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Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ Celebrates 30 Years with 53 Unreleased Songs

It was the third and final album of the group after the tragic death of Kurt Cobain in 1994

Describing Nirvana’s third and final studio album, In Utero, as one of the most impactful records of the modern era hardly does it justice. Released on September 21, 1993, this album, featuring tracks like «Pennyroyal Tea» and «Heart-Shaped Box,» swiftly claimed the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart, which ranks the top two hundred best-selling albums of the week. This achievement mirrored their earlier success in 1991 with Nevermind, which sold 30 million copies. Since then, In Utero has achieved a remarkable six times platinum certification in the United States. 

This original album marked the first time Nirvana took public reaction into account. It’s characterized by a raw, unfiltered sound, with songs delving into the personal struggles of Kurt Cobain, the band’s leader, who had battled addiction for years. The album also reflects Cobain’s recent experience as a father and Nirvana’s newfound fame. Their unadorned and gritty music was met with a mix of astonishment and enthusiasm from both fans and critics. It was recorded and mixed in just two weeks in February 1993, a testament to the band’s efficiency. Cobain recorded all his vocals in just six hours, with most of them being first takes. 

Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain y Krist Novoselic, miembros de Nirvana, en una imagen de archivo. / KMazur

Nirvana’s Third & Final Album After the Tragic Death of Kurt Cobain in 1994 

Tragically, this album would be the band’s final work following Kurt Cobain’s death. He was found dead in his Seattle home from a ‘self-inflicted’ gunshot wound in 1994. This heart-wrenching event marked the end of Nirvana, a band also comprised of Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl. 

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of In Utero, reissues in various formats are hitting the shelves today, featuring an impressive total of 72 tracks, including 53 previously unreleased ones. These editions also offer a glimpse into the past with two complete concerts from the ‘In Utero’ era: «Live In Los Angeles (1993)» and the band’s final hometown performance in Seattle, «Live On Seattle (1994).» The meticulous reconstruction of these releases was overseen by Jack Endino, the producer behind the band’s debut album, Bleach, released in 1989. 

Among the 72 songs included in this project are live recordings from concerts in Rome, Springfield, and New York. Furthermore, the 30th-anniversary edition of In Utero boasts a remastered version of the original album, thoroughly crafted by Bob Weston, who worked on the album’s original recordings, along with sound engineer Steve Albini. 

Original article in Spanish by Ana de la Morena for LOS40 Classic.