New Tool
 

I know there's a pretty large contingent of Tool fans here so I figured I'd share in case people were still in the dark. After a longer wait than the Winds of Winter, the new album will drop 8/30. They've been playing a couple new songs live, Invincible and Descending. Bootlegs are below. The sound quality is pretty decent for audience recordings, but you do have to deal with a considerable amount of stupid people chatter in Descending.

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The ****ing wait better be worth it, man.

Invincible is wicked.

Sounds more like A Perfect Circle though. Which ain't a bad thing.

There is zero chance it lives up to fan expectation, regardless of how good it is.

Going to see them Tuesday at the Sprint Center. My first Tool show.

https://media1.tenor.com/images/e3ce...itemid=4930897

You should enjoy it. Tool shows aren’t the mind**** they were in the 90s, but it will still be a good show. I told myself I wasn’t spending any more money on them until they dropped a new album, so I’ll catch the next tour. I’ve seen the greatest hits tour too many times with them. For someone who hasn’t been before, it will be perfect.

I felt 10,000 Days was the one that had the super high expectations and didn’t hold up. Whatever they come out with now will just be a nice bonus if good after all these years.

Yeah, I don’t disagree with any of that. The run up to 10,000 Days was pretty nuts. I remember when it first leaked and people were claiming that it was a fake decoy leak. Relative to their previous two, it was certainly underwhelming.

While the fever pitch may not be quite as high this time around, I feel it’s still there. I mean, the reddit sub can barely contain itself. I think expecting greatness from a group of 50 somethings is going to prove foolish though. That being said, I really like Invincible. Lyrically it seems to reference that exact theme; the once great warrior struggling to find relevance as he grows older.

Disagree. While I love all of their albums 10,000 Days was every bit as good as the rest in my opinion. Lateralus is still my favorite song but Right In Two is close and the whole vibe of that album with Maynard still grieving over the loss of his mother left me every bit as satisfied as I was with the previous Tool and APC albums. I know I'm in the minority but Eat The Elephant is right up there for me as well. Maynard is by far my favorite musician of all time though, the only person that even comes close for me is Trent Reznor.

Maynard is said to be an asshole but any guy that names his grape field Merkin Vineyards is ok with me.

Yeah, I mean everybody has the right to their opinion. I’d say more people are in line with mine, but that doesn’t make it any more true for you. We like what we like. I still like 10,000 Days. It’s got some great stuff. Aenima and Lateralus are god tier for me though, like truly special works. They almost feel more like accomplishments than albums.

I don’t really know that I consider Maynard to be a musician though. Singer? Yeah. Songwriter? Yeah. Is he a musician though? Sure he’s been known to hop on a second guitar on stage, but I’ve never really been certain anything was even coming from it.

Maybe my definition of musician is different than most...I guess the standard definition would probably be someone talented with a musical instrument which would probably leave Maynard out. My definition is someone "musically talented", if that makes sense. Maybe "musician" isn't the word I was looking for, but he is musically "gifted" above and beyond everyone alive today in my opinion and more so than anyone I've ever heard

I think there are many different forms and opinions on "musician".


IMO:
Maynard has made a living on writing, performing, producing and mixing music. He is considered to be one of the best of all time at his instrument (voice+effects/tone).

How is he not a musician?

I mean, you could say he's not a drummer... or not a guitarist... but I think he fits the criteria of Musician.

It’s in no way meant to be disparaging, as I know you’re a singer as well. I’m not implying that the voice is somehow less than an instrument. Hell, in many ways it’s the opposite. I’ve just always considered a musician to be someone who PLAYS music.

I know that when he lends his voice to other people's work it always elevates the song. He's irreplaceable as a vocalist.

Thanks! =)

I play a bit of piano, guitar, bass, drums, didgeridoo, whatever... but I don't practice enough on ANY of them to be a full timer in a working band.

I do however put that amount of effort into vocals, composing, and Mixing.

I would consider myself a musician, but I suppose for those that only know me as they see me on stage, I'd just be a singer. (but that's a little odd to me)

So some of you might know, TOOL finally released on Digital last week, and then this -

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Meant to post about this last night. Totally forgot! Not bad for a bunch of 50+ year olds. Not earth shatteringly good, but not disappointing.

Thought the title track was great, listened 4 times today already, as with most tool songs, you hear more the more you listen to it.

The special edition physical looks interesting:

Fear Inoculum is the long awaited new album from TOOL, and the band's first new album in 13 years. The album will be available digitally, and in a special Limited Edition physical package that includes a CD in a tri-fold Soft Pack Video Brochure featuring a 4" HD rechargeable screen with exclusive video footage, a USB charging cable, a 2 watt speaker and a 36 page insert book and MP3 download card

Anybody want to see more of Maynard, on AXS TV the Sammy Hagar Rock N Roll Road Show visited Maynard about 4 episodes ago at his vineyard in Arizona. Maynard wore a semi-suit outfit and looked kind of odd, plus he has a shaved head and Super Man Glasses. Anyway, he seemed normal and they mostly talked about wine. When Sammy said, what musician would you like to meet if given the chance and he said, Joni Mitchell. He really liked her songwriting. Sammy brought the chef Guy Fieri along, who a music fan. He made it somewhat interesting as they talked on the plane ride. I'm know AXS has those shows on-demand if anyone is interested.

https://static.spin.com/files/2019/0...53-640x457.jpg

Invincible is still my favorite. Can't wait to hear that song digitally recorded.

