15 Greatest Hard Rock Albums You Need To Hear Before You Die

13. The Downward Spiral - Nine Inch Nails

With Nine Inch Nails' debut Pretty Hate Machine gaining traction in the hard rock community, many were curious as to what new project by mastermind Trent Reznor had in store for a follow-up. Instead of just making another collection of frenetic industrial hits, The Downward Spiral was a horrifying descent into the back alleys of the mind.

As opposed to being just another record to headbang to, this sophomore release was Reznor speaking to the more reptilian side of your brain. Running as a concept album of sorts, the songs tell a story of a character tentatively named Mr. Self Destruct as he proceeds to denounce most of the happiness in his life.

Though fans may not have gravitated towards cuts like "A Warm Place" on first listen, the insistent fury of something like "March of the Pigs" were enough for any rocker to throw up the horns. This is an example of a record that may not be the easiest to digest on first listen, but the more layers you peel, the more you see the genius underneath all of the caustic chaos on the surface. Reznor may have had hits after this, but this was the first time hard rock fans were treated to music that was pitch black from skin to core.

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