Tool consists of Adam Jones (guitar), Danny Carey (drums), Justin Chancellor (bass), Maynard James (vocals).
Tool is an American rock band. While they have gained much appreciation and praise for a complex and ever-evolving sound, they attract fewer listeners than other popular rock acts, arguably because Tool's music is not as accessible. Their catalogue encompasses multiple creative cycles of innovation, due in part to long and relatively secretive dormancies from the music landscape between the release of each album and return to concert tours.
Their overall sound has been described as "grinding, post- Jane's Addiction heavy metal" as well as "a primal sound as distinct as it is disturbing" — most simplified categorizations of the band's genre are often dismissed (see: Arguments About Genre & Categorization). They are known for addressing philosophical and spiritual issues in their lyrics, as well as for songs that feature "complex rhythm changes, haunting vocals, and an onslaught of changes in dynamics" which often results in a greater-than-average track length. Additionally, most of their music videos feature stop-motion animation created by guitarist Adam Jones, in a style similar to the Brothers Quay — "strange puzzle-like four minute movies" — which tend to perpetuate the perception of Tool as a "dark, disturbing" band.
Their music has been influenced by King Crimson , Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Rush and Yes, among several others while in turn the "list of bands that have been inspired by [Tool] is long and prestigious."
Tool has recently finished recording their fourth full-length studio album entitled 10,000 Days. Considering the events preceding the release of Lateralus, during which the band promoted the fake title Systema Encéphale, 10,000 Days is not necessarily final. Similar to prior to the release of Lateralus, there have been many rumors about the newest release, including potential stylistic changes, possible titles and a slew of release dates. Since the members of Tool avoid press and rarely grant interviews, there was little evidence to support any of these claims.
