Nine Inch Nails And Dr. Martens Announce ‘The Downward Spiral’ Collaboration

From Revolver.

Prepare for the “March of the Docs,” as Nine Inch Nails have teamed up with Dr. Martens for a new footwear collection to further celebrate the 30th anniversary of the group’s The Downward Spiral.

The shoe company explained in the product launch that the collab is “a physical response to Nine Inch Nails’ visceral, ground-breaking album,” with all three joint products incorporating “industrial design references” that reflect the artwork for NIN’s landmark classic.

This includes an 8-eye 1460 boot, with a black-and-white version of Russell Mills’ “Wound” from The Downward Spiral’s cover art, the 3-eye 1461 shoe in black with a “Crystal Teeth” design from the album, and the extra-tall, black 10-eye 1490 boot, which Dr. Martens says is “inspired by the band’s uninhibited live shows where they would cover themselves in cornstarch for a decayed, post-apocalyptic aesthetic.”

John Crawford, NIN’s Creative Director, explained to Hypebeast: “This collaboration just makes so much sense. Not just because of the countless fans I’ve seen wearing Dr. Martens at NIN concerts over the years (myself included), but because NIN and Dr. Martens are both known for rejecting convention and expectation in favor of innovation.”

He continued, “Once we decided the collection would be themed around The Downward Spiral, we knew we’d have the advantage of using elements from Russell Mills’ incredible paintings that were created for the album’s packaging … We hid the repeating text ‘Nothing can stop me now’ – a mantra from the album – behind the zipper.”

If it turns out you do like the look of it, the collection becomes available July 19th from Dr. Martens’ website and other select retailers. The collection follows Dr. Martens’ music-minded collabs with Joy Divison, New Order, Sex Pistols, CBGB, Black Sabbath and more.

Earlier this year, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross talked about their big plans for a new Nine Inch Nails album, a festival, a clothing line, a record label, and more. NIN likewise delivered a skateboard-and-clothing line themed around The Downward Spiral earlier in the year, alongside deckmakers Welcome Skateboards.

This article was originally published on BrooklynVegan.com and has been edited by Revolver.

Courtesy of Dr. Martens

Courtesy of Dr. Martens

Courtesy of Dr. Martens

Courtesy of Dr. Martens