With the Tool Fall 2016 tour dates just announced, it seems as though ToolArmy is also getting an update of sorts. For now, it seems that the Toolband/Army store has been updated to use the Full Screen Direct framework, with new members able to join for an annual fee of US$49.99.
This fee includes:
- 1 Year Membership
- 2 Stickers
- 1 Patch
- 1 Keychain
- 1 Membership Certificate
- Membership T-Shirt
From memory that’s more or less the same as the basic level of old ToolArmy membership. The interesting addition is the annual fee. It’s not clear to me if it’s $49.99 every year or if it’ll be a different amount. For those who were TA members prior to June 6th 2016, it looks like your membership will be honoured.
For what it’s worth, I’ve never had a problem with an annual fee, provided the site gets updated. $49.99 per year sounds pretty expensive though, and I’d certainly question if there were value for money there based on the mis-handling of Toolarmy over the years.
From a technical standpoint, the Full Screen Direct framework allows more than just a store – it’s a mini social network of sorts for fan club members. I know many of us would welcome a return to the interactivity ToolArmy had in the past, though based on how fans react to things on Tool’s Facebook page, it could just end up being a shit storm!
I’m also disappointed that the pre-sales for the coming dates appear to be VIP only. It’s great to have some of these reserved for TA members, but not all of us want to blow $500 just to see them, regardless of what the other parts of the experience can offer. And for those who have already experienced the VIP sessions before, I doubt many of them are super keen to see it again (despite reports that it’s a great experience).
On a positive note, it is good to see some kind of movement on the website front for the band. Though the album may still be some time off, I think many of us acknowledge that the website really should be updated prior to it’s release, and the framework being used can be a good asset for the band in helping to release special editions of the album to its fans.
Well I guess I will post this before all the bashing commences.
I really hope the people going to these shows get something new.
for the love of God, Tool give your fans something new!.
Alright peace.
They really need to upgrade everything. Site hasn’t been updated in 10 years. Also Tool Army has been a fail. I paid $150 back in the day. I haven’t had any benifit for doing so. My vision for tool to become relevant is as follows. Upgrade all back end for both sites. Refresh all the artwork and interfaces for sites. Hire hellboy to help run sites. (Because without blowing smoke up his ass) he is dying the best job I’ve seen with any tool fan site, and the maturity do so. Re-release and remaster Undertow. (It has abysmal dynamic range… Read more »
Anything over 44.1/16 is a gimmick…no matter what you think you hear
Bashing commencing right now. Lap it up sheep. You’re truly as dumb as a brick.
Hey, looked who crawled out from under his bridge….
To confirm it is a $49.99 recurring fee each year….
That’s what the website, and my article suggest. I think it’s too much, and would have a hard time convincing me to join. Paying $50 a year for the privilege of buying $500 VIP tickets doesn’t do much for me…
Right…I took a punt. I can confirm it is a $49.99 recurring fee with an anytime ‘Auto-Renewal’ option. I can justify a year’s membership as I’ve never joined before so the giveaways makes up some of the £35 quid. Plus from June 2016 to June 2017 an album must be dropping between that time. You never know there might be some bonuses for being a member…? As it stands…I can’t see why you would renew. One tiny thing that caught my eye was on the subscription email confirmation it had this line… “Downloads links for any digital items that you’ve… Read more »
I doubt there will be any special privileges for members (ie, being able to hear the new album first or see the new music video first)…
Kinda interested what this means: “Downloads links for any digital items that you’ve ordered will be on your web receipt”…
Tool Army has always said it’s an annual membership fee. This is nothing new. Tool just never enforced or implemented the renewal. Probably because they knew Tool Army was slacking, especially after the 3rd year … whenever they stopped putting up the “thought of the day” and answering the FAQ. They probably just call it an “annual fee” in case they decide in the future to do more with the site.
Spiral-Out my fellow Futants.
That is my recollection of the TA membership fee as well, but couldn’t find the fine print when I spent 30 seconds looking for it the other day.
ya, i think they said annual fee before but it never was. that was prob one of the cooler things about TA. the canadian shows never got any presales and all they offered was OK drawings by the band members for 150 bucks or whatever it was. being i joined the 3rd day and the clothing and membership stuff took so long they sent out a signed 8 x 10 to the members that joined within the first 3 days. sadly i was so busy the first two days it opened i didnt join right away which i was waiting… Read more »