Nirvana‘s seminal album, “In Utero,” is gearing up for its 30th-anniversary celebration, set to be released on October 27th by Universal. This deluxe edition promises to be a treat for fans and collectors alike, offering a treasure trove of unreleased tracks, live performances, and exclusive memorabilia.
“In Utero,” the band’s third and final studio album, may have marked the beginning of the end for Nirvana, with Kurt Cobain‘s tragic passing less than eight months after its release. However, its significance in the world of rock music remains undeniable. Although it didn’t achieve the same seismic cultural impact as its predecessor, “Nevermind,” it remains a powerful testament to the band’s raw talent and Cobain’s songwriting prowess.
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This 30th-anniversary edition is set to encompass the entirety of the original album, including songs and outtakes. But that’s not all; it also includes two full concerts from the tour that supported the album, boasting an impressive 72 tracks in total, with a staggering 53 of them previously unreleased. Among these tracks are six bonus live performances from Springfield, New York, and Rome. Notably, the Rome concert is from one of the band’s final performances, providing a poignant glimpse into Nirvana’s live energy.
Veteran producer and engineer Jack Endino, known for helming the band’s 1988 debut “Bleach,” meticulously reconstructed the live tracks from stereo soundboard tapes for this special reissue. Additionally, the original twelve album tracks, five bonus tracks, and B-sides have undergone a fresh remastering process. Bob Weston, who worked alongside Steve Albini as the only other engineer at the original recording sessions, handled this part of the project.
Fans and collectors will be thrilled with the physical Super Deluxe Edition box sets, which come with a removable front-cover acrylic panel featuring the album’s iconic angel. A 48-page hardcover book filled with unreleased photos and a newly designed 20-page fanzine offer a deeper dive into the world of “In Utero.” A Los Angeles tour poster lithograph by renowned hot rod artist Coop adds an artistic touch to the package. Additionally, fans will find replicas of the 1993 record store promo Angel mobile, three gig fliers, two ticket stubs for Los Angeles and Seattle, an All-Access tour laminate, and four cloth sticky tour backstage passes (Press, Photo, After Show, and Local Crew).
For the most devoted fans, there’s an exclusive offering available at online stores uDiscovermusic.com and SoundofVinyl.com, limited to just 3000 units worldwide. Those who purchase this Super Deluxe Edition will receive a Nirvana acrylic stand to proudly display their angel-on-acrylic panel included in both boxset configurations.
The 8LP Super Deluxe Edition boasts 180-gram pressings of the album along with five B-sides and bonus tracks, all newly remastered from 96kHz 24-bit transfers of the original analog master tapes. Additionally, it features two complete concerts from Los Angeles in ’93 and Seattle in ’94, along with six bonus live songs from the tour. With a grand total of 72 tracks, including 53 previously unreleased, this deluxe edition promises to be a nirvana for Nirvana fans.
As the world eagerly awaits the release of this milestone edition, “In Utero” is set to take center stage once again, reminding us of the enduring impact of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana on the world of rock music.