Fear Inoculum
by Tool
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Aug 30, 2019
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 733 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 581 out of 733
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 733
  3. Negative: 109 out of 733
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  1. MTW1
    Sep 18, 2019
    5
    There was loads of the reviews for this album up immediately after its release which doesn't make sense to me as you need to live with music for a bit before judging it. I think there's a bit of of Emperor's new clothes going on. Now that the dust has settled and I've given it a good go I have to say I'm disappointed.

    The album comprises of six main songs and little filler bits in    There was loads of the reviews for this album up immediately after its release which doesn't make sense to me as you need to live with music for a bit before judging it. I think there's a bit of of Emperor's new clothes going on. Now that the dust has settled and I've given it a good go I have to say I'm disappointed.

    The album comprises of six main songs and little filler bits in between, the filler bits aren't very good, 5 minute long drum solos don't do it for me I'm afraid.
    Overall the songs are just too long for the amount of ideas contained within them, quite often going too long in the verse chorus verse format before deviating into something to break it up. It's almost like they only had a few songs written and decided to make them longer to fill out the album and make it seem epic, it doesn't work. Also they seem quite formulaic, almost like a lesser band trying to do a Tool album. There are bits here and there I like but too few and far between. I'd be hard pushed to recall any of the main guitar riffs after listening to the album and they resort to simplistic chugging riffs way too often. The album definitely doesn't have the scope or variety of previous releases. I keep thinking how good the other Tool albums are when listening to this one, and how I'd rather be listening to them instead.

    Going by this I don't really care if Tool ever release another album again but at least we've got all their other releases to enjoy.    … Expand
  2. matdub
    Nov 26, 2019
    6
    I have tried so hard. Kicking back and listening from start to finish multiple times. Unlike previous albums it is not revealing itself to be more awesome every listen. Unlike any album they have ever released it reminds me of previous works. Not much good. Not much new. Maynard really phoned this one in, and the rest of the band are out of ideas.
  3. Arenshi
    Sep 3, 2019
    5
    If this was a debut album from a band nobody had ever heard of I would understand the glowing reviews. But it isn't. This is a revered band who waited 13 years to release a bunch of recycled sounds from previous albums and underwhelming vocals from Maynard. Thirsty fans deserved better than a warm drink of water in the desert. Don't believe the hype. This is their worst album by FAR.
  4. OneTrueOpinion
    Sep 3, 2019
    6
    This was probably the most anticipated album for me of all time. Unfortunately, after listening to it nonstop since Friday it hasn’t filled me with wonder the way Tool has in the past.

    It is a collection of turgid dirges. The songs all blend together. There are no standout guitar riffs or vocal hooks. In fact, Maynard is mostly relegated to background droning. The drums are good, but    This was probably the most anticipated album for me of all time. Unfortunately, after listening to it nonstop since Friday it hasn’t filled me with wonder the way Tool has in the past.

    It is a collection of turgid dirges. The songs all blend together. There are no standout guitar riffs or vocal hooks. In fact, Maynard is mostly relegated to background droning. The drums are good, but Danny Carey rarely reaches his full, furious potential.

    Aside from, “7empest”, every track feels like the band got so fascinated with time signatures and polyrhythms that they forgot to rock out.

