Earlier this month, Josh Freese officially rejoined Nine Inch Nails as the band’s drummer, performing with them for the first time since he left in 2008. Following his reunion with Trent Reznor and co., Freese shared a Spin magazine review about his return to the band on Instagram.
The comments on Freese’s post were full of praise for the drummer, with many believing that he is a perfect fit for Nine Inch Nails.
“This is definitely where Josh should be!” one fan wrote, while another added: “I’ve been lucky enough to see NIN with three different drummers, and even though I had unforgettable experiences with each version of the live band, I always maintained that you were the best drummer I ever saw in the group. Welcome back, boss.”
Interestingly, of all the comments written below Freese’s post, one of the few that he took the time to “like” was one that directly compared Nine Inch Nails to his former band Foo Fighters. Along with labeling Foo Fighters “dad rock,” the remark also implies that the Dave Grohl fronted band is no longer “relevant” or “cool,” unlike NIN.
“Foo Fighters are dad rock,” the fan stated. “NIN is still cool and relevant this far into their career which says something about Trent and the people he works with. Just sayin. You’re a legend, Josh!”
Freese served as the drummer for Foo Fighters from 2023 to 2025, joining them following the death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022. This past May, however, Freese revealed via a statement to Instagram that he had been let go by the Foos. At the time, Freese stated that he had not been given any reason for his firing other than that they wanted to “go in a different direction with their drummer.”
Ironically, Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails have seemingly done a drummer swap. The same day Nine Inch Nails teased the return of Freese behind the kit, it was leaked that Foo Fighters have enlisted Nine Inch Nails’ Ilan Rubin as their new drummer.
It should be noted, however, that Foo Fighters still have yet to officially comment on Rubin’s hiring or on Freese’ exit from the band.
The shake-up has sparked plenty of debate among fans about the contrasting legacies of Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails. For some, Foo Fighters remain one of the most reliable rock bands of the past three decades, still filling stadiums and headlining major festivals under Dave Grohl’s leadership. To others, however, the band’s sound has become too safe, earning the “dad rock” tag that Josh Freese quietly acknowledged by liking that pointed comment.
Nine Inch Nails, by comparison, have built a reputation on constant reinvention. Trent Reznor has never been afraid to embrace new sounds, from industrial aggression to electronic textures, and in recent years his award-winning film scores with Atticus Ross have only deepened the band’s cultural relevance. Seeing Freese step back into that world after his abrupt Foo Fighters exit makes the parallel between the two bands even sharper.
Meanwhile, Ilan Rubin joining Foo Fighters is a story in itself. Rubin, the youngest musician ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with NIN, brings technical ability and fresh energy to Grohl’s group. If confirmed, his addition could mark a new chapter for the Foos as they navigate life after Taylor Hawkins.
