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"Heresy" is the third track on The Downward Spiral. In 2004, a demo version was included with the Tenth Anniversary 2-disc SACD of The Downward Spiral.
In an interview with U. Magazine published April 1994, Trent Reznor spoke about the meaning behind the lyrics of this song: "I was trying to explore some of the paranoia I have as a sexually active person in the age of AIDS. I guess I feel cheated for not growing up in a more liberated era. At the same time, what gets me mad is the way the right wing has used the 'convenience' of this epidemic in helping to promote their own agenda."
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 "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 album to contain "The Downward Spiral Motif" and is played (in power chords at Drop D tuning) by the guitars during the chorus.
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