Album theme speculation

[dracomordag]

I know that no info's been released yet and there are quite a few threads just with randoms stuff already... but I figured I'd add one.

What do you all think the theme and art of the new album will be like?

My bets are that Phil Hale will be doing the art, and that it will be about modern day isolation caused my overstimulation of the media (TV, etc.)

[Guybrush]

I say it has some connection to Japan. Also, they may do something related to cutting.

[clarity.]

I hope it is more introspection like Lateralus. I think APC was Maynard's stab at politics/society/pop culture.

[5th Eye]

I hope that was his only stab.

In any case check out this site: http://www.deepsicks.com/tool.html
It's kinda old, but Adam says a bit of stuff about album themes:

"[R]ecognizing the mask you wear as an individual not to conform to a group, but to assure yourself that such an option—that is, interaction with other people and the possibility of forming meaningful relationships—is available and feasible despite one's introversion and/or disillusionment."

[merman]

I know that no info's been released yet and there are quite a few threads just with randoms stuff already... but I figured I'd add one.

What do you all think the theme and art of the new album will be like?

My bets are that Phil Hale will be doing the art, and that it will be about modern day isolation caused my overstimulation of the media (TV, etc.)


The whole overestimulation of the media thing is a good theme to explore, but I'm sick of it already. Tool basically explored this theme in Aenima with songs like 'Stinkfit.'

If Tool are the artists they claim themselves to be, their new album should not repeat a theme like this one... it's almost overused now.

[Isac Khrondor]

I'm guessing it will be a bit like the intro page to their website, kind of 'free' art that doesn't have much form or structure, and not as detailed as Lateralus was.

Maynard said politics have crossed over into his work with Tool allready, I really hope it hasn't because I just don't think it goes with Tool, unless it's full of satire and irony, like Aenema.

[SpiralOutKeepGoing]

I think the entire album should be about how they constantly feed Blair lies to tell us and we believe them. Title 'The Lies of BMB' Released in 5 minutes from now. Seriously though I think they will continue to explore their constant theme of 'think for yourself, question authority'

[Tertius Oculum]

Piloting a tiny ship that was shrunk down by super science inside of a man's anus.

[LetTheRabbitsWearGlasses]

Anal sex.

[awaking]

from the atrciel he called the art pretenious, I never considered it that.. the god thing IDK.. i saw it as god is all in your head.. which i think is what they meant.

an the intro page to the site.. i dont think it means much.. it does resemble the painting someone posted a week or so ago.. but i just think its an intro, an the spirals are just spiraling out.. did anyone find any hidden links..besides the larchonology one, i know i spelled it wrong

i think the album may be political, it probably will be due to the state the US is in right now.

as for album art.. i dunno, the ideqa crossed my mind they would d a fan submission but.. i dont think they would pick one fans art.. seeing as they kno th3y have devoted fans an it would just make others jealous

[Goldfoot]

If it is political, I don't think it will be straightforward. By that I mean they won't have a song called Sad Statue referring to the Statue of Liberty or anything like that. It wouldn't be "conventionally" political is my guess.

[s ti N Kfizt]

Coverart will be lightly dark beautiful night in Egypt (or some country like that) with some special things what makes the cover unique.

[D-Day_Daddy]

From all the recent talk, and the final thoughts from Lateralus, the theme may be about extra-dimentional beings and the governments atempts to keep this knowledge from the masses. The art should prove to be interresting, as well as amazing. Though the more I think of it, and now that I typed the idea up, it seems kind of cheesy. We'll just have to wait and see.

[triad636]

and that it will be about modern day isolation caused my overstimulation of the media (TV, etc.)
this is where most of the speculation is going, (teleinscision) maynard has strong feelings against it, and i bet the band feels the same way, its gunna be more about gathering information and learning on your own, they are really going to push for the think for yourself question authority theme, of course my views are purely sepulation , but i feel that this is the way tool is going to head on the new album....

