Tool Fear Inoculum | Track Review 

In 13 years, this song will still be revealing itself. Welcome back.

The song really gets better and better every time. First listen I felt relief but also a tiny bit underwhelmed. I listened to it 10-15 times the first day and it really grew on me with each listen. I forced myself to wait a few hours until listening to it the next day and once I put it on I got chills over my entire body for a large portion of the song, it was an emotional listen. I feel like I have been hypnotized by this song. I'm walking around feeling like i'm hearing the main theme volume swells and bass line constantly. And those soft and clean vocals puts me in a trance whenever I listen. To top it all off it has a huge instrumental payoff in the end.

First time I listened to it was a disappointment for me.BUT,when you listen to it a couple more times...GODDAMN ITS AMAZING...I literally have it on repeat.

Beez is king of obscure references. Only Beez would compare Danny Carey to that octopus in Aquaman.

Adam Jones doesn't get enough credit for what he does with the guitar.

New Tool and new Slipknot in the same month? Yeah.. Christmas in summertime. 'Fear Inoculum' is an instant masterpiece. I've listened to it probably 80 times since it dropped, yesterday. Watching this review has enticed me to go listen to it again... Right.. Now..

I remember being a young teenager when my girlfriend at the time sent me the song Stinkfist. God knows why on Earth she did but ever since I've been a Tool fan. Lateralus probably got the most plays for me. Tend to think 10,000 Days is underappreciated by the "die hard" Tool fans and I think this track is having that same affect. The more I listen to this track the more I'm floored by it. The best part about Tool for me is listening to it over and over again hearing it differently and understanding more of the patterns. We haven't heard from this band in so long and we're literally not ready for it. I wish I could just be in a coma until August 30th.

the track is an absolute grower... but Maynard's verse vocals are so hauntingly beautiful they have been stuck in my head for the past 24h honestly :)

I think the song could have done with another chorus of the “exhale,expel Recast My tale “ because it was amazing

Facelift t shirt arsenal scarf in the background... I recognise greatness

Amazing song, gets better and better on every listen!

I love your take on the instruments because it just highlights how genius these guys are with their instruments. I absolutely love this song and am so anxious to hear the rest of the album.

Agree completely. I love it and can't wait to hear the rest.

That solo isn’t a talkbox. It’s a wah along with an envelope filter.

I was not put off and I don't know what I was expecting but it definitely was not this so initially there was probably a couple question marks hovering above my head. However with every subsequent listen I have grown to love this track more and more. I think it's fuckin brilliant. Threw the earbuds in, smoked a joint and walked my dogs through the forest yesterday with this song cranked. It took me somewhere else. It was magical. Welcome back Tool. We've missed you.

after just seeing them live in Switzerland in June and witnessing them perform 2 other songs from the new album... I can absolutely confirm what you said about it being a bit more "subtle". The two other songs were written in the same fashion... but I absolutely loved them live.

Thanks for the review. I'm only 3 times into listening but am starting to get to the point you discussed.

Great review! And I totally agree!

Very eloquently put. Enjoyed listening to your review.

Great intelligent review. Thanks

I've been shedding tears at the same place in the song since the first listen. About 50 listens in and it's still happening. Its beautifully perfect and can't wait to continue the journey August 30th

You are so good at reviewing music!

I loved this on first listen. Such a thick mood going on.

excellent and insightful review

Great review thanks Beez .. yeah it's a lovely track,

It sounds like every tool era combined and I like how the intro feels like a build up to make you feel like the spectacle of tool new music is actually happening

I'm new to your channel, I'm disappointed I hadn't learned about your channel sooner really enjoyed watching your channel I'm definitely subscribing ROCK ON 🤘

Great review! I liked it on the first listen, I feel like Tool is a fine wine, they are older but still hits hard and good. True Tool fans know you have to hear the whole album, this is just an intro into a great ride and I cant wait!

I'm with you completely. I also felt the same way on the first listen, but with more listens I found myself picking things up and going "this is fucking insane". The little tribal drum fills sprinkled in the first half of the song, along with Maynard's subtle, but weaving melodies, it's one of the most beautiful things I've heard recently. Also, the last 2 minutes are fucking mental. Roll on, August 30th.

