Tool
Formed: 1990
From:
Los Angeles,
CA,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Background
One of the leading alternative metal acts to emerge the 90s, Tool was formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1990 by Adam Jones (guitar), Maynard James Keenan (vocals), Paul D'Amour (bass) and Danny Carey (drums). The mini-album, Opiate, was a powerful introduction to Tool's densely rhythmic style, with "Hush' helping establish a buzz for the band; the accompanying video graphically displayed the song"s anti-censorship slant of "I can't say what I want to/Even if I'm not serious" as the band appeared naked with their mouths taped shut.
European dates with friends Rage Against The Machine and a US tour with the Rollins Band helped to sharpen Tool's live performances. Their increased confidence was evident on Undertow, which featured a guest vocal from Henry Rollins on "Bottom". While the band retained their angry intensity and penchant for difficult lyrical subjects, their songwriting became more adventurous.
Undertow reached platinum status as the band toured extensively, including a stint on the 1993 Lollapalooza tour. Aenima, featuring new bass player Justin Chancellor (ex-Peach), was their most assured and most successful album, narrowly missing the top of the Billboard album chart in November 1996. In December 2000 the band released the limited edition Salival, which featured a DVD/VHS collection of videos, a CD comprising unreleased live and studio material, and a promotional book.
Latest Tool News
Below is our complete Tool news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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Forbes Ranks "The 38 Greatest Metal Bands"
In an unexpected move, Forbes recently compiled a list of heavy metal bands they believe have had the “most significant impact on the metal genre”, factoring in the genre's overall history. Known more for their focus on business and finance, Forbes’ entry into heavy metal ranking has sparked conversation, especially due to some controversial choices in the lineup.
If you're curious and have some time, you can check out their full explanations over at forbes.com. For a quick glance at their picks, here's the list: More...
Headline News
Tool Drummer Arrested For Assault
According to TMZ, Tool drummer Danny Carey was arrested at an airport in Kansas City, following an incident inside the terminal.
Says TMZ: "Law enforcement sources tell TMZ... airport police responded Sunday night to a report of a disturbance between 2 men and when they got to the scene they arrested DC and transported him to a nearby police station for booking. We're told Danny was booked for misdemeanor assault... and as you can see, he certainly didn't look happy in his mug shot. He's no longer in custody after being released on bond. Cops tell us the police report is being forwarded to prosecutors for review, and potential charges will follow."
More details will be available soon.
Headline News
Tool Premiere Full-Album Stream Of Brand New Album
After 13 years the wait is over and Tool‘s new record “Fear Inoculum” has officially premiered streaming via YouTube in full below. Check it out:
Tool Reveals New Album Title And Release Date
American progressive rock/metal outfit Tool has finally announced that the title of their new album will be, "Fear Inoculum." In addition to this, the band has confirmed that the record will be released on August 30th and a logo for the album was revealed via an Instagram post, which can be seen below. Further details will be revealed as soon as they become available.
24 More Bands Confirmed For Download 2019
The organisers of Britain's biggest rock festival, Download has announced a further twenty four bands for next year's edition of the event. Joining headliners Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool will be Slayer, in what will be their final show in the United Kingdom, fellow thrash metal legends Anthrax, Virginia favourites Lamb Of God, grunge legends Smashing Pumpkins and progressive metal titans Dream Theater among others. The festival will take place at Donington Park from June 14th - 16th
The festival lineup is now as follows: More...
Tool Announce European/UK Tour
Tool announce the dates for their upcoming European/UK Summer tour. Check out all dates below:
06/02 Berlin, GER – Mercedes-Benz Arena
06/04 Prague, CZE – O2 Arena
06/05 Vienna, AUT – Wiener Stadhalle
06/07 Nurburg, GER – Rock am Ring
06/09 Nuermberg, GER – Rock im Park
06/11 Krakow, POL – Tauron Arena (‘Impact Festival‘)
06/13 Florence, ITA – Firenze Rocks Festival
06/16 Donington, UK – Download Festival
06/18 Amsterdam, NET – Ziggo Dome
06/20 Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhell Festival
06/25 Zurich, SWI – Hallenstadion
06/30 Madrid, SPA – Download Festival
07/02 Lisbon, POR – Altice Arena
Download Festival Announces Headliners
The organisers of Britain's largest rock and metal festival, Download has announced the three headlining bands for next year's event. Capping off the first night will be legendary British rockers Def Leppard, who will be performing the classic album, "Hysteria" in full, while on Saturday, Iowa nine piece Slipknot will headline the festival for the third time, before the weekend comes to a close with a performance from Tool.
In addition to this, a number of bands have been confirmed to perform at the event, including Slash and Myles Kennedy, Trivium, Amon Amarth, Rob Zombie, Whitesnake, Carcass, Opeth, Die Antwoord, Delain, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, Power Trip, Reel Big Fish, Skindred, Tesla, Starset, Underoath and The Amity Affliction.
The festival will take place at Donington Park from June 14th - 16th next year.
