'Industrial' is a pretty hard genre to nail down. Encompassing electronica, heavy metal, punk and the introspective, bleak existentialism of the likes of Leonard Cohen, it is easier to define it more by what it is not, rather than what it is. Whereas about 90% of rock music has its roots in blues (and the other 10% classical, all thanks to Richie Blackmore's baroque obsessions), industrial rock completely cast off all traces of rock and roll and its godfather, the blues. Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke had been one of the loudest advocates of this approach, with Ministry and Nine Inch Nails sitting attentively at the front of the congregation. This album, and the ...  Read the complete review

Nine Inch Nails are possibly the most popular industrial group there is, though the term group is a little inaccurate. In truth NIN is the brain child of Trent Reznor and he has remained the only consistent band member. There are many reasons for the popularity including more melodic and traditional structures than their industrial contemporaries and striking lyrics. This album was released in 1989 and was the result of a demo Reznor had been working on after hours while working as a janitor at a recording studio. Working with top producers such as Flood, Keith LeBlanc, Adrian Sherwood and John Fryer, Reznor takes credit for all of the vocals, a great deal of the ...  Read the complete review

Trent Reznor is not a happy man. From naming his band after the length of the nails, which crucified Christ, and spouting platitudes such “Hey God, I think you owe me a great big apology” this much is obvious. The man, however, is undoubtedly talented, and along with the likes of Ministry, virtually invented the whole sub genre we now term industrial. So it stands to reason, that this album ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ must have been incredibly influential. Well, yes and no. This is one of the earliest blends of electronica with guitar certainly, but the driving, pounding wall of sound that characterised NIN’s later work is completely ...  Read the complete review

Pretty Hate Machine was seen by many critics as a major breakthrough in rock music, with its blend of electronics and rock aesthetics. It also made Trent Reznor a household name and dragged Industrial music form its underground ghetto into the bright lights of the mainstream. Pretty Hate Machine may be seen by many as a radical step into new musical territories, however for those who know their musical history, Pretty Hate Machine was in the main a imitation of other less successful and innovative bands. Musically Pretty Hate Machine is not a bad album. It’s combination of synthetic beats and bass with more obvious rock dynamics is extremely well executed ...  Read the complete review

Summoned from the deep dark depths of Trent Reznor's shadowy psyche, Nine Inch Nails was founded in 1988 and is effectively a one man band operation with responsibility for the 'bands' success or otherwise landing squarely upon his shoulders. Reznor himself acknowledges the influence of artists like Prince, when it came to his decision to embark upon producing alone all the elements for his first studio album Pretty Hate Machine. Whilst playing all instruments and layering up the different components himself, it is perhaps Reznor's studio production expertise that most sets him apart from his peers. Indeed the somewhat limiting genre of 'Industrial' music is ...  Read the complete review