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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Ffaj
    Apr 11, 2022
    8
    Хороший альбом, в духе старых Tool. Конечно это не лучшая их работа, слышны наработки Lateralus/10 000 Days, до уровня темного звучания моего любимого альбома у них – Ænima он конечно не дотягивает. Но Fear Inoculum совсем другой альбом. Альбом мужиков за 50, которые прожили большую часть жизни, они больше ушли в философию "Reflection", чем в драйв "Stinkfist" и это можно понять. Tool неХороший альбом, в духе старых Tool. Конечно это не лучшая их работа, слышны наработки Lateralus/10 000 Days, до уровня темного звучания моего любимого альбома у них – Ænima он конечно не дотягивает. Но Fear Inoculum совсем другой альбом. Альбом мужиков за 50, которые прожили большую часть жизни, они больше ушли в философию "Reflection", чем в драйв "Stinkfist" и это можно понять. Tool не пытаются сделать что-то новое, но всё же это хороший альбом, он монолитен, содержит их проверенные и цепляющие ходы. Стоили ли эти 13 лет ожиданий? Думаю, что да, но в силу стольких лет, ожидания фанатов были явно завышены, поэтому и оценки настолько полярные. Если воспринимать это на холодную голову – альбом удался, но несколько затянут. Вещи вроде culling voices не настолько сильны, явно могли бы быть короче.… Expand
  2. okc_rocker
    Sep 1, 2019
    7
    After listening to each track twenty times. Tool sounds just as amazing as ever. I feel that the goal of the album wasn't to really explore or try anything entirely different, but to focus on creating that typical transcending experience that you'd expect Tool to give us. I didn't hear any new or truly outstanding unique riffs by either Adam (guitar) or Justin (bass), and that's slightlyAfter listening to each track twenty times. Tool sounds just as amazing as ever. I feel that the goal of the album wasn't to really explore or try anything entirely different, but to focus on creating that typical transcending experience that you'd expect Tool to give us. I didn't hear any new or truly outstanding unique riffs by either Adam (guitar) or Justin (bass), and that's slightly disappointing. However Adam gets a chance to shine toward the end of Descending, which is great, because Adam is the weakest member of the band (just my opinion). But he works well with Tool, and that's what matters. Danny (drums) is clearly in the spotlight of the album. His odd and mathematical drumming style is just as prominent as ever. His work in Pneuma is phenomenal. He gets an entire track (Chocolate Chip Trip) to show off his talent. I'm not sure how I feel about the sounds chosen for that particular track. It's.... wildly different. Maynard gives a decent performance. He didn't have that many lyrics. Most of what he sang was just the same lines over and over. That's not a terrible thing, but it's a little disappointing. He uses his angelic like tone for what seems like the entire album. I didn't hear any rough sounds or screams that Maynard has given us in his previous work. 7empest is probably the closest he gets to that. In my opinion nothing in the album really stands out. Don't expect anything even close to the level of Vicarious, The Grudge, Lateralus, 10,000 Days, Ænema, Right in Two, Parabola, etc..

    As someone who loves Tool, I give the album, Fear Inoculum, a 7/10. My review is based on Tool's previous work, not comparing it to other artists. I've ordered 2 digital copies and a physical copy of the album. And I'll keep listening for years to come.    … Expand
  3. flametail23
    Sep 7, 2019
    7
    Far from the band's best work but still a solid effort with plenty of complex timings and interesting instrumentation for fans to gush at. Maynard's vocals are, as always, brilliant, but the three sound scape tracks that are included on one version of the album honestly ruin the flow of the project as a whole. These sound scapes are boring and unnecessary and the album would be much betterFar from the band's best work but still a solid effort with plenty of complex timings and interesting instrumentation for fans to gush at. Maynard's vocals are, as always, brilliant, but the three sound scape tracks that are included on one version of the album honestly ruin the flow of the project as a whole. These sound scapes are boring and unnecessary and the album would be much better with them removed.… Expand
  4. JuanLuisGG14
    Mar 11, 2020
    7
    this album is a progressive beast . It is long and complex. While that could be a diminishing factor in accesibility, it does work brilliantly in good hands.
    The album is made of 6 real songs and 4 interludes (one of these is a battery solo). The songs are long and heavy, they're complex and have the time to breathe, morph and develop
    The band is on its best performance: Danny is a    this album is a progressive beast . It is long and complex. While that could be a diminishing factor in accesibility, it does work brilliantly in good hands.
    The album is made of 6 real songs and 4 interludes (one of these is a battery solo). The songs are long and heavy, they're complex and have the time to breathe, morph and develop
    The band is on its best performance: Danny is a complete beast!!! In fact, this might be one of the best drumming albums ever made, it's just brutal. Songs tend to develop into extended jams, those might be good if you're in the right mindset .
    As for the cons... MJK is well past its prime, he does it ok here, but not as outstanding at he was before
    Clean vocals are mellower they´ve ever been, and agressive vocals are just limited to one track
    As of today, i feel this might be a 7 for me, but it may change (as all Tool albums)
    Highlights: Pneuma, Invincible, Descending, 7empest    … Expand
  5. Nbecarri
    Sep 19, 2019
    7
    Being a new Tool fan, my expectations weren't as high as some of the older fans. Fear Inoculum, in my opinion, is good. Not bad, not great, but good. Perhaps I would've been harsher on this album if I was one of the people who waited 13 years for it to come out. So far, however, I would say that it is MAYBE a fraction better than 10,000 days.

