Yesterday I bought 3 pieces of 10.000 days here in Holland. (1 for myself, 2 for friends that need some music education.)

Its exactly the same as the leaked material, the artwork is nice, but not amazing (3D pictures of the band, very well done.)

Sound quality a lot better than the first (mp4) leak; somewhat better than the RNS leak (which was 192kbs MP3 if i remember correctly, I deleted them yesterday and feel that my purchase of 3 cd's makes up for the DL.)

So, here my confession: I was a strong believer in the Hoax / Decoy theory, for the following reasons:
-I was not as blown away with 10.000 days as I was with Lateralus. That took my breath away.
-The silence of Blair and Kabir.
-The un-Tool like build-up of the music, and obvious throwbacks to earlier work.
-I thought I saw hidden messages in the "fake" artwork.

I conclude that I hoped for Tool to pulling us a fast one. I wanted them to be different and saying a big "fuck you" to the crowds and fanbase.

So I was wrong. I feel disapointment. I listened all night to the CD, it is growin on me a bit, but I still don't need weather-sounds in my tool music.

Maybe its me, maybe Aenema and Lateralus where too good. I don't know.

I'm going to see them in Luxembourg end of May. I still hope we will get some more new Tool music in the next weeks, but I reckon the chance is reall low.

Cheers for now,

Z

Alas...

well, we have all "watched the weather change". We knew it was coming. I was once on the same page as you.. But I feel compelled to listen further, for the music is indeed beautiful. Not Lateralus. Not Aenima, nor undertow. But beautiful.

Spiral Out.

Best prank pulled by Tool evar! They made us think there was one. Looks like they took one from the page of satan...

It is beautifull indeed. Not what I expected, but maybe what I needed, to paraprase Kabir ;-).

I did another 2 very extensive listening sessions today (running 20km's with a high-quality RIP in my mp3 player) and indeed, it is growing on me faster than I thought possible a few days ago. Especially 10.000 days, right in two, wings for mary, Jambi (I just becam a father myself so I understand the emotion a litthe better than I would have, say, 2 years ago).

We'll see what happens next weeks. Looking forward to the show in Luxembourg, thats for sure,

cheers for now,
Z

*Sigh* I wish there was an explanation though to all of the diarrhea of the mouth from blair over the past year with the "hints" and crap that has caused 50% of the tool fans to go ape-shit. I WANT AN EXPLANATION! :) What was up with all the subtle clues??

either way I am satisfied with the release, I think it further completes everything TOOL has done thus far.

the more I hear it, the more I appreciate it. it takes awhile to absorb it for what it is.

there's a lot of intricate melodies and time signature stuff going on that I've been noticing the more I listen, at first the music may seem simple and not so innovative to some, but I find it to be quite evolved in many ways.

Am I the only one who decided to not listen to the downloads?

i still haven't, there are many more

Good for you. I will Be patient until Tuesday.

I'm the same as you guys. three more days to go. jesus

I know I might cream my pants just holding it.

Tool is the only reason I will wake up before 8o'clock in the morning just so I can get the album before my first class.

If that's not a compliment I dont know what is

What about ions?

the album is on SALE now for those who are waiting and do not want to rip off the tracks leaked on the net. Rumors say WalMart started selling it so all other outlets raced to compete. I just bought a legit copy. It was my first time to listen, but it was worth the wait even if it is a FAKE

ions sounded more like an electrical storm upcoming to me. but indeed, a thin line between wings for mary and ions in terms of weather sounds.

its a great song (wings for mary) and very personal. I like the composition and his expression of his love to his mom vs his contempt for her fellow Xtians and their dogmatic beliefs. Its very mature, full of self critisism. We need more of that, but, if I had a choice, with less weather sounds ;-)

cheers,

z

Any thoughts about the band being part of the artwork?
If you ask me, it's just so... '93

well done hoax believer!

no. people like you brought it to yourself. you made yourself believe that this was a decoy album.

some otheres knew the leak was the real deal.

dont blame tool for everything buddy!