It has been confirmed that work has started on a new Tool album, a followup to their last one 10,000 Days. While little is known about the Tool’s new album at this stage, this page is an incomplete collection of facts and rumours surrounding the album.
Current status for those that don’t want to read the list below: Justin, Danny and Adam are still writing. Maynard doesn’t appear to have added lyrics yet. No sign of them hitting the studio to start anytime soon. Maybe a 2018 release, depending on what A Perfect Circle do. Really, I should give up trying to guess…
New Tool 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.
- July 2009 Adam at Doctors Without Border fundraiser – we are in the finishing aspects of the writing process for the new album.
- January 2010 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.
- March 2010 Newsletter revealed that writing was still happening three days a week.
- February 2013 In Rhythm Magazine Danny mentions “We have six or seven really good frameworks that we’re working on. We’re over half way in my opinion. The first tune is always hard to get polished off. It seems like on every record we have this big, epic thing like ‘Rosetta’, ‘Wings for Marie’ or ‘Lateralus’. That’s the one we’re focusing on now. Once we knock out that, the other songs fall into place around it. We’re right on the fringe of knocking that big one out. We’re all excited and it seems to have progressed really well.”
- October 2014 Adam posts a photo on Instagram of the band (including Maynard) together in the Loft. The assumption is that Maynard is starting to actively contribute to the songwriting, which in turn suggests the process is nearing it’s end.
- February 2015 Motorhead post a video of Adam in the studio (with Tool). Turns out they weren’t there to record a new album, but presumably working on something else.
- February 2015 Blair mentions in a newsletter that the Loft is being prepared for Maynard to work on vocal melodies.
- February 2015 Maynard posts on Instagram to tell us “things are progressing nicely”
- March 2015 Adam speaks to Yahoo Music and confirms that the lawsuit has been settled, and suggest that Tool have “finished one yet-untitled track and have more than 10 songs in various stages of completion.”
- July 2015 Blair suggests in the July 2015 Newsletter that Maynard is working on a couple of tracks “Maynard’s new vocals, which I believe that the band members have heard in some stage of development on a particular track or two?”
- September 2015 In numerous Puscifer related interviews, Maynard tells us that he hasn’t written anything, as he doesn’t have any music to work with yet!
- March 2018 Adam confirms that Tool are officially recording with Joe Baressi. Maynard doesn’t sound super optimistic of a 2018 release though. If there is it’d be quite late 2018 I suspect
Rumours/Speculation
- Recording for the album seems unlikely to start until 2018
- Don’t expect a release date until the second half of 2018 at the earliest
- 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…
[quote comment=””]Good job man. Perhaps u could add the dates on the facts…[/quote]
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!!
[quote comment=””][quote comment=””]Good job man. Perhaps u could add the dates on the facts…[/quote] 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!![/quote] 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… Read more »
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.
[quote comment=””]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.[/quote]
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. Â 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.
Â
*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… Read more »
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.
[quote comment=”36549″] I’m kinda hoping they take a Metallica approach and come up with a The Patient 2 or something similar. [/quote] 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… Read more »
Well, Last summer I predicted an October 2010 release for this album. At this point it’s looking like my pick will turn out to be early, but what do I know! Anway, with Blair’s recent word of the band currently writing numerous times per week, when do you guys or gals think we will see this album?
I’m adding 1 year to your prediction… October 2011
My guess would be May 2011 and hopefully a 10,000 Days vinyl release beforehand but that’s me just dreaming again. I am stashing away the $$$ for the next tour and hopefully get to see them a few times as it might be their last.
If they’re still writing it’s gonna be several months until they release an album. I’m guessing next year about this time. That would be 5 years. As always. And if you think you have any idea what it’s gonna sound like, think again. And if you want Maynard to scream more, forget about it. He’s getting close to 50 years old. Give him a freaking break. This band has and always will continue to evolve. They are not a pissed off band anymore. They’ve grown and are at peace, God forbid. People need to accept that and appreciate what they… Read more »
The word is catching on fire!!
“Now, it seems as if the release is finally upon us, as Tool has officially announced their plans to drop a new 2010 album.”
http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/04/15/tool-2010-new-album/
They take that back by saying it could be rumors, but its a nice attention grabber! LOL!
[quote comment=””]
The word is catching on fire!!
“Now, it seems as if the release is finally upon us, as Tool has officially announced their plans to drop a new 2010 album.”
http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/04/15/tool-2010-new-album/
They take that back by saying it could be rumors, but its a nice attention grabber! LOL!
[/quote]
they havent “officially announced” anything… thats just blair fucking with us
I agree with royalred on the time-frame. Bet it will be this time next year.
For me, the wait is analygous to a Tool song. Right now, we’re sitting through the intro. The next year will be a long build up that gets better with every step. Then, SHAZAM! The release…
That’s one of the worst articles I’ve ever read HellFire. Â Even worse than some of mine!
LOL! I like yours better. 😉
Although I appreciate the authors eagerness for a new album. It amuses me to see how he twisted it, to shove it to the general populace as fact. I guess we all have to make a living somehow.
I’ve farted better articles than that last one posted.
Prove It!!
.)
In my opinion, I do not care if TOOL took as much time as they needed to conceptualize, write, record and master their new record, just so long as it is their absolute best effort as well as their last effort, not including a vinyl LP of said new record (as well as a vinyl LP release of 10,000 Days as well as some kind of live CD/DVD).
