History Music / NineInchNails

* BleachedUnderpants: The same man who won a Grammy for saying "fist fuck" and created [[Music/TheDownwardSpiral two entire]] [[Music/TheFragile1999 albums about]] SanitySlippage composed the soundtrack for [[{{WesternAnimation/Soul}} a Disney movie]].

+Music/DavidBowie, Music/{{Queen|Band}}, Music/DepecheMode, Music/TheHumanLeague, Music/PetShopBoys, Music/SkinnyPuppy, Music/{{Coil}}, Music/{{Ministry}}, Music/SoftCell, Music/{{Kraftwerk}}, Music/{{Kiss}}, Music/GaryNuman, Music/{{Rush}}, Music/{{Pantera}}, Music/{{Devo}}, Music/{{The Cure|Band}}, Music/AphexTwin, Music/JoyDivision, Music/ThrobbingGristle, Music/{{Swans}}, Music/JanesAddiction, Music/KingCrimson, Music/{{U2}}, Test Dept., Music/KillingJoke, Music/MyBloodyValentine, Music/PinkFloyd, Music/BigBlack, Music/{{Bauhaus}}, Music/TalkingHeads

The NIN discography, once a noisy gauntlet of '90s industrial rock, has become exceedingly varied over the years, ranging from ear-destroying screaming guitar death on ''Broken'' to beautiful, mellow piano pieces on ''Still'' to the groovy sound of bass and saxophone that lines much of ''Music/HesitationMarks'' and all kinds of twisted sounds in between, but a general tone of [[TrueArtIsAngsty angst, darkness and world-weariness]] has proven a strong through line. Their visuals are also known for being similarly free-spirited, with their music videos classifiable as everything from politically subversive to the sort of video which answers the question "What if ''Film/{{Hostel}}'' had been a set for music videos?"

Reznor's also worked on different musical ventures; he is one third of Music/HowToDestroyAngels (a supergroup with his wife Mariqueen Maandig alongside longtime NIN collaborator Rob Sheridan) and has contributed production to various artists (incl. Music/MarilynManson, Saul Williams [[Music/RageAgainstTheMachine Zack de la Rocha]]) and films (''Film/NaturalBornKillers'', ''Film/LostHighway''). He and Ross have additionally done joint production work for several artists (incl. Music/{{Halsey}} and [[Music/TheKnife Fever Ray]]) and have a now-cemented career in score composition. The two have handled music for various films and TV series, notably became Creator/DavidFincher's {{associated composer}}s ever since their initial collaboration with ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'', and eventually [[PlayingAgainstType branched out to the unexpected]] with scores for several family-friendly films (Creator/{{Pixar}}'s ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'', ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMutantMayhem'').

[[HeAlsoDid Reznor also provided the soundtrack]] to ''VideoGame/{{Quake|I}}'' and recorded tracks for ''VideoGame/Doom3'' that didn't make it into the final game, although they can still be found in the game files. Several former bandmates have also struck out as notable composers; Chris Vrenna[[note]]the drummer for NIN from 1988-1990 and 1992-1997[[/note]] aided Reznor with the ''Quake'' soundtrack and making music for ''Doom 3'', ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'', ''VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeChampions'', and Charlie Clouser[[note]]a multi-instrumentalist (most prominently a keyboardist) for NIN from 1994-2001[[/note]] moved into the movie industry and has since become best-known as the recurring composer for the ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' franchise.

Reznor's also worked on different musical ventures; he is one third of Music/HowToDestroyAngels (a supergroup with his wife Mariqueen Maandig alongside longtime NIN collaborator Rob Sheridan) and has produced for various artists (incl. Music/MarilynManson, Saul Williams [[Music/RageAgainstTheMachine Zack de la Rocha]]) and films (''Film/NaturalBornKillers'', ''Film/LostHighway''). He and Ross have additionally done joint production work for further artists (incl. Music/{{Halsey}} and [[Music/TheKnife Fever Ray]]) and have a now-cemented career in score composition. The two have handled music for various films and TV series, notably became Creator/DavidFincher's {{associated composer}}s ever since their initial collaboration with ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'', and eventually [[PlayingAgainstType branched out to the unexpected]] with scores for several family-friendly films (Creator/{{Pixar}}'s ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'', ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMutantMayhem'').

[[HeAlsoDid Reznor also provided the soundtrack]] to ''VideoGame/{{Quake|I}}'' and recorded tracks for ''VideoGame/Doom3'' that didn't make it into the final game, although they can still be found in the game files. Several former bandmates have also struck out as notable composers; drummer Chris Vrenna aided Reznor with the ''Quake'' soundtrack and making music for ''Doom 3'', ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'', ''VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeChampions'', and keyboardist Charlie Clouser moved into the movie industry and has since become best-known as the recurring composer for the ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' franchise.

