Tool’s Next Album ‘Halfway There’

It’s been nearly seven years since their last album 10,000 Days; however, it seems that American rockers Tool are on their way back to the charts, telling the world that they’re halfway though their new album. After expansive tours, which included Australia’s own Big Day Out, Maynard and the boys will return late next year with the album.

Admitting that he is yet to track vocals, Maynard did promise a little present for fans in the coming days. That’s the Christmas spirit! The form of the album and Tool’s other side projects still remain somewhat secretive; however, an expansive statement on the band’s website gives a bit more information. It is available below. Let’s hope the album drops sooner rather than later: 10,000 Days is starting to wear thin on vinyl.

Wanting to open some presents are you? Well, as I’ve already announced on this very website, TOOL will be performing at OZZFEST in JAPAN in MAY of 2013. If you can’t make that show, there MIGHT be another gift or two under the tree – things unnoticed amongst the torn wrapping paper, ribbons and empty boxes. My best guess is that these ‘presents’ won’t be opened until after the holidays – knowing just how important it is to take your evergreen decorations down by January 5th. Though not on the 2012 reindeer-propelled sleigh, there are a couple of other Tool projects on the horizon that I am privy to, but, unfortunately, can’t comment on any further at this time… as was requested by the band’s management (Bah humbug with a British accent!).

Something that might be encouraging to some Tool enthusiasts is that while riding with Danny to Chili John’s yesterday, I heard a lot of new Tool music (sans Maynard). This was the most new material that I’ve heard so far, although a few of the riffs and arrangements were familiar. So, what did I think? Dare I say that it sounded like… Tool (some of it reminiscent to earlier Tool stuff, with other parts pushing the envelope), and I assume that it will sound even more like Tool once the vocal melodies, etc. have been added. To answer your next question, I cannot say how far along in the writing process the band is. If I had to GUESS, I would say more than halfway (and keep in mind that in the past, at least, the writing went faster once the first few [more complex] songs were finished).

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