As we approach six years since the arrival of Tool‘s fifth studio album, the chart-topping “Fear Inoculum“, the lingering hope for an expedited follow-up from the alternative metal stars isn’t exactly burning bright. Much was said about that album’s 13-year gestation, with members of the band communicating a sense of urgency to be more prolific as age catches up with them. However, while the group have remained active on the road in the years since that album’s arrival, their notoriously slow creative process seemingly remains firmly in place.
In a new interview with Loudwire Nights, the band’s vocalist Maynard James Keenan and guitarist Adam Jones spoke of what they’ve been up to in recent months. While bassist Justin Chancellor previously indicated the group would be blocking out three months to work on new songs, it doesn’t appear that the band are ready to hit the studio.
When asked what the outfit have on the horizon for 2026, Keenan responded, “Writing, I guess. You guys are busy, Adam?” Jones replied, “We want to get another record out and play, do what we do.’ He continued:
“The three of us have been jamming. I don’t know if you go, oh, the writing process has started. It’s always there. Between preparing for an upcoming tour or whatever we’re doing, there’s points where someone goes, oh, I got this and I got this. But I think we’re going to dive deep soon.”
Later in the discussion, Keenan indicated that the band’s recent experience performing at the ‘Back To The Beginning‘ live sendoff for the late heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne and his pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath instilled a bit more urgency in them. He said of that:
“You know, life is short. You just got to fucking do it now. There is no waiting. You don’t know what’s coming tomorrow. You got to do it now. So that’s what we’re doing.”
Outside of the various external projects and activities of the band’s individual members, Tool have the following shows booked at the moment:
12/11 Yokohama, JPN – K-Arena Yokohama
12/13 Kobe, JPN – Glion Arena
12/19 Honolulu, HI – Blaisdell Arena
12/20 Honolulu, HI – Blaisdell Arena
