Released in 1994, The Downward Spiral is the second studio album by Nine Inch Nails. Produced by Trent Reznor and released by Nothing/Interscope Records, this concept album features powerful tracks like "Closer" and "Hurt," exploring themes of addiction and self-destruction. The haunting cover art, featuring a stark image of a spiral staircase, perfectly encapsulates the album's dark and introspective nature, making it a landmark release in industrial rock.