Blair has published the February 2013 Tool Newsletter, and it contains an interview with Opiate reissue artist Adi Granov. Here’s a snippet:
Q: First off, how did you get involved with the cover artwork for the 21st anniversary release of Opiate?
A: Adam and I met last year, and he was already familiar with my work, so we started talking about collaborating on various things. At some point some artwork for Tool came up and Adam asked me if I’d be interested in doing the art for the Opiate anniversary. I was very happy to do it!
Q: Prior to meeting Adam, were you a fan of Tool’s music, and/or their artwork? If so, what were your first impressions of seeing the original cover art of Opiate?
A: I discovered Tool at a pretty significant point in my life, as a war refugee in former Yugoslavia. It was a desperate time, so the music was a significant means of escape. Tool’s music really impacted me and I have been a fan ever since.
I’ve lived with the music for a while before, upon moving to the US, seeing the album art. I don’t remember if I connected the meaning immediately, but I do remember the intensity of the image. It was intense and creepy, kind of terrifying. It was a while before I realised that the figure was a sculpture rather than makeup on a model.
Quite an interesting interview, especially where it talks about how he’s reworked the original Priest figure from Opiate. Looking forward to the other interviews Blair has promised.
Join the forum discussion on this post
Another month passes by…fans debate when the album is going to be released again…some tool news…oh, a re-release of Opiate…The Pot video…
fucking pathetic…
No Hipster rage will ever beat my guitar teacher throwing his pen down in the middle of writing some tab and going on a tirade about the “fucking hipster” waiting on another teacher with a waxed mustache who “probably drank Pabst Blue Ribbon with his pinky out.”
Hahashaha….would lo e to see that on video!
It pisses me off that hipsters drink PBR. We used to drink tons of that shit when I was in the Corps. Practically lived off PBR and Slim Jims during my tour.
^ Truth. Werd. Respect.
Dunno how PBR became the Hipster beer of choice. You would figure it would be some micro brew that no one has ever heard about. PBR is fucking terrible. Sorry Nate. I mean it will get the job done if you just wanna get fucked up, but in terms of taste, it is a hair better than horse piss.
Wait, I know why they go with PBR. Hipsters are usually broke.
So are Marines, that’s why we drank it.
Zwerewolf with W’s was taken on instagram already. I’ve been using it for a while so decided to keep it and used the v’s for w’s. Thunder and lightning isn’t what I’m about but if anyone wants to call me out then don’t do it in a round about way. Speak directly to me and let me know what your problem is. I vaguely understand what a hipster is and from my understanding I am nowhere even close to being a hipster. I don’t listen to indy music and I don’t wear scarves unless I’m out snowboarding or living in Chicago which I no longer do. I don’t try to make myself sound cool I just say what I think instead of altering my personality to accomodate others. I also don’t post short pointless responses on here like 50% of you. I don’t have a facebook which is the most hipster of all and the reason I like instagram is because taking photos is something I enjoy doing and sharing with others. I do see a bunch of chodes on instagram and simply avoid them. It’s rare to find people on instagram that I’ll follow because about 90% of them are self indulged and obsessive over taking photos of themselves, 6% just keep posting the same fucking pictures over and over again, 2% post bullshit they find online and snapped screenshots of and then there’s the final 2% which are cool and like to share their photos and ideas with other like minded people… I like to think I fall into that category. I enjoy it… how does this make me a hipster? I also like regular coffee usually whatever is on sale at the grocery store with a little bit of half and half and light sugar… NO LATTES… A bunch of haters here that are probably less creative with their posts and responses than most 4 year olds on Facebook. That’s it for now children.
Tell us how you really feel
Furthermore… PBR is pretty gross I’ll have to agree. Anyone like flying dog beer? Try Gonzo if you haven’t already had it. Comes in a 4 pack and I think it’s about 12% alcohol. RIP H. S. Thompson
I have never had a problem with PBR.
It has won blue ribbons.
Sorry to steer the thread slightly back on topic, but does anything think we may end up with Lustmord remixes of Opiate songs with this release? It would fall right in line with what they did with the Schism and Parabola dvds. Personally, I would like to see way more than just some new artwork and couple remixes, but I won’t hold my breathe. I wonder what they will try to sell new artwork on an old album for.
I sincerely fucking hope not.
I really didn’t like those remixes FWIW.
the two bands don’t have much in common musically (except they are both from my youth) but the Deftones have put out one and a half pretty damn good albums since 10,000 Days. Just saw them last night in NYC. They sound fantastic live (one of the few things both bands have in common). It’s odd being their bassist is out of commission and they’re a bass driven band (you could argue) that they would release two new LP’s since his tragic accident. Not really trying to make a point here, just posting some fragmented opinions. I would be more disappointed if the Deftones fell silent for 7 years though. I honestly believe Tool is about ready to pop with some new music, I’ve finally reached my threshold of patience, same reason I signed up here. But I’m not stretched thin like “butter scraped over too much bread”, I’ve just come to that place as I did after Lateralus where I listen to the previous work straight through and take a deep breath. Okay, what’s next? Does that jive at all with anyone here?
Uh sure. Welcome to the horror show.
