the best track. The Becoming is the one I listen to on repeat. Maybe it's because it's more relatable? "The me that you know, he had some second thoughts; He's covered with scabs, He is broken and sore; The me that you know, He doesn't come around much; That part of me, Isn't here anymore." Hard to get better than that. There's also a stripped down (no electronics) version of this that blows me away every time I listen to it.
This album like PHM (Pretty Hate Machine) is a master piece front to back. This album has a heavy presence on the music I make.
lol sorry for all the comments but this is the best reaction ive seen in a while and im having so much fun
This is one of my favourite reactions you have done
I’ve told a buddy of mine that you could say that Closer was part of the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack and I’d believe you. It just has that feel.
when the synths enter in The Ruiner is the exact moment when I fell in love with this album and concept to the fucking core
Closer + Ruiner is perhaps the most effective song combo ever.
I feel this album was largely influenced by what ever evil entity lived at the house Trent was living in at the time he cut this album.
the album was recorded in the house sharon tate was murdered in.
@@bradoozy This and Broken
i love nine inch nails. i think it’s easy for a lot of people to get uncomfortable and hate their music because of how bizarre and sometimes aggressive it is. tbh i think that’s what makes it great.
Ooooh baby, I've been waiting for you to dive into nine inch nails.
I love people experiencing stuff I love and you don't disappoint.
we defo need the fragile reaction, or maybe hesitation marks, or maybe year zero or with teeth or the slip fuck we need EVERY nin album ahiorwahjeaiodh thank you Papa
This album is an absolute masterpiece. It really is. It's ..... perfect.
"next song here-say" had me dead
💥 Nailed it! Arguably Trent’s masterpiece in the same way people can argue Beethoven’s masterpieces. Pure genius on display. Subscribed. 👍
The Becoming is my fave song on the album
Also love Hurt, Ruiner, A Warm Place, Closer, Reptile
I learned today your fav word may be tinge! Also your explanation for the sounds, lyrics, and how it comes together is amazing and so true! Also I love march of the pigs haha.
seeing someone appreciate and just enjoy this album made my day
Feels good to watch someone genuinely appreciating this album for its pure musical intrigue and sonic depth. It stands on its own even if you completely ignore the (decidedly edgelord) lyrics. "The Becoming" is my favorite NIN track of the whole catalog.
My favorite track in the first half (and whole album) is actually The Becoming but Closer is of course a masterpiece
ive been waiting for this for so long
I remember finding this album when my dad left it out in the living room when I was like 11. I heard heresy and it shocked poor little nominally-christian me into turning it off. Hour later I was back at it.
Oh that's weird, you just articulated something I've kinda felt in a way for ages and in some of the music I listen to. That 'confidence in this fucked up feeling' hit for me. Like, after a certain point of just ceaseless un-relieved fury, you hit this kind of zen point where you feel nigh-unstoppable in your nihilism. Course, you still have no goals or outward reason to continue to exist, but its a nice feeling in the moment.
8:55 holy shit I never actually linked Do I Wanna Know to Closer until now
Fun fact: when _Scaled And Icy_ was getting ready to be released, Zane Lowe told Tyler Joseph he was expecting it to sound like _The Downward Spiral_ and was really surprised by the super happy, poppy feel it had instead
Fun fact no one has cared about twenty one pilots since 2015