    Favorite Tracks: Fear Inoculum, Pneuma,    Being a new Tool fan, my expectations weren't as high as some of the older fans. Fear Inoculum, in my opinion, is good. Not bad, not great, but good. Perhaps I would've been harsher on this album if I was one of the people who waited 13 years for it to come out. So far, however, I would say that it is MAYBE a fraction better than 10,000 days.

    Favorite Tracks: Fear Inoculum, Pneuma, 7empest.

    Least Favorite Tracks: Invincible.    … Expand
  6. JS300
    Aug 30, 2019
    7
    While all the technical elements of this album are spot on - band is very tight, production is good, songs flow well, members play their instruments skillfully - it left a little to be desired in the intensity department. All of the main tracks (Fear Inoculum, Pneuma, Invincible, Descending, Culling Voices and 7empest) take a little too long to take off, and even once they do it stillWhile all the technical elements of this album are spot on - band is very tight, production is good, songs flow well, members play their instruments skillfully - it left a little to be desired in the intensity department. All of the main tracks (Fear Inoculum, Pneuma, Invincible, Descending, Culling Voices and 7empest) take a little too long to take off, and even once they do it still feels like it could be much more intense and gritty. Honestly the album just isn't all that exciting. My other gripe is that none of the songs sound unique within Tools discography. All the songs sound like they've been done before on previous albums, but better and with more emotion. It just seems like Tool went through the motions of writing songs without putting much soul into it. All that being said it is still a very well executed album by one of the most technical bands in mainstream music so it still rocks, just a little softer than it could.… Expand
  7. AriiiiiDW
    Sep 1, 2019
    7
    Comes back with this album. Worth the waiting! Tool are the best. Absolutely always be
  8. Ithewmat
    Sep 3, 2019
    7
    Come on now. It is really good. But the worst of their works. The amount of recycled riffs dings it another point. Maybe my ears are just tired of Adam Jones playing a million variations of the end riff of Schism.

    Also a ton of instrumental space that would have really benefited from a vocal. There were a lot of times where they weren't really in a groove yet it just went on. This makes    Come on now. It is really good. But the worst of their works. The amount of recycled riffs dings it another point. Maybe my ears are just tired of Adam Jones playing a million variations of the end riff of Schism.

    Also a ton of instrumental space that would have really benefited from a vocal. There were a lot of times where they weren't really in a groove yet it just went on.

