Blair has posted the March 2016 Tool Newsletter, and this month it recounts the life and death of a Pepsi cooler in the Loft. The status of the new album does get a bit of a mention though:
After a short deliberation it was unanimously agreed by the band members – as a tribute to its many years of commendable service – to continue with the day’s session. Afterwards, there was some discussion about getting it repaired, or perhaps even a full restoration. However, until any technicians are called or any refurbishing gets under way, it is uncertain how the machine’s absence will affect any future Tool tunes? Personally, I don’t believe that it will change much, especially at this stage of the writing/arranging process, in which, I believe, there are only a couple of ‘shorter’ songs left to complete(?), along with a segue or two or three. (Of course, we need to keep in mind any changes that might be needed to accommodate the vocals, etc., once all of the arrangements are finished.) Even so, I still don’t think the departed Pepsi machine will change in any significant way any new material created by the band. But if it does, someone might want to start looking for cooling unit parts…
Regardless of the status of songwriting, I can’t see Tool recording anything until after the wine harvest, but it is somewhat promising to hear that a good deal of the songwriting is complete. The real question is how much of that includes Maynard’s vocals, or will there need to be a further writing session to get that done?
Maynard can put vocals to anything. I doubt he will hold up the proceedings too much.
if information is to be believed, it’s a good sign of progress. Seems like once they get rolling and get some of the larger compositions done the rest of the album can fall in place.
Yeah, I have no doubt that Maynard is quick, but there would need to be at least some minor polishing of the songs to suit his vocals. I doubt we’re talking months to do this, but there’s no real indication MJK has had much to do with the process at all so far. I think the likely scenario at this stage is Maynard adds vocals after the wine harvest. There’s then a month or so of tweaking and making sure everyone’s happy (plus segues I guess). The band then hits the studio early in 2017 (or maybe late 2016 if… Read more »
Yeah I agree. My big concern is Maynard’s lyrics. I hope he has something new to say. I’ve been pretty disappointed with his attitude in recent years.
It’s also pretty average that they are touring off such old material.
Encouraging. Very much hope they finish and release it. “Bands writing complex music doesn’t automatically make it good. I couldn’t care less about bands that are more “complex” than Tool. The best music is written by a group of people with chemistry. This is what Tool has that these other bands don’t, sorry. Tool isn’t the MOST technical to the shallow ear, but I guarantee what they do is a taller order than any of these death metal bands do. You can’t do what Tool does.” Much agreed. Years ago someone said that Adam Jones plays Black Sabbath barre chords… Read more »
They’re just taking you for a ride man. Tool have ceased to be functional. Adam will hold this album hostage.
yeah anyone who thinks tool are still a functioning band is a delusional fanboy
that sounds good to me. how this news fits into ”we cant seem to move forward” which maynard said not long ago i dont know. but id like to take what was just said at face value. which is good. i trust that this time more then i do M with how he says things. looks good. im hopeful. so continue on your day. the birds are still chirping. the sun still rises 🙂
shit! i just realized when i posted it the date! april 1st. better not be some cruel joke! ah.
It’s not April 1 just yet, even in Australia. Check back in a couple of hours though 😉
broken fridge? metaphor for MJK leaving the band. probably wont affect any compositions cos none written yet. i do hope im wrong.
That is totally it.
Maynard’s internal band nickname is “The Fridge”. Partly because of his lower than normal body temperature, but also as a sarcastic reference to William “The Refrigerator” Perry, since he is a Green Bay Packers fan, and “The Fridge” played for the Chicago Bears (tie in to Adam being from Illinois).
The album Adam Jones said he was listening to and inspired by before the release of Aenima was Sylvian and Fripp ‘The First Day’
Pretty much. Even Brian Wilson came back and managed to cobble together a couple more albums.
you sound like ‘crow’
so why was Aaron Harris setting up vocal booth in the loft for MayJay back when that was a thing? has he not already been working on vocals?
A couple of reasons come to mind – one is the alleged re-recording of Opiate. The second would be in preparation for recording demos and such.