Nine Inch Nails Reunites w/ Josh Freese For First Time Since 2008

Last updated: 13 Aug 2025, 14:54:48
Published: 13 Aug 2025, 14:54:48
Written by: Tony Pierce
Photography by: Didier Messens/Redferns
Categories: Live DebutsOn Tour NowTour Dates Tagged: Nine Inch Nails Josh Freese Foo Fighters Nine Inch Nails at Oakland Arena Trent Reznor Atticus Ross Ozzy Osbourne Metallica Robert Trujillo Jason Newsted Ilan Rubin Nine Inch Nails at Rogers Arena Nine Inch Nails at Moda Center

Josh Freese got back in the saddle behind the drum kit for Nine Inch Nails, a seat he hadn't possessed in 17 years, and helped Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, et al, bowl over the sold out crowd last Wednesday (8/6) in Oakland.

Freese, you may have heard, was abruptly shown the door earlier this year by the Foo Fighters after passing their audition in 2023 and touring the world with them since.

When he received the news, in disbelief, he went to his IG and made at Top 10 list of possible reasons for the surprise termination.

It's a list he has kept on his account.

Top 10 Possible Reasons Freese Got Booted From the Foos
10. Once whistled "My Hero" for a week solid on tour.
9. Could only name one Fugazi song.
8. Two words: polyrhythms
7. Metronome-like precision behind the kit deemed "soulless."
6. Demanded starting every rehearsal with a 20-minute cowbell sound bath.
5. Never even once tried growing a beard.
4. Didn't show up to studio because Mercury was in retrograde.
3. Promised Noodles he could be 4th guitarist.
2. Refused to perform unless he was guaranteed a Ouija board and nunchucks after every show.
1. The whole poodle thing was getting to be a bit much.

Freese built a reputation as a versatile, reliable musician who could adapt within practically any style. Among the groups he either did fill-in spots with or was all-in include Guns N’ Roses (1997–2000), A Perfect Circle (1999–2012), The Vandals (1989–present), Devo (1996–present), Nine Inch Nails (2005–2008; 2025–present), Weezer (2009), The Replacements (2013–2015).

The Foos replaced him with the talented Ilan Rubin, who they nabbed from Nine Inch Nails, and who previously kept time with Angels and Airwaves, and Danny Elfman.

When NIN asked Josh to come back, the extremely rare rock swap where two veteran musicians change arena-level bands was complete.

The only other switcheroonie of this magnitude in rock history took place in 2003 when Metallica and Ozzy exchanged bass players.

Josh's first full show with NIN after 17 years.

Indeed, 22 years ago Metallica's Jason Newsted quit the band after 14 years and 1,000 shows.

When the metal legends auditioned a laundry list of badass bassists, they landed on Robert Trujillo, in part because the first song he did with them at their HQ was the complicated "Battery" which he did without a pick - simply with his enormous fingers.

Before accepting the new gig, Trujillo said he got a phone call from Ozzy himself telling him he was ready to hit the road again. Was he ready?

Robert said he felt extremely guilty and jetted back to LA to tell the Osbournes face-to-face about his new chapter.

Robert not only remained friendly with Ozzy but played at his final concert and was even part of the all-star band that helped induct him in the Rock Hall in 2024

“I flew home that night, and I actually went to Sharon and Ozzy’s house and met with Sharon and said, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna join Metallica'" he told The Surfer's Journal.

"So it was difficult – but I also felt that I needed to be there in person to tell him and tell her,” he said, and he has been a staple of Metallica, and their longest-serving bassist ever since.

When Jason chose to join Ozzy's band shortly after Robert joined Lars & co., The Prince of Darkness told Rolling Stone, “it’s not a fair exchange." Adding, "it’s robbery, I say,” with a smile, but while praising Robert.

When Ozzy announced Jason to the press he said both camps were happy with the indirect swap, there were no hard feelings, and it was time to have a great summer of touring.

Jason only lasted with Ozzy for the rest of 2003 and was replaced by Rob “Blasko” Nicholson who kept the gig for 14 years.

Will the Foos keep Ilan for the long haul, given that at 37 he is about two decades younger than the other members of the band?

Don't be quick to say the safer bet should be Josh with NIN, because even though their current tour is packing them in around the world and fans are so excited to see Trent, hear the old bangers, and be rewarded with new ones (as the Oakland fans go to experience with the live debut of "As Alive As You Need Me To Be"), Trent & Atticus have a lot of projects outside of the band.

In the last 16 years, there have been long gaps between tours, notably a four-year gap after the 2009 tour, a five year break after the 2018 tour, and a near-three year hiatus to get the Peel It Back Tour happening.

Worse for Josh, the new tune isn't for a forthcoming NIN studio album, it's for the 24-track Tron: Ares soundtrack that Trent and Atticus have made.

The pair are Oscar winners and part of the motion picture academy. They love making music for movies and have probably prioritized huge tours like the one they are currently enjoying, a little lower than they once did when they were younger.

The good news is, Josh may actually prefer being the "permanent" drummer of several great bands whose tours might start after the others end.

For all he knows, when NIN wraps up this year or next, Devo might want to do a few months, then the Vandals, and if the stars align, maybe Paul Westerberg and The Replacements might be interested in one last trip around the globe. Who better to call than Josh?

If the North American leg tour kickoff in Oakland and the following shows in Portland and BC prove anything it's that sometimes when one door closes, another, sometimes very familiar one opens. And it is good.

Josh rocking out with NIN is very good. My he savor an upward spiral.

Trent, Josh, Atticus, and the rest will travel to most of the major North American cities, wrapping it up with a pair of gigs at the Fabulous Forum.

Grab your tickets on the NIN website before it's too late.