Tool: We didn’t know if we would still be accepted

Tool press shot — Tool (Image credit: Travis Shinn)

Tool’s Danny Carey says he was unsure if the band would still be accepted by fans due to the majority of tracks on new album Fear Inoculum stretching over the 10-minute mark.

The long-awaited follow-up to 2006’s 10,000 Days is finally out, with the drummer making his comments in the new issue of Metal Hammer magazine, which features Tool on the front cover.

Carey explains: “I have a hard time finding validity in a lot of things I hear now. Part of it is that you get old, and I’ve kind of heard everything.

“I really didn’t know if we were going to still be accepted, because especially going this route, we went the opposite way – like making a shorter song 10 minutes long.

“We realised, ‘Oh man, is anyone even going to buy this?’ But I think people are starved for a truly alternative band.

“I mean, we are an alternative to the three-or-four-minute song bands that do their thing. I’m really happy that this has been as well received as it is.”

The full interview can be found in issue 326 of Metal Hammer, which is on sale now. Click here to find your nearest stockist.

Meanwhile, to celebrate the release of Fear Inoculum, Tool have uploaded a bunch of their music videos to their YouTube channel.

The promos for Stinkfist, Ænima, Prison Sex, Vicarious, Schism and Sober are all now available and can be watched below.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.