---
title: "Fear Inoculum Review: A New Twist For Tool"
url: https://altwire.net/album-review-tool-fear-inoculum/
author: "Altwire Staff"
published: 2019-09-02T16:00:58+00:00
updated: 2025-01-06T04:35:34+00:00
categories: ["Albums"]
tags: ["Metal", "Rock"]
source: "AltWire (altwire.net)"
---

# Fear Inoculum Review: A New Twist For Tool

*By Altwire Staff · September 2, 2019*

#### After 13 long years, the wait is finally over… but was it worth it? We review Tool's Fear Inoculum.

**Tool**’s newest album *Fear Inoculum* just came out on Friday, August 30. Upon first listening, it felt far different from their past pieces. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but I’m sure it made a handful of die-hard fans a little upset. At points in certain songs there were hints of their old sound, but mixed with a slightly newer spin.

The best way I can describe this album would be a combination of stoner metal, electronic rock and a bit of classic Tool. I have been listening to it on and off for a solid day so far and I can confidently say I am not in love with it, but it is not a bad album. I must admit, I expected slightly more vocals, but the instrumental was still pretty good.

“Chocolate Chip Trip” was certainly a trip. It gave me a “ride through the galaxy” kind of vibe. Similar to a few other songs on the album, it feels like it should be used in a Sci-Fi film or TV show. The album can be compared to a more modern or futuristic **Rush** with less lyrics.

The song “7empest” may have been 15 minutes and 45 seconds long but it felt far from it.

I actually ended up listening to it again shortly after I had just listened to it and I listened to it yet again the next morning. “Descending” felt like an adventure video game background song, meant to hype you up while you explore a deserted island further into the song. When it first begins it feels like you’re looking out a window on a rainy day. Some songs took you on a futuristic journey.

It was definitely different from their usual material, but not necessarily in a bad way. While listening to this 87 minute long album, I have come to the conclusion that it would be excellent to listen to as background music or on a long trip. Some songs on this album are good for when you feel the need to look inward, but the rest of the album is a collection of fun, electronic rock instrumental songs - which can be good too but it doesn’t completely sit right with songs like “Descending.” The album is on the whole an emotional rollercoaster with a mixture of tracks that could be played at parties, and songs for being alone in your room.

*Fear Inoculum* is certainly a new twist for Tool.

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From AltWire: https://altwire.net/album-review-tool-fear-inoculum/