[ATARI]

I'd be fine with a political album. (Some of my favorite bands are political bands anyway)

[]ifrit[]

It will definitely be a concept album, close to Pink Floyd's "dark side of the moon"

[awaking]

ifrit[']It will definitely be a concept album, close to Pink Floyd's "dark side of the moon"
concept Maynard for Pres 08!

[LetTheRabbitsWearGlasses]

ifrit[']It will definitely be a concept album, close to Pink Floyd's "dark side of the moon"
Change your avatar, that's a total rip-off of pornstarchampion's. And if it was a concept album, that'd be pretty cool. I guess depending on your definition though, all of the LP's could be considered concept albums...

[UtUmNo1]

Change your avatar, that's a total rip-off of pornstarchampion's.

You the avatar cop?? No? Well shut the fuck up.

Maybe check Ertai as well...

[Goldfoot]

I guess depending on your definition though, all of the LP's could be considered concept albums...

Exactly, one of my interpretations of LAteralus involve it being a concept album.

[LetTheRabbitsWearGlasses]

You the avatar cop??
Yes. No?What? Well shut the fuck up.
If "The fuck" was still not banned, i could make a clever remark here.

But seriously, I think the next album will probably be about:

a) Coming to terms with things
b) Politics
C) It won't be about anything, just a bunch of songs...

[pathological2]

It will be another step into the third eye reality (deeper than Lateralus). And whoever said APC is not introspective, take another listen. APC is just as deep and introspective as Tool (if you understand the lyrics).

[MasterOfKtulu109]

I hope it's not a political album in the sense that it has anti-war and anti-bush themes, and all that. That stuff is not timely now (Bush has been reelected and there's nothing we can do, and we have been at war for over 2 years; it's stupid to keep protesting). The APC 'emotive' album did that effectively because it came out during the election period.

Politics are fine if it pertains to something that has existed forever and will continue to; Bush won't exist forever and the war in Iraq won't either (although I'm not sure I'll live to see it).

[fraz]

I think the theme of the lyrics will be along the lines of not believing everything you hear on tv etc. - ala think for yourself question authority - i reckon maynard will O.D. on that line, he loves it

[triad636]

- i reckon maynard will O.D. on that line, he loves it
who doesnt?

[Wave.Existance.Tears]

It will be another step into the third eye reality (deeper than Lateralus). And whoever said APC is not introspective, take another listen. APC is just as deep and introspective as Tool (if you understand the lyrics).
I hope that Tool can progress into that even further but is it possible?

APC has its own merits but its really not as deep as Tool. Usually, at least.

[Spongebob]

its gonna be about me.

[]ifrit[]

Change your avatar, that's a total rip-off of pornstarchampion's. And if it was a concept album, that'd be pretty cool. I guess depending on your definition though, all of the LP's could be considered concept albums...
i took it from lateralus cover, then fill it with that grey color the forum use (RGB #111111)
its not a rip-off

[LetTheRabbitsWearGlasses]

ifrit[']i took it from lateralus cover, then fill it with that grey color the forum use (RGB #111111)
its not a rip-off
Ok, it's not a rip-off, but he had it first....

whatever, i don't care anymore. do what you will....

[]ifrit[]

Ok, it's not a rip-off, but he had it first....

whatever, i don't care anymore. do what you will....
if this guy tell me to change it, i will do it...

[Barren]

It will most likely be vague... so vague that nobody will be able to interpret it... maybe the band will collaborate on lyrics, or atleast other members will give their input as to what each individual song will be about. They will probably not disclose meanings anyways, so we will each be able to come to our own conclusions. It could be a lyrical stream of consciousness meaning that maybe the lyrics made little sens at the time, but put together a theme could be made.

Someone said that Maynard mentioned that the theme of Lateralus was about rediscovering communication, and thats great. However, I would imagine that Tool lays down the music completely before any lyrics are even written... therefore the album may be about adam, justin, and danny collaborating and playing music based on scientific means of stimulating the brain. Maybe Danny will lay a Shamanic beat, and Adam will play another worldly rhythm to a bassline that Justin came up with while stoned.

