In Utero

In Utero
Studio album by Nirvana
Released	September 21, 1993 (1993-09-21)
Recorded	February 13–21, 1993[1] February 22–26, 1993 (mixing)[2]
Studio	Pachyderm, Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Genre	Grunge[3] noise rock[4] alternative rock[5] punk rock[6]
Length	41:23
Label	DGC
Producer	Steve Albini
Nirvana chronology
Incesticide (1992) In Utero (1993) MTV Unplugged in New York (1994)
Singles from In Utero
"Heart-Shaped Box" Released: August 30, 1993 "All Apologies" / "Rape Me" Released: December 6, 1993 "Pennyroyal Tea" Released: April 1994 (canceled) April 19, 2014 (re-release)

In Utero is the third and final studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 21, 1993, by DGC Records. After breaking into the mainstream with their second album, Nevermind (1991), Nirvana hired Steve Albini to record In Utero, seeking a more complex, abrasive sound that was reminiscent of their work prior to Nevermind. Although the singer and primary songwriter Kurt Cobain claimed that the album was "very impersonal", many of its songs contain heavy allusions to his personal life and struggles, expressing feelings of angst that were common on the band's previous album.

The album was recorded over two weeks in February 1993 at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. After recording finished, rumors circulated that DGC might not release the album due to Albini's abrasive and uncommercial sound. The album was mastered by Bob Ludwig to achieve a more desirable sound for both Nirvana and their label. The band later hired the producer Scott Litt to remix the singles "All Apologies", "Heart-Shaped Box" and "Pennyroyal Tea".

In Utero was a major commercial and critical success. Critics praised the album's raw, unconventional sound and Cobain's lyricism. It reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart; "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The album is certified five times platinum in the US and has sold 15 million copies worldwide. It was the final Nirvana album before Cobain's suicide in 1994, six months after the album's release.

"Pennyroyal Tea", planned as a single prior to Cobain's death, was released in 2014 and reached number one on the now-defunct Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales chart.