If you’re one of those lucky enough to get a ticket to Tool’s upcoming Australian tour this April (sorry, Perth), we’re going to be upfront: don’t expect any new material from their long-awaited fifth album.
It’s been a tough seven years for Tool fans. The Californian prog-metal titans’ last release came in 2006 with 10,000 Days, and the long time between drinks have left their massive allegiance of fans perpetually thirsty.
Progress of Tool’s latest album is still sketchy but is clearly travelling at a stagnant pace, particularly given drummer Danny Carey sustained a dislocated shoulder and broken ribs in a recent accident on a Vespa scooter, as reported by Metal Insider, causing the band to delay recording sessions.
Additionally, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan told Tone Deaf in a recent interview, on the eve of his Australian tour with his solo side project Puscifer, gave us some strangely cryptic clues when asked about the state of Tool’s next release.
“I guess the biggest thing to remember is thaft I’m not lazy, and I am a responsible person that is there when I’m called on,” Keenan teased. “I do what I have to do to get a job done.” Hardly confirmation of new material, but in his own cryptic way, not exactly a denial either: “I’m not lazy – read between the lines.”
However, as reported by Classic Rock Magazine, when rumours arose that the band’s fifth instalment to their impeccable back catalogue would be releasing this year, Keenan put them to rest by admitting that he actually hadn’t yet written any songs – which wasn’t very promising.
Further trampling on fans’ dreams, guitarist Adam Jones has spoken to Revolver and revealed exactly what is going on, or rather isn’t going on, behind the scenes.“When it’s done it’s going to be good. And that’s the point – we’re not going to put out something that sucks just to put it out.” – Adam Jones, Tool
“We live kind of cushy lives now, so we get together when we want. It makes everything go slow, which is unfortunate,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that we haven’t put anything out in a while. But we’ve changed as a band. We’ve become even more eclectic and distant, so getting things done is very hard. There are a lot of other interests.”
“We had two really bad things happen, things that I’m not going to get into, that set us back emotionally and mentally,” revealed Jones, referring to drummer Carey’s accident for one, but kept schtum about what the other may be. Instead noting, “we’re past them now – everybody’s recovered and that process has actually added to us focusing on being creative. Maybe sometimes bad things happen for a reason.”
However Jones also gave some assurance to loyal fans, insisting that the long wait is going to be worthwhile, saying: “When it’s done it’s going to be good. And that’s the point – we’re not going to put out something that sucks just to put it out.”
Fans of the legendary band might have found solace in the upcoming limited edition re-release of Tool’s cult debut EP Opiate that comes out on 26th March; the album now officially ‘legal’ after its initial release 21 years ago in 1992. As the band put it, “the 5,000 copies will be broken down as 5 x 1,000 runs with each set featuring a variation of the exterior graphics and included bonus items.”
The re-worked limited edition packaging will feature artwork by Adi Granov and design packaging by Mackie Osbourne, while guitarist Adam Jones said of the re-release: “What I want is to go to the store, buy something and go, ‘Damn, I got more than my money’s worth.’ I want something where you can tell a lot of time went into it.”
In an interview with Loudwire, Jones also says that they have placed a rare ‘Seal of Xatanitos’ into just five of the 5,000 EPs. What is a ‘Seal of Xatanitos’ exactly? Well, the band are keeping it a mystery but say that it’s a proverbial golden ticket; a certificate that will gift lucky fans with an as-yet-unrevealed mystery prize.
If you’re keen though, it’s strictly a first in best dressed affair with the band warning that the EP re-release will only be available exclusively through the official Tool website on 26th March, “and there will be no pre-orders,” they caution.
While the dose of nostalgia that is the Opiate re-release might hush the cries of some, it might not be enough to subside the sobs of others still pining after that illusive fifth album.
Tool recently added new dates to their upcoming Australian tour in April/May after tickets sold out in a typically frantic fashion, adding salt in the wounds of Perth fans who were once again completely bypassed, but just don’t expect to hear any glimpses of new material at the shows.
Hang in there, Tool fans.
Tool Australian Tour 2013 Dates
Sat 27 Apr Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena (All Ages)
Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849
Sun 28 Apr Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena (All Ages)
Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849
Tue 30 Apr Adelaide | AEC Arena (All Ages)
Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849
Fri 3 May Sydney | Allphones Arena (All Ages)
Ticketek.com.au| Ph: 132 849
Sat 4 May Sydney | Allphones Arena (All Ages)
Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849
Mon 6 May Brisbane | Entertainment Centre (All Ages)
Ticketek.com.au | Ph: 132 849