I would like to think that this determines what Maynard will write about... that together they have elevated themselves to another dimension of human understanding. Maybe we will have the ability to research (like someone mentioned) the song titles to figure out what methods of enlightenment tool uses. The fun thing is that no matter what we originally think the album is about as a whole, may not be the actual theme.

Someone mentioned that it will proabably be like "Dark Side of the Moon" and to that I say maybe, maybe not... but I do know that they proabably have put more pressure on themselves with this album, and I applaud the length of time they have spent on it. I imagine that there might be a midlife crisis theme! Anyways, I am excited and I hope its great, because we all know it will be their last before they ride out into the sunset...

[Spongebob]

the meanings of tools songs seem to be so broad, and they have been getting broader with each release. it means you can apply most of the lyrics to personal situations and also a more collective situation.

surely this will continue on the next album, some songs with narrow specific meanings, but usually lots of different meanings that can be interpreted by the listener in their own way, so to me it mght be about the day i went to the beach, or it could be about collective compassion in the political world, and of course, dont leave out the anal sex theme hidden in the layers too.

[Tertius Oculum]

It's going to be about what's beyond the spiral. Kind of like the afterlife, but more meaningful.

[AloneOnceAgain97]

I hope to God it's not political. I'm not looking forward to seeing

1. Track 1
2. Track 2
3. Fuck Bush feat. Green Day

[triad636]

I hope to God it's not political. I'm not looking forward to seeing

1. Track 1
2. Track 2
3. Fuck Bush feat. Green Day
i too also hope that it isnt political, like the new soad cd, that would ruin my day:(

[Jayar]

I don't give a shit if it's political or not, as long as it doesn't mainly consist of semi-covers from other bands or singers. And it won't, so I'll be happy!

[Bogart]

i hope its not political. i like the themes of lateralus and aeniam and ihope its something of that nature

[Goldfoot]

Maybe it will be about Urantia.

Edit: Or maybe Havona and Uversa.

[s ti N Kfizt]

No too much political!.. Just like someone said.. ..Lateralus and Aenima-like but still different.

[one_mind]

honestly i think the new cd is going to be about aliens, or space, or the unknown, there is an idea that floats around from time to time that i at first did not believe but after years of listening and being devoted to the music of tool i really do believe that the last song on every cd is a taste of whats to come!

for example from undertow to aenima undertow ends with disgustipated (69) which to me is about either the government and its condecending and controlling ways or about the simple fact the meat and killing are necessary to survive and to survive we must all feed on other life.

enter Aenima in all its majesty which after many a fungi trip i have found for myself that it is deeply about politics and society, the government, and very heavy drugs, then comes Third Eye this song is completely about hallucinating or really just doing any drug that you love, its about expanding your mind, examining your life, and understanding your conciousness and your goal in this chaos we live in,

then comes Lateralus, this is my favorite album, it has inspired me more than any other piece of music i have touched, it is a story about life, living, dying, our bodies as our caries through this dream, self revolutions, communication breakdowns, i could go on for days, but yeah back to my point lateralus flows right of the same ride that aenima left us on, i think the cd really ends with reflection i mean listen to it, what a finish!!!!! then comes triad which means many things such as 3, triple, or maybe even trial, i think this maybe tools new heaviness which would be sweet, the drums alone are insane, well they are on every track but thats another topic, and then comes Faiip De Ode which is about a man that was discharged from area 51 and is running across the country freaking out because aliens are already here and the government knows, but they are not going to do anything about it because they want us to be more easily controlled, this i think is going to be the main theme, im sure there will be tons of other confusions and mystery within the cd that fungus or liquid will have to open for me, i mean look at all the posts on toolband have been about things having to do with aliens and area 51 and roswell etc etc, i really think this is our biggest hint on whats coming next it has been in front of our face since the beginning, plus they are taking influence from meshuggah and fantomas, jesus christ, delirium cordia from fantomas is one of the darkest pieces of work ever, it scares me at times, and if tool incorporates this darkness, this melodicity into the new stuff this could be the most disturbing album of our lives, i cant wait to pee my pants, the night the cd comes out (cuz im sure there will be a midnight release) me and a couple friends will experience the cd first hand if you know what i mean!!! i cant wait.

please comment i want to see what others think of my theories,

spiral out, keep going

[Isac Khrondor]

*doesn't read any of it*

Yeah good work man.

