Review Summary: A very spaced out, yet immersive listen. Fear Inoculum makes for a solid addition to the catalogue.
I must say I have never been the greatest
Tool fan.
Lateralus is the only album that I revisit semi-frequently. While I could easily hear their immense quality, it has always lacked the melody necessary to fully grab me. So why this review? Partly because I felt I should also write a serious review to compensate for the joke one on my website, but also because I’ve never put in the effort this band deserves, and a review of their first album in 13 years is a great way to change that.
What’s clear to me, even as an “outsider”, is that
Fear Inoculum does not have the urgency their previous work had. The songs (not counting interludes) are a great deal longer and stretched out. There’s no angry, immediately grabbing track like
Ticks and Leeches on this one. Speaking of angry, the band seems completely chill on this album as well. Fury has been traded for patience and relaxation. This is mostly seen in Maynard’s singing. He mostly opts for a gentle approach and rarely growls anymore. While not as raw emotional as before, it still carries a very subdued strength to it.
Length is frequently seen as a negative when it comes to metal and heavy rock music, but I believe that is unjust here. Metalheads often think of it as a sign of weakness to let an idea go on for long. It’s a very oppressive mentality if you ask me.
Do. Not. Waste. A. Single. Second. There are times it is just, but I believe this does not apply here, as being to-the-point with the songs was never the intention. This is an album that takes its time to ride out a groove and slowly develop the soundscape around it to its maximum value before they go onto the next part. Hence it becomes a very relaxing listen. Both as background music and as listened to with full attention it’s a plenty satisfying album. It really sucks you into a meditative state, which is aided by a lovely production. It’s a very airy, spaced out mix. I absolutely adore the tones used and the clarity of it all.
There are some negatives though, or should I say, least positives. Adam Jones has never been the most creative with his guitar playing, and it’s really highlighted on this album with all the extended song lengths. I really wish he’d vary it up more. Too often he goes for the same chords or the same lazy chugging, which ends up detracting a bit from the experience after a while. His effects and more psychedelic playing are still great, but I just wish his meat and potatoes had a little more spice to it. This causes Danny Carey to carry the music a bit too often. It’s a minor flaw though so it could be overlooked.
So when there’s an album that does not have any glaring flaws in particular, there’s only one question left to pose about
Fear Inoculum, and it is one that is completely subjective: How much does it make me NUT? (For those not acquainted with internet speak: how much did I enjoy the album?) The answer is: quite a lot! It did not make me drop my jaw on the floor or give me extra chins like that one Devin Townsend photo, but with
Fear Inoculum,
Tool have crafted an album that I just really enjoy listening to, which in my book equates to a 4/5. Do recommend.
Lastly you can read my joke review here if you're interested:
https://theprogressivesubway.wordpress.com/2019/11/26/reports-from-the-progressive-metal-underground-august-2019/
