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10,000 DAYS

Tool

Experimental/Post Metal


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Tool 10,000 Days album cover
3.88 | 1066 ratings | 118 reviews | 35% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2006

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Vicarious (7:06)
2. Jambi (7:29)
3. Wings for Marie, Pt. 1 (6:11)
4. 10,000 Days (Wings, Pt. 2) (11:14)
5. The Pot (6:22)
6. Lipan Conjuring (1:11)
7. Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann) (3:46)
8. Rosetta Stoned (11:11)
9. Intension (7:21)
10. Right in Two (8:56)
11. Viginti Tres (5:01)

Total Time 75:48

Line-up / Musicians

- Maynard James Keenan / lead vocals
- Adam Jones / guitar, sitar
- Justin Chancellor / bass
- Danny Carey / drums & percussion, tabla

With:
- Bill McConnell / vocals (6)
- Pete Riedling / voice of "Doctor Watson" (7)
- Camella Grace / voice of "Nurse" (7)
- Brian Lustmord / Fx (4)

Releases information

Artwork: Alex Grey with Adam Jones (art direction)

2LP Tool Dissectional ‎- 82876 81991-1 LP (2006, US)

CD Volcano ‎- 82876-81991-2 (2006, US)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to projeKct for the last updates
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TOOL 10,000 Days ratings distribution


3.88
(1066 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(35%)
35%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(42%)
42%
Good, but non-essential (17%)
17%
Collectors/fans only (5%)
5%
Poor. Only for completionists (1%)
1%

TOOL 10,000 Days reviews


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Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by belz
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars 3.2/5.0 Tool fans were waiting for this album for a long time. But this is a bit of a disappointment. Overall, the album is good, but there are too many worthless (or close to worthless) tracks or "filler" (even if I don't like this expression) on the album: Lipan Conjuring, Lost Keys or Virginti Tres, as an example.

On the other hand, there are some great tracks; the first two are my favorite (with Right in two not far behind) and really this add to the disappointment as the album starts as a real masterpiece and end so badly. Between the semi-worthless and the great tracks, the rest of the album is af average quality, with good (but repetitive) rhythm, interesting voice (yet always the same thing), good lyrics (yet not that good either).

Adding to this the "prog-like copying theme" of the Wings two songs, which are not impressive at all, particularly the first one. It's exactly like if Tool was trying to copy what others have done before to stick a bit more to their prog 'image'. I realize this is not that clear; whatever, my point is just that this is nothing new. This is a good album, but it is not an essential one as it has too many weaknesses and it does not offer anything I did not listen hundreds of times before. 3.2/5.0

Review by Zitro
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars Without a doubt, 5 stars.

NOTE : Listen to this album with headphones!!!

I do not consider myself a tool fanboy, and I never care to go to the tool website and forums if there are some. This review is completely unbiased as a result, and is given after a dozen listens long after the album "hit" me with its musical brilliance. I believe that Tool progressed after each album immensely. While the trademark sound is always there, the quality and style of the music is more sophisticated, better, and somewhat different. First, they had Opiate: a short, angry album I never enjoyed. Undertow had some great bass playing, better melodies, and influences on Art-rock. Aenima had more complex songwriting with some amazing art-rock passages in some songs and a psychedelic epic at the end. Lateralus is even mathematical in its songwriting and is a technical monstruosity with almost no anger present, althrough it feels a bit mechanical sometimes. 10,000 days takes you to another world for 70+ minutes and does not have that mechanical feel anymore (with an exception of the guitar riffs in Jambi). While it's a masterpiece on its own, it feels like a part of Tool, reusing some ideas in their previous albums. For example, the lyrical themes bring back Aenima/Undertow with current issues such as hypocricy (The Pot). Also, while Lateralus' theme may be life and spirituality, in 10,000 days, there are many references to death.

The members exceeded themselves in this album as well, and sound as a cohesive unit as always.

- Maynard James Keenan: The lead vocalist and composer has an incredible voice and can hold notes for such long times. However, he seems to prefer being a bit less prominent here, as well as mellower. I love that change.

- Adam Jones: The guitars switch from delicate dense electric riffs to agressive rhythmic chords. He also uses new elements such as clean guitar on Right on Two and a talk box in Jambi. I consider him the least vituosic member in the band, but he manages to keep up the high quality of Lateralus and does not attempt to steal the show.

- Justin Chancellor: The bass guitarist plays even better than in Lateralus. The mellow deep bass tone is essential in the success of this album. However, when he changes his style to an extremely addictive groove in the beginning of "The Pot"

- Danny Carey: Drum freaks, I cannot think of any album that has better drumming and percussion than this one. The only ones that come close are Close to the Edge, Tarkus, One, Lateralus, and Meet The Flower Kings. IF you think that the drumming in those albums are incredible, you have to think that there can be even better drumming. He is very versatile, playing aggressive, intricate polyrhythms, tablas, and even electronic percussion. I am awed when listening to this dude, he is incredible here!

Ok, lets go to the journey with me if you listened to the album, or get a summary of what it is about if you haven't heard it yet.

Vicarious: A wonderful start. It has a harmony of thick bass guitar with a mellow guitar riffs. One minute in, a heavy guitar riff begins and the singing starts when the riff stops. The vocal performance is similar to Schism and the bass dominates in the verses. The song talks about how humankind takes pleasure of tragedy on the TV "I need to watch things Die" . The songs has many changes and turns even if it's a radio hit. IT is an absolutely phenomenal track with exceptional singing and probably the most accessible song in the album, even if it is complex and shapeshifting. This reminds me of "The Yes Album": making complicated music while being accessible. The main intro riff is played again and followed by a worthy finale initiated with a mesmerizing drum line. Amazing! 9/10

Jambi: One note guitar riffs dominate this song. The riff sounds simple but it seems to have a different time signature after each measure, or the measure itself is an unusual time signature. Also, it makes me imagine a machine gun for some reason. This is a song where you have to pay attention to the bass playing. Especially in those bass riffs that originate in musical silence. IS it just me or does the singing style in a couple of lyrics reminds you of the vocal style of Flower Kings' "Big Puzzle"? Again, this is a song that shafeshifts so much that I don't understand why some call it repetitive and noise. The talk box solo near the end is interesting, but it could have been much better. 8.5/10

Now, lets go to Wings For Marie, a two-part epic dedicated to his mother who lived paralyzed for 10,000 days as a result of a stroke until she died. If you think a song like "Wish you Were here" is absolutely emotional, check this one out. Tool's masterpiece.

Wings For Marie (part 1): The tool masterpiece starts after one minute when a delicate gutiar riff circles around your head (assuming you wear headphones). This song is extremely mellow and has almost whisper-like vocals, and appropiate percussion. The bass playing compliments the music perfectly with its dense playing. After 3 minutes, the guitar riff changes slightly and an incredible bass riff takes over until there's a short and sudden heavy part followed by an even mellower part that concludes part 1. Whispering and bass guitar are in unison while an ascending guitar riff marks the end of each measure. Wonderful song, really really wonderful song. 10.5/10

10,000 Days (part 2): Thunderstorm effects serve as a mood enhancer on this track that starts very mellow and dark. The bass initially makes the rhythm here and remember to keep paying attention to it as it is one of Justin's best performances. Maynard starts singing non-stop in that spiritual tone. When you think about the style of singing (and lyrics), you realize that this is not the stuff you normally hear on a song played by someone to a dead loved one. This does not sound at all maudlin nor cheesy. The guitar riff is brought back again with thunderbolt sound effects. Maynard then takes the spotlight and sings in a louder tone, while the other members follow him with their instruments. The climax is powerful and the conclusion is similar to the one in part 1. Amazing otherworldy song .10.5/10

The Pot comes as a surprise since the tone and style have nothing in common with the previous epic, especially in the vocalized intro. I love how it builds up. The bass that kicks in is extremely groovy, I love it!!! Then the percussion and guitars comes in and you got a heck of a catchy verse. The rest of the song is extremely well executed and has an "undertow" feeling. If this was in undertow instead, it would have been the best song in the album. It's surprising how many misunderstand the meaning of this song. It is not about pot, it is about hypocrisy. Again, where's the repetitiveness? I don't get it. 9/10

Lipan Conjuring sounds like a chanting tribe. Pretty cool actually.