Reznor's also worked on different musical ventures, including Music/HowToDestroyAngels (a supergroup with his wife Mariqueen Maandig alongside longtime NIN collaborator Rob Sheridan) and production work for various artists (incl. Music/MarilynManson, Saul Williams [[Music/RageAgainstTheMachine Zack de la Rocha]]) and films (''Film/NaturalBornKillers'', ''Film/LostHighway''). He and Ross have additionally done joint production work for further artists (incl. Music/{{Halsey}} and [[Music/TheKnife Fever Ray]]), and have a now-cemented career in score composition. The two have handled music for various films and TV series, notably became Creator/DavidFincher's {{associated composer}}s ever since their initial collaboration with ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'', and eventually [[PlayingAgainstType branched out to the unexpected]] with scores for several family-friendly films (Creator/{{Pixar}}'s ''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'', ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMutantMayhem'').

One of the most [[TropeCodifier essential]] acts in {{industrial}} rock and metal, Nine Inch Nails is an American rock band that's been rolling around the musical scene since 1988.

Reznor's also worked on different musical ventures, namely Music/HowToDestroyAngels (a supergroup with longtime NIN collaborator Rob Sheridan and Reznor's wife Mariqueen Maandig) as well as a now-cemented career in score composition. Along with Ross, Reznor has handled scores for various films and TV series, notably becoming Creator/DavidFincher's {{associated composer}}s ever since their initial collaboration with ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'', as well as [[PlayingAgainstType branching out to the unexpected]] with, of all things, a score for a Creator/{{Pixar}} film (''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}''). They would follow this up soon after with a score for ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMutantMayhem''.

[[HeAlsoDid Reznor also provided the soundtrack]] to ''VideoGame/{{Quake|I}}'' and recorded tracks for ''VideoGame/Doom3'' that didn't make it into the final game, although they can still be found in the game files, while former bandmate Chris Vrenna has also struck out as a notable composer, aiding Reznor with the ''Quake'' soundtrack and making music for ''Doom 3'', ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'', ''VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeChampions'', and Charlie Clouser moved into the movie industry, best known as the recurring composer for the ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' franchise.

* ''Music/{{Broken}}'' (1992; EP)

* ''Broken'' (1992; EP)

* MrFanservice: Trent pre-''With Teeth:'' Somewhat waifish, long flowing black hair, and at times bordering on outright {{bishonen}}. Post-''With Teeth:'' Kicked his drug addictions and took up weight lifting to compensate. The end results were... [[HeroicBuild impressive,]] to say the least.

[[HeAlsoDid Reznor also provided the soundtrack]] to ''VideoGame/{{Quake|I}}'' and recorded tracks for ''VideoGame/Doom3'' that didn't make it into the final game, although they can still be found in the game files, while former bandmate Chris Vrenna has also struck out as a notable composer, aiding Reznor with the ''Quake'' soundtrack and making music for ''Doom 3'', ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'', ''VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeChampions'', and Charlie Clouser moved into the movie industry, best known for his soundtrack to ''Film/SawI''.

[[HeAlsoDid Reznor also provided the soundtrack]] to ''VideoGame/{{Quake|I}}'' and recorded tracks for ''VideoGame/Doom3'' that didn't make it into the final game, although they can still be found in the game files, while former bandmate Chris Vrenna has also struck out as a notable composer, aiding Reznor with the ''Quake'' soundtrack and making music for ''Doom 3'', ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'', ''VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeChampions''.

NIN is somewhat unusual in that for nearly three decades, [[IAmTheBand it was essentially one man]], Trent Reznor (born May 17, 1965), who was doing everything. The first official member to be added to the lineup since the project's inception was long-time collaborator Atticus Ross, who was inducted in late 2016. Most members have come and gone, occasionally contributing to albums but mostly staying for the live shows. (One such member, Richard Patrick, struck out on his own and formed a band you might've heard of called Music/{{Filter}}.)

The NIN discography, once a noisy gauntlet of '90s industrial rock, has become exceedingly varied over the years, ranging from ear-destroying screaming guitar death on ''Broken'' to beautiful, mellow piano pieces on ''Still'' to the groovy sound of bass and saxophone that lines much of ''Hesitation Marks'' and all kinds of twisted sounds in between, but a general tone of [[TrueArtIsAngsty angst, darkness and world-weariness]] has proven a strong through line. Their visuals are also known for being similarly free-spirited, with their music videos classifiable as everything from politically subversive to the sort of video which answers the question "What if ''Film/{{Hostel}}'' had been a set for music videos?"

Reznor's also worked on different musical ventures, namely Music/HowToDestroyAngels (a supergroup with longtime NIN collaborator Rob Sheridan and Reznor's wife Mariqueen Maandig) as well as a now-cemented venture into score composition. Along with Atticus Ross, Reznor has handled scores for various films and TV series, becoming Creator/DavidFincher's {{associated composer}}s ever since their initial collaboration with ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'', as well as [[PlayingAgainstType branching out to the unexpected]] with, of all things, a score for a Creator/{{Pixar}} film (''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}''). They would follow this up soon after with a score for ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesMutantMayhem''.

