Nine Inch Nails’ new soundtrack for the movie *Tron: Ares* debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 45,000 units in its first week. Out of that total, 39,000 were pure album sales. The album also racked up 8.37 million on-demand streams. This is the band’s highest chart position since their 2013 album, *Hesitation Marks*.
Their new single, “As Alive As You Need Me to Be,” is climbing the charts and is now in the top 10 on several rock radio lists. This project marks a new chapter for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, as it’s their first film score released under the Nine Inch Nails name, despite having won two Oscars for previous film work. Fans can catch *Tron: Ares* in theaters starting October 10.
Physical album sales performed well, showing that many listeners still prefer tangible music. In fact, traditional sales accounted for 87% of total units sold, which is impressive in today’s streaming-focused market. Over the past decade, Reznor and Ross have focused heavily on film scores, winning their first Oscar for *The Social Network* in 2011 and another for *Soul* in 2021.
Electronic music has always been a key part of the *Tron* franchise. The last film, *Legacy*, featured a memorable score by Daft Punk. This new soundtrack is the first fresh material from Nine Inch Nails since they released *Ghosts V-VI* in 2020. With *Tron: Ares*, it’s clear that the band still has their signature sound and edge. Fans can look forward to getting their hands on this exciting new release.
