Nine Inch Nails Announce TRON: Ares Soundtrack — First New Album in Years Drops This September

Industrial rock icons Nine Inch Nails are officially back and they’re returning with a high-profile release that’s already generating massive buzz. The band, fronted by the one and only Trent Reznor and longtime collaborator Atticus Ross, have announced their upcoming album will serve as the official soundtrack for Disney’s sci-fi blockbuster TRON: Ares. Set for release on September 19, 2025, the record marks Nine Inch Nails’ first full-length studio album in five years.

The announcement came alongside a gripping new trailer for TRON: Ares, which gives fans a sneak peek at the signature sonic world the band has created for the film. The duo’s brooding, synth-heavy soundscapes replace the sleek Daft Punk-style score of the previous TRON: Legacy with something darker, more industrial, and unmistakably NIN.

Director Joachim Rønning has described the musical shift as a core part of the film’s new tone, calling the Nine Inch Nails soundtrack “grittier” and “more grounded,” reflecting a storyline that leans more heavily into the collision of human and digital worlds.

The album’s first single, “As Alive as You Need Me to Be”, has already dropped online, showcasing pulsating electronics, atmospheric dread, and that classic Reznor edge, proving that even in a cinematic setting, Nine Inch Nails haven’t lost an ounce of their intensity.

This release also marks the first time Nine Inch Nails, not just Reznor and Ross under their film composer titles, have officially scored a motion picture as a band. The move brings their film work full circle, after winning Oscars, Grammys, and critical acclaim for scoring The Social Network, Gone Girl, Watchmen, and Pixar’s Soul.

Will We See Nine Inch Nails in Australia This Year?

While the album drop is confirmed, fans are now turning their attention to the possibility of an accompanying tour, particularly Australian fans, who haven’t seen Nine Inch Nails live since 2014.

The band has already confirmed a run of festival and headline shows across Europe and North America as part of their Peel It Back Tour, sparking speculation that more international dates could still be announced. With TRON: Ares hitting cinemas and streaming platforms later this year, the timing seems perfect for a larger world tour — and Australia could still be on the radar.

Until anything’s locked in, we’ll be watching this space closely. NIN’s powerful live shows, iconic catalogue, and new cinematic material would make for an unmissable return to Aussie stages.