Changes

| versions =Heresy<br>Heresy (Instrumental)<br>Heresy (Version)<br>Heresy (Blind)<br>Heresy (Demo)

}} '''"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.''

Best described lyrically as a scathing attack on religion (particularly Western Christianity), "Heresy " contains heavy synthesized bass, simple and powerful drum loops, and distorted guitar riffs backed up by backing aggressive vocals and moody synthatmospherics. The lyrics are ripe with Nietzschean concepts and allude to the infamous "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Is_Dead God Is Dead]" statement. It 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 as follows:<br>[[Image:Heresy_Motif_Tab.JPG|The motif found in the chorus]]

[[Image:Heresy_Motif_Tab===Heresy (Instrumental)===Released by Reznor through his remix.JPG|The motif found in nin.com account, this is an unmastered and vocalless version of the chorus]]album cut.

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. 

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, 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 it was played in since 1994 is similar to how , though it was played considered a setlist rarity until the [[Wave Goodbye Tour]] in 20072009.

The next-to-last penultimate line of the final chorus, as printed in the liner notes, can't be heard is not sung on the final album cut.The last line, however, cannot be heard rather than being sung at the end of the songsung, rather, in is repeated during the breakdown. (Albeit slightly distortedbridge.)