Kinda underwhelmed. I mean, it sounds like tool instrumentally, but the vocals sound like Maynard just carried over his recent APC work. Too soft and not enough grit.

Hopefully the rest of the album has some tracks i can rock out too. I want more tracks that sound like Jambi etc.

Sounds like a b-side track from Lateralus.

You realize pretty much ALL instruments are based on the human voice right?

Skilled singers are UNQUESTIONED musicians.

Almost 30 years since Opiate. Time flies.


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More Maynard:

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Interestingly, the last thing I want is more tracks like Jambi. That and The Pot are my least favorite Tool songs.

I mean, we can all argue about what we like, but it’s generally considered that 10,000 Days is their worst album. Not everybody thinks that of course, but more do than not. I find those songs to be the worst songs on their worst album. It’s not advanced math!

For what it’s worth, Jambi is a far better song than The Pot. The Pot is just bad. Cheesy lyrics and boring guitar work. Opinions man, we all got ‘em.

This song is already a masterpiece imo. Its pretty ****ing awesome when you can listen to a song 20 times the day its released then cant remember what it sounds like the next day at work. I love the complexity of this band.

I mean, I love Opiate and Undertow but 10,000 Days is a LOT better than both in my opinion. Its not really comparable...Opiate and Undertow - while great - are obviously the band in their "teething" stage. Ænima and 10,000 days are both a coin flip for me with Lateralus slightly better than both. But like you said, opinions are like assholes...everyone has one.

In fairness, I don’t consider Opiate as part of the equation since it’s just an EP. I do agree that 10,000 Days>Opiate. I’d also not deny that 10,000 Days is much more technically superior than Undertow. That being said, I prefer Undertow, and that rawness is part of the reason why.

Subjective, of course, but 10,000 Days is a phenomenal musical accomplishment. If Lateralus didn't exist, people wouldn't take 10k so lightly. Lateralus was just so revolutionary during its time and place.

Undertow can't hold a candle to 10,000 Days.

I imagine that age is a factor. Undertow came out when I was 16 and it was transformative. Then when Aenima came out, it was such an evolution. Lateralus came out and changed everything again. Then 10,000 Days came out and for the first time, it didn’t feel like step forward.

Don’t get me wrong, LK/RS is amazing. Vicarious is incredibly tight musically, but with some silly lyrics. WfM/10k Days is incredibly emotional, but is just decent on the whole. The rest is just meh, and that’s the only album I can say that about.

I can respect that. However -

Right in Two
Rosetta Stoned
Jambii

Those are some of the best songs they've ever made. If there were a greatest hits album, one of those is on there. Hell, maybe even Vicarious.

Well I would respectfully disagree with 2 of those, but I think this dead horse has taken enough punishment.

FWIW, I find myself agreeing with Third Eye on this topic. 10K Days has nothing on my 'go-to' list re:Tool. It's enjoyable, but nothing on there breaks any ground.

Sad to know this is likely the last studio album from them.

10000 Days wasn't Lateralus or Aenima but it was good. It's not that Tool needs to show an evolution in my mind, the impressive thing is that they haven't changed much since Aenima, and that's great. So many bands from my childhood had amazing first and second albums, then their third albums became only half good, then everything after that was the same or worse. Tool has been great for decades, all while playing around drop D tuning, and they sound the same, but different at the same time. They don't stretch out and try tons of different things, they're just amazing musician's that compliment each other to near perfection between their riffs and rhythms.

Gimme 46 and 2 because it was the first song I learned on electric bass and is my favorite Tool song, give me Ticks and Leeches because of it's fast pace Danny Carey is going to melt your face off drum work, and then give me Vicarious and Jambi on 10000 days to get a concert started off the right way. I don't view any of their songs to be bad per say, I think they all hold their place in the badass history that is Tool.

I didn't like Fear Inoculum at first, but as I've listened to it over and over again I love it, same with Descending. I'm stoked to hear this album with an amazing set of headphones in my office while I'm working on shit or playing video games, and the fact that it's all on Apple music now, holy shit perfect storm of awesome.

Snooze fest based on what's been released thus far, and considering they usually release the better songs first for new albums, not a good sign.

Whoever said these album preferences are somewhat age-dependent was correct. I can tell how much you geezers like Undertow & Aenima compared to Lateralus and 10,000 Days lol

EDIT: And that's okay. To each their own.

LoL

I suppose I’m a geezer, and I like Lateralus the best.