Legend Of The Seagullmen Premiere “The Fogger”
Legend Of The Seagullmen, featuring Tool‘s Danny Carey and Mastodon‘s Brent Hinds among their members, debut a new song entitled “The Fogger“. It’s from their self-titled new album that is out February 09th on Dine Alone. Explains the band’s Jimmy Hayward, the song is about the character Carey adopts for the band (see the below image,) ‘The Fogger‘:
“‘The Fogger‘ is a mystical aquatic tale about The Seagullmen‘s very own drummer, Danny Carey. He stalks the ocean in search of users, abusers and polluters and deals lethal justice with his third eye while ripping the faces from skulls, just like he does during the punishing and beautifully complex drum solo in the middle of the song. The solo explodes into a furious conclusion, leaving no doubt about the karmic justice and pure ferocious power of ‘The Fogger’!”
More...
Tool’s Danny Carey Guests On New All Souls Track
Tool drummer Danny Carey guests on the new All Souls track “Sadist/Servant” streaming below. The band feature members of Totimoshi, Fatso Jetson and more. Their self-titled debut album will hit stores on February 09th via Sunyata Records. Comments Tony Tornay:
“‘Sadist/Servant‘ never gets boring. It’s always in your face and never falls back in the pocket. Danny killed it. He’s playing this really aggressive instrument on the quietest part of the song.”
Tool Set For 2018 "Northern Invasion"
Bands have been announced for the fourth annual edition of the "Northern Invasion" festival. The 2018 edition will return to the Somerset Amphitheater in Somerset, WI on May 12th and 13th and features the below acts:
Tool
Avenged Sevenfold
A Perfect Circle
Alice In Chains
Breaking Benjamin
Stone Temple Pilots
The Used
Black Veil Brides
Asking Alexandria
I Prevail
Parkway Drive
Black Stone Cherry
Red Sun Rising
Andrew W.K.
Atreyu
Anti-Flag
10 Years
We Came As Romans
The Bronx
Dance Gavin Dance
Butcher Babies
Hawthorne Heights
New Years Day
Senses Fail
Stick To Your Guns
Miss May I
Like A Storm
The Fever 333
I See Stars
Wilson
Mutoid Man
Cane Hill
Black Foxxes
Counterfeit
The Blue Stones
Joyous Wolf
Spirit Animal
Stitched Up Heart
Big Story
Legend Of The Seagullmen Premiere "Shipswreck"
Legend Of The Seagullmen, the supergroup featuring Tool‘s Danny Carey on drums and Mastodon‘s Brent Hinds on guitar, have inked a deal with Dine Alone Records. A February 09th release date has been slated for the band’s self-titled debut album, with a stream of the first single “Shipswreck” available below:
The group’s lineup runs as follows: More...
Clutch And Fantômas Announce Show With Tool
Clutch and Fantômas - in a very rare live performance - will join iconic band Tool along with Primus, Melvins, and DJ sets by The Crystal Method at Glen Helen Amphitheater in Southern California on Saturday, June 24th, 2017.
Clutch is touring in support of the band's 11th album "Psychic Warfare," while laying the groundwork for a next studio album release.
The brainchild of Mike Patton, Fantômas is an anti-hero from a series of pre-WWI French crime novels, sometimes dubbed the “lord of terror.” Rounding out the lineup are Buzz Osborne on guitar (Melvins), Trevor Dunn on bass (Mr. Bungle, Trevor Dunn’s Trio-Convulsant) ,and Dale Crover (Melvins) on drums. This will mark the band’s first U.S. show since 2008.
Tickets for the show, which is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents and Live Nation Los Angeles, are on sale now. More...
Tool Announces California Headline Show
After a series of book signing shows, Maynard Keenan is gearing up to hit the road again with Tool.
The iconic group will bring unparalleled sonic and visual experience to Glen Helen Amphitheater in Southern California alongside Primus, a special guest to be announced shortly, the Melvins, and DJ sets by The Crystal Method on Saturday, June 24th, 2017.
Tickets for the show - which is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents and Live Nation Los Angeles - go on sale Thursday, April 13th at 10:00 AM PT.
Tool is reportedly working on a highly anticipated fifth studio album, which will be the group's first since 2006’s "10,000 Days" release. More...
Maynard Keenan's Book Hits Best Seller List
"A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" (Backbeat Books), by Sarah Jensen with Maynard James Keenan, debuted at #10 on the New York Times Best Seller' list of hardcover non-fiction releases.
Keenan, who is known for not merely being protective about his personal life but at times pointedly cagey and misleading about his history, is in the midst of a round of book readings.
The special evening includes Keenan reading passages from "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" with a backdrop of never-before-seen photos and videos, as well as taking questions from the audience in what will be a rare moment of direct interaction between the elusive musician and the fans of his projects. More...
Keenan Adds Extra Book Tour Dates
In lieu of providing any actual info about that never-going-to-happen Tool album, Maynard James Keenan has elected to talk about himself on an upcoming book tour.
Today Keenan added Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco dates to his upcoming "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" book tour, as well as second readings in Chicago and Washington, D.C. (both events had previously sold out).
