Bad Witch
Nine Inch Nails · 2018
30 min · 6 tracks · alternative rock
An unsettling blend of industrial grit and ambient soundscapes underpins hauntingly introspective lyrics exploring disillusionment and existential dread.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Break Down the Door — This track features a pulsating rhythm that blends industrial noise with an almost hypnotic melody, capturing the essence of the album's exploration of societal discontent.
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Shit Mirror Start here — Opening the album with aggressive beats and confrontational lyrics, this track sets a tone of disillusionment that permeates throughout Bad Witch.
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I’m Not From This World — With its expansive soundscape and reflective lyrics, this track delves into feelings of alienation, encapsulating the emotional weight of the EP.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of industrial sounds and introspective lyrics creates a unique listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a heavy, distorted beat that sets an aggressive tone, which is maintained through the next two tracks before shifting to a more ambient sound in the latter half.
- Each song features layered instrumentation, often blending electronic elements with live instrumentation, creating a dense sonic texture.
- The lyrics across the tracks are introspective and dark, often delivered in a spoken-word style that enhances the unsettling atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- visceral chaos and introspection
- short bursts of intensity
- late-night contemplative energy
- exploratory soundscape immersion
Maybe skip if you
- seeking melodic sing-alongs
- prefer consistent pacing
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a departure in sound with unsettling themes and blends of genres.
- Themes
- societal breakdown· industrial chaos
- Career context
- Released on June 22, 2018, Bad Witch is Nine Inch Nails' sixth EP, following the acclaimed albums Hesitation Marks and Not the Actual Events. This project represents a pivotal moment as Trent Reznor continues to experiment with shorter formats while delving deeper into his exploration of themes like chaos and identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Marilyn Manson· Ministry· Skinny Puppy
Tracklist
- 1 Shit Mirror Start here 3:06
- 2 Ahead of Ourselves 3:31
- 3 Play the Goddamned Part 4:51
- 4 God Break Down the Door 4:15
- 5 I’m Not From This World 6:42
- 6 Over and Out 7:50
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Death Magic
Health
Explores industrial chaos with a visceral blend of noise and melody, reflecting on modern existential angst.
Excavation
The Haxan Cloak
Shares dark ambient soundscapes and themes of dread, creating a haunting atmosphere of societal unease.
Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I
Earth
Combines heavy, droning guitars with introspective themes, echoing the chaos and introspection found in 'Bad Witch'.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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