Tool New Album Progress: I Try to Make It Simple, Says Danny Carey

Story by Charles Ken

Tool drummer Danny Carey has already stated that he believes the group’s new album will arrive sometime in 2018, and now, Carey has given even more confirmation of new music on the way. In an interview with the U.K.-based heavy metal magazine Kerrang!, Carey spoke about the interesting instrumentation on the upcoming album, including odd time signatures and intricate rhythmic patterns, which is very typical for Tool. In fact, it’s all so technical, that Carey says he and frontman Maynard James Keenan work hard to make it feel less technical.

“Adam and Justin aren’t musically educated, so they just come up with the weirdest s–t,” Carey said in the chat. “I just try to anchor it down and make it simple. The cool thing is every time I think I’ve simplified it as much as I can, we’ll give it to Maynard, and he’ll do something even more simplified—to the point where practically anyone can sing it! It’s simple…and it’s coming out, man. The tracks are long…too long! Definitely too long for the radio (laughs)!”

So, what about the timing for the new album? That’s what Tool fans want to know, after all. “It’s all still a work in progress,” he said. “We don’t even go there until the record is done. It needs to have a voice of its own – just like this new Legend of the Seagullmen record. You don’t think about that until the project’s finished and it all comes together and connects. Everything has its own voice.”

He added that it’s not really a concept album. “It’s funny how people understand it all when it comes to concepts,” he said, referring to suggestions that Tool’s albums are concept albums. “I know from Pink Floyd, Yes, all these bands – there was no…concept. Those guys would just go in there and do it until it was done…and that’s when it takes shape. At that point, it will tell you what to do, just like any piece of art ever made.”

Publication date: January 18, 2018

Charles Ken
Latest posts by Charles Ken (see all)
Posted by Charles Ken | Music, Rock, Rock News

Related Posts