In Utero is the third and final studio album by American rock band Nirvana, released on September 13, 1993, by DGC Records. Nirvana intended to depart from the more polished sound of their previous album, Nevermind (1991), with a greater range of sounds and moods. To capture a more abrasive and natural sound, they hired engineer Steve Albini to record In Utero over two weeks in February 1993 at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. The lyrics and album packaging incorporated medical imagery that conveyed frontman Kurt Cobain's outlook on his publicized personal life and Nirvana's newfound fame.
 
Soon after recording ended, rumors circulated that DGC would not release In Utero in its original state, feeling it was not commercially viable. Although Nirvana publicly denied this, they agreed to remix some songs. When Albini declined to alter the album, the band hired R.E.M. producer Scott Litt to adjust the sound and remix the singles "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies".
 
Despite DGC's concerns, In Utero was a major commercial and critical success, reaching number one on both the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart. Reviewers praised the change in sound and Cobain's lyrics. "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The album has been certified 5× platinum and has sold 15 million copies worldwide.