Tool: every album every song

by Matt Karpe

Music may not have been the designated career path for the members of Tool when they each relocated to Los Angeles in the 1980s, but the quartet would soon find one another and join forces to become one of the most unique acts in the history of rock and metal. Tool On Track documents all of the band’s studio releases- from their raw and unapologetic 1991 demo tape to their 2019 epic, Fear Inoculum, a record thirteen years in the making and an album that would solidify Tool as one of the greatest progressive rock bands of all time. Something of an enigma but an extremely complex and intelligent band, this book goes into great detail as it uncovers the stories behind Tool’s engrossing back catalogue. Extensively researched in order to create a valuable reference book that all Tool fans can delve into at their leisure, the formulations of pivotal songs such as ‘Sober’, ‘Ænema’, Schism’, ‘Lateralus’ and ‘Rosetta Stoned’ have become stories of legend. Also focusing on the band members’ various side-projects and selected guest appearances, as well as acting as a comprehensive biography, this is the most comprehensive book on the band yet written.

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2022

About the author

Author of the music non-fiction books 'Nu Metal Resurgence' and 'We Own the Night: The Underground of the Modern American Hard Rock Scene'- both available in print, and two eBooks- 'Sophomore' and 'His Final Stand'.
Music journalist for Down For Life print magazine, previously Powerplay Rock & Metal magazine.
Podcast host and website writer for www.headforthebarricade.com.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a thorough and interesting read, especially for Tool fans. It was fun to listen to their songs and read along for a better understanding. I wish the author hadn’t inserted so much of his opinion, but rather kept to the fascinating tidbits about each song. Further, he made a derisive mention of autism which soured an otherwise good book. Aside from those details and some grammatical errors, the book overall was enjoyable and gave more depth to a great band.