Tool is one of the most commercially successful hard rock/metal bands in the world. They’ve held that title for decades, even though they’re not the most prolific. Actually, they’re far from it, as they’ve been known to space out their albums by many years, which can frustrate their fans. In a new interview, the group’s lead singer Maynard James Keenan explained why they wait so long between their projects, and he was pretty candid about the oft-discussed topic.
“Tool is a more complicated beast with a lot of egos,” Keenan stated bluntly in a new feature with Metal Hammer magazine. The rocker’s band isn’t the only one that comes with baggage or members who have outsized egos–that’s simply part of rock and roll—but at least he’s honest about how that can affect the group’s output.
Keenan wasn’t shy about sharing that the members of Tool have their tough times when they work together, which is partially to blame for their slow schedule of releases. “As soon as we get past the arguments, we can get shit done,” he joked. He made sure to soften the comments by adding, “But all the creativity’s there, the songs and the ideas can flow and the arguments ensue.”
The superstar also commented that he and his Tool bandmates have discussed this issue, and it’s something they’re working on. They don’t intend on allowing fans to wait much longer before giving them new music… or at least that’s how it seems based on the interview.
“I think we could do it more efficiently,” Keenan confessed. “And I think everyone’s on the same page that we have to get through that, because we can’t drag this out another 14 years.”
Tool last released an album in 2019, when Fear Inoculum debuted at No. 1 on charts all around the world, including in the U.S. The set marked their first proper full-length since 2006’s 10,000 Days, another chart-topper. That 13-year gap was the longest in their career, and it’s the one that raised the most eyebrows in the music industry and among their followers.
The band released their debut album Undertow in 1993. Since then, they’ve only dropped five full-lengths, which is a very slow pace for one of the biggest acts in any genre. At the moment, Tool is preparing for a tour throughout the U.K. this spring. No word yet on another project–it has been half a decade since the last one–but based on Keenan’s statements in the interview, it appears that his goal is to deliver something to fans sooner, rather than later.
