Nine Inch Nails fans may not have to wait much longer for new music. Trent Reznor has confirmed that fresh material from the influential industrial rock band is actively in the works, signaling renewed creative focus after several years without a traditional studio release.
In a year-end interview with Complex, Reznor said the band is prioritizing Nine Inch Nails projects again, hinting that a long-awaited next era is finally taking shape.
“We are working on new stuff, and we’re excited to work on it,” Reznor said, stopping short of offering a release timeline.
A Shift in Creative Priorities
It has been five years since Nine Inch Nails released Ghosts VI: Locusts in 2020 and seven years since Bad Witch, their most recent full-length album featuring lyrics. In that time, Reznor and longtime collaborator Atticus Ross have focused heavily on film and television scoring.
Now, that balance appears to be shifting.
“We are prioritizing working on Nine Inch Nails over just taking on every single thing that comes up in the other category,” Reznor explained.
While details remain scarce, the change in mindset alone has energized fans who have waited patiently for new original material.
‘The Desire Is There’
Reznor acknowledged that momentum has been building gradually. Comparing the present moment to where things stood a year ago, he described a renewed creative spark.
“The difference between now and a year ago is the fuse has been lit,” he said. “And the desire is there.”
Though no album title, tracklist, or release window has been announced, Reznor’s comments suggest that the project is more than a vague idea. The enthusiasm marks a notable shift after years of uncertainty surrounding the band’s next chapter.
Touring Continues Into 2026
Nine Inch Nails recently released the dark, atmospheric instrumental soundtrack for Tron: Ares, reinforcing their continued presence in the cinematic space. At the same time, the band is preparing to resume its Peel It Back Tour, which restarts on February 5, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
The tour pause coincided with a notable lineup change that drew attention across the rock world.
Addressing the Drummer Swap
Reznor also addressed the unusual mid-year drummer swap involving the Foo Fighters. Longtime NIN drummer Ilan Rubin departed to join the Foo Fighters in 2025, prompting Reznor to bring back Josh Freese, who previously played with Nine Inch Nails from 2005 to 2008.
“The reality of that scenario was it was a surprise to me,” Reznor said, noting that Rubin’s exit created logistical challenges ahead of the band’s next tour leg.
Reznor said calling Freese was an easy decision due to his experience and reliability. “I thought it would feel better to play that last wave of tours with someone that wants to be there,” he added.
Freese later echoed the sentiment, describing the situation as coincidence rather than a planned exchange.
A New Era Ahead
While specifics remain under wraps, Reznor’s comments mark the clearest indication yet that Nine Inch Nails is entering a new creative phase. For a band known for evolution and reinvention, the promise of “new stuff” is enough to reignite anticipation across its global fan base.