Lost Keys is more like a bridge rather than a song. IT has a droning guitar sound that stays for like 2 minutes until it slides up. It used to make me nervous, but I got used to it. Another guitar is playing a slow and quite pretty riff repeated over and over again. After the droning guitar sound is over, there's a conversation between the doctor and a nurse. There are lots of gasps and neat sound effects and the song ends when the patient offers to tell the doctor something. An excellent trippy bridge. 9/10

Rosetta Stoned is like Third Eye II. It is an extremely heavy, insane, psychedelic, and complex tracks that goes over ten minutes like Third Eye was. The drumming here is excellent as well as the guitar playing. The lyrics makes me think that the patient overdosed on something. Man, he is really messed up! Anyways, the music is extremely complex here, making this the most challenging track in the record. I won't describe how it goes because it is long and has many changes. It is like a laberynth of sound. 8.5/10

Intension: The album is back on track after a less brilliant moment of the album "lipan -> rosetta" Intension is really a work of art and better than disposition (similar in style). Here, you can find Danny Carey at his very best, as well as all others. The beginning is extremely layered. There is percussion, multiple voices, soun effects, synths. The production is just unbelievable here. Ethereal overdubbed voices start and then a very deep and piercing bass guitar that gives me goosebumps. Then the bass and vocals combine (plus tabla drumming) into an incredibly beautiful moment of musical perfection. This song is very soothing and even hypnotic and makes me wonder what inspiration they got to create this musical tapestry. After that part, you get something even better!! You have a lateralus-like guitar riff and that incredible bass perfectly harmonized. Then, absolutely phenomenal electronic percussion dominate the track. This has to be the best drumming performance I have heard of all times, OMG, It could be possible to make me shed a tear of excitement! The percussion continues and now ethereal vocals combine with them to make the most beautiful piece of music I ever experienced from a metal band. The song ends by slowing down and utilizing some slow bass. This is my favourite song in the album. 11/10

Right On Two: The final proper song is a masterpiece. Starting with a bizarre clean acoustic riff harmonized with another guitar riff and Maynard talking about humans being like animals. The lyrics remind me of Roger Waters for sure, and are probably some of the best Maynard wrote along with Wings pt2. "Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground. Silly monkeys, Give them thumbs, they make a club and beat their brother down." . The magnificent chorus sums up the meaning of the song. Humans are compared to monkeys and fight for land (countries). If you give them power, they attack others. The tabla drumming is excellent once again, especially during the short drum solo playing over a distorted guitar chord. It is a very accessible song that should be played in the radio, even if it a bit long. This song is better, deeper, and catchier than Vicarious and has magnificent climax. I love the vocals in this part as well as the extremely fast tempo. It is a perfect climax for a perfect album. The song ends with the acoustic riff plus a muted guitar riff. 11/10

Vigniti Tres: Atmospheric sound for 5 minutes. It is very freaky and in one part, you hear a very deep voice saying something like "Francisco" or "The System", I don't know. IT sounds a bit like Ions from Aenima, you might think it is filler, but It fits well into the album. 6/10

So, here you go. Listening to this album is like a journey, an experience. This album makes Lateralus seem like a dull transitional album. The songwriting, production, and inspiration is outstanding, and you should not dismiss it because it may not click on the first listens. Many negative reviews around the net are easy to disagree with, since they just want it to rock, or say its full of sound. It's not sound, it's music, and it's something that you should listen to.

An absolute masterpiece that should be considered a masterpiece and mentioned in music history as an artistic peak in modern music. This is my favourite album after the 70s and easily the best metal-related album I have heard so far. Also, the artwork is something else to talk about. Buy it and get ready for a surprise! Best album package I've seen in music.

Don't miss it!

Highlights: Vicarious, Wings pt1 and p2, Intension, Right on Two

My Grade : A+

PS: if you combine Vigniti Tres with Marie Part1 (in both orders) and play them at the same time with Wings pt2, you realize that they synchronize!! the Marie-vigniti order makes a complex intro with synchronized riffs and vocal harmonies with sound effects in the hard part and the "Franciscooo" voice followed by suddently distorted guitars while the following electrical charge going through your head mix perfectly with the mellow finale. The "Vigniti-Marie" combination seems to be calmer as the beginning has the sound effects (the francisco voice and electric charges appear at appropiate times) and the second half seem to have the same riffs synchronized at parts, making it less complex.

Review by NJprogfan
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars It's not often these days that I plunk down hard earned cash on an album that's hot off the press, (especially with the price of gas in the states). But it's TOOL! The only prog/metal band I enjoy. I like to give an album a good 4-5 spins before I cast my judgement.....drum roll please!........On first listen, I was underwhelmed. I told this to a co-worker explaining that its a possible GOOD thing. If I liked it right out of the gate, I would probably tire of it quickly. But no, it didn't do it for me on the first spin....nor the second, third, fourth....yet on the fifth go around a few songs stuck out. I definately enjoy the first song. Track two, "Jambi" I like until the 'talk box' or as I call it, the 'Bon Jovi device' is used. So the track has now been placed low on the list. Tracks three and especially four get things back in gear in a positive way, but not until track ten, "Right In Two" do I begin hearing some thing resembling something proggy. What I'm most shock by with this disc is their tendency to drag songs out for a ending or climax that has little or no excitment. In other words, I'm bored with the balance of the album. So basically, its a meandering, anti-climatic bore with smatterings of their signature superior bass/drum and general bleak, scary weirdness. Even Maynard seems bored with the whole thing. So if he's coming across as packing it in most of the disc, where does that leave us? Good, but no where near as good as all their others.
Review by imoeng
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 10,000 Days

Sorry for all ultimate Tool fans, but I consider this album is nothing compared to Lateralus. I always try to focus and review one album without comparing it to other album from the same band or different, but in the end, you will need some standard to judge the beauty of a certain album.

10,000 Days is Tool's fourth studio album and was released in 2006. The characteristic of the album is pretty much the same with Lateralus. The first thing to notice is the CD cover, which contains great artwork by Alex Grey, who created the cover of Lateralus as well. Same with previous albums, Tool never included the lyrics of the songs on the CD cover, without any reasons.

I always think that Tool is not 100% progressive metal band, since sometimes the songs lack of metal elements. Furthermore, the songs contain more alternative rock elements, also still progressive. In 10,000 Days, the alternative elements brought more so its kinda hard to judge and review also listen this album for the first time, since I expect more like Lateralus's songs style. Nevertheless, the album contains amazing hidden nuggets just like Lateralus, which I will explain more after this.

My favorite song in the album is Vicarious, which is the first track, and I think it's a very cool song for the opening track. The song got second rank in modern rock songs chart and its obvious because of the composition of the song, very good. The guitar part is very dynamic and the guitar riffs vary throughout the song. Wings For Marie is a song about Keenan's deceased mother. He explained in one interview, she suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. The length of time between the paralysis and her death was 27 years or approximately 10,000 days. This song is the followed with Wings For Marie Part 2, 10,000 Days. There are some songs in the album which influenced by eastern percussion and musical style, one example, Lipan Conjuring and Intension, which don't have modern drum riffs, instead percussions were used. The last song, Viginti Tres is somewhat a strange song, its like Lateralus's final track, Faaip de Oiad. The song doesn't contain any musical performance, no instruments and vocal sound, just some out-of-this-earth sound. I've seen on many website Viginti Tres is the Latin words for 23 (twenty three), which most people said this has some connection with disasters, and many occurrences.

So, in the end, I could just give four stars, because of some songs are just too weird, well, progressive songs are supposed to be "weird", but good weird. On the other hand, some 10,000 Day songs are lack of good musical composition. However, there are still some amazing songs, like Vicarious, The Pot, and stuff. I would not recommend buying this album if you are new into Tool, instead, buying Aenima or Lateralus.

Timur Imam Nugroho - Indonesia

Review by Vanwarp
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Tool's unique style of dark/alternative/artful/progressive music coupled with troubling lyrics and especially their imaginative videos have all assisted in catapulting the band to superstardom over the years. In addition to 10,000 Days, they have three other very impressive studio albums in their back catalog: Undertow, Ænima and Lateralus...

There's a 45 second instrumental intro to the opening track "Vicarious" that segues into a much heavier 20 second passage before quieting down for the verses. I was surprised at the simplicity of it all, even if the music is very much progressive in nature, this only makes the album a little less accessible to the mainstream masses. The simplicity comes from one guitar, one bass and one drummer with some layered overdubs. The music is not as layered as say Katatonia who happen to share much in common with Tool on their very own 2006 release The Great Cold Distance. I'm going to be making some comparisons between the two throughout this review as I analyze and evaluate 10,000 Days. Anyway, back to the opening track, the 5/4 time signature, our infatuation with tv and needing to "watch things die" makes this song an absolute marvel.

The simplicity, from a metalhead's viewpoint, is even more evident on the second track "Jambi." There are moments on this one where the bass work reminded me of Pink Floyd, and other moments where I wondered if this was not Katatonia? One of the biggest differences between the two is in song length. Katatonia has a tendency to keep their songs below the 5 minute mark and keeping most instrumental interludes to a minimum (20 or 30 seconds max) while Tool embellish them and often for much more than a minute at a time on this release. "Jambi" is more straightforward in approach, but the layers of guitar licks really help to create this catchy groove that permeates throughout the song. The multi-layered guitar licks is something Katatonia embellish a lot though.

The almost 2 minutes in length instrumental intro to "Wings For Marie Pt 1" is a perfect example of what I've been talking about here regarding the long-winded interludes. Again, can't help but mention the simplicity of the music of the first 4 minutes before the very heavy 20 second break and the shift to the atmospheric 2 minute ending. This all serves as the appetizing intro to "Wings Pt 2."

