When Can Tool Fans Expect a New Album?

2023-12-02

Image of the rock band Tool

Tool – Author Cat Badra, photo by Travis Shinn

Tool fans are an excitable bunch. All it takes is a few words about new music from any of the band members, and you’ll have Tool fans around the world stoked for a new album. But, frontman Maynard James Keenan doesn’t want to give anyone false hope. It sounds like he wants fans to calm down when it comes to new music from Tool. We won’t calm down, Maynard!

In a recent interview, Keenan says that while, yes, Tool have plans to release new music, nothing is solid enough to get excited. “I never mention anything until we actually have it in our hands because every time I say it out loud, it runs farther away, like ‘Groundhog Day’,” he told Loudwire. “To get people wound up and excited about something that doesn’t exist, I think it’s irresponsible.”

That was about all Keenan would comment on when asked about new music. But, the good news is that he did open about about how Michigan bluegrass artist Billy Strings ended up doing a guest appearance with Tool during their recent gig in Utah.

“It’s very random,” he said, explaining that Tool drummer Danny Carey knew Strings was in the area and asked if he’d want to jam onstage with Tool. Who would say no to that request?

“Danny just reached out. I said, ‘So you haven’t met this guy before?’ He said, ‘No.’ Okay. And go,” Keenan explained. And, that was that.

Aside from music, Keenan is an avid wine fan. When asked about Keenan’s Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards and how they’ve expanded over the years, Keenan said it’s still a small business, nothing like the big wine companies.

“The facility is the huge aspect of it,” he said. “The actual production, when you look at the average production numbers for California or international wines, we’re still on the low end. We’re considered a boutique winery. Once people get over the novelty aspect of it being from a musician and actually taste the wine — I think it’s taken awhile, but that’s the bigger hurdle that we’ve managed to navigate. We’re making serious wines that are just delicious and ageable.”

In other news, Tool recently wrapped up fall North American tour, and the band also has tour dates lined up for 2024. They’re not taking much time off, as Tool closed out their 2023 fall tour towards the end of November, and they’ll hit the road again in early January. Tool’s first tour date for 2023 is Jan. 10 in Baltimore, Maryland, and they’re scheduled through a Feb. 18 date in Las Vegas, Nevada. Find upcoming tour dates here.

Tool are still on the road in support of their 2019 studio album, “Fear Inoculum.” The record was named one of Audio Ink Radio’s best rock and metal albums of the 2010s, coming in at No. 2 on the list. When he’s not on the road, Keenan has been keeping busy with his new, scenic winemaking facility at the former Masonic lodge in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Cat Badra
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Posted by Cat Badra | Music, Rock, Rock News

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