American industrial rock project formed in Cleveland in 1988 by Trent Reznor. Reznor is the band's sole continuous creative force; touring lineups have varied widely. Foundational to the development of mainstream industrial rock alongside Ministry, KMFDM, and Skinny Puppy.
Ten studio albums starting with Pretty Hate Machine (1989). Critical peak: The Downward Spiral (1994, one of the best-selling industrial albums of all time) and The Fragile (1999, a double album that debuted at #1). Reznor has since pursued an extensive parallel film-scoring career with Atticus Ross (winning Oscars for The Social Network and Soul). Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
