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. Tha5252
    Sep 4, 2019
    10
    This is a massive record...The days, months and years will reveal more about the new record. As with releases previous, there are wrinkles that will only emerge after the record is lived with and absorbed. But if you’re wondering whether ‘Fear Inoculum’ was worth the wait, then the answer is yes. If you’re wondering whether it’ll touch your heart, soul and spirt, the answer is also so.
  2. 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
  3. dangyosabyss
    Sep 4, 2019
    8
    Its a great album but the 10 scores are ridiculous. Its content could be from any Tool session in the last 3 albums. It isnt different enough and doesnt show enough progression (ironic right?) to warrant 10 scores. Thats not to say it is bad. Its great. But its what we have come to expect from them and Tool were never about that. Its exactly what i expected it to be. 10k days part 2.
  4. Killabytz
    Sep 4, 2019
    10
    Best album ever! Only sheep that never understood Tool hate on this album, it’s absolute perfection..change my mind??
  5. rrroooddd
    Sep 4, 2019
    8
    I love everything except the voice and the fillers. The long riffs which I love to absorve with time, the crazy tempos that makes them real hard for me to preditct are absolutely great. The drums man, so good. That man is insane.
    I feel that Maynard could have deliver better. Not screams to be honest but better melodies. Sometimes he just repeat stuff in the same note.
    The fillers could    I love everything except the voice and the fillers. The long riffs which I love to absorve with time, the crazy tempos that makes them real hard for me to preditct are absolutely great. The drums man, so good. That man is insane.
    I feel that Maynard could have deliver better. Not screams to be honest but better melodies. Sometimes he just repeat stuff in the same note.
    The fillers could be better. Great drum solo on chocolate ruined by weird synth.

    But I'll keep on hearing on this one for years to come. I wish I could make something as good as this    … Expand
  6. Fizo
    Sep 4, 2019
    10
    For me the album is amazing. I think that many people have problems with their unreallistic expectations. Through masterpiece.
  7. ambientdrop
    Sep 4, 2019
    9
    Maybe the most interesting drumming performance captured on tape. Adam and Justin elevate their playing again. The music is just amazing. However, it sounds like they spent 13 years working on the music and a few months working on vocals. I'm fine with Maynard's new approach to how he uses his voice for Tool. It just seems like he had more opportunities (I'm thinking specifically ofMaybe the most interesting drumming performance captured on tape. Adam and Justin elevate their playing again. The music is just amazing. However, it sounds like they spent 13 years working on the music and a few months working on vocals. I'm fine with Maynard's new approach to how he uses his voice for Tool. It just seems like he had more opportunities (I'm thinking specifically of the first few minutes of 7empest) with how the music was written. That being said, the songs feel complete and cohesive. And while the 6 songs are each over 10 minutes, none of them feel that long. At the end of each one you feel like "is that it?"… Expand
  8. echoecho11
    Sep 4, 2019
    8
    Worth the wait. The laborious drawn out writting process is evident in the album, but somehow it elevates it for me. It's dense, often monotone but something about it just keeps drawing me back. I just hope now that they have this out they're not so constipated with their future releases. In the meantime this one is an instant classic for me.
  9. Julitro
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    Much better than expected. 13 years worth the wait. It's dreamy, powerful, atmospheric, brutal and deeper than the void itself. The level of production and mastering is as good or better than 10,000 days. It's the same Tool sound, but at a next level (if that's even possible).
  10. 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
  11. metta206
    Sep 3, 2019
    9
    I love this album. At first, I was skeptical since Im a big big Tool fan and I thought I might just be fanboying out. But I really love it. Its taken multiple listens, but the more I absorb it, the more I dig what they're doing. For me its at least on par with Lateralus and Aenima, and a big improvement over 10,000 days. It might be the best thing they've ever done. Danny Carey isI love this album. At first, I was skeptical since Im a big big Tool fan and I thought I might just be fanboying out. But I really love it. Its taken multiple listens, but the more I absorb it, the more I dig what they're doing. For me its at least on par with Lateralus and Aenima, and a big improvement over 10,000 days. It might be the best thing they've ever done. Danny Carey is an absolute monster! I can understand why some fans may be put off by the long, winding songs. Its definitely not for everyone, but it certainly works for me!… Expand
  12. Chrismkj
    Sep 3, 2019
    9
    I love this album, I really do and it’s near perfect except for one thing. Lengthy sections of song where it’s just open chugging on the low d, like it’s ok to use it but just it takes up maybe ten minutes total on the whole album, do you really want that? It just seems very low effort even with odd time signatures
  13. MechaWolff
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    By far the Apex of Tool's evolution. Thoroughly enjoyed the album. Definitely worth the wait!!!
  14. Grunix
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    Prog Rock and complex music at its best. Worth the waiting. It is not schubidu 3:30 min Pop, its complex music to dive in.
  15. DieMyDarling
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    I feel like there is always a cultural barometer that exists for every music release: where does it fit in in the current geopolitical climate? How does it capture the attention of the youth? To say that such barometers are meaningless in considering this album feels almost too obvious, yet it is so singular that it cannot be overstated. This album exists in a space encompassing 13 longI feel like there is always a cultural barometer that exists for every music release: where does it fit in in the current geopolitical climate? How does it capture the attention of the youth? To say that such barometers are meaningless in considering this album feels almost too obvious, yet it is so singular that it cannot be overstated. This album exists in a space encompassing 13 long years and in doing so does not even try to comment on the present. It speaks in sweeping gestures lyrically, encompassing such universal beliefs that life is ruled by fear, or that we all struggle to remain relevant while constantly heading toward obsolescence. Musically this album does not give a flying **** about what the kids are into. There are no sing-along choruses. There are no pleas to a disenfranchised youth. There are no BASS DROPS. There is only a sonic landscape that requires effort to indulge in and comprehend.

