r/nin • u/thehandsomebandit • Dec 01 '25
Question Favorite NIN album of all time?
It might be controversial, but my favorite NIN album of all time is WITH TEETH 2019 Definitive Edition. I’d love to hear what everyone else’s favorite is.
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u/Wonderful-Carob-5208 Dec 01 '25 edited Dec 01 '25
It was, is and will always be TDS. Saved me plenty of times
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u/SpicySPaxz Dec 01 '25
Now doesnt it make you feel better
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u/No-Comedian-515 Dec 01 '25
Same. 30 years later it's still my favorite album of all time of any artist. Definitely got me through my heroin/ meth addiction and still is relevant in this period of my life
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u/Unlikely_Opposite751 Dec 02 '25
Yeah this is mine as well. So much so that I found a lot of the later work inaccessible until I matured some. Now Year Zero and With Teeth resonate with me quite a lot, maybe more, but I still hold that special place for The Downward Spiral.
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u/crowkiller06 Dec 01 '25
In terms of something I can always listen to from start to finish?
BROKEN.
I don’t think it’s their best work. But, it is my favorite. It is when I discovered them.
That being said, I think FRAGILE is perhaps their most accomplished piece of music.
But, TDS also holds a very special place in my blackened little heart.
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u/PrettyHopsMachine Dec 01 '25
Yah I have a hard time picking a favorite. It's more about mood. But most days I could listen to PHM, Broken, or TDS all day.
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u/FaustHammer92 Dec 01 '25
This is the boat I sit in as well. Almost exactly. Broken always scratches the right itch for me.
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u/TimeVictorious Art Is Resistance Dec 01 '25
Year Zero
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u/thehandsomebandit Dec 01 '25
Thanks for saying that! I love this album too! I feel like it never gets the attention it deserves!
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u/TimeVictorious Art Is Resistance Dec 01 '25
I love NIИ like crazy. But Year Zero is easily my most replayed album… every NIИ work strikes something in me, but YZ resonated with me on another level. It was incredible when it was released (and the ARG was INSANE), but it has gotten better (and more applicable) with age. I love Year Zero. Shame on us.
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u/IBlackKiteI Dec 01 '25
I originally wasn't that keen on it but every time I listen again I like it more, defs a top 3 now
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u/Vegetable_Ad_5005 Dec 01 '25
My understanding is that this is the result of Reznor overcoming his demons!
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u/tarabuki Dec 01 '25
With Teeth was the first album after Reznor's recovery and deciding if he could still make music after his sobriety. Good news is that he is still sober and still making great music although I still connect with his 90s stuff more than today's music.
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u/Midnight-Lunching Dec 01 '25
I don’t believe for a second that those demons were ever overcome. They were clearly reassigned to soundtrack duty. Heck, Trent might still hangout in public with his fitness demon.
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u/AgitatedListen4900 Dec 01 '25
This is my favorite album ever! Maybe the most “rock” NIN album? The most organic one? The sober phase of Trent. Best tour line-up, with Twiggy and Aaron North. To me, a rock band should sound like this.
Favorite track: You Know What You Are?
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u/thehandsomebandit Dec 01 '25
Amazing! Love this album so much
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u/AgitatedListen4900 Dec 01 '25
Also, “now do so pretty now” really sounds like it could be from this album!
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u/Wonderful-Stop1631 Dec 01 '25
Yes!!!! 🙌 That song Rocks so hard and so many people I would say this to if they could respond (favorably) to it.
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u/ActuallyPopular Dec 01 '25
I gotta go with The Slip for a couple of reasons. With regards to the production, it sounds like it's coming from the world next door to our own, which furthers the sense of alienation I get when I listen to the album.
With regards to the actual music on the album, this is the only NIN album that I ever listen to all the way through. This album takes me on a journey unlike any other NIN record. The way the songs move from one to the next...the only other album that takes me on an emotional journey as complete is Dark Side of the Moon.
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u/AutoSpiral Dec 01 '25
Ghosts! I listened to that shit over and over while I was studying in loud spaces. I got to know every song.
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u/Wonderful-Stop1631 Dec 01 '25
I’m with you on With Teeth for today. I’ve listened to the song 4 times already and the album twice through. I agree with others The Fragile is just a f*ing Masterpiece. Do I have an actual favorite? Not really. They are all so good, each uniquely so.