EDIT: You’re going to be young for-ever! Wheeee!

Im 40, listened to Undertow throughout most of my teenage/formative years and while awesome its still probably my least favorite.

I guess I am old. My favorite album is still Opiate.

Part Of Me still one of my favorite Tool songs

Just messing with you all about being old :thumb:
Goes to show you how influential this band has been over time!

In case you don’t follow the Tool sub on Reddit, there is a very real chance this leaks tonight.

Leak confirmed.

I'm guessing your handle is in reference to this (one of my top 3 favorite live Tool performances that I've heard)

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Yes and no. It’s my favorite song by them for sure, but my interest in the concept goes beyond Tool and Bill Hicks and existed before Ænima came out.

Also, Fear Inoculum > 10,000 Days. Pneuma is my favorite at the moment.

Of all of the previously unheard tracks so far 7empest is my favorite. And I dare anyone to listen to Chocolate Chip Trip and come back and try to tell me Danny Carey isn't the greatest drummer on earth with a straight face.

You are right.ROFL

That is a damn fine track, I think its my favorite now too. I really like every song on the album except Descending. For whatever reason I cant get into it until the last few minutes...it seems very scattered. I'm sure that'll change after a few more listens.

I’ll say that I didn’t like Descending as much as Invincible when it was just the live boots available. Since the studio tracks have been available, it’s now either my 2nd or 3rd favorite track. The last 6 minutes are incredible. It’s either that or 7empest for my 2nd favorite.

Sounds like old Tool.

I’ll be damned if that doesn’t sound like a mighty fine idea.

Back to this one. This may be my favorite song from any album.

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I haven't gotten around to listening to the new tool yet.

I never get into new albums. Like Alice in Chains newest album wasn't bad or anything but it just didn't have the same feel to it and neither did Soundgardens. Again, they were decent albums but it just wasn't the same. I've been hesitating on listening to this for that reason.

This one feels like it came out around the same time as their older ones. They still have the same sound; listening to it is almost nostalgic, kind of makes me feel young again.

cool I'm gonna give it a listen

Five Stars.

Invincible is probably my favorite song off of this album, followed by Fear Inoculum.

I'm a little disappointed though that of the ten tracks there are four filler non-song tracks.

Bruh. Even if you count CC Trip as filler, there is still 75 minutes of non-filler. It’s the most non-filler album they’ve released. What the **** more could you want?

4 more non filler tracks. That would do it

Yeah, there should’ve been one or two more tracks. Even if they were just instrumental.

The filler tracks didn’t even fit on the ****ing CD. So you’re argument is that they should’ve done a double album then.

This. This album has more music than any of their previous. I remember reading an interview with Danny Carey long before the album came out that people would probably complain because the songs are so long that they could only fit a limited number on a CD. He was right, cant please everyone I guess.

Instrumentals are not filler by default.

Part of me wishes they had the balls to do something like Pink Floyd did with Meddle and Echoes...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echoes_(Pink_Floyd_song)

Awesome album. 7empest, Fear Inoculum, and Descending are my go-to tracks.

This. So much so, that I began to wonder if those obviously-tool-sounding rifts are contractually mandated. It is glorious.

I mean, everything is digital now, so sure, if thats the case, for the physical copy, then fine, but length of the album is inconsequential to me. I would prefer the noise tracks be actual songs. CCT is cool, i dont dislike it, but I just prefer a more fleshed out track.

I am not sure why you are so mega butthurt. I know you have a TOOL inspired username, so your probably some TOOL Stan... I get it.. I am not saying anything negative about the album.. its great, Danny and Maynard are the GOATs, and we are blessed as fans that they are together. They rock, they are my favorite band of all time...

But..

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I’m 42. I don’t Stan anything. Hell, I only learned what that means a week ago or so. But no, I’m not some fanboy. Hell, Tool isn’t even my favorite band and the Username isn’t really inspired by them either. I am a fan though, don’t get me wrong.

I don’t really see how I’m being butthurt about it, maybe that’s just the written word. I think your argument is ridiculous, but I’m certainly not hurt by it. If you came in and said you hated the album, I’d be fine with that. If you came in and said you hated the album because of the font that was used, I’d have a problem with that.

This album seems to have a lot more of the ambient sounds and less of the chunk metal riffs. I prefer more of the latter. Still, it is a decent album and it is Tool.

‘Who the fuck is Tool?’ Fans freak over ‘unknown’ band dethroning Taylor Swift

https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/to...r-swift-stans/

Lol, I take it that's one of those padody sites? :clap:

Not a parody unfortunately.

ROFL Seriously? This is real reaction? ROFL

In fairness, it’s largely 13 year old girls. There are legions of them though. I was blissfully unaware until this week, but apparently there are communities of Twitter accounts who base their entire existence on pop celebrities and then obsessively post about them. I mean obsessive to the point of being unhealthy. I fell down a rabbit hole this week that has left me forever changed.