Nine Inch Nails recently made a comeback on stage, with drummer Josh Freese playing alongside them for the first time in their scheduled performance.
In an unexpected turn of events, the drumming roles in two iconic bands have been swapped. Ilan Rubin, formerly the drummer for Nine Inch Nails, has taken up the position in Foo Fighters, while Josh Freese, who was with Foo Fighters until May 2025, has returned to Nine Inch Nails.
Ilan Rubin, known for his stint with Nine Inch Nails since 2009, also played with Angels & Airwaves and collaborated with Danny Elfman. He made history by becoming the youngest inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Nine Inch Nails at the age of 32 in 2020.
Josh Freese, who joined Foo Fighters in 2023 following the death of Taylor Hawkins in 2022, parted ways with the band in May 2025. Prior to joining Foo Fighters, Freese was with Nine Inch Nails from 2005 to 2008. He has now returned to the band, with Nine Inch Nails enthusiastically announcing his return on social media.
It is not yet confirmed whether Rubin will be a permanent or touring member of Foo Fighters. However, he recently informed Trent Reznor about his commitment to Foo Fighters just before Nine Inch Nails' North American tour began in August 2025.
Nine Inch Nails resumed their Peel It Back tour last week, starting at the Oakland Arena on August 6. The tour, which is currently visiting various cities in North America, features the band performing their heavier hits at the main stage and acoustic versions and remixes at a smaller second stage in the audience. The North American leg of the tour will continue in Seattle on August 12 and end at the Inglewood Kia Forum on September 19.
At the Oakland show, Nine Inch Nails collaborated with Boys Noize on several tracks, including Vessel, Sin, Came Back Haunted, and As Alive As You Need Me To Be. As Alive As You Need Me To Be, a new single by Nine Inch Nails, was performed live for the first time at the Oakland show and is written for the upcoming Tron: Ares soundtrack.
The rest of the band, including Freese, joined them on the main stage for performances of Wish, March of the Pigs, Reptile, Heresy, Copy of A, and Gave Up. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross performed acoustic versions of Right Where It Belongs, Somewhat Damaged, Ruiner, and Piggy on the second stage at the Oakland show.
For ticket details for the Peel It Back tour, visit the NIN Peel It Back tour website. The Foo Fighters' new drummer is Ilan Rubin, who was previously playing with Nine Inch Nails since 2013. The tour previously visited Europe and the UK earlier in the year.
Music enthusiasts will be excited to learn that Ilan Rubin, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, is now the drummer for Foo Fighters. Meanwhile, Josh Freese, who had a stint with Foo Fighters, has returned to Nine Inch Nails, bringing the music of two iconic bands full circle.
