Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project founded by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio, in the late 1980s. Widely associated with industrial rock, industrial metal and alternative rock, the project is principally driven by Reznor as primary songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, often augmented by a rotating lineup of collaborators for recordings and live performances. Known for dense, layered production that combines abrasive electronics, distorted guitars, synthesizers and dynamic shifts between quiet introspection and aggressive noise, the music frequently explores themes of alienation, emotional intensity and personal struggle. Nine Inch Nails rose to prominence in the 1990s and has been active across subsequent decades, influencing industrial and alternative music through both studio albums and notable live shows.