Editing Tool (band) (section)

==History==
===Formation and ''Opiate'' (1989–1992)===
{{main|Opiate (EP)}}
[[File:Tool logo 2006.svg|thumb|left|Tool logo, 2006]]

During the 1980s, each of the future members of Tool moved to Los Angeles. Both Paul D'Amour and Adam Jones wanted to enter the film industry, while Maynard James Keenan, who had studied visual arts in Michigan, worked as a pet store remodeler.<ref name="livewire" /> Danny Carey and Keenan performed for [[Green Jellÿ]],<ref name="livewire" /> and Carey played with [[Carole King]] and [[Pigmy Love Circus]].<ref name="Tepedelen 2004" />

Keenan and Jones met through a mutual friend in 1989.{{sfn|Kitts|Tolinski|2002|pp=1965–1969}} After Keenan played Jones a tape recording of his previous band project, Jones was so impressed by his voice that he eventually talked his friend into forming a new band.{{sfn|Kitts|Tolinski|2002|pp=1965–1969}} They started [[Jam session|jamming]] together while searching for a drummer and a bass player. Carey happened to live above Keenan and was introduced to Jones by [[Tom Morello]], an old high school friend of Jones and former member of Electric Sheep.{{sfn|Newquist|Maloof|2004|pp=11–15}} Carey began playing in their sessions because he "felt kinda sorry for them", as other invited musicians were not showing up.{{sfn|Akhtar|2001|loc=C3}} Tool's lineup was completed when a friend of Jones introduced the members to bassist D'Amour.<ref name="circusmagazine" /> Early on, the band fabricated the story that it formed because of the [[pseudophilosophy]] "lachrymology".<ref name="MacKenzie Blake" /> Although "lachrymology" was also cited as an inspiration for the band's name, Keenan later explained the members' intentions differently: "Tool is exactly what it sounds like: It's a big dick. It's a wrench. ... we are ... your tool; use us as a catalyst in your process of finding out whatever it is you need to find out, or whatever it is you're trying to achieve."<ref name="Zappa 1994" />

After almost two years of practicing and performing locally in the Los Angeles area, the band was approached by record companies,{{sfn|Kitts|Tolinski|2002|pp=1965–1969}} and eventually signed a record deal with [[Zoo Entertainment (record label)|Zoo Entertainment]].<ref name="circusmagazine" /> In March 1992, Zoo released the band's first effort, ''[[Opiate (album)|Opiate]]''. Described by the band as "slam and bang" heavy music{{sfn|Akhtar|2001|loc=E8}} and the "hardest sounding" six songs they had written to that point,<ref name="Jones a Master of Many Trades" /> the [[Extended play|EP]] included the singles "[[Hush (Tool song)|Hush]]" and "[[Opiate (song)|Opiate]]". The band's first music video, "Hush", promoted their dissenting views about the then-prominent [[Parents Music Resource Center]] and its advocacy of the [[censorship of music]]. The video featured the band members naked with their genitalia covered by [[Parental Advisory]] stickers and their mouths covered by duct tape.<ref name="much" /> The band began touring with [[Rollins Band]], [[Fishbone]], [[Rage Against the Machine]], [[White Zombie (band)|White Zombie]], and [[Corrosion of Conformity]],<ref name="Stepping Out From the Shadows" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metallipromo.com/wz.html|title=White Zombie Tour Dates|publisher=metallipromo.com|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051512/http://metallipromo.com/wz.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metallipromo.com/coc.html|title=Corrosion of Conformity Tour Dates|publisher=metallipromo.com|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051458/http://metallipromo.com/coc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> to positive responses, which Janiss Garza of ''RIP Magazine'' summarized in September 1992 as a "buzz" and "a strong start".<ref name="Garza 1992" />

===''Undertow'' (1993–1994)===
{{main|Undertow (Tool album)}}
{{listen|filename=Tool - Undertow - Prison Sex - sample.ogg|title="Prison Sex"|description="Prison Sex" was removed from the MTV playlist and deemed too graphic and offensive by [[MuchMusic]].<ref name="Stepping Out From the Shadows"  /><ref name="sfc94" /> In this sample, Keenan begins his metaphorical treatment of [[child abuse]].}}

The following year, at a time when [[alternative rock]] and [[grunge]] were at their height, Tool released their first full-length album, ''[[Undertow (Tool album)|Undertow]]'' (1993). It expressed more diverse dynamics than ''Opiate'' and included songs the band had chosen not to publish on their previous release, when they had opted for a heavier sound.<ref name="Jones a Master of Many Trades" /> The band began touring again as planned, with an exception in May 1993. Tool was scheduled to play at the Garden Pavilion in Hollywood but learned at the last minute that the venue belonged to the [[Church of Scientology]], which was perceived as a clash with "the band's ethics about how a person should not follow a belief system that constricts their development as a human being."<ref name="Stepping Out From the Shadows"  /> Keenan "spent most of the show baa-ing like a sheep at the audience."<ref name="33 things" />