The soft opening to " 10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2) " and Maynard's dry vocal delivery works particularly well for me. I love the bass lick, the delicate guitar work, the thunder effects in the background, I simply fell for the downtrodden feel of this one. I was really impressed with Jones emotional guitar work that appears before the thundering and very energetic moment just before the soft atmospheric ending...this song is a tribute to Maynard's mother. Awesome piece of work!

Maynard opens "The Pot" a capella. More simplistic work with the bass, electric guitar and drums in tow. Don't get me wrong here, the band works hard at adding complex little musical moments, but from a metal standpoint this is as simple as it gets. I mean, this is like Pink Floyd on steroids or better yet, take Katatonia's multi-layered music on The Great Cold Distance which is like 10 times heavier and more complex than anything you'll find here. Don't let the title fool you, the theme of the song is actually about hypocrisy...

"Lipan Conjuring" sounds like a native indian chant and is nothing more than an atmospheric interlude while "Lost Keys" sounds like a mess. There's this extended monotone opening warning sound that annoys the hell out of me. This is a little excessive and does not work for me...even if it was meant as the introduction to the next track.

"Rosetta Stoned" on the other hand, is a little more guitar driven. The FX on the vocals works particularly well again. I was most impressed with the music, I really like the energy created here. This is one of the heavier tracks on the album and it contains more experimental elements such as layered overdubs of voice effects. There's a simplistic guitar lick recurring throughout the song, not very bothersome at all though. Percussion loops accompany Chancellor throughout the track and helps to add complexity to the music. The guitar solo at the end is particularly effective and this track has perhaps one of the strongest ending. This is definitely one of the more rhythmically technical tracks on the album. Maynard tells the story of a man contacted by aliens while he was "stoned" on drugs.

I think the band's "Intension" on the very next track was to create a soft, atmospheric, experimental moment. I was driving home when I first got the CD when I heard the bells/siren ringing and I looked around to see where they were coming from. OK, I was fooled by the music, but come on, could have happened to anybody? lol

The opening moments of "Right in Two" immediately reminded me of Katatonia, while the latter would not have hesitated to go heavy very early on in the song, Tool prefer the slow build up approach. This is the other big distinction between the two, Katatonia are more straightforward, less build up, they have this lets anti-up the heaviness approach while Tool are quite the opposite. But the sound and tone, the style of music is very very similar even if the song composition and music can be quite different at times. Maynard compares humans to monkeys and how fighting for land often leads humans to animal instincts.

Instrumental sound effects and a deep voice close out the album in atmospheric bliss..."Viginti Tres."

Even if I'm not completely sold on the album as a whole, 10,000 Days is a very well rounded disc with a good mix of straightforward tracks like "Vicarious", "Jambi", "The Pot", "Rosetta Stoned" ; and the more lengthier progressive experimental tracks such as " 10,000 Days ", "Right In Two" and lets not forget the soft atmospheric experimental moments of "Wings For Marie Pt 1", "Lipan Conjuring", "Lost Keys", "Intension" and "Viginti Tres."

When you consider that some of the longer tracks also include soft atmospheric experimental passages, to many of them does not make an album complete. 10,000 Days is not a very heavy album at all and it only includes about 40 minutes of actual meat and potatoes. The rest is ambient music for those who enjoy the slow building tension that is often found on many progressive albums.

The album gets 4 stars for lyrical content, 5 stars for production, 4 stars for song composition and 3 stars for the overall music content. Average Overall Rating: 4 Stars. This means the album will still be on high rotation in your CD player after 50 spins or long after the probationary listening period has come and gone.

Review by Prog-jester
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars No hyping - a solid 4 star album.

TOOL is unpredictable.This time they've moved to more psychedelic side,even more than in their previous work,which was A Masterpiece.Ten Thousand Days open with VICARIOUS,the best track here (5 stars without hesitation!!!).The following Jambi,as well as closing Right in Two,is pretty good too.Others are odd,weird,stoned as Rosetta ;-). The Pot has quite unusual vocals from Maynard.By theway,the whole album shows lacks of vocals:Maynard sings pretty rarely and not in his usual great voice...only background noises and intimate whisperings most of the time(except for some "rock" tracks).This is the main thing to make TOOL's fans disappointed.Or maybe that's because of the whole psychedelic mood of the record? Don't know (this is what I usually say towards every TOOL's step!).Afraid to recommend it - decide for yourselves

Review by FloydWright
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars Unfortunately after much debate and an extra listen after I took my notes to make sure of it, I'm forced to conclude that TOOL's latest album only merits a 2.5 for me. TOOL is a band that's been around for 16 years and spent five in the process of creating the follow-up to their masterpiece Lateralus. To be fair, following an album of that genius would have been almost impossible for anyone--but after this much time and the experience and even financial means TOOL should have been able to bring to bear on the writing and production, I expected better and did not get it.

That's not to say that 10,000 Days is an unmitigated disaster--and when it's good, it's great. "Wings for Marie (Pt. 1)" and "10,000 Days (Pt. 2)" in particular are outstanding: here KEENAN shows off the full dynamic range of his vocals and the lyrics cleverly walk the line between faith and faithlessness in a way that seems more like OPETH than anyone. In fact, OPETH's Morningrise, especially the softer interlude of "The Night and the Silent Water" comes to mind when I hear this suite. It is interesting to note that OPETH absorbed some of TOOL's atmospheres on both Damnation and their most recent Ghost Reveries--but beyond this suite and "Intension," "Right in Two," and yes, even "Vigenti Tres," it seems largely absent here.

Rather, TOOL seems to return to its earlier days here, and even without having heard their pre-Lateralus albums, it's quite obvious this means a return to a cruder time in both a lyrical and musical sense. In terms of technicality, I should be clear that aside from a lack of dynamism to KEENAN's vocals, and the faint mixing of them compared to the music, nothing is lacking production- and playing-wise. In this way, the experience is akin to my perspective on DREAM THEATER's Scenes from a Memory: individually many songs are at least somewhat pleasant to listen to--a few even extremely good. Put together, though, the album runs on too long and all but a few star songs blend into obscurity. In an ironic twist, even my CD player seems to balk at trying to fully read this album.

Unfortunately for those parts of 10,000 Days that could have been used to create an album that could've come close to Lateralus, there are such undistinguished numbers as "Jambi" and "The Pot," and the underdeveloped "Lipan Conjuring." However, while these are still listenable, by far the greatest disappointment was "Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman)"/"Rosetta Stoned." At first, this suite seemed to have the makings of a great conceptual piece like a mini-The Human Equation in both theme and atmosphere. At the same time, I was reminded of QUEENSRYCHE's Operation: Mindcrime, and that should have been a warning. Immediately with the transition into "Rosetta Stoned," this piece descended into the same kind of vulgarity-for-the-sake-of-sales that riddled Mindcrime--and to judge from the parental advisory stickers on TOOL's earlier albums, their previous works. Shocking images can have their place--OPETH's Still Life certainly ends with one...but what OPETH understands is that the image is best left vague to a certain degree; beyond the intimations of the lyrics, clever atmospherics on the part of the band and the imagination of the listener ought to combine to do the rest.

A "climactic" line like "godd*mn--sh*t the bed" just goes and throws all of that mystique away.

While none of the other songs on the album are quite that boorish in content, it is enough to leave a very bad taste in the mouth of one who favors sophistication over cheap shock. In the end, despite my best efforts to like this album that came in such fancy packaging, it's clear that 10,000 Days will soon go the way of Scenes from a Memory, an album packaged with equal pretentiousness in purposeless solos: burned to the hard drive and occasionally sampled in pieces...the enjoyable pieces, anyway. The album itself I'll probably sell, and based on this disappointment I am unlikely to ever trust enough to purchase another TOOL album without hearing it first in its entirety. I had hoped that they had outgrown their immature past, but apparently not. Casual and non-fans would be advised to consider carefully before purchase.

Review by OpethGuitarist
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars I've let this sink in now, and to say I am dissapointed is an understatement. I guess I expect more after a lay off of 5 years, and certainly more from a band as capable as TOOL is. I was especially excited when I heard they would be referencing from MESHUGGAH, a band I really enjoy, but alas the comparisons are few and far between. I was amazed by the Aenima record, and I still am, maybe TOOL is a 2 album wonder and have nothing left in them, but I really doubt that's the case, Carey is too good of a drummer.

This album isn't bad, but it's certainly not good either. The first tracks sound like something that got deleted off Lateralus becuase it wasn't good enough to put on that album. TOOL has always been somewhat of a pretentious band, and that typically doesn't bother me, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the music, I really don't mind. However, here, it seems to have really effected the music, with brash conclusions made by the band, along with a lack of mystique that previous albums had.

This album has more peculiarities to it, but they don't seem to fit well with the music, and often times you just feel like ejecting the disc and putting in Aenima, because you realize its much better. Fans will enjoy though, for the most part.

Review by Cygnus X-2
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Tool's first album since 2001's Lateralus has them treading into unmarked territory (at least for them). Let me say this first and get it out of the way, if you're looking for Lateralus II, you won't find many connections with that album (except maybe in the first track). In their 16 years of existence as a band, Tool have released four studio albums, one live album and an EP, the fourth studio album being this one. I'll also say that along with Ænima that this is my favorite Tool album, as there aren't really many sore spots, except for some meaningless interlude tracks between the more exciting pieces. This album is a 70 minute journey that will have you at the edge of your seat, as there are many twists and turns in the sound and the variances between the lighter more atmospheric sections are quite stunning and ultimately very creative at the same time.

