Nirvana - Incesticide

Released in 1992, Incesticide stands as one of Nirvana’s most fascinating and unfiltered releases—a compilation that peels back the layers of the band’s meteoric rise to reveal the raw energy, humor, and unpredictability that fueled their sound. Far from a simple collection of leftovers, the album gathers B-sides, demos, radio sessions, outtakes, and covers, stitching them together into a portrait of Nirvana before and during the breakthrough era of Nevermind.

Among its standout moments is the fan-favorite single “Sliver” (1990), a snapshot of Kurt Cobain’s genius for blending punk ferocity with pop sensibility. Covers such as “Turnaround” and “Son of a Gun” showcase the band’s debt to underground influences, while jagged originals like “Aneurysm” and “Dive” highlight their evolving blend of hardcore aggression and melodic instinct. The collection also underscores Nirvana’s irreverent streak, capturing their willingness to experiment, stumble, and explode with equal abandon.

Compiled at a time when bootlegged recordings were circulating widely in inferior quality, Incesticide gave fans an official, polished way to hear this side of Nirvana’s story. It’s both a gift to longtime followers and a crucial companion to the band’s studio albums, offering a raw and restless counterpoint to their more refined work.

Reissued on vinyl, Incesticide endures as an essential document of Nirvana’s spirit—uncompromising, chaotic, and endlessly vital.