Category Archives: Album Watch 2016

TOOL “Deep into writing process”

TOOL’s bassist Justin Chancellor speaks out saying that the band is “deep into the writing process now”.  Every other month someone chimes in on the work on the album but it never seems to move far from the last update.  Readers should note the tone of this article to not be the positive vibe the band requests and this writer apologizes in advance.   It’s hard to remain positive when all that’s heard is the same old rigamarole from someone different on the band.

The folks over at Blabbermouth.net have an interview with Justin where he ranges from guilty to be happy folks we’re really working to make this album right.  TOOL fans are no amateurs when it comes to patience but at some point over the last 10-11 years can we gripe just a little that this painstakingly slow masterpiece get finished in our life times?

Justin dishes on the fact that they are working on one of the newer songs “over the past few months” so one song every few months = 11 years for an album it seems.  While Justin seems to acknowledge the length of time TOOL takes he does indicate he feels some guilt but the process is the process.  But rest assured they are their own worst critics and want to ensure the album is up to snuff for themselves and their fans.

The article goes on to cover aspects of how they have their own products and since the album creation is so long they tour for a while after then need a break between starting it up again.  Of course he says the lawsuits have limited their creativity a bit but now are all in with all members of the band with the exception of Maynard tooling around in the studio.  There’s everyone putting bits of songs together from their works captured on mobile devices to jamming.  Another interesting note is the repeated reference to “two albums” worth of material but only 5 have met the “TOOL standard.”  At this rate we’ll all be dead TOOL fans when a double album comes out.

As for Maynard he’s noted as quipping back in a way only Maynard would do about claims he’s the lazy bandmate causing further delays.  Maynard when asked about the lazy reference was quoted by the Wall Street Journal “I really love Led Zeppelin, and it’s a shame they’re not making more records, more records.  But I got up this morning without any problem.  We’re working on it… Do I appear to you to be a lazy person who doesn’t want to get that done?”

So there you have it, TOOL’s working hard rinse/repeat.

TOOL claims “shocking amount of new songs”

Tool is saying they have shocking amounts of new songs in the chute!  The folks over at AlternativeNation.net report on a Reddit user who described his meet and greet with the band.  The user D1g1talS0ul claims that during the meet and greet Adam played a riff from the new album and said there’s so much music they could do two albums *but* only 5 songs “meet their (tools) standard right now.”  Here’s the link with the post.  TWO albums (there’s those caps again) that’s crazy talk right?  Take what you will from that I suppose because the word was the two album rumor was bogus a few weeks ago now we have more references.

At this rate everyone would probably just be happy with one new album for now.

New TOOL album to be released ‘soon’

If we’re to believe the latest rumors a new TOOL album will be released ‘soon.’  Let’s get right to it.  First we have Justin saying it’s “in the oven” (around the 9min mark is the goods for those of you with little patience).  This can be taken in a myriad of ways, what kind of oven, at what temp, for how long???!?!  More questions than answers but!!

Then Danny is a guest on the Seth Myers Show and Seth says the album is “coming sometime soon” and apparently Danny acknowledges this.  Now to me this is flimsy as all hell, *BUT* then Reddit comes in and two posts fan this itty bitty teensy weensy small flame to something of an inferno.

But wait there’s more!!!

BeardedBassist21 wrote:

“- I think he’s serious.
– Justin said the album’s ‘in the oven’
– I recently met someone who has connections to the band, which have enabled him to get free tickets and also a chance to meet the band.
“He says the album is in mastering. Obviously he might be shitting me, but he hasn’t lied to me about anything yet. At the very least he’d be more likely to have actual insight than the average bozo.”

PanamaRed987 chimes in with: “Definitely plausible since they have used Bob Ludwig from Gateway Studios in Maine to master ‘10,000 Days.’ Would Danny be on the east coast for the whole week just to be on Seth Meyers? Maybe, but maybe not.”

These Redditors make for a very convincing argument to the validity of a new album coming soon.  In this writer’s opinion I am sold on the East coast trip and the Bob Ludwig connection.  Either we’re continuing to get played or we may very well see a TOOL album very very soon.  Comment your thoughts on whether you agree we’ll see new TOOL soon or not!!