[[File:Tool-logo-early.jpg|thumb|upright|right|A band logo created by longtime collaborator Cam de Leon,<ref name="Lowe Law 2006" /> this wrench is an example of "[[phallic]] hardware" in Tool's imagery.<ref name="Buffalo News 1997" />]]

Tool later played several concerts during the [[Lollapalooza]] festival tour, and was moved from the second stage to the main stage by the group's manager and the festival co-founder [[Ted Gardner]].<ref name="pettigrew1997" /> At the last concert of Lollapalooza in Tool's hometown Los Angeles, comedian [[Bill Hicks]] introduced the band. Hicks had become a friend of the band members and an influence on them after being mentioned in ''Undertow'''s liner notes.<ref name="Garza 1997" /> He jokingly asked the audience of 10,000 people to stand still and help him look for a lost contact lens.<ref name="Kevin Booth" /> The boost in popularity gained from these concerts helped ''Undertow'' to be certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] in September 1993 and to achieve platinum status in 1995,<ref name="Circus 1997" /> despite being sold with [[Corporate censorship|censored]] album artwork by distributors such as [[Wal-Mart]].<ref name="Axcess" />{{sfn|Sherry|Aldis|2006|p = 176}} The single "[[Sober (Tool song)|Sober]]" became a hit single by March 1994 and won the band ''Billboard''{{'}}s "Best Video by a New Artist" award for the accompanying [[stop motion]] music video.<ref name="Jones a Master of Many Trades" />

With the release of Tool's follow-up single "[[Prison Sex (song)|Prison Sex]]", the band again became the target of censorship. The song's lyrics and video dealt with [[child abuse]], which sparked controversial reactions; Keenan's lyrics begin with: "It took so long to remember just what happened. I was so young and vestal then, you know it hurt me, but I'm breathing so I guess I'm still alive ... I've got my hands bound and my head down and my eyes closed and my throat wide open." The video was created primarily by guitarist Adam Jones, who saw it as his "surrealistic interpretation" of the subject matter.<ref name="hypno" /> While some contemporary journalists praised the video and described the lyrics as "metaphoric",<ref name="much" /><ref name="sfc94" /> the American branch of [[MuchMusic]] (which asked Keenan to represent the band in a hearing) deemed the music video too graphic and obscene,<ref name="Stepping Out From the Shadows"  /> and MTV stopped airing it after a few showings.<ref name="sfc94" />

===''Ænima'' and ''Salival'' (1995–2000)===
{{main|Ænima| |Salival|}}
In September 1995, the band began writing and recording its second studio album. At that time Tool experienced its only lineup change to date, with bassist D'Amour leaving the band amicably to pursue other projects. According to Carey, D'Amour left the band because he wanted to play guitar rather than bass.<ref name=rs /> [[Justin Chancellor]], a member of former tourmate band [[Peach (band)|Peach]], eventually replaced D'Amour during the recording of the album, having been chosen over competitors such as [[Kyuss]]'s [[Scott Reeder (bassist)|Scott Reeder]], [[Filter (band)|Filter]]'s Frank Cavanaugh, [[Pigmy Love Circus]]'s E. Shepherd Stevenson, [[Jane's Addiction]]'s [[Eric Avery]], and [[ZAUM]]'s Marco Fox.<ref name="Fiend 1996" />

On September 17, 1996, Tool released its second full-length album, ''[[Ænima]]'' ("ON-ima").{{sfn|Akhtar|2001|loc=G2}} The band enlisted the help of producer David Bottrill, who had produced some of [[King Crimson]]'s albums, while Jones collaborated with Cam de Leon to create ''Ænima''{{'}}s Grammy-nominated artwork.<ref name="Aenima liner notes" />{{sfn|Akhtar|2001|loc=D11}} The album was dedicated to [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up comedian]] [[Bill Hicks]], who had died two-and-a-half years earlier.<ref name="Stepping Out From the Shadows" /> The band intended to raise awareness about Hicks's material and ideas, because they felt that Tool and Hicks "were resonating similar concepts".<ref name="austinkeenanhicks" /> In particular, ''Ænima''{{'}}s final track "Third Eye" is preceded by a clip of Hicks' performances, and the [[Lenticular printing|lenticular]] casing of the ''Ænima'' album packaging as well as the chorus of the title track "[[Ænema]]" make reference to a sketch from Hicks's ''[[Arizona Bay]]'' (the title track of the ''Arizona Bay Extended'' version of the album), in which he contemplates the idea of Los Angeles falling into the Pacific Ocean.<ref name="austinkeenanhicks" /><ref name="Zwick 2004" />

