Fear Inoculum
by Tool
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Aug 30, 2019
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. Slant Magazine
    Sep 19, 2019
    60
    Sadly, there’s nothing on Fear Inoculum as immediately accessible or anthemic as past Tool glories like “Sober” or “The Pot,” but what is here will reward repeated spins, even if listeners initially find themselves waiting for those mammoth riffs to show up, a la “7empest,” or for Maynard to finally kick into high gear, as in the rousing refrain of “Descending.”
  2. The 405
    Aug 30, 2019
    60
    The majority of Fear Inoculum’s songs are more or less interchangeable, achieving the same overall effect in slightly different ways. ... Toolheads will find much to enjoy here, I am sure of it.
  3. Q Magazine
    Aug 27, 2019
    60
    It's an impressive feat of engineering, but one that anyone other than ardent fans will struggle to find a way into. [Oct 2019, p.114]
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  5. Pitchfork
    Sep 5, 2019
    54
    The hybridization that made Tool so popular on the radio in the late ’90s has rusted: They are part stoner metal, part prog rock, part mainstream metal, all working in ignorance and opposition to each other. Things do come together a few times. The 15-minute closer “7empest” brings the biggest fireworks from Carey and Jones, the two undoubted stars of the album, adding alluring melody and texture to these bloated epics. But the highlight far and away is “Invincible.”

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 733 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 581 out of 733
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 733
  3. Negative: 109 out of 733
  1. Omniscient7
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    Fear Inoculum nailed every one of my expectations besides one. I don't know if I can say it's better than Aenima or Lateralus, but itFear Inoculum nailed every one of my expectations besides one. I don't know if I can say it's better than Aenima or Lateralus, but it certainly tops 10,000 days, Undertow and Opiate. They didn't necessarily change all too much (Adam's lead work has progressed as have the vocal/string section dynamics), but they have refined everything that makes them great and came out with a record that's not lazily done, nor is it compromising them as artists. Fear Inoculum is a culmination of Tool creating music as a form of art to tell complex stories in a progressive manner. They succeeded in matching the hype, which is no easy feat. It's not the best album of their career, but it certainly has what I'd consider a few of the best songs of their career. Overall 10/10 due to it surpassing everything I expected with minimal disappointment. I'd give it 9.5/10, but I can't so I'll round up :)

    The bad: No MJK screams. Little aggression in his vocals. If you expected classic Tool vocals, you won't really get em here. MJK does a fantastic job vocally and does get aggressive on one track, but his singing is very tame and well kept. It's almost APC-ish, which I am cool with, it fits most songs. Some areas I was expecting a riff to get bigger and bigger then Danny to hit the cymbals then get into a groove while the riff plays at full aggression, but it didn't happen. Instead the riff switched or Adam started playing very large space-occupying chords which then led into an area that blew me away, negating my disappointment.

    The good: Danny freaking Carey folks. The man is an absolute monster on this album from start to finish. Chocolate Chip Trip is a drum solo track, backed by synths (which you may hate the synths but I actually enjoyed them). 7emptest is the best song on the album, top 5 Tool song of all time. For the first time in Tools lifespan this song is less of the Danny Carey show and more of the Adam Jones show. He is just slinging heavy riff after heavy riff here. Around the 10:35 mark, Tool releases the heaviest section of music they have made in their career. It will become a classic to headbang to. Jones showcases some great lead work here too, which accumulates to several minutes on this 16 minute behemoth.    … Full Review »
  2. harry909
    Aug 30, 2019
    10
    Tool managed to pick up exactly where they left off with a masterpiece. On the level of Lateralus, Dark Side of the Moon and In Rainbows but better.
  3. martinileemart
    Aug 30, 2019
    10
    It grows like fine wine. I rated it after 10-20 listens but it’s perfection.
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