How will Tool approach the design of the new album?

[The Boss]

I'd be a fan of simple, symbolic pieces that represent the themes of the next album.

As in, revisit that confidence Jones had with "UNDERTOW".

"10,000 DAYS" was just trying waaay too hard.

"LATERALUS" got it with the thematic design. It found a great balance between the intricacy of Grey's work with the band's/Jones' theme. Though it should be shockingly clear at this point that every single thing about that album is perfect to me.

(Yes, even the typo )

[xZ1mM3r]

I'd be a fan of simple, symbolic pieces that represent the themes of the next album.

As in, revisit that confidence Jones had with "UNDERTOW".

"10,000 DAYS" was just trying waaay too hard.

"LATERALUS" got it with the thematic design. It found a great balance between the intricacy of Grey's work with the band's/Jones' theme. Though it should be shockingly clear at this point that every single thing about that album is perfect to me.

(Yes, even the typo )

a legitimate response about Tool??? on a Tool forum??!! WOW haha...

I agree with what you said though, Lateralus is a COMPLETE album. Everything flows together; it's an album that you honestly can listen front to back and actually feel a vibe and similar undertones throughout. 10,000 Days was enjoyable for me, I agree it wasnt up to par with Lateralus, but I didnt feel as though it was a let down in any way. However I do hope they return to their Lateralus "roots" on the new album. And I believe they will MUSICALLY, although I am worried that Maynards lyrics may not live up to the Lateralus level. Maynard has written amazing lyrics but they all had an emotion behind them, and I'm just not convinced that he will have the emotions needed to really create great lyrics. He can still draw from his mothers sickness and the pain he felt from that to create music, but he's really done that a lot, and in the words of Maynard, "if the songs dont help me out of something, how are they supposed to help you?".... So if he is still singing about that then it looks as if they havent helped him.

I just worry his only emotions to draw from at this point in his life are mundane and too simple to really get great songs from.... is he going to sing about his grapes not making it through winter? His house not selling as fast as he wants?

[The Boss]

I'd be a fan of simple, symbolic pieces that represent the themes of the next album.

As in, revisit that confidence Jones had with "UNDERTOW".

"10,000 DAYS" was just trying waaay too hard.

"LATERALUS" got it with the thematic design. It found a great balance between the intricacy of Grey's work with the band's/Jones' theme. Though it should be shockingly clear at this point that every single thing about that album is perfect to me.

(Yes, even the typo )

a legitimate response about Tool??? on a Tool forum??!! WOW haha...

I agree with what you said though, Lateralus is a COMPLETE album. Everything flows together; it's an album that you honestly can listen front to back and actually feel a vibe and similar undertones throughout. 10,000 Days was enjoyable for me, I agree it wasnt up to par with Lateralus, but I didnt feel as though it was a let down in any way. However I do hope they return to their Lateralus "roots" on the new album. And I believe they will MUSICALLY, although I am worried that Maynards lyrics may not live up to the Lateralus level. Maynard has written amazing lyrics but they all had an emotion behind them, and I'm just not convinced that he will have the emotions needed to really create great lyrics. He can still draw from his mothers sickness and the pain he felt from that to create music, but he's really done that a lot, and in the words of Maynard, "if the songs dont help me out of something, how are they supposed to help you?".... So if he is still singing about that then it looks as if they havent helped him.

I just worry his only emotions to draw from at this point in his life are mundane and too simple to really get great songs from.... is he going to sing about his grapes not making it through winter? His house not selling as fast as he wants?

Well said, mate.

I'm of the (unpopular) opinion that "LATERALUS" was and always will be their greatest achievement. Those who know me know I'm ne'er one to gush over TOOL, but it's fucking beyond perfect to me. From start to finish, lyrically, musically, artwork-wise, everything - BEYOND perfection.

I'd almost assume that it's why I keep frequenting TOOL forum/s and still have in interest in the band - were I not such a prick.

[xZ1mM3r]

Well said, mate.

I'm of the (unpopular) opinion that "LATERALUS" was and always will be their greatest achievement. Those who know me know I'm ne'er one to gush over TOOL, but it's fucking beyond perfect to me. From start to finish, lyrically, musically, artwork-wise, everything - BEYOND perfection.

I'd almost assume that it's why I keep frequenting TOOL forum/s and still have in interest in the band - were I not such a prick.