I agree Amnesiac, but saying “last effort” already makes me sad. It’s a premature reaction but it still makes me die a little inside.
While I suspect this may turn out to be Tool’s last album, I don’t imagine the band are in the studio going “this is our last shot, let’s make it a good one”
[quote comment=””]
While I suspect this may turn out to be Tool’s last album, I don’t imagine the band are in the studio going “this is our last shot, let’s make it a good one”
[/quote]
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That’s what The Beatles did.
Not really: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road
5 year plan people…..
Tool has put out an album every 5 years since 1996.
Aenima – 96
Lateralus – 01
10k Days – 06
…makes sense that #5 would be released at some point in 2011. Tool is a very methodic band and I would bet a million bucks that they stick with the pattern they’ve had for the past 14 years.
[quote comment=””]
In my Opinion Abbey Road is by far the best of the Beatles…Golden Slumbers is ASTOUNDING. Oh wait we are talking Tool though, sorry guys, tangent.
What are the odds of this thing dropping this next month, or June when the US Tour starts? They have done May releases before (10,000 Days and Lateralus if I am not mistaken).
It’s more likely that Monica Belluci is waiting for me downstairs than a new surprise album is in the works to be released in the next few months.
Although, I’ll let you know once I get back from lunch. : )
I understand that TOOL is probably not going to create their last album with the best-record-as-our-last’s-sake mentality, but I have to ask . . . how can they not think like that?
Sigh…I just shrug.
I’m going to shit my self when this album comes out
… Typical. 8`p
While I suspect this may turn out to be Tool’s last album, I don’t imagine the band are in the studio going “this is our last shot, let’s make it a good one†I understand that TOOL is probably not going to create their last album with the best-record-as-our-last’s-sake mentality, but I have to ask . . . how can they not think like that? i think they like any artist would think like that to an extent, the next album may be a masterpiece higher than lateralus that only they can imagine. for the artist its always a fun challenge to out-do… Read more »
I’m not so sure this will be their last album. I’m sure they don’t even know. People thought Lateralus was going to be the last, so who knows. I imagine it will all depend on MJK. It’s gonna be interesting to see what direction this album goes. Will it be more MJK friendly stuff like Wings and Right in Two or more grinding stuff like The Pot and Vicarious? Guess we shall see!
royalred – 5 hours ago » I’m not so sure this will be their last album. I’m sure they don’t even know. People thought Lateralus was going to be the last, so who knows. I imagine it will all depend on MJK. It’s gonna be interesting to see what direction this album goes. Will it be more MJK friendly stuff like Wings and Right in Two or more grinding stuff like The Pot and Vicarious? Guess we shall see! I thought I read somewhere (or I’m crazy!) that following the battle that occured with the lawyers after the Aenima album,… Read more »
[quote comment=””] royalred – 5 hours ago » I’m not so sure this will be their last album. I’m sure they don’t even know. People thought Lateralus was going to be the last, so who knows. I imagine it will all depend on MJK. It’s gonna be interesting to see what direction this album goes. Will it be more MJK friendly stuff like Wings and Right in Two or more grinding stuff like The Pot and Vicarious? Guess we shall see! I thought I read somewhere (or I’m crazy!) that following the battle that occured with the lawyers after the… Read more »
Well,  judging by MJK’s recent interviews, and just intuition, I think this will be Tool’s last album. You can see it in MJK’s performance in 2006 – present in comparison to their performances during the Aenima and Lateralus era, he just isn’t feeling it anymore. He almost makes a joke out his performance which kind of makes me angry. I don’t pay 150 – 200 bucks to see him make a joke out of their art. Point is, MJK just doesn’t appear to be into the music anymore, he almost makes out to be a burden. I think Maynard intends to retire… Read more »
Oh, and one more thing. As far as “this is our last album, lets make it our best”. They’ve all ready accomplished that with Lateralus, NOTHING can top that, something even more amazing, brilliant, and beautiful than Lateralus is just not fathomable. Sorry
I don’t think it’s that Maynard doesn’t want to be there. I think it’s more about him getting older. Everyone expects him to be like he was in his twenties and thirties. Screaming at the top of his lungs and moving around like a nut case every night. It takes a toll after a while. That’s why the evolution of the stage, art and videos are so important, IMO. It takes a lot of the pressure off Maynard to “be” the show. Yeah, you don’t get the old Maynard, but you still get an amazing show!
[quote comment=””] I don’t think it’s that Maynard doesn’t want to be there. I think it’s more about him getting older. Everyone expects him to be like he was in his twenties and thirties. Screaming at the top of his lungs and moving around like a nut case every night. It takes a toll after a while. That’s why the evolution of the stage, art and videos are so important, IMO. It takes a lot of the pressure off Maynard to “be” the show. Yeah, you don’t get the old Maynard, but you still get an amazing show! Never really… Read more »
If it means writing lighter songs, then by all means! I like Rosetta Stoned, though I’d love to see something like Pushit or H. or Lateralus or The Grudge or Sweat again. Overall, Lateralus was a very positive album, and many consider it to be their best. So if MJK doesn’t want to do angst, he doesn’t have to. I’ll still buy it! I think some people take Tool a little too seriously. If MJK wants to have some fun with it, why not? Though perhaps he got all the “Rosetta Stoned” type stuff out of his system with Puscifer.… Read more »