    This makes it sound like I didn't like it. I really liked it. 7/10    … Expand
  9. Animussz
    Sep 20, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The album still has it’s hypnotic Tool vibes, but the music doesn’t give you goosebumps anymore… Expand
  10. movingpictures
    Apr 25, 2020
    7
    Tool has given the world some of the finest progressive music since the drum was invented. However, they went too technical here. It's missing something. This is an album that's all head and little heart. I wish it had the energy of their earlier work. The last track, 7empest, comes closest to that energy. There are some fine moments that appear in a few other songs too. It will beTool has given the world some of the finest progressive music since the drum was invented. However, they went too technical here. It's missing something. This is an album that's all head and little heart. I wish it had the energy of their earlier work. The last track, 7empest, comes closest to that energy. There are some fine moments that appear in a few other songs too. It will be interesting. But don't expect it to be moving.… Expand
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. Alejandropa
    Aug 31, 2019
    6
    I was expecting so much more. Good to see this album has been doing great!..
  14. sammyanthony
    Sep 1, 2019
    6
    Ineffective, super overlong, and unlively piece of music.‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. JOAODAEGA
    Aug 30, 2019
    6
    This album is great piece of sound for the ears, if you can stay in there... I cannot. Boring.
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. Relaxingtr0ll
    Aug 30, 2019
    5
    Beautifully written masterpiece, even though it took 13 years to make. It was definitely worth the wait.
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. DrGreatJob
    Sep 12, 2019
    3
    Tool albums. It's been a long time since one of those has come out. I remember buying Lateralus on day 1 when I was a 15 year old. I remember buying 10,000 days 5 years later, laughing about how long it took them to release the album. I enjoyed both albums immensely, with Lateralus being one of music's shining achievements - an album filled with brilliant songs without a single misstep.Tool albums. It's been a long time since one of those has come out. I remember buying Lateralus on day 1 when I was a 15 year old. I remember buying 10,000 days 5 years later, laughing about how long it took them to release the album. I enjoyed both albums immensely, with Lateralus being one of music's shining achievements - an album filled with brilliant songs without a single misstep. Truly remarkable. 10,000 Days felt like they were getting a little long in the tooth, like their gimmicks weren't catching me the way they used to. Still full of really hard rocking tracks, and some beautiful ballads (like Right in Two,) it still felt like a solid entry.

    But here we are, 13 years later, a little under 5000 days since the last Tool album... and I'm glad I didn't expect much. Somehow a band that thrived on cutting-edge technique and writing has .. become the musical equivalent of a Tool coloring book. You can see the songs from previous albums, especially Lateralus, but they lack the soul of something original. The Tool song outline is there... but when they colored in the coloring book, they only used a box of 24 crayons instead of the box of 200 we're used to. It feels like it's pandering.

    Maynard's vocals aren't what they used to be. That's to be expected, he's around middle age now. They're still good, but they don't have the edge, and they tried to use effects to make it feel more dynamic. The guitars are remarkably the same sounding as they've always been. The bass sounds identical. The drums identical. It sounds like a Tool album... just one that's not interested in experimenting or pushing boundaries. The only real boundary pushed here is time. It's a massive album, and all of the songs are long. Some of these songs could be cut in half and they'd be better for it.

    Overall, it's their weakest showing. But it's doing well, and it's fun to see that Tool had 6 songs on the Billboard at once. Maybe that alone is worth it.    … Expand
  32. blacksun
    Sep 12, 2019
    3
    Sadly, all bands fade. Well, almost all. It is so rare to see a group put out material that stays fresh, true to it's roots and still pushing in to new exciting territory after so many years and albums go by. In this case it's 13 years and 5 albums. It's for this reason I forgive them.

    The album just doesn't deliver. It backs off when you want it to growl. It growls where it should be    Sadly, all bands fade. Well, almost all. It is so rare to see a group put out material that stays fresh, true to it's roots and still pushing in to new exciting territory after so many years and albums go by. In this case it's 13 years and 5 albums. It's for this reason I forgive them.

    The album just doesn't deliver. It backs off when you want it to growl. It growls where it should be nuanced. Grooves materialize, then disappear leaving you wanting more. I tried to like it. Listening over and over. But, for me at least, it's just not there. I don't have that urge to listen to it.

    I think it's fair to say there's a degree of come-lately-ism fanboy-ism in the reviews. I wonder how many of these people that rated it 10/10 and "some of the best songs ever" will still be rocking it a month from now. Or 6 months from now.

    I dunno. It's nothing personal of course. And I'm quite grateful to have the rest of the albums, which have provided some serious intense rocking out over the years. Thanks Tool! Still easily one of the greatest heavy bands of all time.    … Expand
  33. inkblowout
    Sep 1, 2019
    3
    I feel that this album has been rated too high for it's hype and anticipation from Tool fans for 13 years. But had this been released 3-5 years after 10,000 Days.. people would be disappointed. This entire album feels like a regular Tool album.. you got your interlude fillers, 10+ minute songs, styles of playing remains the same and there are elements of Progressive Metal also there.I feel that this album has been rated too high for it's hype and anticipation from Tool fans for 13 years. But had this been released 3-5 years after 10,000 Days.. people would be disappointed. This entire album feels like a regular Tool album.. you got your interlude fillers, 10+ minute songs, styles of playing remains the same and there are elements of Progressive Metal also there.