The opening track is really the only thing on the album that has any connection with the previous album, that song being Vicarious. The unison and disorderly riffing from Jones and Chancellor combined with the bells from Carey coming into the staggering 5/4 main riff is quite brilliant if you ask me. Chancellor and Carey are superb in the rhythm section and Jones offers some nice counterpoints with his precision riffing before going into the solo middle section and the closing ending section (with a fantastic start stop riff). Fantastic opener in the end. Jambi follows with a consistent 9/8 guitar theme from Jones and slowly the other members of the group add in to the sound (especially the spacey bass sound from Chancellor), but Jones remains the foundation of the piece. Jones also unleashes a wicked talk box solo towards the end to round off the song nicely, though it does meander around the same riffs. Wings for Marie is an atmospheric introduction to the epic 10,000 Days. It contains dancing guitar melodies (heavily echoed and delayed) and a spacey bass line with some nice underlying percussion from Carey and Keenan's quiet almost spoken vocals. It's a pretty cool piece, but doesn't really go anywhere for the length that it is. 10,000 Days (which is Wings Pt. 2 where Marie was Wings Pt. 1), though, makes up for it. It begins where Wings for Marie left off with dancing guitar and bass melodies and consistent drum work from Carey before picking up in intensity (mixed storm effects also queue in this dynamic change). Although it's a slow buildup to the climax around the 9 minutes, it comes off successfully and really hits a heavy ending with powerful riffing from all fronts. The Pot begins with Keenan's vocals over a tabla/bass groove that soon brings in an crushing main riff that relies on an ascending lead and resulting feedback. It's an ok piece but not something I would call brilliant, although the riffing is pretty killer.

Lipan Conjuring and Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann) follow and are probably the most useless tracks on the album (along with Viginti Tres, but there's something to it that makes it worthwhile if you read Zitro's review you'll see what). Lipan Conjuring is just chanting for a minute and adds nothing spectacular (or even anything at all) to the album, and Lost Keys is essentially what Wings for Marie was to 10,000 Days for Rosetta Stoned, an instrumental interlude that rather than waste another track on could have been added on. All it is is guitar feedback and a repetetive guitar riff played over and over again. Rosetta Stoned, though, makes up for it. The alternating 4/4 to 5/8 riffing in the intro is really cool and Keenan's distorted vocals add a sense of tension to the sound. Alternating 5/8 and 6/8 (or is it 11/8) make up the main vocal sections and staggering start stop riffing comprise a key component to the vocal performance. It's not the best song on the album, but it's among my favorites. Intension is a mellower piece that has a heavy bass presence and Danny utlizing the tabla to compliment the more light atmosphere (despite the bass being very heavy here). Jones unveils a mixed guitar riff underneath a dynamic bass line and Carey using some electronic drumming. It's a song filled with noodling and what some would call filler but I like the instrumental prowess of the group. Right in Two is my favorite piece on the album, as it has all the elements of a great song and surpasses them all. A great main guitar melody (in 11/4) is played is subtle variations throughout the piece (along with mixed percussion and tabla from Carey and some well timed guitar harmonics), and what begins as a quiet more psychedelic piece ends as a full blown rocker with a staggering riff towards the middle of the song. Keenan's lyrics and vocals are also superb at all parts of the piece, but the music is the main draw as it is nothing short of fantastic. Fantastic 9 minute rocker and the last true piece on the album. The album ends with Viginti Tres, which is more or less a 5 minute soundscape that is probably one of the most useless pieces I've ever heard. It does end the album on a desolate and frightening note, as the song does has a spooky atmosphere to it that is pretty enjoyable.

In the end, I think you can't go more right with a purchase of 10,000 Days. Although there are some meaningless tracks that act more as filler than anything else, there are a lot of really strong pieces that make up for them. It's not a masterpiece, but it's damn close to one and is tied with Ænima as my favorite Tool album. Highly recommended. 4.5/5.

Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars 121 th Review of this Album - You'd Better Skip it!

How would you react to the statement from the musician you adore when he said his appreciation towards certain band? Are you impacted with the statement from the musician of your idol? If so, how far can you go beyond the limit of your musical boundary should the band that your favorite musician appreciates does not comfort your taste? Think about it!

It happened to me with respect to TOOL. I knew nothing about the band and did not really intend to explore further as I was in doubt if the music is not that far away from those under progressive metal box. But when I read an interview between progarchives with Rick Wakeman sometime last year, I remember clearly that Rick Wakeman mentioned that TOOL is an excellent band. Oh .. to me Rick Wakeman means a lot as his work with Yes as well as solo have cheered my childhood days. So if Mr. Wakeman said that TOOL is an excellent band, I should explore. When this album was released I did try to purchase it from amazon but I refrained from "click"ing because the site mentioned "Customers who purchased TOOL 10,000 Days also purchased ." and you know what appeared at my screen? Pearl Jam! Wow .!!! Does TOOL associate well with Pearl Jam? Are they in the same box? By that time I was not into the kind of Grunge music yet - until recently when I frequently deal with younger people in our country's rock organization i-Rock! - so I get used to the music of Pearl Jam as well.

My curiosity about the band did not stop and finally I got the album and had it spun. I was impressed by the first spin as I like the kind of music TOOL plays. Swear, this is nothing to do with Mr. Wakeman anymore. The opening track "Vicarious" (7:08) is kicking and I accepted the track at first listen. The main characteristics of TOOL music is its repetition in basic rhythm section and/ or riffs. If you don't get used to this kind of music, it might be hard to accept this album. "Vicariously i, live while the whole world dies. You all need it too, don't lie" sings Maynard James Keenan. Yeeeaaahhh .!!!

So what makes the music of TOOL interesting then? Two things, I think. First, the use of textures that accumulates from simple to more complex ones with its intensified guitar effects / solos by Adam Jones and much more dynamic drums by Danny Carey. This might also happen with powerful voice of Maynard James Keenan which can sustain high register note for such a long time. Second, the soundscape that sounds really good - even excellent as the sonic quality of the CD is excellent. These two things have made it worth owning this album for your prog music collection.

"Jambi" reminds me to the name of our province in Sumatera, Indonesia. The term used by the band seems like referring to the place where it's mentioned like "sultan" etc. This track brings the music into heavier riffs using similar style as opening track. There is nice guitar solo during interlude which makes the song much dynamic. Under "Wings For Marie (Pt 1)" (6:13) the band explores the ambient psychedelic style. Seems like this track is introducing to the entrance of another ambient track (no. 4) which serves as ambient style as well "10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)" (11:15) with repeated guitar fills that might bring you to a boring feel.

"The Pot" (6:24) is truly my favorite as it has a dynamic texture in relatively simple structure. The texture is basically formed thru the use of bass guitar which plays really tight and pivotal in this arrangement, augmented with guitar riffs and fills. It starts wonderfully with powerful vocal - similar to the voice style of The Mars Volta, I think. "Who are you to wave your finger? / You must have been out your head / Eyehole deep in muddy waters / You practically raised the dead " - oh what a wonderful opening lyric! The music flows marvelously with firm beats of bass guitar combined with excellent drumming and guitar fills.

"Rosetta Stoned" (11:13) is another favorite of mine. I like how this tune is really compact in structure, rockin' in nature especially with heavy guitar riffs, wonderful repeated chords and tight bass lines. Again the band shows its consistency in improving the textures as the music flows using guitar and drums. I remember King Crimson music as I listen to this track many times - well, at least the way Danny Carey plays his drums is similar with Pat Mastelotto or Bill Bruford in new King Crimson music.

Overall, it's definitely an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Despite many influences from other bands, TOOL is a unique band. My reference is only for this album while I'm now ordering other albums of the band like "Lateralus" and "Aenima". The reason I need to purchase previous albums is that I like their music. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, GW

Review by TRoTZ
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars After 5 years of long wait, 10,000 Days came with a taste of disappointment. "Vicarious", "The Pot" and "Right in Two" are good tunes, but basically cliches of the band classics. "Wings" (part 1 and 2) add for the first time an emotional core to a Tool album, but the result could be much better, particularly the first one, which can be boring as the monotonous line of guitar seems to never end. They lack precisely what the band does not have - keyboard atmospheres. Particularly positive moments of the album are the strange guitar solos created by Adam Jones.

Overall, it is a good album, with great bass and guitar riffs, nice vocals and magnificient drum rythms, but it does not keep the pace of originality Tool had made before. It does not represent trully a step forward for the band, insufficient for such a long wait.

Review by Sean Trane
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Folk
3 stars 3.5 stars really!!!

Not really one of the most prolific groups in terms of studio recording, Tool is one of the most spectacular newer metal bands, and their equally spectacular CD production. Yes, this neat .. promotion tool is a rather outstanding artwork even if it could've been bettered designed (most notably in terms of storage), which will probably be reserved for the first edition.