November 9 Nashville, TN City Winery SOLD OUT
November 11 New York, NY The New York Society for Ethical Culture
November 12 Washington, DC Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (7 pm reading) SOLD OUT
November 12 Washington, DC Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (10:30 pm reading)
November 14 Toronto, ON Convocation Hall (University of Toronto)
November 16 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall (7 pm reading) SOLD OUT
November 16 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall (10:30 pm reading)
November 18 Portland, OR The Aladdin Theater
November 19 Seattle, WA Kane Auditorium
November 21 San Francisco, CA Herbst Theatre
General admission and VIP tickets for the Washington, D.C., Chicago, Portland and Seattle events are on-sale this Friday, August 5th at 10 am eastern, San Francisco on-sale is the same day at 12 noon pacific. Tickets for the New York and Toronto dates are available now.
Additional dates will be announced soon so they can send us twenty or thirty press releases about this instead of just doing one with all the complete dates. More...
Tool Frontman Adds Toronto Book Tour Date
Another date has just been added to the brief Maynard James Keenan book tour as the previously announced appearances have been selling out.
The front man of A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Tool has added a Toronto date to his upcoming "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" tour: November 14th at 8 p.m. at the Convocation Hall (University of Toronto, 31 King’s College Circle, Toronto, Ont.).
Keenan will participate in a moderated discussion about the book and his decision to share such intimate details about his life. The special evening also includes Keenan reading passages from "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" (due Nov. 8, Backbeat Books). Dates are as follows:
November 9 Nashville, TN City Winery SOLD OUT
November 11 New York, NY The New York Society for Ethical Culture
November 12 Washington, DC Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
November 14 Toronto, ON Convocation Hall (University of Toronto)
November 16 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall SOLD OUT More...
Maynard James Keenan Adds Book Tour Dates
Maynard James Keenan just added two new dates to his previously announced book tour: November 11th at The New York Society for Ethical Culture and November 12th at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, D.C.
Keenan will participate in a moderated discussion about the book and his decision to share such intimate details about his life.
The special evening also includes Keenan reading passages from "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things," which is coming November 8th via BackBeat Books. Dates for the book tour are as follows:
November 9 Nashville, TN City Winery SOLD OUT
November 11 New York, NY The New York Society for Ethical Culture
November 12 Washington, DC Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
November 16 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall More...
Maynard James Keenan Announces Book Tour
Maynard James Keenan, front man of A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Tool, embarks on a book tour this fall to accompany the release of his authorized biography, "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things," with the first two dates confirmed for November 9th at Nashville’s City Winery and November 16th at Thalia Hall in Chicago.
Keenan, who is known for not merely being protective about his personal life but at times pointedly cagey and misleading about his history, will participate in a moderated discussion about the book and his decision to share such intimate details about his life.
The special evening also includes Keenan reading passages from "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" with a backdrop of never before seen photos and videos, as well as taking questions from the audience in what will be a rare moment of direct interaction between the elusive musician and the fans of his projects.
Tickets for the Nashville and Chicago events are on-sale this Friday. Additional dates will be announced soon. More...
New Tool Tracks Reportedly 12+ Minutes Each
People are still apparently insisting a new Tool album is coming, despite the very loud silence on that subject from the band, and today some quasi-but-not-really-actual news comes online!
Some seriously third part info has hit the digital airwaves (heaven forbid the band actually update the fans in any significant way) that Team Rock reports that Melvins' member Buzz Osborne says all the tracks on this supposed album are 12+ minutes long.
According to the report, Osborne said: "they haven’t even started recording yet, but Adam [Jones, Tool guitarist] told me the shortest song they’ve been working on is twelve minutes long."
In other words, none of this actually from the band, and its probably all nonsense, but because every other site on the net jumped on it as actual news we have to post about it as well to keep you rumor-mongering drama queens happy.
In other news, an autobiography that will shed no new light on any upcoming material is on the way from Maynard James Keenan, and if you fancy hearing years old songs you can catch the band at Voodoo Fest later this year.
Maynard James Keenan Autobiography Announced
Last October, in an interview with Rolling Stone, Maynard James Keenan, accomplished winemaker and frontman of Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer, let on that he was working with writer/editor and longtime friend Sarah Jensen on an authorized biography.
Until now, Keenan’s fans have had access to only an abridged version of his story. That all will change with the release of "A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" (Nov. 8, 2016, Backbeat Books, $29.99).
As Keenan explained to Rolling Stone, “There's always that perception that whatever you've done that's the largest media-friendly thing in your life, where the world came to know of you, there's a perception that there was no life before, and that you were nothing before. There's a lot of stuff that went on in my life that nobody really knows about. So I feel like this is the chance to show the patterns, tell a story.”
Jensen, who has known Keenan for three decades, rolls out that untold story chronicling his journey from his Midwest childhood to his years in the Army to his time in art school, from his stint at a Boston pet shop to his place in the international spotlight and his influence on the disparate fields of contemporary music and regional winemaking.
"A Perfect Union of Contrary Things" presents the outtakes, the scenes of disappointment and triumph, and the events that led him to take one step after the next, to change direction, to explore sometimes surprising opportunities. The book also features a foreword by Alex Grey, an American artist and longtime friend of Keenan. More...