The new Tool thread that shouldn't be deleted

[StevieG]

Zarathustra, that sucks when a great band is disappointing live. I've had a couple of up and down experiences with Tool concerts. Most of the time they've been great, but one seemed much more rushed, and they pumped out a few songs then left, which was a let-down.

Cambo, apart from the usual filler that kind of annoys me (like Eon Blue Apocalypse. Mantra, Faaip de Oiad), I find myself skipping Disposition, Reflection and Triad. It has never really done it for me.

It took me ages to get into The Patient, but I like that one now.

[StevieG]

I saw Tool again recently, a week or so ago, and although there was no new material, I thought the concert was of a higher quality than previous shows I've been to.

The only downside was that Maynard's voice seemed weak - he postponed a show earlier in the week due to doctor's orders, and still appeared to be suffering a little. He still hit the notes, but didn't hold them for any length.

However, the "show" was very cool, with good use of lasers and video screens. AND they kicked off the show with Third Eye, which is an immense powerhouse of the song when seen live! Nothing like a 15 minute opening song. There were a nice number of variations to their songs (in the past they played almost studio versions, which was impressive, but fairly ho-hum as far as the "show" went) - Danny featured on the drums in a few of these variations, and wowed us sufficiently!

From memory, they then played Vicarious, Schism, and Pushit - all with amazing and interesting variations. It was in Pushit that I felt that Maynard's voice suffered, but the music carried him through. Then came Intension, which was a good excuse to go to the loo, and get more beers...

They followed Intension with Lateralus - and that was a major highlight! The laser show was in full stream with a bunch of black and white lasers beaming in all directions, followed by red and yellow, and then a huge wall of colour leading into the next section of the song. It has such a fantastic build up and climax.

Then we had a 12 minute intermission!

When the lights dimmed again, Danny had another lengthy drum solo session, which eventually led into Jambi - which I would imagine must be one of the most difficult songs to play live. I still can't work out the time signature they use in that song.

The big three to end the show were: Forty Six & 2 - one of my all-time favourite Tool songs; Aenima; and Stinkfist - dedicated to the late Jeff Hannerman, guitarist of Slayer, who died the night before the show (or some time very close to it).

So, no the Pot, the Grudge, Right in Two or Sober, but in general I thought it was good value, and the sound quality was excellent apart from some periods where Maynard's vocals should have dominated the song, but didn't. I suspect that was intentional due to his weakened voice.

I certainly enjoyed this show, but I don't think I'll go to another Tool show unless they release another album. How long has it been since 10,000 Days? Anyway, all in all, a better show than most that I've been to.

[Zarathustra]

Good to hear. I wish they'd hurry up with the new stuff, but at least they're still playing. Maynard has always sounded a little weak live, imo. He pushes himself to the limit in the studio, doing things he just can't replicate live. It's a shame, but it can be said for a lot of singers.

[Cambo]

I saw them in Auckland last week. Amazing show. I agree Maynard's voice is not what it was, but it sounds like we got a better performance out of him than Stevie did; I thought Pushit was his vocal highlight.
Third Eye as the opener for us as well, and was similarly thunderous. Visuals were amazing, particularly during Vicarious. They jammed quite a lot, with extended bits for, from memory, Stinkfist, Schism, Pushit and Lateralus, and a drum solo intro to Jambi.

First time seeing my favourite band solo, and I couldn't have been happier . But yes, we are well past due for the new album- I suspect the blame lies with Maynard.

[StevieG]

Here's a trip down memory lane, Tool playing Led Zeppelin's No Quarter from Salival - it's a satisfying epic!

[Cord Hurn]

Here's a trip down memory lane, Tool playing Led Zeppelin's No Quarter from Salival - it's a satisfying epic!

Indeed, that's pretty good, Stevie!

[StevieG]

Here's another live Tool song from Salival

Classic guitar riff!

You Lied

[StevieG]

Is it finally happening???