Tool's special form of Psych-progmetal is still rather unique (although I would never call it groundbreaking, either) almost a decade after their second album, the excellent Aenima and it still sounds as good nowadays with this album. There are many outstanding moments on this record (and it is certainly one of my fave from 06): from the awesome two-part title-track (Wing pt1&2) to the powerful Lost Keys, while the slowly evolving, haunting but quieter Intension is building an intense crescendo leading directly into Indian percussion derived Right In two. The only weak point being the closing track, which is not really one, filled with sound collages, which is coming either way too late or best left out.

One of the slight problems is its length, as this album is filled to the brim and by the time you get to the two thirds-mark, a sense of weariness appears: I mean, this yet another ProgMetal album among the many hundreds, and let's face it, this old dog does not have much use for an another of those. Sometimes I wonder if Tool would not be better off releasing shorter albums with a bit less time between them as this album could easily make 1,5 normal album. But for those wanting to discover the style, this is certainly one of the better specimens.

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 4.5 stars. This just keeps growing on me, unlike "Lateralus" which was love at first listen. Man this album has a lot of bottom end to it, the windows in my truck literally shake when I turn the volume way up.

"Vicarious" opens with this dark and brooding soundscape that gets really intense a minute in.The bass is great ! This is such a good song. "Jambi" has even more heavy bass on it if that's possible. I like the way the guitar plays over the lava of bass and drums. "Wings For Marie (pt.1)" has this thick, stifling atmosphere throughout with a brief breakout after 4 minutes. This song blends into "10,000 Days (Wings pt.2)" a song that gets better as it goes. It has a similar heavy sound as part 1, with some samples of thunder and rain. As the heavy atmosphere leaves so does the storm, and check out the guitar melodies 5 minutes in.

"The Pot" is another great tune with higher pitched vocals to open with some good bass lines. The guitar is heavy throughout and the sound is amazing 4 1/2 minutes in. "Lipan Conjuring" sounds like natives chanting. "Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman)" has some noises while the guitar slowly plays and then we hear people talking. "Rosetta Stoned" is punishingly heavy with fast paced vocals. This vocal style changes and the drumming is quite impressive. The guitar is good towards the end of the song. "Intension" is different with noises and softer, distant sounding vocals. Some really good drumming and the heaviness is back. "Right In Two" opens with guitar and it becomes as heavy as hell ! The percussion is cool, and the song speeds up to an amazing sound. "Viginti Tres" sounds like noises from the pit.

Another dark, heavy and atmospheric winner from TOOL !

Review by laplace
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars A successful band comprising of notable musicians who name-check many progressive groups and sadly fail to rise above their own influences. Spurred on by the advances in music during the '70s, they incorporate these challenging elements into their music, yet unfortunately choose '90s style alternative rock as the second element of their musical compound.

The outcome is occasionally surprising but usually regrettable - Tool choose fascinating meters as the foundations for their songs but combine them with forgettable guitar sequences. I often think that were Tool simply a drum circle with no melodic instrumentation to speak of they'd be essential listening.

Review by Dim
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars NOTE: Tool is definately a band of aquired taste!

This was my first album I got from this band, at first I didnt understand how the band works, but after a couple hundred or so (exageration) listens I finally got it. Now Tool is my Favirote modern band! Ok to the review, I'm only doing the REAL song! NO Lipan Conjuring, lost chords, or Viginti tres.

Vicarious- A phenominal song! so what if its a little mainsteam, everything is in place! This being the first song, shows how Maynard has stepped up as a singer and really shows off his vocal chords, without yelling, or screaming. The only complaint is that the lyrics are pretty stupid, cause I'm pretty sure Maynard does not nead to see things die! 9-10

Jambi- Many people say this song is overdone and repetitive, well I learned how to play it on guitar, and I must say it is very hard, complicated and well thought out. The guitar keeps a driving, yet non-intrusive rythym, to show off Carreys amazing skill, and Chancillors beautiful bassline. This also happens to be some of the most thoughtful lyrics tool has produced! 10-10

Wings for mary part 1- I cant help but feel that this song and the next are just a remake of parabol/parabola, but what the hell they're great! This song (like parabol) is very mellow and you cant understand a word... its great 8-10

Wings for Mary part 2- The best song on the album lyrically, and Adams best guitar solo! Jones is always bashed for his lack of soloing, so he hands it right back to them by giving the people one, for about five minuetes! "Fetch me the spirit the son and the father, tell them they're pillar of faith has ascended". I cant tell whether thats religous or anti religous, either way a superb song! 10-10

The Pot- Not very good, Though Maynards vocals are sweet and beautiful, its way too commercially acceptable, its simply not made for the music, which I find very disgusting! Also the instrumental section completely collapses on them. 3-10

Rossetta Stoned- Yet another song about drugs, at least I think, Maynard is too pissed off to understand throughout half of the song. Still it is better than the Pot. Some nice playing by the band, but not a very firm song structure. 5-10

Intesion- This song is a good song to cool down from the very angry rossetta stoned. very emotive and some very nice percussion from Carrey. Gets a little boring though after the first five minuetes. 7-10

Right in two- Its true a political message song... from Tool, Holy crap its good though. It starts with an eerie acoustic and percussive intro, with Maynard questioning why God made foolish humans have free will. Then goes into the most powerfull riff in the album, complete with palm muting and even a small drum solo! This song never fails to impress me, everything is excellent! 10-10

Well, there you have it, if this album didnt have so many do nothing songs and mainsteam craving, it would be a complete masterpiece! For now 4 stars will do.

Six Months later...

Wow, this album is almost unistenable to me, but I cant just change a rating DRAMATICALLY because of lapsed time. 3 stars.

Review by Tristan Mulders
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Tool - 10,000 Days

Hailed as one of the best album of its year, Tool's "10,000 Days" for me was the album that really caught my attention for this American band. Part of what got me interest in this band was down to the unique album cover. The three-dimensional images and the special 'glasses' make this album stand out on display in any record store! It is not the most practical packaging for placement within your CD collection though.

Musically seen it's all rather typically Toolesque: i.e. a lot of repetition of melodies, especially on the guitar, and percussion based drumming. Even the occasional outburst of ambient noise is present yet again! (Not counting the rather pointless hidden track!)

Unlike my experience with Tool's previous album "Lateralus", here I find most of the album rather good. It comes across as a more balanced album. Though, how much I like this album, I have to admit that the charm of this album is not its means to progress, but its ability to hypnotise the listener by means of the often present droning playing of the instruments, most noticeably the repetitive guitar structures!

Nice fact: apparently the Wings for Marie songs in combination with the hidden track Viginiti Tres can be synchronised in a sound editing program and make up a 'new' song, that is: the original 11 minute title tack (Part 2 of the suite) will be expanded with additional instrumentation and ambience from the two other tracks and these blend in perfectly!

Review by Queen By-Tor
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars 10,000 days (literally) translates into just over 27 years... isn't that how long it takes Tool to release an album?

Anyways, apparently the time was well spent, this album is fantastic. Following up Lateralus wasn't going to be easy, and this is pretty much about as good as they could do. The disc is home to two 10-minute+ songs and a variety of 5 minute tracks, as well as little bit of filler, but it's all good in the end.

The band seems to have a hit a nice little niche by now, with each album containing material that could fit on their prior albums, material that is completely new, and material that hints where the band is going. Not to meantion that all the parts are played to perfection. From the opening riff of VICARIOUS to the very end, it's easy to get lost in everything that's happening, and even as you listen to is one hundred times you can still find something you missed before.

As for the songs, some of the best come in the form of a more listener friendly Tool. THE POT and VICARIOUS were the two singles, and each one easily widdles it's way into your heart. JAMBI and RIGHT IN TWO are even better, as they're more inticrately constructed, and less "friendly" leaving Tool fans with more to listen to. The best parts of the album, however, are the longer tracks, WINGS and ROSETTA STONED. WINGS is actually two parts (WINGS FOR MARIE PT. 1 and the title track), the first of which slowly introduces the song as done formally by Parabol/Parabola, while 10,000 DAYS itself is much more haunting and heavy. An excellent track by all means, with some great vocal highlighting by Keenan, but we should know by now that Tool does not disappoint on title tracks. ROSETTA STONED, paired with LOST KEYS is the other epic. Harking back to the "Aenima" days, we see a much heavier, sparatic band than on the former tracks. The song seems a bit scattered at times, but is quite good in the end.

About LIPAN CONJURING and VIGINTI TRES it's also good to note that, yes, the tracks are filler, but LIPAN is kind of a nice intermission that eases you from one epic to the next. As for VIGINITI, it's a kind of strange outro to the album, about five minutes of zone-out time.

But hey, this is a great offering by a band that seems to be only getting better with time, hopefully their next will be as good, or even better. 4 stars, maybe not a masterpiece, but certainly the next thing to it.

Review by Nightfly
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Tool continue with their distinctive Progressive Metal style they have developed since they really found their feet on third release "Aenima". Opening two tracks "Vicarious" and "Jambi" are as good as anything they have done so far, full of the trademark Tool sound. All band members stamp their own distinctive style on the songs and you know you couldn't be listening to anyone else.