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u/ThePapercup Pigs we get what pigs deserve Dec 01 '25
my favorite changes with my mood, but currently it is The Slip
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Dec 01 '25
All of them.
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u/thehandsomebandit Dec 01 '25
Haha not really an answer, but I’ll take it!
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Dec 01 '25
Hah! My actual answer is The Fragile. Just a great album start to finish whether you start with Left or Right disc, you cannot go wrong.
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Dec 01 '25
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u/WiresDawson Dec 02 '25
pretty much exactly my opinion, same order as your top four except with Still in there somewhere around third or fourth place (so PHM would be fifth)
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u/Sklibba Dec 02 '25
It’s a tie between the downward spiral and the fragile. I almost see them as extensions of one another and I was absolutely obsessed with nine inch nails during like 1995-2002.
By the time With Teeth came out I had kinda burnt myself out on nine inch nails and I didn’t really give it a solid chance. After seeing them live again for the first time in 25 years this Summer, I’ve gone back and done a deep dive on all the stuff that I had kinda just casually checked out - pretty much everything after The Fragile besides Year Zero, y34rz3r0r3m1x3d, and ghosts I-IV - and I have to say that while I don’t love every track on with teeth, it still contains some of nin’s best songs.
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u/MalpanaGiwargis Jan 02 '26
Really interesting that this is almost exactly my experience - absolutely OBSESSED in the 90s but just kind of fell off before With Teeth. But I saw them in August, and I have been speedrunning the last 20 years of NIN and will be happily seeing them again in February.
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u/wercffeH Dec 01 '25
Year zero > fragile > hesitation marks
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u/arrantwanderlust Dec 02 '25
I love to see Hesitation Marks mentioned. It seems to not be very popular, but I love every single track on it. It has a new sound, but it's such an excellent follow-up to The Fragile. I hope that one day, it is recognized for being underrated.
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u/LorelaiWitTheLazyEye Dec 01 '25
Pretty Fragile Downward Zero Broken Teeth Marks (Deluxe Slip Disk)
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Dec 01 '25
I love them all as well. In fact, I saw NIN With Teeth tour in 2005 at MSG. Great album with a fantastic tour.
But .....
I do love BROKEN & the remixes on FIXED are incredible. 🖤
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u/Chickenbrik Dec 01 '25
For me it goes back and forth for sure. But what I will consistently listen to without going into NIN mode is Pretty Hate Machine.
It’s got the sad moody songs, and the high energy ones to balance it out for any mood I may be in.
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u/VonBurner666 Dec 01 '25
The fragile. Hands down one of the best albums ive ever heard from any artist. Trent was in his prime, doing what he does best. But I have to say the downward spiral is so close in my mind sometimes I can't decide which i like better. If you twisted my arm though the fragile would most likely win... maybe... just maybe..... but my favorite NIN song is on TDS, Reptile, so it makes it a really really hard decision. A really hard decision it feels almost Heresy to pick really. Damn now my head hurts im so torn lol
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u/Blue_Rosebuds Dec 01 '25
Year Zero is my fave NIN album
But if the EP trilogy counts as one project, it would definitely be that.
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u/grimlor Dec 01 '25
I reserve the right to change my opinion on a daily basis. Today it was a tie between Year Zero and With Teeth.
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u/thehandsomebandit Dec 01 '25
Totally fair! And I’d actually say those are my two favorite as well!
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u/MALAMVTE Dec 02 '25
This is brilliant (The Fragile / Downward Spiral) but I like this (Add Violence)
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u/Far_Departure_1580 Dec 02 '25
The Slip cause from the music Discipline: Once I start I cannot stop myself.
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u/arrakis2 Dec 01 '25
I love all the albums but the best for me is The Downward Spiral. The music and lyrics are amazing!
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Dec 01 '25
Year Zero
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u/MrRuiner42 Dec 01 '25
I love most of the albums. By far though, Pretty Hate Machine. For sure.
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u/Educational-Golf89 Dec 01 '25
My favorites lopp around often but overall it's The Fragile for me.
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u/Ok_Dog_4059 Dec 01 '25
I really liked rusty nails II but the print flaked off my CD and I could never find another copy.