Tool will apparently release a new album August 30th, 2019

I'm nervously optimistic

[StevieG]

Well, dear Watchers, the new Tool album is here! Titled "Fear Inoculum"

I've listened to some of it, and it is definitely Tool!

It is no great departure from their older stuff, which I like. Fear Inoculum, Pneuma, Invincible, Descending, Culling Voices, Chocolate Chip Trip - are all pushing my buttons right now.

I haven't listened to 7empest or Mockingbeat yet - that's for the drive home

Overall, I'm very happy!

[Zarathustra]

I will need to listen a few more times. So far, it's pretty boring. Long, overwrought songs that meander to nowhere. Yes, it sounds like Tool. But this is what they've been working on for 13 years??? It still sounds unfinished to me. It's like they've forgotten how to write *songs,* and now only jam. A few strummed chords over thunderous drums is not a song.

[StevieG]

I have always tackled new Tool albums the same way (I only realise this in retrospect). The first few listens seem to be mainly musician-focused. This album has me excited about the musicianship. Danny Carey really does blow me away. His drumming surpasses anyone I've listened to before. I know there are amazing drummers out there etc, but his seems more cohesive in the context of a composition.

Adam Jones' solos have never really done it for me. I love his guitar sound, but the wah wah style of his solos are a bit ho hum to me. Chancellor's bass is always special in my opinion. And Maynard's vocals almost felt like they took a back seat to the music on this album.

Next, I put it on high rotation, and slowly get to know the songs. It takes me months to decide whether or not I actually like it. The first song of Tool's that I heard was Sober. Back then, they were complex, but it was also fairly straight forward, as far as the message they wanted to get across.

Aenima still took several listens to get in to. Lateralus was hard work. After several months, Aenima stood out as an outstanding album, with some of their best work. Lateralus felt like a major shift forward in their musical style, as well as Maynard's lyrical progression, the themes he writes about. To this day, I have had trouble appreciating Disposition, Reflection and Triad. Add to that, The Patient, which is "ok" in my mind. But then you add The Grudge, and Lateralus, Parabol and Parabola - it becomes a far greater album. Ticks and Leaches suffers from a poor middle in my opinion.

Although 10,000 Days received less favourable reviews in general, I have found (after years of listening) that it has some of Tool's greatest compositions. Namely Vicarious and Right in Two, although there are others such as Jambi, Wings for Marie 1 and 2, Rosetta Stoned and the Pot which are all good songs.

So, on to Fear Innoculum. I haven't felt this excited listening to a Tool album. It may come down to what you like to hear. I absolutely love amazing drumming. This album has it. Chocolate Chip Trip is basically a drum solo - when I first listened to it, I couldn't believe it. The melody of the songs seems to have also taken a back seat.

Tool have always fucked with time signatures, but they are one of the only bands that can make it sound cohesive. The album theme is always relevant. They write long songs that make sense to me - they don't feel strained or long just for the sake of it. Every proper song on the album sounds good to me after several listens, and even one of their "filler" songs (Chocolate Chip Trip) is awesome.

In these early days, I am ranking this album very highly.

[Zarathustra]

Adam Jones' solos have never really done it for me. I love his guitar sound, but the wah wah style of his solos are a bit ho hum to me. Chancellor's bass is always special in my opinion. And Maynard's vocals almost felt like they took a back seat to the music on this album.

I like Jones' style of playing, minimalist. But that's speaking as a bass player, lol. I LOVE how Tool's sound is driven by the bass. Chancellor is awesome. Seriously, go to Youtube and listen to the "bass only" tracks of Tool. You'd be amazed at how much of their songs are bass and not guitar. This is a bass/drum band with vocals and guitar added on for "texture."

It has never taken me long to realize the genius of Tool albums. I never had to do multiple listens to get it. Except this time.