An excellent production allows each band member to shine through. It's great to hear Bass playing of the excellence shown by Justin Chancellor shine through with such clarity. Although not sounding Like Chris Squire or Geddy Lee his playing is allowed to shine the way it does with these guys being well up in the mix.

Guitarist Adam Jones alternates between heavy riffing and lighter shades with ease which has always been a distinctive characteristic of the Tool sound. One of the album highlights being his soaring playing on fifth track and perhaps album highlight, "The Pot".

Danny Carey shows why he's one of the best and perhaps underrated Drummers in Rock at the moment with powerful well executed playing throughout the album.

Last but not least, Maynard James Keenan powerful vocals are on top form demonstrating just what a great singer he is.

The album does tail off a bit towards the end which stops it being the equal of "Lateralus" but overall a fine release.

By the way, if you don't like the music you can have hours of fun with the 3D glasses attached to the cover looking at the images inside the booklet.

Review by obiter
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars OK I'm shallow.

I reckon the CD packaging integrated 3D goggles and artwork are enough for at least 3 brownie points or a Blue Peter badge depending on where you come from).

I did not expect to like Tool. I'm a spaceprog/symphonic/zeuhl fan (sheez what an anorak). Aenima really surprised me. Lateralus was also tremendous. At first 10,000 Days

The opening Vicarious is typical of the strong rhythmic driving metal expected. As ever the vocals are measured and clear. The guitar lead work is different. There's been a lot of thought put into creating interesting tones rather than a proliferation of notes. Maybe that appeals to the space progger in me.

Here's the rub with this one. There is more thought, more attention to detail, subtler use of tone. The tracks do not have the same strength as Lateralus or Aenima. It's a trade. the more I listen to this album the more it grows on me: the previous two I've heard were more immediate.

Maybe it's 5 years too early to review this one. I'm no Robert Parker, but this young album seems set to mature well: one for laying down 94-96 (2012-2018). An essential addition to any cellar.

Review by Prog Leviathan
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars The tongue-in-cheek likeability of the first two songs aside, 10,000 Days is not consistent with the extreme creativity and songwriting prowess Tool displayed on their previous two albums. Many of the songs seem to be crafted with the intent of appealing to the heartstrings of fans, delivering recycled ideas and sounds which could easily of fit into either Aenima or Laterlus. A few new textures here and there do not make up for the other 60 minutes of straight-forward Tool.

While I find very little here that is actually bad (the Pot is about the worst song they've recorded)-- none of it connects or resonates as strongly as their previous material. Keenan's lyrics as, taken as whole, boring; not as smart or scathing as before. He puts his heart into a lot of the delivery, but he comes off as sounding contrived. Jones gives us a few new sounds to listen to, but Chancellor and Carrey seem to phoning this one in.

For me, this album is redeemed by the extended pieces (Wings and Rosetta), but not by much. Maybe our expectations are simply too high, or maybe ten thousand days just wasn't enough for the band to recharge their energy. Either way, this one definitely comes after Aenima and Lateralus.

Songwriting: 3 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 3 Style/Emotion/Replay: 3

Review by Moatilliatta
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars Look, I don't care if this isn't the groundbreaking masterpiece that Lateralus was (the band didn't have any more ground to break, folks), but I defy anyone to listen to the title track epic without getting chills down your spine! I contend that "Wings for Marie/10,000 days" is Tool's finest piece thus far. Wow! It is powerful, chilling, and dang it's got polyrhythms too!

Another great example of how ridiculous expectations can ruin an album for people is 10,000 Days. People didn't know how to feel about such an unusually mundane title for the band, and so it is with the music too. The evolution is clear, but apparently the direction is not what many fans were looking for. The weird, non-song tracks have been demoted to the title of "filler" tracks for some, and the actual songs are apparently not as good as they were used to from Tool. I find that neither is the case; 10,000 Days is a complex, rhythmically driven, melodic, powerful album like its predecessor, just with more emphasis on atmosphere. Some tracks are still start-to-finish rockers, like the first two tracks, but there are also pieces like the title track and "Intension" where the band opens up, stretches out and let's the atmosphere take over for a while. This is similar to tracks like "Parabol" and "Disposition," only they don't serve as intros and they have more parts to them and are more dynamic (since they are more than intros, naturally) and are extra awesome for it.

Let's look at the said "filler" tracks: "Lipan Conjuring," "Lost Keys" and "Viginti Tres." First, we have a track that's not much longer and certainly not less interesting than some of the ambient tracks on Lateralus. Second, we have an intro to the monster "Rosetta Stoned" that is rather interesting. Third, we have 5 minutes of noises, which some believe actually works with "Wings for Marie" to sync with "10,000 Days (Wings, pt. 2)." It seems like the noises work well, but I'm not convinced with the other half. Even so, what is wrong with 5 minutes of soundscapes? There's more going on here than "(-) Ions" for certain.

This album comes just under Lateralus and it is a wholly enjoyable and powerful expereince. It may not be a full-on masterpiece from beginning to end, but I'll be darned if I don't enjoy it enough to rate it as such.

Review by ProgBagel
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars Tool- '10,000 Days' 2 stars

As I am currently majoring in the business field, I'm giving Tool or whoever pulls the strings behind them a major applause for their unique marketing scheme. This album rating is not as bad as it seems though. If 'Aenima' got the full attention it should have gotten, then 'Lateralus' would have been seen as a disappointment. Fortunately for Tool that didn't happen and 'Lateralus' got the attention leaving '10,000 Days' to receive the flak.

You'd figure after a time span of 15 years Tool would somewhat alter their sound, but that didn't happen, yet they are still considered amazing. The grand idea of putting an album out every 5 years, creating incredible hype for each one will make money no matter what. Even if 'Chinese Democracy' and 'Death Magnetic' suck to all oblivion, they will be purchased by many.

Now, if Tool released an album every two years like most bands, their sixth or seventh would have been released by now. If that did in fact happen, Tool would have one of the shortest popularity peaks in music. Will they even get to a seventh album? Either way, fans will be attending tours constantly, as you'll be getting the usual favorite songs, since people agree on what Tool's best songs are, but have nothing to say about the other 30 tracks they made.

Such is the beautiful marketing scheme of this band. It will continue to work unless the newest album will damage their popularity, which in my opinion is very possible. Just look at how sad this record is.

Oh yeah! The music! Well, when this album was hyped up, Tool expressed that they will sound a bit like Meshuggah, ironically a band that is largely increasing their fan base. That was a complete and utter lie. This album sounds like just about anything else Tool has made, carbon copy.

'Vicarious' is the opener and the only song you'll hear about other then the title track. It sounds pretty good to me, but nothing this band hasn't done before.

'Jambi' is the track that I feel led them to the Meshuggah statement. On the level of heaviness, it does sound like Meshuggah. If 'heavy' was the only word used to describe Meshuggah would be plain wrong. Meshuggah does interesting things with time shifts and rhythm. Tool doesn't. You'll see the same pattern repeated over and over till the end. An abysmal track.

'Wings/10,000 Days' has a nice build up. These two together clocks in at 20 minutes, so get ready to be bored relatively fast. Can Tool write an interesting track in 5 minutes? Why bother.

'The Pot' has the best work of Maynard by far. This might have been my favorite track, as the bass has a lot of punch to it. The guitar gets a little interesting too.

'Lipan'. Filling. Skip.

'Lost Keys' is a dialogue about a man the wandered into the hospital. Ironically, I like this track the most.

'Rosetta Stoned'. My god, this band needs to stop playing music. Once you hear the intro, it will largely remain the same, tossing in a little bit of Adam Jones playing a note, twisted into oblivion by effects. A lame song yet again.

I simply cannot write anymore, on the next three expect a small idea turned into a rather lengthy song and a six minute filler for an ending song.

5 years, 15 minutes of filler still. If I had a whole year to write 10 minutes of music, I think I can make it pretty big myself. Tool really knows how to make money off of people.

So what to think of this album and my sum of reviewing all the Tool albums? I think Opiate deserves to be in the top spot.

For the studio albums, take three pieces of paper and write 'Aenima', 'Lateralus' and '10,000 Days'. Puts these pieces into a hat and shake it. Pull one out and get it. Chances are you might like it. Expect to be disappointed by the next two that you hear. It will be mostly the same. This band might fit, although not in my opinion, as a progressive rock band. The band, however, is not 'progressive'.

Review by Conor Fynes
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars '10,000 Days' - Tool (6.5/10)

On all of their previous records, Tool have received some pretty heavy positive acclaim for their trippy blend of art rock and sludge metal. While I've never been a huge head-over-heels fanboy for this band, I can see why people like them, and they're definately a talented bunch. While the de facto magnum opus 'Lateralus' is probably better by album-standards, I have to say I've gotten more enjoyment over the years listening to this one more. There are some songs on it I really don't care for, but more songs that I really love.