    Listening to Fear Inoculum is like reading Moby Dick. You can tell it’s good, but it’s not very fun.    … Expand
  5. MiracSpectac
    Sep 6, 2019
    5
    Members of Tool have been quoted many times stating various anxieties regarding the reception of this album and how it was a major factor in its incredible delay. This mentality shines through in Fear Icoculum as a generally safe and undirected album. At times it even comes across as the product of a jam session, with repetitive licks and stock keyboards accompanying a nonsensical bongoMembers of Tool have been quoted many times stating various anxieties regarding the reception of this album and how it was a major factor in its incredible delay. This mentality shines through in Fear Icoculum as a generally safe and undirected album. At times it even comes across as the product of a jam session, with repetitive licks and stock keyboards accompanying a nonsensical bongo solo that drones in the background. It's a far cry from the smart and calculated Tool of old, but I suppose this is to be expected from such a drawn out project.… Expand
  6. sammyanthony
    Sep 1, 2019
    6
    Ineffective, super overlong, and unlively piece of music.‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  7. Zostercr
    Sep 12, 2019
    6
    A little bit too boring. Harmony, the same as ever. Songs, unnecessarily long and repetitive. Voice is in the back. Bass didn't shine. Guitars good and innovative. Drums, the best part of the band. Danny made his homework.
  8. gayelorde
    Oct 7, 2019
    5
    I waited so long for this album that I actually lost interest in the entire genre of music that Tool is basically the icon for. As many have said it feels like Maynard is not singing nearly as often as the songs demand and the spaces left are filled in with Adam Jones guitar solos. The same thing happened to Mudvayne, once traditional guitar solos in the bridges started popping up I feltI waited so long for this album that I actually lost interest in the entire genre of music that Tool is basically the icon for. As many have said it feels like Maynard is not singing nearly as often as the songs demand and the spaces left are filled in with Adam Jones guitar solos. The same thing happened to Mudvayne, once traditional guitar solos in the bridges started popping up I felt like it lost what made it special. The 'mature' approach is lame for a band where their first album is named after the worst drug on the planet, they have songs like hooker with a penis or jerk off and there singer was a drag queen for at least one tour. I don't want these songs that build up but rarely peak. It's a bit like drunk sex, when you're too drunk, and you can't cum, and that's what this album is. An old bunch of dudes who can't cum anymore. There are a few riffs that are good but boy do they repeat themselves.… Expand
  9. Toondude10
    Aug 30, 2019
    5
    Not gonna lie, but this is really boring. There's just such a heavy emphasis and focus the the interludes, intros and outros that they completely overstay their welcome and make the album a complete chore to listen to. That being said, 7empest absolutely rules and might be one of Tool's best songs to date. Shame the rest of the album can't seem to follow suit, considering I was excitedNot gonna lie, but this is really boring. There's just such a heavy emphasis and focus the the interludes, intros and outros that they completely overstay their welcome and make the album a complete chore to listen to. That being said, 7empest absolutely rules and might be one of Tool's best songs to date. Shame the rest of the album can't seem to follow suit, considering I was excited to hear this.… Expand
  10. JOAODAEGA
    Aug 30, 2019
    6
    This album is great piece of sound for the ears, if you can stay in there... I cannot. Boring.
  11. Mr26point2
    Aug 31, 2019
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It twists and turns a lot of the old. The album sounds like a melting pot of all that came before it. Which is fine, just feels more like a "family reunion" than a new addition to the family. As with all family reunions its ok for a bit but eventually it can go on too long. This is very much a jam album.

    CONS
    - it lacks some oomph or feeling. There is not a lot of feeling in most of the songs. Invincible for instance, the way the vocals are delivered and how they sound "suppressed" doesnt match the tone of the song. The live recorded version on youtube with a million views gave me goosebumps because it had feeling. Studio version...not so much.

    - the songs can be a few mins too long, again very much a jam album.
    - it feels reserved, lacks a bit of identity.

    PROS- its TOOL

    songs in order of worst to best-(I agree with Proggroyper's ranking)

    7. CCTrip (6.5/10) (this is fairly irritating and have no problem skipping it, its noeon blue apocalypse)
    6. Fear Inoculum (7.5/10) (7.5 in its truest form, not good but not bad)
    5. Invinsible (8/10) (this could have been the best song on the album if it only had some life put into it, too weak to be "invincible")
    4. Descending (8.8/10) (very well done, adds more energy than invincible, but doesnt use its best sounds long enough and goes on for too long)
    3. Culling Voices (9/10) (beautiful and haunting, begging to be alive)
    2. 7empest (9.5/10) (la creme de la creme TOOL here, amazing)
    1. Pneuma (10/10) (HANDS DOWN THE BEST ON THE ALBUM, I would expect it to be the next single, I can see me listening to this for years to come)

    Love me some TOOL....but it's a 6    … Expand
  12. Kevinthewoods
    Aug 31, 2019
    6
    While it certainly has moments of genius, it just takes way too long to get to those moments. Incredibly self indulgent album. Tool needs to trim the fat badly.
  13. Alejandropa
    Aug 31, 2019
    6
    I was expecting so much more. Good to see this album has been doing great!..
  14. WAIYANLINHTET
    Aug 30, 2019
    5
    There is something missing in this album. I can say this is a pure art. However, the entire album is full of work what the artist wanted to describe. They probably created this without paying attention what the consumers (fans) want. If you love to listen raw music from any artist, this album is for you even though you're gonna feel boring in some songs. But for a fan, I honestly don'tThere is something missing in this album. I can say this is a pure art. However, the entire album is full of work what the artist wanted to describe. They probably created this without paying attention what the consumers (fans) want. If you love to listen raw music from any artist, this album is for you even though you're gonna feel boring in some songs. But for a fan, I honestly don't want to recommend this album. But I know you will listen. But it might be just once, or twice.… Expand
  15. Jotak
    Aug 30, 2019
    6
    While I can appreciate the superb architecture and revolutionary engineering of the Si-o-se Pol and the Stari Most, eventually I want to get off the bloody bridge.
  16. Bazza
    Sep 1, 2019
    6
    I think anyone giving this a perfect 10 are lying to themselves. It's obviously a good album, but are you really going to put it in the same tier as Undertow or Ænima? It is probably as good as 10,000 days at very best, but definitely not better than Lateralus and certainly not close to the aforementioned two.