[[HeAlsoDid Reznor also provided the soundtrack]] to ''VideoGame/{{Quake|I}}'' and recorded tracks for ''VideoGame/Doom3'' that didn't make it into the final game, although they can still be found in the game files, while the former bandmate Chris Vrenna has also struck out as a notable composer, aiding Reznor with the ''Quake'' soundtrack and making music for ''Doom 3'', ''VideoGame/QuakeIV'', ''VideoGame/AmericanMcGeesAlice'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeChampions''.

* ''Music/YearZero'' (2007): A futuristic dystopia type concept album; accompanied by an extensive ARG.

* ''Music/TheSlip'' (2008): Initially released for free on the website as a "thank you" to fans.

* ''Ghosts V: Together'' (2020): Initially released for free on the website.
* ''Ghosts VI: Locusts'' (2020): Initially released for free on the website.

* ''Purest Feeling'' (1988; bootleg of demo version of ''Pretty Hate Machine'')

* ''Broken Movie'' (1993): Essentially one long extended music video for the ''Broken'' EP, made to look (very convincingly) like a SnuffFilm. [[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Never officially released.]] VHS tapes of the film exist, torrents of the film were made by Trent in 2006, and the film was put up by download, also by Trent, in 2013. Directed by late Creator/{{Hipgnosis}}, Music/{{Coil}}, and Music/ThrobbingGristle member Peter Christopherson.

* ''Another Version of the Truth'' (2009): An entirely free fan created live concert film assembled from over 400 GB of clips Reznor released on the Internet. In response to the finished product, Reznor responded: [[ApprovalOfGod "Nine Inch Nails fans kick ass. Blown away."]]

* LyricalTic: [[http://www.ninwiki.com/Recurring_lyrics Quite a few]].

NIN is somewhat unusual in that for nearly three decades, [[IAmTheBand it was essentially one man]], Trent Reznor, who was doing everything. The first official member to be added to the lineup since the project's inception was long-time collaborator Atticus Ross, who was inducted in late 2016. Most members have come and gone, occasionally contributing to albums but mostly staying for the live shows. (One such member, Richard Patrick, struck out on his own and formed a band you might've heard of called Music/{{Filter}}.)

** There's also "Sin," which sounds like a song about D/s, which isn't helped by the ridiculously fetishistic MusicVideo... Which is a lot like [[AndIMustScream most]] [[BoundAndGagged of]] [[WhipItGood their videos]]. It's more like Obligatory Bondage Music Video...

Reznor's also worked on different musical ventures, namely Music/HowToDestroyAngels (a supergroup with longtime NIN collaborator Rob Sheridan and Reznor's wife Mariqueen Maandig) as well as a now-cemented venture into score composition. Along with Atticus Ross, Reznor has handled scores for various films and TV series, becoming Creator/DavidFincher's {{associated composer}}s ever since their initial collaboration with ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'', as well as [[PlayingAgainstType branching out to the unexpected]] with, of all things, a score for a Creator/{{Pixar}} film (''WesternAnimation/{{Soul}}'').

* ''Music/YearZero'' (2007): A futuristic dystopia type ConceptAlbum; accompanied by an extensive ARG.

* ''Purest Feeling'' (1988; bootleg of demo version of ''Pretty Hate Machine'')

** [[/index]]''Fixed'' (1992): RemixAlbum of ''Broken.''[[index]]

** "March of the Pigs" (1994): Single for "March of the Pigs" with remixes.
** "Closer to God" (1994): Single for "Closer" with remixes and a cover.
** [[/index]]''Further Down the Spiral'' (1995): RemixAlbum of ''The Downward Spiral.''
** ''Closure'' (1997): Video album featuring music videos of songs from ''The Downward Spiral'' and previous albums, and recordings from live concerts in the Self Destruct Tour.[[index]]
* "The Perfect Drug" (1997; non-album single)

** [[/index]]''Things Falling Apart'' (2000): RemixAlbum of ''The Fragile.''
** ''The Fragile: Deviations 1'' (2017): A massive album of instrumentals, alternate versions, and unreleased tracks from ''The Fragile'' sessions, released only as a four-LP set through the band's store.
* ''And All That Could Have Been'' (2002): Live album recorded during the v2.0 leg of the Fragility tour.
** ''Still'' (2002): A companion compilation album to ''And All That Could Have Been'' featuring a mix of brand new studio tracks and LighterAndSofter arrangements of old songs.[[index]]

** [[/index]]''[=Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D=] (Year Zero Remixed)'' (2007): RemixAlbum of ''Year Zero.''[[index]]