What’s big enough news to pull the newly-betrothed Trent Reznor out of his sworn Twitter retirement? The 20th anniversary of Pretty Hate Machine, Nine Inch Nails’ seminal 1989 release. Terrible truth! You were up above it? Now you’re down in it, NINies.
Said the Rez in his brief return: “Happy birthday, old friend. Pretty Hate Machine turns 20.” Let’s revisit with a little “Head Like a Hole,” shall we?
Bow down before the one you serve, superfans, and nail your Machine memories to the wall below. Then maybe — maybe! — you’re going get what you deserve.
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Elliott Smith, 1969-2003: Gone six years today
Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ iTunes Original sessions available now
Adam Lambert’s ‘Time for Miracles’ video: Spoiler alert! Not everyone dies in ’2012.’
Michael Buble tops the albums chart again; ‘New Moon’ soundtrack sees strong early sales
Ben Gibbard acts! Watch the Death Cab for Cutie frontman earn his SAG card
Lily Allen abducts Elton John—in her video dreams
One of my favorite bands of all time. Possibly my favorite album coming out of the ’80′s (Appetite for Destruction is also in that group). Five more years until The Downward Spiral turns 20. Gees, I’m old.
20 years! Wow, time has flown by. NIN is by far one of my favorite bands ever. I’m going to miss Trent’s music now that he’s putting NIN on hold.
Sigh….they don’t make music like this anymore- from 88 to 93 it was probably one of the best periods in music-and I too am feeling old!
They do… you just gotta know how to find it! Early NIN, but really Depeche Mode, influenced an entire genre of music that is still going strong.
Agreed! Almost any band in the past 20 years or so w/ any type of synth based electronic sound owes it to Depeche Mode.
Oh, BTW…. this would be a good time to re-release Pretty Hate Machine as a Deluxe Remastered Edition. Downward Spiral was re-released like that.
I was in 11th grade. Some tool in English class loaned me a 2nd gen dub and told me which songs had the best bass. I couldn’t afford those ridiculous 18-inch woofers everyone had back then, so I actually listened to the words and the synths. That led me to discover Ministry, Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, Front Line and a whole new world of mind-blowing music. Bow down? Absolutely.
I saw NIN in concert three times. He had Marilyn Manson open for him and I remember thinking, “This guy sucks – he’s not going to go anywhere.” I guess I definitely don’t have have psychic blood in me. Anywho, I was a poor college student but I found the money to go see NIN. I traveled over two hours in one instance. And I now actually like some of Manson’s stuff. (sigh) I love NIN.
My country-club parents were SOOOOO disturbed when I started listening to this album. It will always represent the exhilaration of teenage rebellion and a summer spent doing naughty things. But OMG I’m so old!!! >runs off sobbing<
Unbelievable! Such good stuff! I don’t know about the rest of you PHM fans, but I wore out the cassette tape and even now on XM when one of the songs from the album is on, I know what song is on after! Oh, getting old sucks!
I too feel old, but at least I can sit here on the computer while sipping my cocktail without fear of getting in trouble with my parents. Man I use to get hammered listening to this album in high school.
My favorite band. So glad I got to see NIN this past summer before the touring stopped.
Wow, this makes me feel old, too. I remember the first time I heard “Head Like a Hole.” The first time I saw the video. It was all so new and different and PERFECT for angsty teenagers who HATED grunge (me.) Can’t believe you didn’t save yourself for me, Trent. Ha.
Love it! I can’t believe it’s been 20 years! Keep ‘em comin’ Trent. You totally rock & I’m right there with you enjoying every minute.
Several weeks ago Trent Reznor wrapped the touring version of Nine Inch Nails up forever. Not a mention in EW. I suppose if it doesn’t involve vampires or gossip girls than who gives a fu*k.