    But quality over quantity, I feel that they made 10+ minute songs because "they can" in this album's case. Every song is over 10+ minutes long to draw out overextended instrumentals with little to no buildup, no climax or nothing. Other progressive rock/metal songs in the 70s to current times told a story within their songs or it felt like an adventure. Fear inoculum felt like nothing to me, it just droned on and on when I thought something good was going to come up. 10,000 Days was a much better album than this, 10,000 Days had flair, it had something to come back to. The only song I want to come back to is 7empest, which surprisingly it's the longest song in the album but it actually felt like an adventure because the instrumental composition was really good.

    I think if they cut a couple of unnecessary sections off and lowered it by 3-4 minutes, it would actually be more tolerable to listen to and it can still retain their complexity that the TOOL fanbase likes. (look at Aenima for example.) But with these 10+ min songs feels like a Tangerine Dream album but Metal. Also just remove the fillers for godsakes and ESPECIALLY "Chocolate Chip Trip." which is probably the worst song I've listened to. Sounds like Yoko Ono's terrible songs she's produced back then.

    For once Adam Jones' talent is finally showcased in a tool album. He's always been kinda there outshined by Danny, Justin and Maynard in the previous albums until this one and man he does kick ass in this album.    … Expand
  34. arostislavna
    Apr 26, 2020
    3
    Other bands that have been gone for a long time that have made substantial comebacks, have reinvented the wheel.

    Unfortunately, Tool have not. There is nothing in here that wasn't on 10,000 days or their back catalogue, experimentation is at an all time low, and has a serious uninspired sound to it.
  35. Spassbremse
    Sep 4, 2019
    3
    This album is absolutely aimless and a complete and utter mess compared to Tool's previous work. The lyrics are Maynard's most boring ever across any of his bands, and it just doesn't feel like he's into them at all. There are no unifying themes or ideas across the songs, no motifs, no change in dynamics or energy. With the exception of "Tempest", the entire album is one flat boringThis album is absolutely aimless and a complete and utter mess compared to Tool's previous work. The lyrics are Maynard's most boring ever across any of his bands, and it just doesn't feel like he's into them at all. There are no unifying themes or ideas across the songs, no motifs, no change in dynamics or energy. With the exception of "Tempest", the entire album is one flat boring level of energy reminiscent of a "Lateralus" b-side.

    Guitar, drum, and bass riffs are all ripped off and reused unabashedly from "Lateralus" and "10,000 Days". This is Tool playing things safe, and quite frankly it's just not up to par.    … Expand
  36. DragonMan85
    Sep 2, 2019
    3
    Whilst the album had a lot of great timing signatures changes, it is very bland melodically. The entire albums sounds like it is done in the same key/modes and because of this, it gets a bit boring after a few songs. Adam J doesn't have enough to offer to be playing lead guitar in almost every song. It almost sounds like Tool is trying to rip off themselves. In short, it feels like a ToolWhilst the album had a lot of great timing signatures changes, it is very bland melodically. The entire albums sounds like it is done in the same key/modes and because of this, it gets a bit boring after a few songs. Adam J doesn't have enough to offer to be playing lead guitar in almost every song. It almost sounds like Tool is trying to rip off themselves. In short, it feels like a Tool album made for people just just really want to love tool.… Expand
  37. Pucrettub
    Sep 17, 2019
    3
    Let me start by saying that most of this album sounds like the softer songs in the 10,000 Days album. That's okay, figuring the band was probably considering their live tours & wanted a catalog that wouldn't require the energy of 20-year-olds. That's fine, but let me explain my low rating for this album:

    Plainly put, it's a tad bland. Not because it's slow; there are current bands    Let me start by saying that most of this album sounds like the softer songs in the 10,000 Days album. That's okay, figuring the band was probably considering their live tours & wanted a catalog that wouldn't require the energy of 20-year-olds. That's fine, but let me explain my low rating for this album:

    Plainly put, it's a tad bland. Not because it's slow; there are current bands like Mogwai that do it successfully for me. As others have said, the songs really do blend together. There's no energy, there's no experimentation, and the vocals really don't add anything to the songs. I've listened to it a dozen times as I just had a lone 32 hour road trip, and I've read the lyrics. Meh. Now, I wasn't a huge fan of 10,000 Days when compared to Lateralus and Aenima, but that was just based off how many songs I really loved. The Pot, Vicarious, and Right in Two were great. I "liked" Jambi, Rosetta Stoned, and 10,000 Days. They weren't great for me, but they stood out for several reasons. Lateralus had amazing songs and was probably the sharpest album for me. Aenima, on the other hand, also had amazing songs, but succeeded because it had some experimental songs that ended up being worth so much more than the sum of their parts.

    This album breaks no new ground, showcases no new skill that I assumed the band had been perfecting over the last 13 years, and lacks personality other than it being distinctly "Tool". But I argue that any distinct sounds here were already covered in 10K Days, and a tad bit in Lateralus. That means they failed to progress as a band in my ears. I know Keenan has two other bands, but listening to his last decade with those bands, I felt like he wasn't using up any of the same energy that he expends with Tool, so I was hopeful. I also read that Carey, Jones, and Chancellor had been working on this album long before Keenan jumped on, so I was expecting so much more variety and skill than what I am hearing.

    Sure, this may not be a "bad" album compared to anything else that has come out the last decade, but I can't help but feel disappointed. The trajectory Tool was headed to, from Opiate, to Undertow, to Aenima, and to Lateralus was something I still have yet to see from any other band in the world. They took a small dip with 10K Days, but I still hold it in high regard. Fear Inoculum took a deeper dip this time, and the fear that this will probably be the last Tool album we will ever get is absolutely heart breaking to me. I'm still a Tool fan and have their past catalog, but waiting 13 years for this is crushing in a way I can't put into words. I'm happy some people like it, and can understand some of the arguments against what I said here, but I dare some of the fans of this album to answer this:

    Is there a song on this album that can top Sober, Prison Sex, Stinkfist, Forty Six & 2, H., Pu5hit, Aenima, Third Eye, The Grudge, Schism, Parabola, Ticks & Leeches, Lateralus, Reflection, Vicarious, The Pot, or Right in Two? Because although I will keep listening to Fear Inoclum to see if I can pull anything more out of it, I can say with absolute certainly that I will not find a single song that can beat any on that list.

    My 3/10 rating is based off Tool the band, not as a standalone album

    *EDIT 9/16/19: After another ten days with this album, I think I have a clearer picture of why I don't really care for it compared to their previous works. Instrumental-wise, it is a very sharp showing, although lacking distinct variety on it's own. I think the issue, then, lies with Maynard. I think if Adam, Justin, and Danny knew how little Maynard was going to contribute, they may have shouldered the "variety" burden on themselves & would have given us some more variety in the songs. If you look at a song like Pu5hit, take out the vocals, then paste a vocal track from this album, I think it would be clearer on what happened. There are several previous Tool songs you could do this with & get the same results, like Reflection or The Pot. The latter song rocks on it's own, but Maynard's twist on it makes it stick out that much further in my ears.

