Josh Freese Returns to Nine Inch Nails
Josh Freese has made his first statement about rejoining Nine Inch Nails after leaving the Foo Fighters. According to an exclusive report by The Hollywood Reporter, Freese will return to the band over 15 years after he first left. This news comes after Nine Inch Nails’ drummer, Ilan Rubin, joined the Foo Fighters.
Background on Freese’s Decision to Leave Nine Inch Nails
Freese wrote an explanation on his Instagram, celebrating his reunion with the band. He stated that leaving Nine Inch Nails at the end of 2008 was one of the most difficult decisions he had ever made. At the time, his wife was expecting their third child, and he knew he had to step back from life on the road to be at home with his family. Freese praised the band, saying that every show with Nine Inch Nails was incredible, and the degree of intensity, pride, and satisfaction after every performance was something he had never experienced anywhere else.
Rejoining Nine Inch Nails
Freese expressed his excitement about rejoining the band and touring with Trent and the crew. He stated that being part of this energy again and feeling fantastic about the shows is something he is looking forward to. He encouraged fans to catch one of the upcoming shows, promising that they would be unforgettable.
Freese’s Time with Foo Fighters
Freese joined the Foo Fighters in 2023, following the death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. However, in May, he confirmed his departure from the band on Instagram, stating that Foo Fighters were going in a "different direction with their drummer." Freese said he was "not mad and not disappointed" about the decision.
Reaction from Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl thanked Freese for his work with the Foo Fighters in a letter celebrating the band’s 30th anniversary. Grohl wrote that the story of Foo Fighters would be incomplete without the "thundering magic" of Josh Freese.
Upcoming Tours
Nine Inch Nails’ North American leg of their Peel It Back tour begins on August 6th in the Oakland Arena in California. The Foo Fighters, on the other hand, are scheduled to play their first shows of 2025, starting in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October and concluding with a show in Mexico City on November 14th.