[Guybrush]

*read all of it*

You are crazy man, crazy!

[Wretched]

*doesn't read any of it*

Yeah good work man.

What he said, keep it up. You should be a journalist. Or you should take over for Blair.

[one_mind]

thank you for at least reading it man i know it is long but it is the truth from my perspective, DOES NO ONE WANT TO CONVERSATE, TO DIG DEEPER, TO USE THE WASTE OF TISSUE SITTING INSIDE YOUR HEADS!! come on people im bored at work listening to tool

[s ti N Kfizt]

"before we pine away, before we pine away, before we pine away, before we piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine away............................... do do do doooooooooooooo do" wake up from the dream and Welcome to the beginning of your life ;)

[dracomordag]

If this album is about aliens, I will be pissed as shit.

I don't want a fucking Sci-Fi album.

[ATARI]

beam me up Blair!

[s ti N Kfizt]

If this album is about aliens, I will be pissed as shit.

I don't want a fucking Sci-Fi album.
It could be about some space and aliens (or at least some of the album) .. and when you get the album you don't mind about the alien theme.. it's TOOL, it can't be shit even if it's theme is shit. And.. i also think that Tool should make music about bigger things than aliens. Okay.. i think aliens are very exciting.. people just have made the view of aliens look sci-fi and otherz. Aliens are organisms from outer space (or whatever) not peoplekilleranimals. And space and astrology are very interesting afterall.

[Guybrush]

It could be about some space and aliens (or at least some of the album) .. and when you get the album you don't mind about the alien theme.. it's TOOL, it can't be shit even if it's theme is shit. And.. i also think that Tool should make music about bigger things than aliens. Okay.. i think aliens are very exciting.. people just have made the view of aliens look sci-fi and otherz. Aliens are organisms from outer space (or whatever) not peoplekilleranimals. And space and astrology are very interesting afterall.

Shut up already, you stupid Finnish dude.

[martyr]

thats a bit savage.



its not his fault he lives near the imposter called santa

[s ti N Kfizt]

I'm stupid and i live in finland (finland sucks) and i suck in explaining and in english.. .......



..but...........i like Lateralus. WOWWW


edit: luckily your just joking.

[Spongebob]

s ti N Kfizt is the best thing to happen to this board since the thread "hello, im rochey-o"

[dracomordag]

It could be about some space and aliens (or at least some of the album) .. and when you get the album you don't mind about the alien theme.. it's TOOL, it can't be shit even if it's theme is shit. And.. i also think that Tool should make music about bigger things than aliens. Okay.. i think aliens are very exciting.. people just have made the view of aliens look sci-fi and otherz. Aliens are organisms from outer space (or whatever) not peoplekilleranimals. And space and astrology are very interesting afterall.

One great aspect of Tool's beauty is the almost ethereal qulity of the lyrics: very abstract and atmospheric, but still relaying a message.

If he says "the government is hiiding this from us... the aliens want to eat our brains" it kinda destroys that beauty of Tool

aka: aliens can derelict my balls.