Spot on, dude!

I've probably heard 50 times by now, maybe more, had to learn how to play it, the 11/8 section gets complicated, but it doesn't sound like it...kinda feels like each instrument is off in it's own world, but they aren't, and this is wonderful.

Someone online likened it to Maynard singing a protection spell to Tools music. With that in mind, the song makes perfect sense. I love it.

This was definitely one that had to grow on me after a few listens as well, but it sure as hell did! Im not sure how many bands can sound like their classic self while at the same time sounding completely new, but Tool somehow managed it! Also yes, im definitely dropping $40 on the CD with the screen and speaker because it would be wrong not to 😂

I think it’s awesome and yeah I wanna go on that journey too !!!

On first listen, I was happy and said "finally!" I really love how there are elements/tones/progressions of aenima, lateralus and 10000 days. Like an all encompassing meld of past emotions resurfacing to be revisited under new light with a better understanding of self. Its sorta spiritual. I have not heard that this is the opening song, because in true Tool fashion, the title track is not the opening track to the album.

You basically hit the nail on the head.... I felt exactly the same way! Nice vid :)

A majestic teaser for the album, an octopus is in a waiting room to be auditioned for the vacant TOOL drummers job, Danny carey walks in, octopus gets up and walks out

Absolutely bang on 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

It’s a incredible reintroduction to the beautiful, mysterious world of Tool however I did agree with some other comments that say the track is a little too familiar with their last two albums. Metal Injection just loaded a video after listening to the whole album and the most exciting thing they say is that the album offers elements that we haven’t heard from them, check out the Metal Injection vid.

Couldn't agree more. Liked it on first listen but was unsure. Day three of listening and I am absolutely in love. Trust the journey.

Alice in Chains Facelift shift = Serious street cred with me. So glad/excited about this album. I kinda figured it would be something a bit new. Love your review and how you explain it. I dig it and this song.

I enjoyed it on first listen and just got deeper and deeper into it. I will say lyrically I didn't really care to much about the content, especially the chanting parts. I decided a little while ago that I wasn't expecting much from MJK lyrically, but knew his vocals would be incredible. I think as a whole I'll be surprised if anything is groundbreaking and new, what I'm expecting is just an incredible album made by incredible musicians that found their sound.

It’s basically a track 2 Tool song. Like Jambi, Eulogy, The Patient (I know that’s track 3 but it’s the second full-length song)

I liked it first listen - love it more and more with each subsequent one. Same as always for me with Tool - for some reason the music just grows

On point review. That's how I felt too. First listen I was kind of like meh? But I've heard it many times now and it's so fucking good.

I absolutely loved it, even at first listen. It sounds different, but still Tool somehow. It is an epic song, I hope the rest of the album equals or exceeds this one.

Like many of said, multiple listens produces better results. Love the track and can’t wait for the full record.

Beez speaks nothing but the truth from a true music fan. Thank you Beez!

The new songs are amazing. A true Tool fan should love these new songs. I can hear a little bit of every Tool album all mixed in there. This is a fully evolved and final form of Tool. They are fully matured musical wizards casting their most powerful spells upon us all. Tool bless, each and every one of you.

Was a fan since they first came out. Real tool fans would be floored by the 3rd listen. You can’t listen to a tool song for the 1st time and get it. It’s an experience. Tool isn’t your typical paint by numbers rhyming just getting radio air time for the a d d and ignorant masses

When the song gets better by each listening you know that's the right one. Tool made it with almost every song.

I still believe that TooL should do a rework of Opiate and Undertow, just to give it a top notch sound... Not because of anything else other than, the standard they set was with Aenima, and there is no reason why their earlier albums should be lacking...

I agree with what ya said entirely so is this suppose too be the opening track too the album?

I agree on everything you say bring on August 30

I, like you, was reluctant the first listen. After the 3rd, I was sold. I’ve been a major Tool fan (not Hooker with a penis) since ‘92. I’m very excited about what else they’ll have on the ‘record’.

I fucking love it

In my opinion this song is pretty amazing. I like it almost just as much as Lateralus

Guaranteed.....you will like this song more by 2025.