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u/muzzy97 Dec 01 '25
The Downward Spiral, helped me through a really really rough patch during 2020 when I lost my grandmother and spiralled into alcoholism, it’s saved my life on numerous occasions
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u/thehandsomebandit Dec 01 '25
What an album. It’s amazing what music can do
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u/muzzy97 Dec 01 '25
Every time I hit a rough spot in life I always go back to that album, it just heals me like no other album can, it makes me feel like I’m not alone and is there for me to cry to, to get angry to and to feel my pain to
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u/IBlackKiteI Dec 01 '25
TDS cuz even moreso than the other albums there's nothing else quite like it on Earth.
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u/quicksilver425 Dec 02 '25
Still is one of my favorites although I’d consider it a companion to The Fragile.
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u/Fun-Feedback3926 Dec 02 '25
The Fragile might be one of the best industrial rock/metal albums ever made, hell I’d even say of any albums period. I’d say With Teeth(ah!) & Downward Spiral are tied for second place. TDS needs no explanation but With Teeth is so dark, atmospheric & groovy, plus it has Sunspots on it which is my favorite NIN song
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u/FutureSaturn Dec 02 '25
The Fragile is my go-to answer... but I really love Hesitation Marks -- especially as I get older.
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u/Rutherford420_th_brv Dec 02 '25
I just got into them recently but so far for me it’s The Fragile
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u/mgerlach310 Dec 02 '25
For me it is the fragile.
But with teeth was the perfect introduction to NIN for me: It was probably the most commercial sounding and controlled but has some fantastic sounds and songs. I’ll never turn down a listen or turn off any of these songs
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Dec 02 '25
It's prob. the most guitar driven Nails album imo. Really did love it as a kid for that reason. I feel fragile has more of the "core" NIN sound that most people associate with the band tho. I personally do find WT to be my favorite tho as well 🙏🤙 Just has alotta great songs that really do hit right for me. Ofc, all this "best" or "worst" shit is fully subjective. If it makes anyone here feel better, whatever NIN "worst" songs are in your opinion, would prob. be most bands best songs tbr. 🤷♂️ Nails are certainly leaps and bounds, and infinite metaphorical miles better, than a solid 50% of punk and indie imho. Far, far, far more educational for most musicians than yr average punk and indie band for damn sure. It's lobotomized troglodyte level derangement to say otherwise for me. 🙅♂️ Js...
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u/Gh0st0fy0urp4st Dec 02 '25
With Teeth? Unfathomably based, Fragilecels are fuming
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u/VonBurner666 Dec 02 '25
I also have to mention this, when it comes to just background ambient noise i love giving the quake2 soundtrack a spin. Its a mandatory the one or two times a year I eat lsd. The soundtrack comes out fricken hard like a freight train than it goes almost completely ambient and I love it. Also why does nobody ever mention Get Down Make Love on the sin single? I love the sin single and get down make love hardly gets the recognition it deserves My buddy has that tattoo from the cover, its funny we lost contact for many years but we both got a nin tat during that time, when we linked back up years later i was like damn i wish i thought of gettin that one instead. My homie Derrick was the one who introduced me to nin as a kid and the music has become a life long love. I cant wait till Feb, its been way too long since Trent has come to the crescent city. Ive seen nin live more times than I can count over the years ill never get bored of seeing em live.
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u/Training-Contact-953 Dec 02 '25
The Fragile without a goddamn doubt! It is his magnum opus and I will die on that hill!! T-Rez poured his entire being into that record and it shows. From Somewhat Damaged all the way through to 10 Miles High it is an absolute banger - there's not a bad track in the bunch! It is a perfect culmination of all of his work previous to The Fragile, as well as breaking some amazing new ground. The fact that he was able to make that album and then still be able to stay fresh all these years later is a testament to what an incredible artist and performer he is.
I fucking love NIИ! Keep em coming Trent!
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u/azazyl Dec 02 '25
I go back and forth between Broken, Downward Spiral and The Fragile. Depends on the mood. If forced to pick one… for me it has to be The Fragile. It gives you the most variation and genre options. You get a little bit of every version of Trent, and NIN on The Fragile.