[Barren]

i think that it is silly how we interpret music only by lyrical content instead of the actual music... it would still be music without vocals, but without instruments it would be an american idol tryout

Edit: And yeah I do think that singing is overrated... unless the vocalist is a fat lady wearing a viking hat

[triad636]

i think that it is silly how we interpret music only by lyrical content instead of the actual music... it would still be music without vocals, but without instruments it would be an american idol tryout

Edit: And yeah I do think that singing is overrated... unless the vocalist is a fat lady wearing a viking hat
very true , i think we need to look at the music more, but without lyrics it would be nearly impossible to interpret a song, then again the title of each songs says a lot, but the lyrics do help

[Intertwined]

I hope it's not about politics, televisions, media, or government. I wouldn't mind aliens because they will probably be the example, to look further. I think the new album will be about the unknown and being open to there being an unknown.

[ATARI]

as long as there are anal sex songs i am a-ok

[Tertius Oculum]

If it's about aliens, that would be sweet. Namely Area 51, Roswell, and such. It would be interesting.

[Goldfoot]

If it's about aliens, that would be sweet. Namely Area 51, Roswell, and such. It would be interesting.

Yeah, personally I think that would be really intrigueing. (sp?)

[just simulacra]

I think aliens, etc, would be a sort of de-evolution.
I'm pretty sure [and hopeful] this album is going to center on an individual's place in society and the friction created therein.

[one_mind]

i cant even fathom what new music will sound like, danny, justin, and adam are gods among men when it comes to art, as the days go by my excitement intensifies!!!

[placidium]

The next album should be a story, maybe.

That would be different.

Because there's really nothing much "inspiring" they can preach about, unless they just do what the Letters section people do: write songs about a "light" in the "darkness", using big, pretty words, blahblahblah, and then yeah, they've got something that is "inspiring" (seems more like style now than an actual achievement).

I had a dream last night that I got the new album, it was incredible, super heavy, intense, with a real Merkaba/No Quarter style to it.

Lots of just wallowing and coolness, but super long and self-indulgent songs.

Tool's Animals.

But I also had a dream a few months ago it was crap, a total AIC ripoff.

[dracomordag]

i think that it is silly how we interpret music only by lyrical content instead of the actual music... it would still be music without vocals, but without instruments it would be an american idol tryout

Edit: And yeah I do think that singing is overrated... unless the vocalist is a fat lady wearing a viking hat

Right now we're talking about lyrical themes. But thanks for trying.

But maybe we should move on to musical direction... what do you think the new album will sound like? Where is everyone getting this Meshugga influence idea from? Will it be Proggy? Experimental? Heavy as shit?


My bet's on less proggy than Lateralus, but much more experimental.

[s ti N Kfizt]

Much proggy, much experimental, much warm ones, cold ones, killerriffs, not modern industrial-like shit (i like industrial but doesn't fit with Tool). And the most greatest/original drumming, bassing, guitarplaying ever heard.

[TTM]

dude tools new album will contain the meaning of life, lateralus told me

[s ti N Kfizt]

dude tools new album will contain the meaning of life, lateralus told me
I believe it.

[Goldfoot]

While I was on vacation in Lateralus, I smoked an Opiate. The bell boy at the resort gave me a Salival Ænema. This right before I got caught in the Undertow.

Good thing I know how to swim.

[SpiralOutKeepGoing]

....spiral out, keep going

Hey thats my name?!

[Tertius Oculum]

LOL NGA PLZ

[dilatedcrimson]

While I was on vacation in Lateralus, I smoked an Opiate. The bell boy at the resort gave me a Salival Ænema. This right before I got caught in the Undertow.

Good thing I know how to swim.

i loled all over myself.

[s ti N Kfizt]

i loled all over myself.
When my name is Lateralus, i smoke salival and say hi to my opiates and then WTF i see my aenima in my pants.. oh there's teleincision too..

.. okay.. i didn't see Aenima. =(

[Intertwined]

Actually, the new album is about cleaning off the lol on your pants

[people_do_like_me]

I don't want to read this whole thread so this might have been said......
Maruto's www.once-upon-a-forest.com is what I guess the artwork will be.

[johnnyTrip]

Anyways, I am excited and I hope its great, because we all know it will be their last before they ride out into the sunset...

wut makes you think it will be the last album?