The first single, "[[Stinkfist]]", garnered limited airplay. It was shortened by radio programmers, MTV (U.S.) renamed the music video of "Stinkfist" to "Track No.&nbsp;1" due to offensive connotations,<ref name="stinkfist" /> and the lyrics of the song were altered.{{sfn|McIver|2009|p = 137}} Responding to fan complaints about censorship, [[Matt Pinfield]] of MTV's ''[[120 Minutes]]'' expressed regret on air by waving his fist in front of his face while introducing the video and explaining the name change.<ref name="stinkfist" />

{{listen|filename=Tool - Ænima - Ænema - sample.ogg|title="Ænema"|description=This [[Bill Hicks]]-inspired song won the 1998 [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance]]. The chorus, and the lyrics in this clip, of "Ænema" makes reference to the title track from Hicks's extended [[Arizona Bay]] album.}}

A tour began in October 1996, two weeks after ''Ænima''{{'}}s release. Following numerous appearances in the United States and Europe, Tool headed for Australia and New Zealand in late March 1997. Eventually returning to the United States, Tool appeared at Lollapalooza '97 in July, this time as a headliner, where they gained critical praise from ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name="nytimeslollapalooza" /> ''Ænima'' eventually matched Tool's successful debut album in sales,<ref name="Fruchtman 2006" /> and the progressive-influenced album landed the band at the head of the [[alternative metal]] genre. It featured the Grammy Award-winning "Ænema"<ref name="Rock on the Net 1998" /> and appeared on "Best Albums of 1996" lists in ''[[Kerrang!]]''<ref name="Kerrang" /> and ''[[Terrorizer (magazine)|Terrorizer]]''.<ref name="Terrorizer" /> It was eventually certified [[Music recording sales certification|triple platinum]] by the RIAA on March 4, 2003.<ref name="Post Gazette 2006" /> In 1998, Tool joined the [[Ozzfest]] tour in the United States as the co-headliner act before [[Ozzy Osbourne]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=February 23, 2021|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/editorials/ozzfest-1998-where-are-they-now-a-taste-of-things-to-come|publication-date=July 28, 2017 |title=Ozzfest 1998 Where Are They Now: A Taste Of Things To Come |first=Nick |last=Dauk|website=Metal Injection|date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731125139/http://www.metalinjection.net/editorials/ozzfest-1998-where-are-they-now-a-taste-of-things-to-come|archive-date=July 31, 2017}}</ref> The band accepted on the condition that [[Melvins]] had to join it as well because, as stated by its frontman [[Buzz Osborne]], they "wanted at least one band on the tour that they liked", despite the dissuasions from the tour organizers.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=February 23, 2021|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/05/10/buzz-osborne-the-metalsucks-interview-part-two|publication-date=May 10, 2010 |title=BUZZ OSBORNE: THE METALSUCKS INTERVIEW (PART TWO)|first=Gary|last=Suarez|website=[[MetalSucks]]|date=May 10, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513184654/http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/05/10/buzz-osborne-the-metalsucks-interview-part-two|archive-date=May 13, 2010}}</ref>

Two legal battles then began that interfered with the band's working on another release. [[Volcano Entertainment]]—the successor of Tool's by-then defunct label Zoo Entertainment—alleged contract violations by Tool and filed a lawsuit. According to Volcano, Tool had violated their contract when the band looked at offers from other record labels. After Tool filed a counter-suit stating that Volcano had failed to use a renewal option in their contract, the parties settled out of court. In December 1998 Tool agreed to a new contract, a three-record joint venture deal.{{sfn|Akhtar|2001|loc=C15}}<ref name="MTV December 1998" /> Then in 2000, the band dismissed their long-time manager Ted Gardner, who then sued the band over his commission.<ref name="Borzillo-Vrenna 2000" /> During this time, Keenan joined the band [[A Perfect Circle]], which was founded by long-time Tool guitar tech [[Billy Howerdel]], while Jones joined The Melvins' [[Buzz Osborne]] and Carey drummed with Dead Kennedys' [[Jello Biafra]] on side projects.<ref name="Slater 2001" /> Although there were rumors that Tool was breaking up,<ref name="Kline 2002" /><ref name="Beaumont Enterprise 2002" /> Chancellor, Jones, and Carey were working on new material while waiting for Keenan to return.<ref name="Stout 2001" /> In 2000, the ''[[Salival]]'' [[box set]] (CD/VHS or CD/DVD) was released, effectively putting an end to the rumors.<ref name="AllMusic Biography" /> The CD contained one new original track, a [[Cover version|cover]] of Led Zeppelin's "[[No Quarter (song)|No Quarter]]", a live version of Peach's "[[You Lied]]", and revised versions of old songs. The VHS and the DVD each contained four music videos, plus a bonus music video for "Hush" on the DVD. Although ''Salival'' did not yield any singles, the hidden track "Maynard's Dick" (which dates back to the ''Opiate'' era) briefly found its way to [[FM broadcasting|FM radio]] when several DJs chose to play it on air under the title "Maynard's Dead".{{sfn|Akhtar|2001|loc=H26}}

