‘The Downward Spiral’ and ‘Superunknown’ went on two become to of music’s most iconic records
On this day 30 years ago, two rock music heavyweights released watershed albums on the very same day. Pioneers of their respective sub-genres, both acts had already put themselves on the map with their previous LPs. On March 8, 1994, the two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bands would not only release arguably their finest records, but two watershed albums in all of rock music history.
“Spending too much time looking backwards feels dangerous to me, but this day on the calendar caught my attention,” Nine Inch Nails creator and frontman Trent Reznor said on social media today. “Has it really been that long, old friend? I just spent an hour listening to this time capsule of what 28 year old me had to say, and it still excites me and breaks my heart. Be kind to yourselves. Hope to see you soon.”
Nine Inch Nails are undoubtedly one of the greatest artists of all time. Pioneers of the industrial genre, they incorporated elements of rock, metal, electronica, and alternative rock to forge a style all their own. They shook the music world to it’s core in 1989 with their debut album, Pretty Hate Machine. The record was truly groundbreaking, and has since gone on to be certified multi-platinum. In 1994, NIИ set the bar once again with their sophomore effort, The Downward Spiral, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. The disc went on to sell over 5 million copies, and be certified quadruple-platinum. It spawned arguably the band’s finest moment, the single “Closer.”
Soundgarden pioneered an untra-heavy grunge rock sound, incorporating elements of heavy metal and alternative music. The band exploded onto the mainstream with the release of their third album, 1991′s Badmotorfinger. The follow-up, 1994′s Superunknown, catapulted the band to legendary status. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200, the album has since been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. The record earned the band two GRAMMY Awards in 1995, and today it still serves as a blueprint for alternative rock music.
Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral [Nothing/Interscope, 1994]
1. Mr. Self Destruct
2. Piggy
3. Heresy
4. March of the Pigs
5. Closer
6. Ruiner
7. The Becoming
8. I Do Not Want This
9. Big Man with a Gun
10. A Warm Place
11. Eraser
12. Reptile
13. The Downward Spiral
14. Hurt
Soundgarden – Superunknown [A&M, 1994]
1. Let Me Drown
2. My Wave
3. Fell on Black Days
4. Mailman
5. Superunknown
6. Head Down
7. Black Hole Sun
8. Spoonman
9. Limo Wreck
10. The Day I Tried to Live
11. Kickstand
12. Fresh Tendrils
13. 4th of July
14. Half
15. Like Suicide