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u/Vast_Pollution_283 Dec 02 '25
TDS=FRAGILE for me. I treat it as a one big album because it hit me exactly when I was going through similar stuff as the "narrator" would as described by reznor at the time I first got hooked on NIN, hitting rock bottom out of nihilism then trying to fix my life only to find myself at the place of bittersweet acceptance of who I am and that the solution I was hoping for was simply not achievable
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u/Cabby_Fat Dec 02 '25
not a popular answer but i consistently return to fixed. I love the remixes! so many details and the tone is perfect. wish remixed is fantastic and each song has a slow and gradual progression that is unforgettable for me.
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u/ZeroCoolGuy886 Dec 02 '25
Mine is “With Teeth”. It came out a couple of weeks before I graduated from high school. Looking back not just my high school days, but the last couple of months were some of the best days of my life, and I am glad that album was a part of that time.
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u/Dogekaliber Dec 02 '25
Hrmm… I have so many… but I will listen or play a song through my mind depending on my mood or if I am home or on the road. I can’t pick a favorite.
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u/MacabreMagpie Dec 02 '25
The Fragile, no question. Some great rock songs, incredible soundscapes and the first 6 songs is my favourite run of tracks on any album.
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u/dronejunky Dec 02 '25
The Fragile. I have it in vinyl from 1999. It has the commentary from Alan Moulder with it in the production. If you're an Avid Fan, worth getting hold of. The whole thing still gives me goosebumps but especially from La Mer onwards.
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u/CentreForAnts Dec 02 '25
Mine is With Teeth as well. Borrowed it from the local library cause the cover looked cool. Its what started it all so always has a special place in my heart
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u/Azivlo Dec 02 '25
Hesitation marks and I'm completely serious. The beats are very complex, it's surprisingly dance-y and for a change, the lyrics aren't AS depressing, as they usually are with Trent. Also, as many people have said before - this feels like the most mature NIN album, as Reznor has finally dealt with his past torments and can now focus exclusively on the music itself.
The second one would be Still - it's kinda the exact reverse of HM and perhaps that's why I enjoy it so much. This time around it's very simple instrumentals and thanks to that the already depressing lyrics from previous albums feel even more potent and gut-wrenching.
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u/Dunwich_Horror_ Dec 02 '25
I’ve seen NIN live every tour from the Fragile on. The With Teeth show was by far my favorite.
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u/InvisiKid Dec 02 '25
I can tell you which ones it ain’t!
But its impossible for me to chose a favorite.
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u/Fickle-Poem-8283 Dec 02 '25
It has to be PHM for me. It’s the one album I can listen to every day, back to front, and the only NIN album I have on vinyl (I would have more if I wasn’t a broke college kid…). I love how, unlike the later albums, the production is so raw and rough around the edges. Though, in terms of favourites, it’s close between PHM, Year Zero, and The Fragile…what an amazing discography.
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u/Kalfu73 Dec 02 '25
I have to answer with two, sorry not sorry
The Downward Spiral has the most emotional impact for me, especially at the time of its release.
The Fragile is the best overall work artistically, absolutely gorgeous
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u/wrenmolko Dec 02 '25
It's really really hard to choose, so many of their albums I can just listen to all the way through again and again with excitement, but if pushed to pick I'd have to say Still is my favourite.
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u/undead_format Dec 02 '25
i gotta go with a remix. 'further down the spiral' is the album that started it all for me. so glad to finally be able to spin it. we need a legit pressing though 😵💫
self destruction, final is an absolute masterpiece 🖤🔥
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u/IssueReasonable2366 Dec 03 '25
Broken > Pretty Hate Machine > The Downward Spiral for me.
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u/TTOSTED Dec 03 '25
It was the hand that feeds because that was the first album I ever listened to but its evolved in to add violence, I just think its a beautiful album
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u/VariationOk2013 Dec 08 '25
You know it’s kinda funny…I saw your post right away. And thought…hmmm With Teeth. Kinda random. Almost posted mine was Downward. Flash forward to Spotify wrapped. #1 album With Teeth. By a mile.
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u/Spiralchasm Dec 01 '25
Gotta stay true to my name, so TDS. The Fragile is a close second though.
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u/CorpseDeVille Dec 01 '25
The Fragile