===''Lateralus'' (2001–2005)===
{{main|Lateralus}}
In January 2001, Tool announced a new album, ''Systema Encéphale'', along with a 12-song track list containing titles such as "Riverchrist", "Numbereft", "Encephatalis", "Musick", and "Coeliacus".<ref name="tdnsystematracks" /> File-sharing networks such as [[Napster]] were flooded with bogus files bearing the titles' names.<ref name="tdnsystematracks" /> A month later, the band revealed that the new album was actually titled ''[[Lateralus]]''; the name ''Systema Encéphale'' and the track list had been a ruse.<ref name="mtvnewssystema" /> ''Lateralus'' and the corresponding tours would take Tool a step further toward [[art rock]]<ref name="e!onlinelateralus" /><ref name="kingcrimsonminitour" /><ref name="munge" /> and [[progressive rock]]<ref name="AMG Lateralus review" /><ref name="rollingstonelateralus" />{{sfn|DeRogatis|2003|p=562}} territory. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote in an attempt to summarize the album that "Drums, bass and guitars move in jarring cycles of hyperhowl and near-silent [[death march]] ... The prolonged running times of most of ''Lateralus''{{'}} thirteen tracks are misleading; the entire album rolls and stomps with [[suite (music)|suite]]like purpose."<ref name="rollingstonelateralus" /> Joshua Klein of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' expressed his opinion that ''Lateralus'', with its 79 minutes and relatively complex and long songs—topped by the ten-and-a-half-minute music video for "[[Parabola (song)|Parabola]]"—posed a challenge to fans and music programming alike.<ref name="Klein 2002" />

{{listen|filename=Tool_-_Lateralus_-_Schism_-_sample.ogg|title="Schism"|description="Schism" is the first single off ''Lateralus''. With its abstract lyrics and multi-sectioned, odd-metered structure it has since become a signature song of the band.|format=[[Ogg]]}}

The album became a worldwide success, reaching No.1 on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] albums chart in its debut week.<ref name="Cohen, Martens 2001" /> Tool received their second Grammy Award for the best metal performance of 2001 for the song "[[Schism (song)|Schism]]".<ref name="Grammy Awards" /> During the band's acceptance speech, Carey stated that he would like to thank his parents (for putting up with him) and [[Satan]], and bassist Chancellor concluded: "I want to thank my dad for doing my mom."<ref name="D'Angelo 2002" />

Extensive touring throughout 2001 and 2002 supported ''Lateralus'' and included a personal highlight for the band: a 10-show joint mini-tour with [[King Crimson]] in August 2001. Comparisons between the two were made, MTV describing the bands as "the once and future kings of progressive rock". Keenan stated of the minitour: "For me, being on stage with King Crimson is like [[Lenny Kravitz]] playing with [[Led Zeppelin]], or [[Britney Spears]] onstage with [[Debbie Gibson]]."<ref name="kingcrimsonminitour" /> Although the end of the tour in November 2002 seemed to signal the start of another hiatus for the band, they did not become completely inactive. While Keenan recorded and toured with [[A Perfect Circle]], the other band members released an interview and a recording of new material, both exclusive to the fan club. The "double [[Gramophone record|vinyl]] four-picture disc" edition of ''Lateralus'' was first released as a limited autographed edition exclusively available to fan club members and publicly released on August 23, 2005. On December 20 the two DVDs were released, one containing the single "[[Schism (song)|Schism]]" and the other "[[Parabola (song)|Parabola]]", a remix by [[Lustmord]], and a music video with commentary by [[David Yow]] and [[Jello Biafra]].

===''10,000 Days'' (2006–2009)===
{{Main|10,000 Days (Tool album)}}
[[File:Tool live 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Tool live, in 2006]]
Fifteen years into the band's career, Tool had acquired what Dan Epstein of ''[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]'' described as a devoted "[[Cult following|cult]]" following,<ref name="Epstein 2006" /> and as details about the band's next album emerged, such as the influence of ''Lateralus'' tourmates [[Fantômas (band)|Fantômas]] and [[Meshuggah]],<ref name="mtvhammer" /> controversy surrounding the new Tool album surfaced with speculation over song titles and pre-release rumors of leaked songs.<ref name="theage10kdays" /> Speculation over possible album titles was dismissed with a news item on the official Tool website, announcing that the new album's name was ''[[10,000 Days (Tool album)|10,000 Days]]''. Nevertheless, speculation continued, with allegations that ''10,000 Days'' was merely a "decoy" album to fool audiences.<ref name="theage10kdays" /> The rumor was proven false when a [[music leak|leaked]] copy of the album was distributed via [[filesharing]] networks a week prior to its official release.<ref name="Harris May 11, 2006" />

