Tool – Fear Inoculum (3xLP)

Fear Inoculum, released in 2019 and available as a 3×LP set, marks Tool’s return after a 13-year hiatus. The album delivers sprawling compositions, dense atmospheres, and intricate time signatures that push the boundaries of progressive metal. Its tone is simultaneously introspective and formidable—title tracks like “Fear Inoculum,” “Pneuma,” “7empest,” and “Invincible” showcase the band’s command of tension, space, and thematic development. Lyrically, it reflects on aging, mortality, and transcendence; musically, it balances heaviness with patience and precision. Though reception was mixed in parts, many critics praised its ambition as a mature statement from a band unafraid to evolve. The album courted both acclaim and criticism over its length and pacing. Still, for fans and new listeners alike, it stands as a major chapter in Tool’s discography—ambitious, imposing, and deeply layered.

Reviews

“The long-anticipated and infamous new Tool album was worth the long wait; it’s a massive, compelling piece of music that unfolds beautifully and balances their unique style with plenty of rewarding new elements.” – Sputnikmusic

“The Los Angeles progressive group’s first album in 13 years is, at times, a languid and blissful work — one that will richly reward future listens.” – NME