    I don't normally read lyrics for any band, as I like to hear what I hear. But I decided to pull up the lyrics for Fear Inoculum & read them side-to-side with their previous three albums, & I can clearly see the lack of effort from Maynard. He is still a full on master in his field, so it's a little hard to offer criticism, but so much from the previous three albums has more depth & variety in them lyric-wise. Reading them out loud, I'm scratching my head as to how Maynard turned them into catchy hooks. I don't think very many singers alive today could churn out his melody with the lyrics from the previous three albums. With the lyrics from FI, they seem a bit flatter &, dare I say, easier. I think there are several singers alive today that could match his melodies with the FI lyrics presently.    … Expand
  38. virgilh
    Sep 1, 2019
    3
    I'm sorry but this sounds like a band trying to rip off the "Tool sound" in a cheap way, rather then Tool being themselves. It feels forced, not natural, like they had to fulfill a contract or something. To be honest I didn't expect it to be like this... they always went full force and expressed themselves 100% but now it seems they have no more juice. I feel bad because I'm a big fan :(
  39. Phuckedison369
    Sep 10, 2019
    3
    I have a lot to say for one feeling so utterly speechless. I - like so many others - have been anticipating this album for far too many years. Tool is (was?) a band like no other, seeming to have been molded by some Cosmic Force and given the gift - in four parts to make the Whole - to reach beyond the confines of third dimensional illusion and into the limitless fabric of existence. And,I have a lot to say for one feeling so utterly speechless. I - like so many others - have been anticipating this album for far too many years. Tool is (was?) a band like no other, seeming to have been molded by some Cosmic Force and given the gift - in four parts to make the Whole - to reach beyond the confines of third dimensional illusion and into the limitless fabric of existence. And, from the Sacred Frequencies that are available to all yet accessed by so few, Tool brought to the world an extra-dimensional experience through a beautifully organic succession of albums that aptly reflect the Evolution of Journey: Undertow drops one off in the woods; Aenima is the road one finds after wandering for months through the density of Undertow. There is no light pollution on Aenima Road...there is only the flash of starlight and nebula above, and the SHINE in the distance that is Lateralus, when once reached, one finds an open door to all the potential and limitlessness that is Consciousness; Lateralus is the “dark matter” that waits just beyond the exit-point event horizon; Lateralus is the Sacred Geometry of music. Raw potential of manifestation. 10,000 Days begins back at ground-level, which is indeed a bit jarring after the spectacular view from Lateralus (to await the duplication of such heights is not fair to the band, nor to the fan’s own psyche and serves only to smother both with the gratuitous nature of expectation). So, 10,000 days is what it is: a return to “reality” and the mundane, the pain, the hypocrisy, and the healing that ensues. But, Fear Inoculum...this album is in VERY large part, the anti-Tool. While it seems that Justin and Danny are trying to establish the Sacred Frequencies that define Tool, it also seems that Adam Jones has completely lost his access to the inter and extra-dimensional molds from which his elemental contributions were once formed. Either that, or he chose to completely abandon them altogether in favor of...of what? Honestly, I’m unclear. I am saddened, perplexed, and unclear. Jones’ guitar sound (pre-Fear Inoculum) is so, so much of the extra-sensory vibrational construct that is Tool. The element belonging to Tool’s MJK is almost entirely absent on this album. (Btw, it’s incredibly hard not to feel like a garbage-troll’s slimy farts when leaving a review like this. … Expand
  40. trickykid3
    Sep 13, 2019
    3
    I'm really surprised at the good reviews here and a bit suspicious given how many of them are short explanations of a 10 rating. If anything Tool deserve a lengthy review, especially from fans who love the new album. That being said this album is mediocre at best. 13 years of waiting to get a mediocre Tool album is beyond disappointing. These guys are essentially dinosaurs who think theyI'm really surprised at the good reviews here and a bit suspicious given how many of them are short explanations of a 10 rating. If anything Tool deserve a lengthy review, especially from fans who love the new album. That being said this album is mediocre at best. 13 years of waiting to get a mediocre Tool album is beyond disappointing. These guys are essentially dinosaurs who think they can regurgitate past formulas forever and sadly there appear to be many fans who seem to validate that strategy. Well I will not, as much as I love this band I cannot defend the songs or even the lazy artwork here. Won't be seeing them on this tour, it sounds like it will be excruciating.....… Expand
  41. Benzitor
    Sep 23, 2019
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A disappointment, that's all I can say. 13 years of patience for such a weak album? Why Tool, Why?
    I haven't been as disappointed since the release of Perfect circle last opus ( which at least had some moments ).
    13 years... 13 YEARS... to get 6 full tracks, 1 vocal whatever, and 2 mediocre instrumental and 1 electro **** sorta drum solo...
    But one could expect 6 major, era-defining, masterpieces like Aenema, Lateralus or Undertow offered us... But NOPE, not a single masterpiece, nor genre-defining or breakthrough tracks. Just rehash of Tool Lateralus-10,00 days ers stuff with some back flavor of Undertow and Aenima.
    Let's do a tracks breakdown...

