Tool’s Maynard James Keenan admits time isn’t on their side for a new album ahead of tour - full UK tour dates

While UK fans of djent/alternative metal group Tool eagerly await the band returning to the country as part of their widespread European tour, it would seem that the length of time between albums might not be as long as we’ve previously had to contend with.

“Fear Inoculum,” Tool’s last album released in 2019, was released 13 years after the release of “10,000 Days” in 2006. The band, known for lengthy periods between album releases, are the first to admit though that given their ages, time isn’t on their side to pull off another feat again.

Speaking to Metal Hammer, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan explained: “Tool is a more complicated beast with a lot of egos and a lot of other things going on in our lives. But all the creativity’s there, the songs and the ideas can flow and the arguments ensue.” 

“As soon as we get past the arguments, we can get s**t done! Ha ha ha! I think we could do it more efficiently. 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.”

But as guitarist Adam Jones explains in the same interview, there is a concern from the band that the constant discussion about when a new Tool album is getting released can take away from the fun aspects of being in a band. “Most of the people that you hear from on those things – like, ‘When’s your next record?’ – when you do finish it, they’re like, ‘OK, when’s your next one?’ You can’t make people happy.” 

“We have this very selfish approach to art. It’s our rules. When you start trying to make people happy, you’re losing yourself. You’re losing that burn inside you of why you do what you do.”

Tool discography

• 72826 (EP) - 1991
• Opiate (EP) - 1992
• Undertow - 1993
• Ænima - 1996
• Lateralus - 2001
• 10,000 Days - 2006
• Fear Innoculum - 2019

Tool United Kingdom tour 2024 dates

• May 30 2024: Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
• June 1 2024: AO Arena, Manchester
• June 3 2024: The O2, London

Where can I buy tickets to see Tool on tour in the United Kingdom?

Tickets to see Tool perform in the United Kingdom are still available through Ticketmaster, though the London performance currently has a low availability - you have been warned.