The album opener, "[[Vicarious (Tool song)|Vicarious]]", premiered on U.S. radio stations on April 17, 2006. The album premiered on May 2 in the U.S. and debuted at the top spots of various international charts. ''10,000 Days'' sold 564,000 copies in its opening week in the U.S. and was number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 charts, doubling the sales of [[Pearl Jam]]'s [[Pearl Jam (album)|self-titled album]], its closest competitor.<ref name="Harris May 10, 2006" /> However, ''10,000 Days'' was received less favorably by critics than its predecessor ''[[Lateralus]]''.<ref name="Metacritic 2006" /><ref name="Metacritic 2001" />

Prior to the release of ''10,000 Days'', a tour kicked off at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella]] on April 30. The touring schedule was similar to the ''Lateralus'' tour of 2001; supporting acts were [[Isis (band)|Isis]] and [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]]. During a short break early the next year, after touring Australia and New Zealand, drummer Carey suffered a [[Biceps brachii muscle|biceps]] tear during a skirmish with his girlfriend's dog, casting uncertainty on the band's upcoming concerts in North America.<ref name="Toolband 2007" /> Carey underwent surgery on February 21 and several performances had to be postponed. Back on tour by April, Tool appeared on June 15 as a headliner at the [[Bonnaroo Music Festival]] with a guest appearance from [[Rage Against the Machine]]'s [[Tom Morello]] on "[[Lateralus (song)|Lateralus]]".<ref name="Cohen 2007" /> Meanwhile, "Vicarious" was a nominee for [[Best Hard Rock Performance]] and ''10,000 Days'' won [[Best Recording Package]] at the [[49th Grammy Awards]].<ref name="49thgrammyawards" /> The music video for "Vicarious" was released on DVD on December 18. The band's 2009 summer tour began on July 18 in [[Commerce City, Colorado]], at the [[Mile High Music Festival]]. They headlined Lollapalooza 2009 and a show on August 22 for the [[Epicenter (music festival)|Epicenter Festival]] in Pomona, California.<ref name="Blabbermouth 2009" /><ref name="Mile High press release 2009" /><ref name="Lollapalooza press release 2009" />

