I just thought about this, and I hate it, but it's a possibility:

Think about the band member images:

All feature the curtains (final curtain?)
Danny's trapping something (closing the lid?)
Justin has a bird (ready to take flight?)
Maynard is offering us wine (last drinks?)
Adam has a skeleton over his shoulder (death of the band?)

This is an album that features death/departure/division heavily.
Are these clues?
Vicarious: "sing to the deathrattle"
Jambi: "I might as well be gone..."

I had a few more connections, but the ones I've already mentioned are the strongest. I know that speculation like this is really asking for it, but this is my possible answer for the "album artwork puzzle" and a rough interpretation/misinterpretation of the lyrics.

I'm just throwing this out there, I don't believe in it myself (and honestly, why would you want to?) but it sent a shiver through me when I first conjured it up.

Interesting theory, indeed.

no it's really not. the band quitting has been done to death for years and years. just stop already.

They will tell you straight up when ther'ye done. I'm so sick of people looking for the hidden message.

LMFAO!!!! I hear ya friend.

Agreed. If people would read all the recent interviews with the band members they could come to their own conclusion. The members have gave the distinct impression that they are alive and well as a band and that their will be at least one more Tool album after 10,000 days.

I don't think Tool are known for telling people things "straight up".

That said, I appreciate your certainty that my theory is bullshit :)
Perhaps you have your own take on the artwork or overbearing themes?

I think your theory is fine actually. A lot of long time fans have heard similar theories though with lateralus and aenima that's why some people get angry. It seems everytime a new album is released it's there last one.

COuld it not be the curtain opening for the start of the show ,as in Tool is only just beginning.

I viewed Danny's pic as more of letting the fire out of the box, not trapping it.

And Maynard is inviting us to join him for a drink, as in "Sit drink, stay awhile"

All which would suggest a new start for the band not the end.

- Now I'm not saying that I feel this way just pointing out the holes in your theory.

In a Finnish metal mag "inferno" interview, Danny said they are doing better than ever and that there is no chance the band is done. They will certainly continue.

It definitely won't take 5 years for the next release either. I predict 3-4 years. and maybe 2. but 2 years for a tool release just seems...wrong

Id say 10,000 Days is their last album, who knows maybe Maynard will go the way of Head and magically "Find Christ" You just never know.

Speculation=Wasted time, Wasted Thought

Before I respond to the quote, I just want to say that I'm aware of the flame-worthiness of this theory. It's like dousing yourself with petrol then lighting a cigarette (which, coincidentally, is also doused in petrol). But I'm not aware of any previous theories about the band finishing up and I'm not looking to start a flame thread. So thanks for the gracious responses thus far.

As for the quote...
The curtains could be seen that way, or as someone else stated, simply for the feel of peering in at something.
I think the object in Danny's picture is definetely coming to him rather than away, judging by its withering trail from the background.
And Maynard could be seen as inviting us, yes.
...so what about Adam's skeleton?

That symbolizes that he is closing his amazing skills away, which sounds logical if you listen to the boring drums on the album.

But lateralus was their last album too. come on people. stop being such pessimists

that was so funny. tour the world with that shit, man. classic

Actually I think Lateralus II Redux will be their last album

The drums are boring on the album? All I can say to that is: hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

That's was the funniest thing that I heard all day.

I take it that you're a drummer? I know someone that is a pretty damn good drummer and this album blew him away. So, you must be phenomenal. Why don't you record something for one of the songs and show us what Danny should have done instead? I'd love to hear it.

By this logic, pretty much every band that released an album with dark (death) themes are singing their swan songs. I think that you're off base.

Death of the old Tool?

It might be possible that they are not done as individuals...
But anyway, back to the theory.

Blair alluded to some puzzle in the artwork of the band members, and I know how dumb it is to take a bone from Blair, but this is my take and what it could mean.

Ah well, either way the post on Toolband concerning the "album artwork puzzles" still seems another way for blair to piss on our black kettle so....
I do agree though that Danny is releasing some magic from the jar and as such letting it be free.

If they were going to hide a message in the artwork of their final album then I doubt it would be that obvious.

Ok, well in that case, take my theory and run with it.
Do you think the connections could mean something else?

Who here thinks Texas should be its own country?

Listen to the previous Tool records and you will know what Danny should have done instead.

Wow maybe Tool didnt wanna sound like ænima on repeat. Ever consider that?

Ah, the Parabola vid metal frame thing... Connection with the curtains? Alex Grey aesthetic? Yep, makes me ponder...

And the story-to-tell idea is good too.

Food for thought indeed.

copy his previous work?

Why do you need to speculate? Danny said it straight forward, they will continue making music as a band, they are doing better than ever together.

Yes, I think that they reflect the state of the world and the mentality of the people on this planet. They spoke about people not hearing the message and re-electing a war mongering president. They are disappointed with people and are frustrated at the lack of enlightenment because they felt that things were getting better.

Lateralus was released prior to 911 and I believe that the world seemed less hostile at the time. After 911, people got scared. Wars started, Big Brother started to play a more prominent role in American society, and there seems to be no end in sight. Hope was crushed in their eyes and we are now living in darker times.

That's what I think. Besides, I don't think that they even know when they will stop creating music. They were interviewed (I don't remember where) that this isn't their last album so they do intend to create more music. Of course, that could change but I hope that it doesn't.

No, but sound at least as good as on the other records instead of much worse.

IMO, Danny's drumming is spectacular on this album. I guess we just don't agree on this point. I was lucky enough to see them in Seattle last week and he was totally flawless.

just b/c his drums aren't balls to the walls doesn't mean it's not good. I think his tabla playing on this record is amazing.

Actually, I think the drums on 10K Days are too far back in the mix. The playing is good, but they're pushed way too far back, whether you compare it with Lateralus and Aenima or not.

But that argument is for a different thread anyway...

Yeah, but there isn't very much of it.

Yet when you light a flame it withers at the top does it not?

I don't know thats why I skipped commenting on that one, mayeb he is a necropheliac or something?

What? I hear it all over this record.

I think the skeleton is the death who reminds Adam of his fleeting time here.

Any time they've done anything of any impact-value they've said they were doing it. Whether it was late, or took a long time is a different story.

They're not going to give hidden messages that they're breaking up. They don't take themselves seriously enough, or at least claim they don't consider themselves important and try not to have an ego.

To give hidden message of an impending break up is over the top egocentric.