Changes

'''''Purest Feeling''''' is a [[bootlegs|bootleg]] of an early recordings live rehearsal session by [[Nine Inch Nails]], prior to ''[[Pretty Hate Machine]].'' It was recorded at the Right Track Studio in October 1988 while [[Trent Reznor]] was still working as a technician there. It was first released on cassette in 1993 by Dirt Road Tapes, then re-released on CD the following year by Italian label Hawk Records.

These recordings were long believed to be demos that were sent to record labels, but the story has since become clearer and more detailed, due to info from original NIN drummer [[Ron Musarra]] and a 2025 leak of previously unheard demos.

Info The sound of the tracks on this recording represent the state of the songs as they existed in October 1988, and translated to a live performance setting with very little preparation (they only had about four days to rehearse). An 8-track reel to reel recorder provided much of the backing tracks, with Musarra playing most of the drum parts live. Vrenna triggered segue noise and [[samples]], faked some keyboard parts that came with were tracked, and changed the 2025 leak stated:tapes. Reznor provided vocals and guitar.

<blockquote>This is a collection of recordings that were made in advance of Nine Inch Nails being signed to a record label. They are a glimpse into a foundational period of the concept and sound of Nine Inch Nails before the release of ''Pretty Hate Machine'', the debut album where most of these songs would be presented in their finalized form. The music on these tapes was never meant to be a product to be purchased – these are works in progress, auditioning the project to record labels in hopes overall feel of securing additional resources to finalize the songs and release them on cassette, vinyl, and compact disc. They were freely distributed to a limited audience then; the audience is now wider.</blockquote> The sound of these tracks at this stage is brighter (and in some cases happier) than that of the final versions on ''Pretty Hate Machine''; several songs feature more . The live elements, namely drumming and , guitar work throughout, as well as a heavier use of [[and samples]] , give the songs different characteristics from filmsthe corresponding studio demo versions from the same period. "[[Kinda I Want To]]" is reminiscent of early house music. "[[Twist]]" is an early version of "[[Ringfinger]]", featuring different lyrics and less use of sample loops. The entire session has segues leading each track into the next. The songs "[[Maybe Just Once]]" and "[[Purest Feeling (song)|Purest Feeling]]" are not found on any Nine Inch Nails release.

Live Comparing this rehearsal recording to the live performances in October and November 1988 during Nine Inch Nails' first shows opening for [[Skinny Puppy]] on the VIVIsectVI Tour feature songs as they were recorded during this periodshow the same running order (with excisions due to time constraints) and song performances. It is unknown if "Purest Feeling" was ever performed live, including although it's possible it may have been at the TVT Showcase where "Maybe Just OnceSex Dwarf" and "Twistwas performed, due to needing to fill out a longer performance slot."