===''Fear Inoculum'' (2012–2022)===
{{Main|Fear Inoculum}}
Their Tool Winter Tour played dates across the U.S. and Canada in January and February 2012.<ref name="Fourtheye 2012" /><ref name="Audio Ink 2012" /> The band played at [[Ozzfest|Ozzfest Japan]] on May 12, 2013.<ref name="Blabbermouth 2012" /> On July 15, 2014, Carey and Jones informed ''Rolling Stone'' that family commitments and an ongoing lawsuit are the key reasons for the delayed fifth album.<ref name="Grow 2014">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tool-explain-why-they-havent-put-out-a-new-album-since-2006-20140715|last=Grow|first=Corey|title=Tool Explain Why They Haven't Put Out a New Album Since 2006|date=July 15, 2014|access-date=July 15, 2014|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=July 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717185147/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tool-explain-why-they-havent-put-out-a-new-album-since-2006-20140715|url-status=live}}</ref> Carey said to the music publication that one untitled track is "pretty much done".<ref name="Grow 2014" /> In March 2015, Jones revealed that the lawsuit had been settled in the band's favor, and as such, the band was turning their focus towards recording the album.<ref name="exclusive-with-legal-obstacles-out-of-the-way">{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/exclusive-with-legal-obstacles-out-of-the-way-113603374956.html|title=Exclusive: With Legal Obstacles Out of the Way Tool Are Again Hard at Work|date=March 14, 2015 |access-date=April 6, 2015|archive-date=April 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412235737/https://www.yahoo.com/music/exclusive-with-legal-obstacles-out-of-the-way-113603374956.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He said that he hoped the album would be finished before the end of 2015 but emphasized that the band would not rush their work to meet an arbitrary deadline.<ref name="exclusive-with-legal-obstacles-out-of-the-way"/> In January 2016, Tool undertook a tour of the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2015/11/tool-announce-2016-tour/|title=Tool announce 2016 tour, and the first show is only two months away|last=Young|first=Alex|date=November 13, 2015|work=Consequence of Sound|access-date=November 23, 2015|archive-date=November 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121094203/https://consequence.net/2015/11/tool-announce-2016-tour/|url-status=live}}</ref> While it was reported in February 2017 that Keenan had entered the studio to work on vocals for the fifth Tool album,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/maynard-james-keenan-begins-vocal-work-new-tool-album/ |title=Maynard James Keenan Begins Vocal Work on New Tool Album |website=Loudwire.com |date=February 17, 2017 |access-date=May 2, 2017 |archive-date=May 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506200912/http://loudwire.com/maynard-james-keenan-begins-vocal-work-new-tool-album/ |url-status=live }}</ref> it was later reported that the album was not scheduled for release in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/73383-tool-and-a-perfect-circle-wont-release-albums-in-2017/|title=Tool and A Perfect Circle Won't Release Albums in 2017 – Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=May 8, 2017|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809134125/https://pitchfork.com/news/73383-tool-and-a-perfect-circle-wont-release-albums-in-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/05/apparently-neither-tool-nor-a-perfect-circle-will-be-releasing-albums-in-2017/|title=Apparently neither Tool nor A Perfect Circle will be releasing albums in 2017|date=May 8, 2017|access-date=May 10, 2017|archive-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510211736/https://consequence.net/2017/05/apparently-neither-tool-nor-a-perfect-circle-will-be-releasing-albums-in-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> Still, the band announced a North American tour starting in May.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7720977/tool-tour-date-live-2017-north-america-festival-ticket|title=Tool Announces 2017 North American Shows to Go Alongside Summer Fest Gigs|last=Payne|first=Chris|date=March 13, 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 23, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319112349/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7720977/tool-tour-date-live-2017-north-america-festival-ticket|url-status=live}}</ref> A month later, Chancellor revealed that the new Tool album was "about 90-percent there",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/tool-justin-chancellor-new-album-90-percent-there/|title=Tool's Justin Chancellor: New Album is 'About 90-Percent There'|last=Hartmann|first=Graham|date=June 26, 2017|work=Loudwire|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230231850/http://loudwire.com/tool-justin-chancellor-new-album-90-percent-there/|url-status=live}}</ref> while Carey claimed in separate interviews that it would "definitely" be released in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/danny-carey-new-tool-album-definitely-2018/|title=Danny Carey: New Tool Album Will 'Definitely' Be Out In 2018|last=Divita|first=Joe|date=December 8, 2017|work=Loudwire|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230230236/http://loudwire.com/danny-carey-new-tool-album-definitely-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/danny-carey-on-new-tool-album-itll-be-out-in-2018|title=Danny Carey on New Tool Album: 'It'll Be Out in 2018'|last=Pasbani|first=Robert|date=December 8, 2017|work=Metal Injection|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230201115/http://www.metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/danny-carey-on-new-tool-album-itll-be-out-in-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2018, Jones revealed that Keenan was working on lyrics for the album, and that the band would begin recording in March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/tool-adam-jones-march-recording-start-new-album|title=Tool's Adam Jones Reveals March Recording Start for New Album|last=Childers|first=Chad|date=February 19, 2018|work=Loudwire|access-date=February 19, 2018|archive-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219214623/http://loudwire.com/tool-adam-jones-march-recording-start-new-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2018, during his acceptance speech for the Icon Award at the [[Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards]], Keenan stated "I'll go on record now saying you're gonna see some new music next year."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://consequence.net/2018/06/maynard-james-keenan-promises-tool-will-release-new-music-next-year/|title=Maynard James Keenan promises Tool will release "new music next year"|date=June 13, 2018|work=Consequence of Sound|access-date=August 29, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=August 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830004828/https://consequence.net/2018/06/maynard-james-keenan-promises-tool-will-release-new-music-next-year/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:ToolWelcometoRockville2023.jpg|thumb|Tool performing at Welcome to Rockville 2023]] On September 11, 2018, Keenan announced via Twitter that production on the record was progressing and that vocals had been written, before suggesting a 2019 release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/heres-promising-update-new-tool-album-2377977 |title=Here's a promising update on that new Tool album |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=September 11, 2018 |website=NME |access-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002064546/https://www.nme.com/news/music/heres-promising-update-new-tool-album-2377977 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2019, Keenan announced that he had completed recording his vocals for the album "months ago."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/01/tool-new-album-vocals-recorded/|title=Maynard James Keenan Says Vocals for Tool's Next Album Are Done|last=Burks|first=Tosten|date=2019-01-04|website=Spin|language=en|access-date=2019-01-09|archive-date=July 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708115403/https://www.spin.com/2019/01/tool-new-album-vocals-recorded/|url-status=live}}</ref> While Carey mentioned aiming for a mid-April release date, Keenan later explained that between May and July was a more realistic time frame to wrap up production and release the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2019/02/maynard-james-keenan-new-tool-album-may-july/|title=Maynard James Keenan: New Tool album to arrive between May and July|last=Kaufman|first=Spencer|date=2019-02-08|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en|access-date=2019-02-10|archive-date=February 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011210/https://consequence.net/2019/02/maynard-james-keenan-new-tool-album-may-july/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 5, 2019, the band debuted two new songs live at the [[Welcome to Rockville]] Festival in Jacksonville, Florida called "Descending" and "Invincible".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2019/05/06/catch-a-glimpse-of-two-new-tool-songs-recorded-live-at-welcome-to-rockville/|title=Catch a glimpse of two new Tool songs recorded live at Welcome to Rockville|last=brownypaul|date=2019-05-06|website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-06|archive-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506062717/https://wallofsoundau.com/2019/05/06/catch-a-glimpse-of-two-new-tool-songs-recorded-live-at-welcome-to-rockville/|url-status=live}}</ref> Three days later, it was confirmed that the band's new album is scheduled to be released on August 30, 2019.<ref name="rollingstone">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tool-new-album-release-date-832784/|title=Tool Set Summer Release Date for New Album|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=2019-05-08|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-08|archive-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508163754/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tool-new-album-release-date-832784/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/maynard-james-keenan-confirms-new-tool-album-release-date-shares-thor-meme|title=Maynard James Keenan Confirms New Tool Album Release Date, Shares Thor Meme|date=2019-05-10|website=Revolver|language=en|access-date=2019-05-10|archive-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510173632/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/maynard-james-keenan-confirms-new-tool-album-release-date-shares-thor-meme|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 29, 2019, Keenan confirmed the album would be titled ''[[Fear Inoculum]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/tool-new-album-fear-inoculum/|title=Tool Officially Announce New Album 'Fear Inoculum'|date=2019-07-29|website=Loudwire|language=en|access-date=2019-07-29|archive-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729204502/https://loudwire.com/tool-new-album-fear-inoculum/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Fear Inoculum (song)|title track]] was released as a single on August 7, the band's first release in 13 years.<ref name="LOUD">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/tool-fear-inoculum-song/|title=Tool Release First New Song in 13 Years 'Fear Inoculum'|first=Joe|last=DiVita|website=Loudwire|date=August 7, 2019 |access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808152540/https://loudwire.com/tool-fear-inoculum-song/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 2, 2019, Tool's discography (with the exception of ''Salival'') became available on [[Music streaming service|music streaming]] platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2019/08/tool-albums-stream-online/|title=Tool's entire discography is now available to stream online|date=2019-08-02|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en|access-date=2019-08-02|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802045855/https://consequence.net/2019/08/tool-albums-stream-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tool was one of the last major holdouts to release their music digitally,<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |last1=Unterberger |first1=Andrew |title=Why Legacy Acts Are Finally Joining the Streaming Game |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/streaming/8510565/legacy-acts-join-streaming |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=July 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731072124/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/streaming/8510565/legacy-acts-join-streaming |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> as their record deal was signed before the rise in streaming and not revisited until before ''Fear Inoculum''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/danny_carey_explains_what_bothers_him_about_streaming_platforms_talks_how_long_next_tool_album_might_take.html |title=Danny Carey Explains What Bothers Him About Streaming Platforms, Talks How Long Next Tool Album Might Take |website=Ultimate-Guitar.com |access-date=August 16, 2019 |archive-date=August 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816153247/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/danny_carey_explains_what_bothers_him_about_streaming_platforms_talks_how_long_next_tool_album_might_take.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The release resulted in every Tool release entering several international charts, breaking several ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' chart records.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8527332/tool-break-records-rock-charts-billboard-200-hot-100 |title=Tool Has a Record-Shattering Week on Rock Charts Thanks to Streaming & Digital Debut |last=Rutherford |first=Kevin |date=August 13, 2019 |website=Billboard.com |access-date=August 16, 2019 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814041241/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8527332/tool-break-records-rock-charts-billboard-200-hot-100 |url-status=live }}</ref> Keenan later said he regretted not moving to streaming platforms sooner, as it reduced Tool's exposure to new audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molloy |first=Laura |date=2024-10-20 |title=Tool's Maynard James Keenan says they “made a mistake” by not embracing streaming platforms sooner |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/tools-maynard-james-keenan-says-they-made-a-mistake-by-not-embracing-streaming-platforms-sooner-3804396 |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

