The Downward Spiral - Music and Lyrics

Music and Lyrics

The Downward Spiral features elements of industrial rock, techno, and heavy metal, a stark contrast to the primitive electronic dance music style shown throughout Pretty Hate Machine in 1989. Reznor regularly uses noise and distortion in his song arrangements, and incorporates dissonance with chromatic melody or harmony (or both), most notably on the album's closing track "Hurt". The album features a wide range of textures and moods to illustrate the mental progress of a central character. Reznor's singing follows a similar pattern from beginning to end, frequently moving from whispers to screams.

Reznor has discussed his musical inspiration behind the album:

I was really into electronic music at the time. David Bowie's Low was probably the single greatest influence on The Downward Spiral for me. I got into Bowie in the Scary Monsters era, then I picked up Low and instantly fell for it. I related to it on a song-writing level, a mood level, and on a song-structure level I like working within the framework of accessibility, and songs of course, but I also like things that are more experimental and instrumental, maybe."