Clocking in at about seventy five minutes long, this is a pretty lengthy piece of music, and theres quite alot to chew here. While they still use alot of their ambitious innovative technique here, alot of the songs here have a way about them that would make them a bit more 'universally appealing' to the commercial audience then any of the material on past releases. Hell, I have alot of friends who know nothing of prog that think 'The Pot' is an awesome song.

While the more accesible songs are great to listen to, the most memorable piece of this album was the most progressive piece on the album, 'Rosetta Stoned' (paired with it's extended introduction, 'Lost Keys.') Based loosely on famed Travis Walton's apparent alien abduction experiences (after which he wrote a book about it) the lyrics are ironic yet profound; it's not very often you get a dose of humour in deepness. It's my favourite Tool song, and a very heavy track at that. Near perfect.

When I think of '10,000 Days,' I think of it in three general parts, or sections. The first section of the album are the rockers ('Vicarious,' 'Jambi,' and 'The Pot') which '10,000 Days' is probably best known for. All of these songs are great tracks, and unlike a typical hard rock track, they don't get old after a simple few listens.

The second part (and the obvious highlight for prog fans) is the epic/experimental side of things, which would include 'Wings For Marie Pt I & II,' 'Rosetta Stoned,' and the two segues. 'Wings For Marie' is the reason '10,000 Days' can be considered Tool's most personal release, as it is about Maynard Keenan's mother dying. While the song is a bit too repetitive and one-tracked for a piece of it's length, there is alot of uncompromised emotion here; something not usually expected from a drug-related band like Tool.

The third part however, are the last two tracks, 'Intention' and 'Right In Two.' It is because of these two songs I can't give '10,000 Days' a superb rating. They are very boring, and a good closer should always leave the listener in some sort of shock. Instead, the final 'bang' is further towards the middle of the album, and the end of 'Rosetta Stoned.' There shouldn't be a two song (and a bonus atmospheric track I haven't touched on it) epilogue to an album; especially not songs of these lengths! 'Right In Two' can at least be listened to as a song, but 'Intention' is one of the most boring 'prog' songs I've listened to in a while. A bit of a dissapointing end to an otherwise great album.

'Vigniti Tres' isn't so much music as just soundscaping (for the sake of soundscaping.) It's sort of chilling, and sounds like you're standing in an abandoned futuristic subway tunnel of sorts... It's pretty cool to listen to once in a while, and certainly more entertaining than the two songs that come before it. Despite the rather weak ending however, '10,000 Days' is my most enjoyed release from Tool (albeit probably not the best album; theres a difference.) A worthy addition to the Tool legacy.

Review by JJLehto
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars After 5 years of waiting since their last release, the illustrious "Lateralus" regarded by so many as the pinnacle of modern music, "10,000 Days" was finally released. Tool fans everywhere raved about it from the start, I remember my writing professor, (a hard core fan) talking about it endlessly and had 3 copies, (to listen at home, in the car, and at school). This is no surprise, as Tool, (just like System of a Down) is a "different" band in today's world of mainstream, pop radio and lack of...well any good bands. That being said, what did I think of "10,000 Days"? Well, I usually struggle to think of one word to describe a Tool album, but I have one word for this release: Disappointment.

I was just getting into Tool when this album was released, so I was able to let them grow on me without the fanfare. When I finally did really sit down and listen to this album, I was disappointed. As mentioned earlier, I am a Tool "outsider" so I had no extreme hype for this album, am not disappointed in comparison to "Lateralus" the fact is, a lot of this album is boring. Just flat out boring. Even after a lot of deep listening, the album has not grown on me.

The album actually starts out strong. Vicarious is a great song. The next song, Jambi, is my favorite on the album. Mostly in 9/8 time the song begins with a heavy little guitar riff and some cool drumming, and of course some sweet bass. A really cool song, I love listening to it and the solo blows my mind. It takes me to another place when I hear it.

After such a strong start this albums then comes to a screeching halt. This is not just a metaphor but how it feels. The next 17 minutes of songs felt like 17 hours. Some parts in 10,000 Days were good, but overall I can not make it through those 2 songs.

The Pot is not a bad song. Not one of my favorites, but good. Also, in classic Tool fashion we have some multiple meaning lyrics. To many, the song is probably literal...but we know better.

Now, onto the reason to love/hate Tool. Lipan Conjuring is one of their famous transition pieces. While these can be great, they can also be god awful. This one is not bad, although it is really "filler" and not a transition. There is no "music" it is mostly droning chants and tribal sounds. It is kind of cool sounding.

While the prior song was more a "filler" Lost Keys (Blame Hoffman) is actually a transition piece. It is entirely composed of a really long, kind of anxious, sound with some gentle guitar in the background. It is very chill. Near the end we hear a conversation between a nurse and a doctor. This guy has walked into a hospital, real messed up, and no one has any idea what is wrong with him. Judging by the title, (referencing Albert Hofmann presumably) we can deduce the patient is on acid and stumbled in here. Hence....blame Hofmann. The piece ends with the beginning of the next song Rosetta Stoned, (another indicator of a drug reference?)

At first I did not like it at all. However, it did grow on me. The music is pretty minimal, and the lyrics are said through some heavy effects, and in a very chaotic manner and describe a guy totally tripping on DMT. There is some humor in here, and I like how it ends, (don't want to give it away though of course!). Despite everything I thought about Tool, I am starting to wonder if some songs are not so much about humor but have an "anti-drug" sentiment. But that's Tool for you, except for those 4 who really knows what they mean.

OH! Random side note, I just realized this moment that it all makes sense if you think about Rosetta Stoned first, THEN Lost Keys.....anywho.

Intension is another song that goes on way too long. It sounds cool at first, very nice and mellow and there is some really great drumming. However, it is a bit slow feeling after a while. I CAN make it through the song, so it could be worse, but it could be better.

Right in Two deals with God. Why did God give us free will? After all, we just use it to fight over everything, and EVERYTHING. Why would God give us thumbs just so we can make clubs to beat people? All our intelligence bestowed by God, just so we can fight over pieces of land. Why can't we just cut the whole f*cking thing in two? If only....

At first I found the song boring, until I really listened to it. The lyrics really did make it worth it. The music is not bad, and again there are some really chill parts with some cool drumming.

The album ends with Viginti Tres. This piece is nothing but noise. Literally. What a strange way to end the album! It was then I thought, this sounds just like Tool filler, but why have filler at the end of and album? Then it really hit me. "DAMN! This is another album where we have to listen to the song not in order!" I am almost positive that listening to Viginti Tres before, or after some other song will make it a transition piece, and will blend nicely...but I do not care to figure it out.

In fact, SUPPOSEDLY the pictures of the band members can be used as pieces in a puzzle of some kind. I know, this is Tool and part of what they do but I am getting a little tired of it.

Back on track. What to say a bout this album? It is alright. Vicarious and Jambi are great. The Pot and Right in Two are good. Rosetta Stone is......decent enough but too drawn out. There is too much "filler" although this is nothing new, and sections of there songs are boring. Not to mention the 2 Wings for Marie pieces which are just entirely boring.

I will admit, the art work is amazing. Although it does add to the pretentiousness of Tool, I really like it. However, as I have said before my ratings are based on the music solely, nothing else.

In conclusion, disappointment. Some good stuff, but a lot of slow and boring. The album, overall, is very minimal which is not quite my thing. Maybe Tool went for atmosphere over musical talent? I hope so, because talent they have and it is not really heard here, especially in the Carey's drumming, which is again disappointing. A lot of the vocals are through effects or just difficult. Again I am sure this is part of it all, but it really is getting a bit old. Maybe that's the overall problem. Maybe Tool is reaching that sad, but usually inevitable, point where they need to hang it up.

Either that or, (and this is what many of us fear most) they do not really care anymore. Just like Metallica, System of a Down, Dream Theater (to name a few) this album WAS going to sell. Period. So are they experimenting? Challenging the fans? Just putting out whatever and cashing in on the money? Are they really artsy or just pretentious? All that is side talk I suppose. Overall this album is meh. Some good songs, some good parts, a lot of slow and boring. It feels 10,000 days long.

Three Stars

Review by The Sleepwalker
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 10,000 Days is Tool's fourth full-length studio album, being released in 2006. The album's sound is very similar to the sound the band had created on Lateralus, though it is more eclectic and the band explores some territories on it they didn't on Lateralus. The band combines the modern style of Lateralus, which is full of triplets and grunge-like riffs, with exotic sounding drums and some of Tool's most emotional and ambitious pieces ever.

Some examples of this unique musical style are songs like the powerful "Right In Two", the softer "Intension" and the epic "Wings For Marie/10,000 Days" suite. The album does feature some more conventional Tool songs though, like "Vicarious" and "The Pot", which are both more accesible than most of the other songs on the album, but are some of the best songs Tool has ever created. Not all music on the album is as fantastic as those songs. The Psychedelic "Rosetta Stoned" for example is not one of the band's best I think.

The album focuses less on atmosphere than Ænima, though it does feature some typical songs meant to create a certain mood. One of them being the closing track of the album, "Viginti Tres", which might sound like a somewhat dull ending but serves a much more interesting function. This means combining it with some other music on the album. I won't be too specific on it, as I don't want to spoil anything.