''Fear Inoculum'' was launched on August 30<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/08/tool-fear-inoculum-everything-we-know-so-far/|title=Here's Everything We Know About Tool's 'Fear Inoculum'|website=Spin.com|date=August 29, 2019|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=August 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830101744/https://www.spin.com/2019/08/tool-fear-inoculum-everything-we-know-so-far/|url-status=live}}</ref> and became Tool's third U.S. number one.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8529417/tools-fear-inoculum-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-chart-rock-album|title=Tool's 'Fear Inoculum' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Week For a Rock Album in Over 1 Year|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=September 8, 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 8, 2019|archive-date=February 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223040547/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8529417/tools-fear-inoculum-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-chart-rock-album|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 26, 2020, the band won the Best Metal Performance for their song "7empest" at the [[62nd Annual Grammy Awards|62nd Grammy Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Paul 'Browny' |date=2020-01-26 |title=The 2020 Heavy/Rock GRAMMYs Winners are... |url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/01/27/the-2020-heavy-rock-grammys-winners-are/ |website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-26|archive-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126234353/https://wallofsoundau.com/2020/01/27/the-2020-heavy-rock-grammys-winners-are/|url-status=live}}</ref> Their other nomination, "Fear Inoculum", lost the Best Rock Song category to [[Gary Clark Jr.]]<ref name=":rocksong">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/gary-clark-jr-2020-best-rock-song-grammy/|title=Gary Clark Jr. Beats Tool for 2020 Best Rock Song Grammy|last=Childers|first=Chad|website=Loudwire|date=January 27, 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-27|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127002723/https://loudwire.com/gary-clark-jr-2020-best-rock-song-grammy/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2020, Tool canceled its upcoming North American tour after postponing a handful of dates due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=2020-06-05|title=Tool Cancel 2020 Tour: See Statement|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9338173/tool-cancel-2020-tour|access-date=2020-06-05|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605150346/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9338173/tool-cancel-2020-tour|url-status=live}}</ref> The following August, Carey noted that the band had entered a hiatus, but that he still hoped they would reconvene in the future to record an EP, which the band would have more freedom in releasing due to no longer being signed to a record label.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tool-could-knock-out-new-ep-while-in-quarantine-says-danny-carey-we-dont-have-a-record-deal-anymore/|title=TOOL Could 'Knock Out' New EP While In Quarantine, Says DANNY CAREY: 'We Don't Have A Record Deal Anymore'|date=August 10, 2020|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=August 11, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812214823/https://blabbermouth.net/news/tool-could-knock-out-new-ep-while-in-quarantine-says-danny-carey-we-dont-have-a-record-deal-anymore/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 27, 2020, an instrumental song titled "[[The Witness (song)|The Witness]]" was released featuring Jones, Chancellor, and Carey, and featuring production from Barresi, though the song was credited to Jones, not the band itself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/hear-three-quarters-of-tool-score-new-short-film-the-witness/|title=Hear Three-Quarters Of Tool Score A New Short Film, The Witness|website=Kerrang!|date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102151441/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/hear-three-quarters-of-tool-score-new-short-film-the-witness/|url-status=live}}</ref>