    Fear Inoculum opens the album with a good amount of Toolesque favor. As the first single, I did not like it, but now that I listened to the album several times, I could almost say that it is my favorite track. But not because it is magistral, but because it feels like a 10mn medley of the Tool formula... Fan service with style.
    Pneuma follows, and to be honest, there are little hooks, as a generic tools filler.
    Nothing memorable, move along
    Then we are offered a Pink Floyd wanna be synthesizer exploration... again, it adds nothing, and I feel close to nothing listening to it.
    Then comes Invincible, a Forty-six and 2 rip off, without any of its strength. Not a bad song, just nothing new, and very little to be desired.
    Then follows another not interesting filler... For what at this stage. When you are not Rick Wright, don't try to do this type of experimentations, It is 40 years too late to shine.
    Then comes the single best song of the opus, Descending. It is probably the only song I would include to my tool playlist. It starts slow, drops a great mood, with nice lyrics, and good level of music.
    Culling voices is more of a Perfect circle song to me, but a very satisfying one since a perfect circle is dead to me after their last album.
    Next track....god help me. They should have just made it a drum solo.
    Then comes 7empest...a track that could have been a favorite if it did not remind me of 4 other tracks put together. Good track though, just not really original.
    The album closes with another useless track, and this time no hidden gem like disgustipated.

    All in all, I feel betrayed and disappointed. 13 years for this mixed box? And i am even more surprised to read so many great reviews. Are people really honest anymore ? Or did most came to tool from Lateralus and never digged before this time ? But well...Tool isn't the god of a new religion. Since Lateralus came out, many other bands have now matched or even transcended their style and genre. So well, i'll move on.

    I cannot convince myself to put more than 3 to this album, and it breaks my heart, as i am a Tool fan from the Opiate era... but this is far from a great album for a band like Tool.    … Expand
  42. MyNameisGeorge
    Oct 9, 2019
    3
    Listening to Fear Inoculum front to back gives me the same feeling as sitting through an Economics class. Their worst, and most uninspired album to date.
  43. aleatoric
    Aug 30, 2019
    2
    Production hits like a wet noodle. Bass is somehow lost in the mix, making the music seem flat and linear through its attempted highs and lows. The guitars are high in the mix but have no edge or distortion, making them seem low impact and not as heavy as they should be. The vocal performance is not bad, but the production makes them lack punch and dilutes their emotional impact. TheProduction hits like a wet noodle. Bass is somehow lost in the mix, making the music seem flat and linear through its attempted highs and lows. The guitars are high in the mix but have no edge or distortion, making them seem low impact and not as heavy as they should be. The vocal performance is not bad, but the production makes them lack punch and dilutes their emotional impact. The songwriting is complex for complexity's sake, but does not seem to have much purpose or climactic payoff (they should listen to Mogwai to understand how to do that better). Electronic interludes are laughable and amateur compared to anything remotely similar created in the last 10 years (go listen to Tim Hecker or something if you want a better example). Really, this album is good if you want to ignore all of alternative music's progression over the last 20 years, and instead release something that wants to regress the artform both technically and creatively. No thanks.… Expand
  44. Howard2k3k
    Sep 1, 2019
    0
    I love Tool and they're my favorite band, but this just doesn't do it for me. After listening through the album about 10 times I've come to terms with it. Very unfortunate.
    A lot of it has to do with the mixing. It sounds very flat and lifeless and lacks that "oomph". Also, the majority of the songs feel drawn out and lack cohesion. It's like the song should have ended at 6-7 minutes but    I love Tool and they're my favorite band, but this just doesn't do it for me. After listening through the album about 10 times I've come to terms with it. Very unfortunate.
    A lot of it has to do with the mixing. It sounds very flat and lifeless and lacks that "oomph". Also, the majority of the songs feel drawn out and lack cohesion. It's like the song should have ended at 6-7 minutes but the band keeps jamming for another 5. I don't mind long and progressive songs that experiment and expand as long as it's interesting. Rosetta Stoned and Wings For Marie/10.000 Days are prime examples of 10 minutes+ songs done right.
    I don't give a **** about the lack of screams from Maynard which seems to be a common complaint. What he brings to this album is solid. Wish he sang more, but oh well.    … Expand
  45. renbern19
    Sep 8, 2019
    0
    This album is their worst. Such a let down. This album could go straight to the bin.
  46. Jjgrant
    Aug 31, 2019
    0
    Old stuff was better...I miss the good old days of tool not this stuff, it could've been so much better
  47. IvNo
    Aug 30, 2019
    0
    It felt way too try hard and pretentious at times. A strong let down. I liked the singles but then when I first heard the album I was just disappointed.
  48. MargotMan86
    Aug 30, 2019
    0
    The fact that Lateralus, 10,000 days, and Aenima have worse scores than this is pathetic and laughable. And please, fanboys, don't give me this 'If you don't like it, you don't understand it' crap. I challenge you to go back and listen to the rest of the catalog, then listen to this and tell me this is better. Spare me. SPARE ME! The riffs are repetitive. Maynard is boring, lacking anyThe fact that Lateralus, 10,000 days, and Aenima have worse scores than this is pathetic and laughable. And please, fanboys, don't give me this 'If you don't like it, you don't understand it' crap. I challenge you to go back and listen to the rest of the catalog, then listen to this and tell me this is better. Spare me. SPARE ME! The riffs are repetitive. Maynard is boring, lacking any energy or engagement. The lyrics try to hard, and fail to explore depths the way their other albums do. Okay, so this album is about growth, or expelling inner demons, or whatever you want to say about it. Grow up. It is boring. It is nothing special. It fails. Its a failure IT FAILS ITS A FAILURE. And having the courage to express this makes me a better Tool fan than you, because I don't settle for mediocrity and convince myself it's good because I am supposed to like it.… Expand
  49. monkespaceshape
    Aug 30, 2019
    0
    This album was forced and pretentious. Love is much better! If you read the lyrics you will understand the context but when you are putting the sound together it does not come through as clear and conveyed.
  50. Mineral4
    Aug 31, 2019
    0
    Such a waste of time. I hope they comeback with better than this album, if they can
  51. Jimx
    Sep 1, 2019
    0
    Really weak album. I don't think it was worth such a long wait. I hope they make better ones in the future.
  52. cokoslut
    Sep 1, 2019
    0
    they should have never come back! 20 minute songs with useless intros and outros.
  53. RickNowells
    Sep 1, 2019
    0
    Why would you took 13 years to make this? I've been a fan of TOOL for so long and they came out with this? The statement was not enough.
  54. iamMOG
    Sep 1, 2019
    0
    Album sucks. Songs are too long and Maynard doesn't scream, wahhhhhhhhhhhh!
  55. divinasi0n
    Sep 30, 2019
    0
    It seems many Tool fans are staring intently at a community college students art project and beholding an elaborate, intricate tapestry, and the only explanation I can think of is:

    Not once in your lives could you ever have turned on the radio and heard a piece of classical music, or heard a jazz band play - or even watched a movie without the sound muted and heard the score - no way;    It seems many Tool fans are staring intently at a community college students art project and beholding an elaborate, intricate tapestry, and the only explanation I can think of is:

    Not once in your lives could you ever have turned on the radio and heard a piece of classical music, or heard a jazz band play - or even watched a movie without the sound muted and heard the score - no way; because if you are this in awe at such a bland, uninspired, boring, tedious, rehash of an album, hearing true, humble musical brilliance would have dropped you on your feet long ago.

    It might be time to get some perspective guys.    … Expand
  56. MeeranQureshi
    Oct 5, 2019
    0
    One of the worst Metal albums I've ever heard.Painfully awful.Bland,boring and really painful to even finish one song.I don't mind lengthy songs but it was so boring. 13 years for this?Nah!
    Embarrassment to the metal music community.
  57. Stonehenge80
    Oct 10, 2019
    0
    Disappointing on so many levels. One has to wonder if this album was hastily thrown together for the sake of making a quick buck. Nothing new is brought to the table. Instrumentally it sounds just like the same drums and guitar riffs from previous releases. Vocals are subdued and lacking the power and emotion from previous albums such as 10,000 days. I've listened through this albumDisappointing on so many levels. One has to wonder if this album was hastily thrown together for the sake of making a quick buck. Nothing new is brought to the table. Instrumentally it sounds just like the same drums and guitar riffs from previous releases. Vocals are subdued and lacking the power and emotion from previous albums such as 10,000 days. I've listened through this album several times to try and give it a fair shake, the last time I actually fell asleep.… Expand
  58. lupatchi
    Feb 14, 2020
    0
    Made an account just to leave a review on this album and hopefully save a few tool fans some of there must valuable time. Firstly ill start with the good parts of the album; the tittle track
    thats pretty much it rest of it is poorly produced and only has the decent reviews it has becasue of tools long time STANS
next
Page:

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »