"Pretty Hate Machine" is the debut studio album by American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on October 20, 1989, by TVT Records. Produced by frontman Trent Reznor along with John Fryer and Flood, the album features a synth-driven electronic sound combined with industrial and rock elements. The lyrics explore themes of angst, betrayal, and lovesickness. It was promoted with singles like "Down in It," "Head Like a Hole," and "Sin," along with a supporting tour. A remastered edition was released in 2010.
While the album achieved commercial success, reaching No. 75 in the US and garnering positive reviews, Reznor had disputes with TVT over the album's promotion, leading to his eventual signing with Interscope Records. Pretty Hate Machine was certified triple-platinum by the RIAA, becoming one of the first independently released albums to reach this milestone, and it has appeared on numerous lists of the best albums of the 1980s. In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 453 on its list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."
Reznor recorded the album while working nights at Right Track Studio in Cleveland, Ohio, using downtime to develop his music. He played most instruments himself, using a Macintosh Plus for sequencing and various synthesizers like the E-mu Emax and Minimoog. After sending out demos, he signed with TVT Records, known for novelty records. Recording involved collaborations with producers he admired, but Reznor opted to record mostly solo.
He later reflected on the album, expressing that he found some aspects immature but valued its honesty. Unlike contemporary industrial music, Pretty Hate Machine featured catchy riffs and traditional song structures, with lyrics that expressed adolescent angst and themes of betrayal. Critics noted its blend of electronic and rock elements, with influences from bands like Depeche Mode and New Order.
The album samples music from artists such as Prince and Public Enemy, with Reznor creatively manipulating sounds to fit his vision. The cover art, designed by Gary Talpas, features a turbine photo altered to resemble a rib cage. For the 2010 reissue, Rob Sheridan updated the cover art, although the original was lost and had to be re-created digitally.