"Opiate" was re-recorded and released as "Opiate²" or "Opiate Squared" on March 1, 2022. It is almost twice as long as the original and includes the same lyrics as the live version, plus the extended instrumental midsection. A music video directed by Dominic Hailstone was released on March 18, 2022, to commemorate the EP's 30th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2022/03/tool-extended-opiate2/|title=Tool Releases Re-Imagined and Extended Version of 'Opiate2'|website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=March 1, 2022|access-date=March 4, 2022}}</ref>

===Upcoming sixth studio album (2022–present)===
In March 2022, Carey announced they were working on new material for their sixth studio album, noting that "..it won't take us this long for the next one. We even had some stuff left over from the last one that we'll develop. We have head starts on three or four new songs."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/tools-danny-carey-hints-new-music-and-upcoming-live-dvd |title=TOOL's Danny Carey Hints at New Music and Upcoming Live DVD |publisher=Revolvermag.com |date=2022-03-14 |accessdate=2022-03-19}}</ref> In October 2023, Chancellor reiterated this, and noted he hoped the band would enter the studio to record in 2024 after finishing touring.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/tool-has-many-ideas-cooking-for-next-studio-album |title=TOOL Has 'Many Ideas Cooking' For Next Studio Album |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2023-10-11 |accessdate=2022-10-16}}</ref> In January 2024, Carey mentioned the new album has the possibility of having a shorter track lengths, noting that "we could just go back to doing an ''Undertow'' [type of] record. That's kind of appealing to me."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/tools-trip-power |title=TOOL'S TRIP TO POWER |publisher=[[revolvermag.com]] |date=2024-01-08 |accessdate=2024-01-08}}</ref> In February 2025, Chancellor announced Tool will "dedicate the next three months" in the studio to "organizing [their] ideas" for new music.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/tool-to-dedicate-three-months-this-spring-to-organizing-ideas-for-next-studio-album |title=TOOL To Dedicate Three Months This Spring To 'Organizing Ideas' For Next Studio Album |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |date=2025-02-14 |accessdate=2025-02-14}}</ref>