    As always, TOOL is using complicated time signatures and polyrhythms to keep the listener on their toes throughout plodding passages that would otherwise be snoozefests. Trying to figure out what Danny Carey is even doing is always one of the great pleasures of listening to a TOOL album and this one is as far from disappointment on that front as you could imagine. Adam Jones even gets to go nuts, as 7empest is a monolithic riff crucible that does not stop delivering for nearly 16 minutes. Pneuma - like Parabola before it - asks us to sit back and comprehend what a beauty life could (and should) be if we can only get out of our own way.

    If there is something negative to be said about the album, it's that the vocals are too tame. Even spots where it feels like Maynard should be cutting loose (the end of Invincible and Culling Voices, for example) he just sits back. Even if you don't care if he is getting aggressive, he is also way too shy about his vocal range. Parts of Fear Inoculum (the song) and Invincible really could have been sung much more dynamically (he proved he can do it on The Pot) but he just rests on his laurels.

    The fact that such an album could even exist let alone be embraced in 2019 is something to be celebrated. For people who long for the "old" TOOL, they are gone and thank god, because we needed this album more than we ever knew.    … Expand
  16. Monsterplanet
    Sep 3, 2019
    9
    This and Aenima are neck-and-neck in terms of breadth and quality, though with time frame and expectations in account, Fear Innoculum seems to shore up about 1 more "main" song short of the impact Aenima had in the late '90s.