Finally someone gets it. TOOL no longer wants to beat you over the head, they want to subtly draw you in & make you work for the reward. As Maynard said, if you don’t have the patience, then you won’t get it & this probably isn’t for you. In this day & age of instant gratification, patience people patience.

After the first listen I thought "well that went nowhere" after the 20th "fuck this is an amazing track"

CHEERS MATE!!! #GREATNESSTRULYRECOGNIZED

Tool is a genre all its own.

i felt the complete opposite, this was almost to completely sticking to the safety of sounding like tool, rather then being progressive.

Great song

I'm struck by how calm the track is.

Im gonna show my age now but this song while good so far. is giving me vibes that the album will garner the same reaction as Oasis Be Here Now. Give it a couple of months and people will recant their praise believe me

I think it is a door opening into the rest of the album.....the more I listen the more I become submerged into somewhere I've never journeyed.

Almost EXACTLY how I felt lol first listen was a bit lackluster, but like several other tool tracks, perhaps controversially, I wasn't a fan at first, but the more I listened, the more I have been sold. And at this point, they could release a track of sigourney weaver farting through denim pants for an hour, and I would fight tooth and nail to let people know why its enjoyable lol

Thank you for doing an actual review on it and not some stupid ass REACTION video 🙄. I felt the same way, had to listen to it about it 10 times to really get into it.

Its almost been ten thousand days hasn't it....

The song is good no denying that. It's almost as they've gotten so good & technical that it's starting to not sound like music, more like a ritual.

Let's be honest, it's brilliant, but it's also somewhat stereotypically Tool. Whether or not that's a problem... I guess we'll see how the album flows. It's interesting that it's an opener, definitely feels more like a mid album track ala Lateralus. It took me a handful of listens because you just don't pick up the growing parts, and the vocals don't seem to standout until you grasp the subtleties. Do agree with someone below though... the song definitely needed more chorus vocals. I'm hyped for the album now whatever the case

Honestly, for those who were underwhelmed by this track or disappointed. I’m disappointed. I guess they didn’t get it. The song wasn’t underwhelming at all. Everything was, as described by this reviewer. Thank you. Personally, I was blown away. I teared up at first listen. Maynard used a few words, to express such a meaningful point. It’s important to be immune to things, especially at the state of the world as it is now. An over thinker would be terrified, angry and frustrated all at the same time. Referencing it to contagion was brilliant. That chorus embodied that for me and sent chills up my spine. A it’s very difficult to write lyrics In 7/4. Maynard is a huge fan of Joni Mitchell, I can see why, her unique style comes across here. As well, the textures in his voice change several times throughout the song. Again blown away. Dan is just a monster. To be playing at that level physically at his age is just phenomenal. The band is more cohesive then I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe the pulled most of this song in seven. What an odd meter to write in. They made it look easy. This band is something else.

I had to listen to it a few times to really dig it. The vocals are really good. The rip off of H. Is obvious haha but over all its a creeper buzz instead of a sledge hammer. I like it.

arsenal scarf. word.

This is tenuous, so don't feel obliged to respond, why did Issues not become the next big things et al a Linkin Park stadium filler as you predicted.

Please be honest. How did Tool sound?? Answer:. Tired After the cool 2 1/2 minutes opening it falls back on the standard subtle "Tool" riffs/lines and stays there

I've literally liked it less the more I've listened to it. Too many derivative bits of earlier work and really not enough to latch onto for me. I listen to Reflection, which is not dissimilar to the first half of this, and I'm transfixed for the entire thing even though it unravels itself gradually. This didn't do much at all for me. I'm still excited for the rest of the album mind.

nice intro... "errrrr"... "different production"... "aaaaand so"... "aaaaand...errrrr"... "aaaand"....

I heard it one time and i wanted to fall asleep it was so boring and shit

This video is 7:33 This is also the 133th comment.

Who the f#ck is Toll?

It sounds like a B side from 10000 days. It's a run of the mill Tool song. For the title track, I was expecting something mind blowing. It wasn't bad. Hard not to be let down when the hype is in the stratosphere.

i’m just staring at those teeth 🤨

It sucks

It’s good but it’s not as good as the new Dragonforce track