Although 10,000 Days received less favourable reviews in general, I have found (after years of listening) that it has some of Tool's greatest compositions. Namely Vicarious and Right in Two, although there are others such as Jambi, Wings for Marie 1 and 2, Rosetta Stoned and the Pot which are all good songs.

I agree completely. I even like the "filler" stuff, the instrumentals.

So, on to Fear Innoculum. I haven't felt this excited listening to a Tool album. It may come down to what you like to hear. I absolutely love amazing drumming. This album has it. Chocolate Chip Trip is basically a drum solo - when I first listened to it, I couldn't believe it. The melody of the songs seems to have also taken a back seat.

I like drumming, too, but Carey's drumming on this album seems repetitive to me. Same tom fills over and over. I don't think it's Carey's fault, I just think he wasn't given good material to work with.

Tool have always fucked with time signatures, but they are one of the only bands that can make it sound cohesive.

I think a better way to say it is that they have always made intricate time signatures sound like a song, rather than just an excuse to show off how mathematical they are. Rush does the same thing, except even better. You have no idea how complex the time signature changes are in Limelight because it's a really good song.

[StevieG]

This is a bass/drum band with vocals and guitar added on for "texture."

I completely agree with that, especially in the context of this latest album.

I like drumming, too, but Carey's drumming on this album seems repetitive to me. Same tom fills over and over. I don't think it's Carey's fault, I just think he wasn't given good material to work with.

I was under the impression that "the band" wrote the material, that is, bass, drummer and guitarist. Then Maynard came in and added vocals and melody. However, I haven't looked it up so I could be wrong. To me, the drumming is one of the highlights of this album (I suppose it is for most of their albums) - Chocolate Chip Trip is the first time there's a song that is merely there for the drumming alone. That pleases me

Tool have always fucked with time signatures, but they are one of the only bands that can make it sound cohesive.

I think a better way to say it is that they have always made intricate time signatures sound like a song, rather than just an excuse to show off how mathematical they are. Rush does the same thing, except even better. You have no idea how complex the time signature changes are in Limelight because it's a really good song.

That is most certainly a better way to say it. I loved the Rush example (I admit, I don't know their catalogue very well, but that song has encouraged me to delve!). Lateralus (the song) is a great example of that.

I've had more of a listen to the Tool album now. The songs that I particularly like are Fear Innoculum, Pneuma, Culling Voices, and Chocolate Chip Trip. I'm still making my mind up about Invincible, Descending and 7empest although the latter is definitely moving toward my "like" list.

[Zarathustra]

Got my Tool tickets for Bridgestone Arena, Nashville! Excellent seats, too.

Anyone else seeing Tool this tour?

[StevieG]

Pre-sale for Melbourne (the closest city to me) is on Wednesday, and then Friday for official tickets. I will be trying very hard to get tickets in pre-sale, but they sell out so damn fast...

They tour here next February. I'll check in again, hopefully with Tool tickets!

[Zarathustra]

I got in the Ticketmaster queue 5 minutes before the tickets went on sale (requires Ticketmaster membership and login, which I applied for 10 minutes prior to sale). When they went on sale, I had over 2000 people ahead of me. 10 minutes later, I had great seats on the lower level, right behind the mixing board. I could have gotten closer but I don't like looking sideways the whole time. I'd rather have good, balanced sound and a straight-on view. $369 for two.

[StevieG]

I managed to get pre-sale tickets just now in a very similar position - centre, behind the mixing board. I'm very happy with that. $357 for two and a $5.95 booking fee. It took about 20 minutes to get onto the system, but I started 10 minutes before they went on sale.

[Zarathustra]

The new album is growing on me.

[Zarathustra]

The new album is growing on me.

[StevieG]

I'm glad to hear it

I'm overall loving this album. Pneuma is up there with my favourite Tool songs of all time. I heard it on the first listen, but subsequent listens has confirmed it for me.

I will come back at some stage and give my opinion on the rest of the album.