    Even still, it manages to bring quality and execution to a modern table and does so successfully.
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. Boban
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    13 years of wait is well rewarded. I listened Fear Inoculum more then 50 times before album was out and it is perfect song. 10 minutes feels like 2. Sam is with album. It has everything I wanted from Tool album but more mature. When you have such recognizable sound like Tool it is very hard to create something new but not to fat away from the sound that everyone expect from you. And Tool13 years of wait is well rewarded. I listened Fear Inoculum more then 50 times before album was out and it is perfect song. 10 minutes feels like 2. Sam is with album. It has everything I wanted from Tool album but more mature. When you have such recognizable sound like Tool it is very hard to create something new but not to fat away from the sound that everyone expect from you. And Tool did just that. Great album in every aspect… Expand
  20. JokerInTheGame
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    Unlimited power! Has been and always will be my favorite band. Perhaps that makes me bias, but Tool is just genius.
  21. JLuis_001
    Sep 2, 2019
    9
    A great album, very dense and long. It takes time to unravel it.
    The biggest problem? The majority will judge the wait instead of the music.
  22. TOOLman
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    This Album is on another Level. Unbelievably amazing! A must listen numerous times. For all the negative reviews above. I honestly can't understand how you can rate a zero . The effort, quality, technicality is above the vast majority of artists period! If your giving the album a zero because you don't like it est to never listen to music again.
  23. MilkXy
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    I never write reviews. So Since I'm here Best to grab a copy of this Gem. It's truly a Masterpiece. I really hope TOOL continues to write music!
  24. Jugmonkey
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    Outstanding from from to back. If you're a Tool fan it definitely delivers. One of the greatest bands to ever deliver the hard rock goods. 7empest is 15:43 of head crushing goodness.
  25. Brodyhin
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    This is my favorite tool album. I don’t know what’s with all these bad reviews.
  26. Mus1ckjm
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    Just gets better and better. Every song on this album is good. A Masterpiece. This was worth the wait.
  27. mmat8
    Sep 2, 2019
    9
    Not a fan of Tool but I listened to their previous albums and I think the hardcore Tool fans should be happy they put out this album after 13 years because I think they matured in that 13 years in lyrics matter. You should always listen to Tool's album thousands of times and dig deep into their lyrics to find deeper meaning. I enjoyed listening to this album but interludes makes the albumNot a fan of Tool but I listened to their previous albums and I think the hardcore Tool fans should be happy they put out this album after 13 years because I think they matured in that 13 years in lyrics matter. You should always listen to Tool's album thousands of times and dig deep into their lyrics to find deeper meaning. I enjoyed listening to this album but interludes makes the album weird :D Would listen to this 10/10… Expand
  28. Coastal2009
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    Amazing album. I can’t say worth the wait because I never want to wait 13 years for another Tool album again.
  29. 1234pistol
    Sep 2, 2019
    8
    Fear Inoculum is another amazing delivery from TOOL! Adam Jones delivers some of his greatest work yet here, and the same goes with everyone else! However, I have one issue. I understand that it’s a staple of TOOL’s music, but after several listens and the come down of the initial excitement post-release, I can safely say that I personally think that some of these songs dragged on for tooFear Inoculum is another amazing delivery from TOOL! Adam Jones delivers some of his greatest work yet here, and the same goes with everyone else! However, I have one issue. I understand that it’s a staple of TOOL’s music, but after several listens and the come down of the initial excitement post-release, I can safely say that I personally think that some of these songs dragged on for too long. It felt like they took a few ideas that would work perfectly in a 7-minute or 8-minute long track, and stretched them out to 11, 12 and 13 minutes.… Expand
  30. djangojimi
    Sep 2, 2019
    10
    Tool is best at being Tool; they are always supremely idiosyncratic and true to their own sound as the classic 4-piece band in the mold of Sabbath and Zeppelin (and keeping the flame alive for the sound they created and which has been emulated countless times since Opiate/Undertow). Regardless of their absence or a casual fan’s opinion about A Perfect Circle or Puscifer, this album isTool is best at being Tool; they are always supremely idiosyncratic and true to their own sound as the classic 4-piece band in the mold of Sabbath and Zeppelin (and keeping the flame alive for the sound they created and which has been emulated countless times since Opiate/Undertow). Regardless of their absence or a casual fan’s opinion about A Perfect Circle or Puscifer, this album is another perfect crystallization of Tool’s ethos: heaviness, thoughtfulness, turning dismay or confusion into beautiful art. Favorite tracks of mine are 7empest, Pneuma, Fear Inoculum, one of the coolest drum solo songs put down as a studio album track (Chocolate Chip Trip)...aw hell, the whole album. Users or “fans” who express boredom or dismay that Tool haven’t fulfilled some fantastical expectations from a 13 year studio album hiatus should ask themselves this: what did you expect? Tool to all of a sudden sound like Gojira or Meshuggah? I’m definitely puzzled by how people would expect Tool to metamorphose into something they’re not.… Expand
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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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