It has been confirmed that Tool are planning on recording a followup to their last album 10,000 Days. While little is know about the album at this stage, this page is a collection of all know facts and rumours surrounding the album.
Facts
- Blair on Toolarmy – Adam and Justin started playing what I BELIEVE was part of a new Tool arrangement (NOT to be played on this tour), with what little I heard being somewhat reminiscent of "Wings", having some fairly complex chord progressions.
- Adam at Doctors Without Border fundraiser – we are in the finishing aspects of the writing process for the new album.
- Danny mentions in a short Youtube interview (see 1:20) that they might start writing soon, but aren’t rushing things.
- February 2010 Newsletter revealed that writing has commenced.
Rumours/Speculation
- Recording for the album will most likely be in mid 2010
- Expect a release somewhere in late 2010 or early 2011
- A post on Toolshed suggests that "Lots of rumors are being posted online about a new Tool record, but it is important to remember that in years past, there have always been interviews with band members saying "we’re writing some new music", often more than a year before an album gets released. For what it’s worth, a recent conversation I had with one of them left me feeling that it might be a little while yet". From memory Kabir at Toolshed has mentioned he speaks with Maynard semi-regularly.
- February 2010 Newsletter suggested that Joe Baressi might be involved again.
Old/Obsolete Updates
- According to Toolband the ‘process’ should start later this month. No confirmation what this ‘process’ is, however the assumption is that it’s songwriting.
Good job man. Perhaps u could add the dates on the facts…
I agree with blur. I’d be interested to know when fact #2 happened.
As for rumours, I think we’re looking at 2011. But I’ll take it if it comes sooner!!
Definitely 2010 in my opinion. Would come as no surprise to me if they’re in the recording studio by the end of this year. That being the case I’d expect a release mid-2010.
I’ve added a link for rumour #2, it comes from a chat a Tool fan had with Adam at a recent fundraiser. As for #1, it comes from a Toolarmy exclusive post on the 13th of July, where Blair talks about sitting in on one of the tour rehearsals.
Couple notes
-I remember Maynard specifically stating in an interview or something that he didn’t realize how much he had revealed (assumed about his personal life, mother) with Wings / 10,000 days, and that he didn’t want that in the future. Maybe someone else can remember this.
-How is the work on The Pot video coming along? I’m guessing this can easily get in the way of Album #5 as well.
I agree with Hellboy’s opinion that it will be a 2010 release. I’m thinking more towards the end of the year though, like in the fall sometime.
Coming up on 3.5 years since 10K days came out, damn.
Before they decided to tour, i would have thought the album would be early/mid 2010, but the tour has now probably put it back 4+ months.
Ultimately though, until they hit the recording studio, we won’t have any idea. My guess is from the day they hit the studio, add about 6 months and that will be the approximate release.
Hey I think we should add the newest article you posted with the Maynard interview, saying Tool stuff will happen after the spring Puscifer tour. Yup yup.
I can’t even think about album #5 at this point. I would give my left tit for a rambling post from Blair right about now. Hell, i’d even be happy with truthaddict plastering the main board.
*sigh*
regardless, just talk of a new album made my day. best news i’ve heard since 06
I’ve enjoyed each album progressively more than the last, each album shows impressive dedication and talent. i will be there to buy it when it comes out.
Album #5 had better come out sometime soon.
Opiate – the roots of tool, very heavy, angry, but instrumentally gorgeous still.
Undertow – One of Tool’s best. Went double platinum, great great album, much effort put into it.
Aenema – Album with a strong message. The end of D’amour and the beginning for Chancellor. Classic tracks on this one.
Lateralus – Amazing altogether as an album, my favorite. Well put together with so many interpretations.
10,000 Days – Deep album about the death of Maynard’s mother. Very progressed instrumentals from Opiate, amazing musicianship as a whole. The band certainly has matured since 91′.
[Fourth Eye] – I certainly hope this album causes the apocalypse of the human race with the best lyrics, vocals, instrumentals, and musicianship to date from any band. Danny Carey and his polyrhythms, Justin Chancellor and his groovy bass, Adam Jones and his chord progressions, Maynard Keenan with his screaming, intense vocals. I’ll buy first day it’s out. Triple platinum?
Nice post. If their next album really is their best, I also hope they make it their last. Just to solidify their legacy as one of the greatest bands ever.
And even if it isnt their greatest, who cares. It will still be damn good!
I predicted last fall that they would release an album in late 2010, perhaps in October. I’ll stick to that prediction, but I’m becoming less confident in it as the weeks go by…
when the tracklist is revealed id love to hear they’ve got Message to Harry Manback part 3 on it, that would pretty damn cool.
I’m kinda hoping they take a Metallica approach and come up with a The Patient 2 or something similar.
I am hoping for more music, less interludes and effects. More music and screaming vocals. See if MJK still has it or not.
And of course, an affordable follow up tour.
If you compare Third Eye and Rosetta Stoned, you could come to the conclusion they’ve already done this. Third Eye being about the power of psychedelics and Rosetta Stoned about the overuse of them. They both even use the same “I opened my eye” riff. At first this really pissed me off as I thought they were rehashing old material, but then as I realized the lyrical themes were the same that it was like the leitmotifs that Wagner used in his Ring operas to set a scene or introduce/reintroduce characters. Maybe they didn’t use it that way, who knows. But it works dammit.