I also am of that opinion... dont get me wrong, Undertow was great.... AEnima was even better (this album is a very close 2nd for me), but then came Lateralus... it has everything like you mentioned.

Lateralus is TOOLs greatest achievement... The new album, in my opinion, will not be better than Lateralus, and likely not better than AEnima.. that isnt to say it wont be a great album, because even Tools mediocre stuff is still amazing; we/I just hold them to a higher standard because of Lateralus.

[The Boss]

Well said, mate.

I'm of the (unpopular) opinion that "LATERALUS" was and always will be their greatest achievement. Those who know me know I'm ne'er one to gush over TOOL, but it's fucking beyond perfect to me. From start to finish, lyrically, musically, artwork-wise, everything - BEYOND perfection.

I'd almost assume that it's why I keep frequenting TOOL forum/s and still have in interest in the band - were I not such a prick.

I also am of that opinion... dont get me wrong, Undertow was great.... AEnima was even better (this album is a very close 2nd for me), but then came Lateralus... it has everything like you mentioned.

Lateralus is TOOLs greatest achievement... The new album, in my opinion, will not be better than Lateralus, and likely not better than AEnima.. that isnt to say it wont be a great album, because even Tools mediocre stuff is still amazing; we/I just hold them to a higher standard because of Lateralus.

I couldn't agree more.

This has been one fine evening.

[joeypants]

Total-package wise, I don't know that they can ever top Lateralus. And that's OK. Every band has to have one of those. Granted, Tool has one of, if not the absolute best, quality ratios of any band I've ever heard so them not topping it is no indicator of poor quality on the rest of the releases.

Also the "time and place factor" can't be taken out of the equation either. Lateralus is still their best work without factoring that in, but a band can only be that that particular place once in their career (i.e. finally forming into a true arena behemoth that isn't going away). That's a big part of the magic surrounding that album and the subsequent tours.

[joeypants]

I'd be a fan of simple, symbolic pieces that represent the themes of the next album.

As in, revisit that confidence Jones had with "UNDERTOW".

Also yes to all this. I still loved 10K Days presentation, but no need to top it in the "more" department. Then again... kind of want to see them try.

[Ravenpig]

I hope it's just a white page with "TOOL" written on it. Nothing else, no song titles, no album name, nothing.

Imagine all the theories us "toolios" could come up with!

[Alittlevil]

Just a link to a band "The Atlas Moth" talking about their favorite all time album covers. TOOL rates #1, talking about the Pink Floyd album covers and the Led Zepplin one being water reactive is also interesting I think.

http://www.decibelmagazine.com/featured ... tlas-moth/

[joeypants]

Their (The Atlas Moth) new cover is fucking awesome. I am not above gimmickry at all, and I hope Adam Jones goes all out with them.

[N.Y.H.C.]

I don't think the LP will have a name.

[joeypants]

I would dig that. Every band needs one of those, right?

[budsyralli]

anyone catch the new video during 'intension' on this latest tour?

[nxrm]

I don't recall seeing a new video. All I've seen is Alex Grey's "Original Face" as a backdrop. Any video links to share? Thanks!

[Kittaan]

[nxrm]

Looking forward to reading about your upcoming King Buzzo show. I only just listened to the album for the first time today. I thinks it's great.

[N.Y.H.C.]

I would dig that. Every band needs one of those, right?

yeah I think so. plus it would probably cut 30-40 days off of the release timeline lol.

[budsyralli]

@nxrm the video clip/ image was of nature....like looking down a dirt road in a field...the image slowly distorted throughout intention.....it was on the side screens and not the main backdrop

[ilikecheese]

[nxrm]

@nxrm the video clip/ image was of nature....like looking down a dirt road in a field...the image slowly distorted throughout intention.....it was on the side screens and not the main backdrop

Thanks for the extra info. I'll look around for that.

[joeypants]

Speaking of Intension...

Dear Tool,

Please consider hoisting a gigantic white tarp over the arena at all shows from now on. Thanks.

[nxrm]

Please consider hoisting a gigantic white tarp over the arena at all shows from now on. Thanks.

I agree. Maybe a performance in the round, in a dome.

[budsyralli]

still no video/image of this mysterious ' intension' video to be found. anyone else at the Portland show?

[xZ1mM3r]

still no video/image of this mysterious ' intension' video to be found. anyone else at the Portland show?

The Eugene show from the following night is on YouTube. Just watch it.

[budsyralli]

watched it...no sign of the video on side screen