Changes

| BPM = 115| versions =Heresy<br>Heresy (Instrumental)<br>Heresy (Version)<br>Heresy (Blind)<br>Heresy (Demo)| live = [[SelfDestruct Warm-Destructup]]<br>[[Performance 2007]] and <br>[[Year Zero Warm-Up Wave Goodbye Tour]]}}'''"Heresy"''' is the third track on ''[[The Downward Spiral (halo)|The Downward Spiral]].'' In 2004, a demo version was included with the Tenth Anniversary 2-disc SACD of ''The Downward Spiral.''

===Meaning===In an interview with U. Magazine published April 1994, Reznor spoke about the meaning behind the lyrics of this song:<blockquote>"I was trying to explore some of the paranoia I have as a sexually active person in the age of AIDS," he says of "Heresy." "I guess I feel cheated for not growing up in a more liberated era. At the same time, what gets me mad is the third track on way the right wing has used the 'convenience'of this epidemic in helping to promote their own agenda." [[The Downward Spiral (halo)|The Downward Spiral]]http://nothing.nin.'' In 2004, a demo version was included with the Tenth Anniversary 2-disc SACD of ''The Downward Spiralnet/int30.''html]</blockquote>

*''[[Closer To God (halo)|Closer To God]]'' ===Seeds===*''[[The Definitive NIN - Deep Cuts]]'' ===Other===*''Righteous Kill'' internet teaser trailer

Best described lyrically as a scathing attack on religion (particularly Western Christianity), "Heresy" contains synthesized bass, simple and powerful drum loops, and distorted guitar riffs backing aggressive vocals and moody atmospherics. The lyrics are ripe with Nietzschean concepts and allude to the infamous "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Is_Dead God Is Dead]" statement. Like many other songs on the album, the song's bridge contrasts heavily with the verses and choruses by being considerably quieter. This is also the second song on the original album to contain "The Downward Spiral Motif" and is played (in power chords at Drop D tuning) by the guitars during the chorus as follows:<br>[[Image:Heresy_Motif_Tab.JPG|The motif found in the chorus]] ===Heresy (Instrumental)===Released by Reznor through his [[remix.nin.com]] account, this is an unmastered and vocalless versionof the album cut.

Coming soon'''''Running Time: 5:19''''' This remix samples "In Suburbia" and "Television Believers" from Aron Ranen's ''Religion In Suburbia''.====Song Credits====* Manipulation: [[Charlie Clouser]]

'''''Running Time: 5:32''''' This version splices up the bass track and the drums to create a dancier beat (like the "Slate" remix of "[[Head Like A Hole (song)|Head Like A Hole]]"). In the The choruses there is are much less layeringlayered. On June 22, 2011, Joseph Bishara commented on the creation of the remix on his facebook page: "It was a great time - working at Bryan Adams studio in Vancouver with Dave Ogilvie and Anthony Valcic - programmed around the tracks, and we recorded hours of live at the console mixes, later edited into Heresy and Reptile remixes." A slightly extended version of this mix appears on the promo-only vinyl of ''Closer To God''.====Song Credits====* Manipulation: [[Dave Ogilvie]], Anthony Valcic, Joe Bisara

This demo version is found on the 2-disc Deluxe Edition of ''The Downward Spiral.'' The vocals in the verses are solely whispered, rather than both whispered and are not as layered sung in Reznor's high register as they are in the final on album version. As well, the tempo is slower(105 instead of 115 BPM), and the structure is altered, specifically in the featuring a differently-arranged introduction.

When performed during the Self Destruct warm up shows in 1994, the This song was has been played very similar faithfully to the album version. The only noticeable difference is the much louder guitars to the point where the famous The Downward Spiral motif in the chorus can be heard clearly. The way since 1994, though it was played considered a setlist rarity until the [[Wave Goodbye Tour]] in 1994 is similar to how it is played 20072009.

He’s He's got the answers to ease my curiosity

Your god God is dead and no one cares

Your god God is dead and no one cares

And if If there is a Hell I will see you there