I know that Trent Reznor has admitted to being heavily influenced by David Bowie, but in all honesty, other than embarking on a string of 'concept' albums manifesting themselves pretty clearly with The Downward Spiral and The Fragile, I haven't really noticed many simliarities in the sound.

When Trent and David Bowie teamed up for collaborations and concerts, it was obvious that David Bowie had taken some very explicit ques from Trent---Earthling incorporates Jungle sounds, but let's face it---the electronic feel of that album screams NIN.

But I noticed that NIN's "A Warm place" about 1 minute in to the song sounds almost exactly like Bowie's "Warzawa" at its 2 minute marker. The key is different but it's so close, i swear I think Trent deliberately did it as an homage to Bowie. It's just way too close for me.

Does anyone know if this was deliberate?

You must mean "Crystal Japan", not "Warszawa".

There's never been a real confirmation of it. According to some, Reznor just heard a melody in his head and didn't realize it was from a Bowie track. Apparently, Bowie never proceeded with any legal actions and they would even go on a tour together. I don't know if Bowie is credited as the writer on the later editions of The Downward Spiral, but the first edition mentions nothing about it.

A Warm Place + Adrift And At Peace + The Persistence Of Loss = tears

TheVoid said:

When Trent and David Bowie teamed up for collaborations and concerts, it was obvious that David Bowie had taken some very explicit ques from Trent---Earthling incorporates Jungle sounds, but let's face it---the electronic feel of that album screams NIN.

Shouldn't it? Isn't the production on Earthling remixed by Trent, or was that just for the "Afraid Of Americans" single?

Just the single.