    Anyone who listened to Invincible or Descending live (I saw them in June)    I think anyone giving this a perfect 10 are lying to themselves. It's obviously a good album, but are you really going to put it in the same tier as Undertow or Ænima? It is probably as good as 10,000 days at very best, but definitely not better than Lateralus and certainly not close to the aforementioned two.

    Anyone who listened to Invincible or Descending live (I saw them in June) will surely think the studio versions are underwhelming, especially Descending which is absolutely tame in comparison to the live version. Live it's infinitely more powerful, louder and faster paced than on the album.

    The take outs from this album, for me, are the songs Fear Inoculum, Pneuma, Culling Voices and maybe 7empest, but I was disappointed with the rest. In any case 4 of the 10 tracks are actually filler (Litanie, Legion, CCT and Mocking Beat), which is a poor return for such an anticipated album. We may as well just class the album as an EP in the same vein as Opiate because that had 6 songs and so does this effectively.

    The instrumentals and production is top notch, although Descending and Invincible are bitterly disappointing when compared to the live versions. If you played both songs in live and then studio, any real Tool fan would find it difficult to disagree with me. Also, Maynard sounds like he's singing for APC more than Tool.

    Track ratings:

    1. Culling Voices
    2. Fear Inoculum
    3. Pneuma
    4. 7empest
    5. Descending (would be 1st if it sounded the same as the live versions)
    6. Invincible (would be 2nd if it sounded the same as the live versions)

    (not reviewing the filler)

    Overall decent, but no where near close to their prime (Undertow, Ænima).    … Expand
  17. ThankYouCity
    Aug 31, 2019
    5
    With a sound that mixes the rhythms of 10,000 Days with styling of APC's Thirteenth Step Tools latest offering hits hard and will please long time fans but with song lengths of 11minutes on average it may be a hard sell for new listeners.
  18. A5AP_Mark
    Aug 30, 2019
    6
    Great music and lyrics actually mean things which is always good but 10 min. a song is too much. Don't listen to if you're trying not to fall asleep. 13 years I waited and 13.000 days is what I got.
  19. Relaxingtr0ll
    Aug 30, 2019
    5
    Beautifully written masterpiece, even though it took 13 years to make. It was definitely worth the wait.
  20. B-Bog
    Mar 21, 2021
    4
    A bloated and boring mess. Every riff gets milked a hundred times over (even if it's not that great to begin with), the songwriting has no real direction or purpose, the music comes to an almost complete stand-still WAY too often, there are tons of superfluous keyboard parts and sound experiments, the interludes range from non-sensical to atrocious, and maybe worst of all, there is next toA bloated and boring mess. Every riff gets milked a hundred times over (even if it's not that great to begin with), the songwriting has no real direction or purpose, the music comes to an almost complete stand-still WAY too often, there are tons of superfluous keyboard parts and sound experiments, the interludes range from non-sensical to atrocious, and maybe worst of all, there is next to no emotion, tension, and drive in the music.

    The musical performances on display here are amazing, sure, but unfortunately, they don't add up to a captivating end-product.

    So, it pains me to say that this is the worst Tool record, by a LONG SHOT. All it reliably achieves is putting me to sleep.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Oct 9, 2019
    63
    The album plays like an extended mood piece that bends and drifts, with a shortage of the crushing hard-rock crescendos and riffs that defined the band’s work on “Lateralus” (2001) and before.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Sep 19, 2019
    60
    Sadly, there’s nothing on Fear Inoculum as immediately accessible or anthemic as past Tool glories like “Sober” or “The Pot,” but what is here will reward repeated spins, even if listeners initially find themselves waiting for those mammoth riffs to show up, a la “7empest,” or for Maynard to finally kick into high gear, as in the rousing refrain of “Descending.”
    Read full review
  3. Exclaim
    Sep 10, 2019
    70
    Musically, Tool have taken the best of Lateralus's dynamism and the heaviness of 10,000 Days to explore the middle ground with great length on Fear Inoculum. Those who stuck it out through the decade-plus wait won't mind hanging around a little longer until the album's close.
    Read full review
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