^This. If Lustmord remixes of Opiate songs are part of the rerelease I may just by the album for the sole purpose of, literally, pooping on it.
Oh, and PBR is kinda gross. If you wanna just get all fucked up, get some shitty mexican beer and add some lime/lime juice and some salt. And I’ll drink the shit out of some vanilla and/or caramel lattes. Talk about some deliciousness.
one artist one project
use them and move on
lustmord has been used
move on
same with anyone else
keep it fresh boys
keep it fresh
like your armpits
and your taint
Apparently Danny’s on vacation in Hawaii, according to a recent post by Blair.
Nope. Blair’s latest post = next Tool album to be all Jimmy Buffet covers. Bank on it.
Good, he deserves a break
Weird. Jimmy Buffet is Maynard’s safe word.
… I have said too much.
How many vacations in Hawaii does that guy need?
His day job of “jamming” (pffft) in the loft, smoking dope and eating Taco Bell can’t be THAT demanding!!!
Further confirmation that Tool IS the LAZIEST FUCKING BAND ON THE PLANET.
They’re done writing and will be in the studio soon. I’d say around April. 2014.
I think Blair’s post clearly insinuated that the band has moved jamming/writing/arranging sessions to Hawaii. He did mention some other time that they had previously considered going somewhere exotic to inspire them while writing.
In my opinion, this isn’t s a good sign. This kind of thing usually means a band has run out of good ideas and aren’t inspired. Oh wells
what’s with Blair’s new post? is that sarcasm? hard to tell anymore. it’s one of two things, he’s either calling bullshit on Tool for trying to finish this new epic track but instead taking another vacation to Hawaii (which make no logistical sense being he exclusively blogs for the band) or two, the instrumental portion is tracked already. which would be incredible. thoughts?
My Blairspeak decoder says the writing/arranging for that tune is done.
I agree with this. I’d guess Danny’s vacationing because they’re about to be busy for a while. Or just because he can. If I could I would too.
They probably finished that epic, three piece tune like DRT and needed a break before pounding out another. who knows though. Hopefully their done with it all. I would like a nice tropical tribal feel to a tune though!
Stan: Wait wait wait wait wait. I thought we were gonna cool his hot heart with acool island song.Cartman: No, he has an icy heart.Kyle: But you can’t melt ice with a coolsong, ‘tardheart.Stan: So we have to warm his icy heart with a hot island song.Cartman: But it’s a cool island song.Kyle: Well then we’re gonna end upfreezing his hellish heart with a coolisland song.Cartman: Oh, do we wanna do that?
Chances are he was just there for the weekend, and it has had exactly no impact on the new record.
Yea it feels like Blair just trolling while still hinting at some actual information. I don’t know, Whatevs.
Yeah until you hear “they’re entering the studio TODAY,” that’s the best attitude to have.
Danny is a fucking giant! Cool I’m really excited if Blair isn’t being sarcastic. Sounds like the new album should be stellar.
How many fucks do I give about the latest update from Blair?
Zero.
How many fucks do I give about the Opiate re-release printing?
Zero.
How many fucks do I give about a video for The Pot?
Zero.
Precisely how pathetic is it that it is going to end up being well over 8 years between albums?
Incalculable.
That fact that you post about them indicates you clearly at least give one fuck about each of these.
No way Jose. That was just a slow build to question number four. Tweek Tweek
So being that pathetic I gues you won’t be listening to it?
Honestly I dunno dude. I might wait until I get some feedback from you and others. Joking and trolling aside, I really won’t give the Tool fellas a dime if the album isn’t solid. If they release an album full of The Pot-esqe tunes, then no. If yourself and others, people who’s opinions I respect, speak highly of it, then I will purchase it.
you can tell by moggs lips that he’s been getting some cash together
I’ll be pirating it.
If it hits the spot, then I’ll buy it.
Twenty-one year old Crow is crying over what I’ve become.
Atta boy
@Budy – Gotta make that money mannnnn
@Crow – LOL
@Kramer – Right on – You should join us over in the Grudge. We serve Pie and Hate.
MeTOOLica? That’s that band that toured non stop without any new material right?
Excuse me mr hellboy sir… I’m having issues uploading photo for avatar on mobile. Any idea?
There is nothing more ignorant than someone that believes there is a difference between the two fascist wings of the tyrannical eagle that controls america.
But yeah, fight the power dweebus.
Anyways, i’ll say it again. Most people have become rotten spoiled brats with no class, respect or any sense of reality. A band that we like is releasing an anniversary album with new artwork, and from what the press release said “bonus laden” content. There is nothing about this that requires your shitty attitude or sardonic response.
Nobody is forcing you to buy it, nobody cares if you buy it.
5,000 fans will get varying degrees of enjoyment out of it, and you sinkholes of negativity and spite will continue to think everything is pointless and shitty and “gimmicky”.
What’s new? Nothing in your frontal lobes, apparently.
dont think they need the money. i reckon the only bonus will be a full frontal version of the Hush video
@badkittygothgirl just a request to interact with people from around the world… something wrong with that? got something against me or instagram?
http://youtu.be/WJq96xw9Yh4