Also worth being mentioned is the very original artwork. The digipack contains three-dimensional pictures of the band members, artwork by Alex Grey, and other pictures. Really something that was a pleasant surprise when I bought the album.

Overall a very solid album and arguably the bands best. I rate it with four stars, as I think it is a fantastic album, but lacks that final touch to make it worth five stars.

Review by Rune2000
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars After a long five year wait, which felt like forever, I finally got what I've been waiting for, namely another great Tool album!

I bought the album the first day it was released and was once again met with an intricate album design which featured build-in stereoscopic eyeglasses. The glasses were there to be able to view the album's inside artwork which was a nice little bonus although now it's kind of in the way since the album can't fit into a regular CD-case. Now that we've got that out of the way let's talk about the album!

Tool has always been pushing forward with every new release and 10,000 Days is no exception since it's anything but just another Tool-album. This time it's the two Wings-tracks that add a new dimension to the band's already well established sound and they are the definite highlights of this album.

One thing that has become somewhat of a must on a Tool release are the interludes or what most of us call filler tracks. Those tracks haven't really worked for me since Ænima and this album's fillers really bore me which brings down the overall experience of this great release.

Still 10,000 Days is anything but a bad album since it held up quite well over the past few years. If anything, this record has so far received a lot more time in my CD-player than Lateralus and I still enjoy listening to it from time to time!

***** star songs: Vicarious (7:08) Wings For Marie (Pt 1) (6:13) 10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2) (11:15)

**** star songs: Jambi (7:30) The Pot (6:24) Rosetta Stoned (11:13) Right In Two (8:57)

*** star songs: Lipan Conjuring (1:13) Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann) (3:48) Intension (7:23) Viginti Tres (5:02)

Review by The Quiet One
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 10.000 days ago I wouldn't have been able to appreciate Tool

While some of you may know that I'm not a metal fan, I've always enjoyed pretty heavy stuff, one of my first loves being the Alt. Rock/Grunge genre with bands like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden featuring lots of heavy distorted riffing and a bit of aggressivity from the vocalists but never going too far and sounding like thrash metal bands which I'm not able of digesting at all, despite repeated attempts.

Well, Tool with 10.000 Days combines the aggressivity and style of grunge(alt. rock if you want) with the complexity and experimentation of bands such as Wetton-era King Crimson. Any metal fan will have no doubt about their metal-credentials since Adam Jones does a massive job with his guitar employing some gut-ripping riffage but also alterning to atmospheric bits for a more dynamic sound. The rhythm section couldn't be better, compromised by Justin Chancellor and Danny Carey, both really are fundamental to Tool's original sound, they add a lot of power to the band that bands like Metallica lack, but that's just a useless comment coming from a non-metal fan.

As for the vocals, Maynard James Keenan is also responsible for Tool's originality and distinction from the rest. He can be very delicate as well as emotionally agressive with his singing, giving as well a more dynamic feel to the band unlike various other metal bands which have singers that either only growl or, on the contrary, ''sing'' in the altitudes of the sky(extremely high-pitched) which makes those band in that aspect monotonous.

When it comes to the Progressive bit of the band, the main factor is the use of very complex time signatures which as a contrast to the technical bit of the band, Tool swifts a lot from totally relentless bits to echoey and dark moods which has Maynard's delicacy.

However, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Tool are pioneers or innovators from the metal genre, what I'm saying is that they're indeed a distinctive Prog Metal band unlike those who follow Dream Theater's footsteps, that with 10.000 Days and Lateralus have made me, a non-metal follower, a fan.

4 stars: If only it were a tad bit shorter this would have been a masterpiece, I can assure you. Recommended to fans of Prog Metal that have yet to seek other than Dream Theater-inspired bands. Also recommended to Prog fans that like Grunge.

Review by Bonnek
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars 10.000 Days is only the 4th Tool album in 15 years. It makes them even less prolific then Anekdoten who managed to churn out at least one more album over a similar period of time. But Tool make up for it by releasing a really long album again. And for the first time in their carreer they have me on board. And how!

Tool hasn't changed all that much compared to the previous album, but somehow they finally achieved to capture their live energy on a studio recording. The opening Vicarious sounds like someone set the band on fire. It's dark, urgent and poignant, even Maynard fully convinces me now. He has just a tad more melody in his rhythmic recitative. The band also perfected their compositional skills. While very similar to Lateralus, it's strikingly more varied. The songs ebb and flow nicely through various motions.

Maybe it's just due to an extra sparkle of inspiration and bite, but Tool sound ablaze on this album, Jambi continues to deliver on the genius that I had heard in Tool 15 years earlier during one of their early live concerts. They sweep me off my feet here. A few outbursts aside, Wings for Marie is the first quite moment on the album. Tool manages the dynamics between soft and loud very adequately now. 10.000 Days gradually builds up out of brooding guitar chords. The Pot continues with a catchy funk vibe. Not unlike Rage Against The Machine this one. Lipan Conjuring is a pagan chant that I'm sure I've heard somewhere before.

We're 40 minutes in by now and when Lost Keys begins, it's like the intro of a second album is starting, and I actually tend to play both halves in separate sittings. The first half if I want rock, the second if I want to dream away with the music. Rosetta Stoned is one of those Tool tracks where I can just sit and listen to the drums and the bass. Great playing abound. Intension is more brooding and post-rock oriented. Right In Two has a powerful emotional drive. Again Maynard puzzles me, did he take singing lessons or a course in writing memorable vocal melodies? What an improvement over the preceding albums. Everything ends with the nihilistic white noise of Virginti Tres. It's the type of track added at the end to make sure you don't shuffle the intended running order.

Seems like Tool continues to sound better with every album. If they continue at this pace (an album every 5 years) they will eventually release the most astounding rock album ever. Probably by the time they retire. Until that happens, this sure is a 4.5 star album for me.

Review by Negoba
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Tool Finally Gets It Right

I have a bad habit of liking the album that follows the critic's favorite, which usually is a "maturing" of the band's sound. I loved Type O Negative's October Rust which felt like a consolidation of the band's sound after their uneven popular hit Bloody Kisses. Similarly, Tool's albums were always extremely unever affairs for me. Frankly, I rarely finished the entire disc with Aenima or Lateralus despite the fact that each had some great tracks. I never liked Adam Jones' minimalistic guitar style, and Maynard's pseudo-avant interludes did nothing for me.

Like many, I got 10,000 Days very uncertain what I was getting. The lead song (and single) "Vicarious" was clearly recycled ideas, but promisingly with a much better guitar sound. But starting with the quick riff that ends the song, the album just takes it up a notch and I remember just listening to the disc with giddy glee for the first time. It was one of those albums that got me calling my metalhead friends to check out. It just seemed like the band had finally broken through and created an entire album showcasing the brilliance that I'd seen only in moments before. One of the biggest shocks I when coming to Prog Archives was discovering that the general opinion seemed to be that this album was poor while Lateralus, which mostly bored me, was seen as an absolute masterpiece.

The guitars contribute more 10,000 Days than any other album in Tool's catalog. On "Wings for Marie" the bass and guitar actually play interlocking lines that compliment each other, rather than Jones simply following along. The distortion is fuller, more colorful, and the overall mix benefits substantially. At the same time, the whole band seems to be embracing a more textured sound with Maynard contributing multiple layers and effects being used with clear interaction with the parts of the song. The lyrics are the most personal of Keenan's career, dealing mainly with the illness and death of his mother. While retaining the emotional intensity of earlier angry and depraved outbursts, he now displays a more mature range of emotion. As such the Wings for Marie Suite is one of his best performances ever.

There are clear singles on this album, and some are better than others. "Jambi" is great, relying on a monster gallop rhythm. "The Pot" clearly preaches to the Tool choir, but its spine twisting rhythm is so much better than 90% of prog metal that utilizes odd time signature as a math exercise rather than a real vehicle of musical expression. As stated, "Vicarious" is stock Tool, but doesn't really grab me.

Unlike earlier albums, the interludes make much more sense. Instead of feeling random and grasping at intentional wierdness, there is a sense of spiritual exploration. "Intention" combines a harmonic chant with a polyrhythmic feast from drummer Danny Carey and bassist Justin Chancellor. "Lipan Conjuring" is a faux Native American chant that flirts with being too pretentious but works because of its brevity. "Blame Hofmann" is basically a feedback solo that gets a little tiresome but its whole point is evoking the feeling of being locked within one's own body in a sickbed. The transition into the schizophrenic "Rosetta Stoned" reminds us that Tool were once masters of evoking madness and frenzy. The combo of the two songs is over fifteen minutes long, and probably could have gotten its work done in less than 10. "Right in Two" features one of Maynard's worst, preachy lyrics over a solid but typical Tool groove.

Because of the somewhat weak ending, 10,000 Days misses masterpiece level in my mind now. But it's still clearly the most accessible Tool album in retrospect. It's also the most complex harmonically and retains the rhythmic adventure that is key to the band's sound. I think it's overall rating is artificially low due to fans that had embraced Lateralus getting something different than they were looking for. But for a newcomer to the band, I would actually recommend this one first.

Review by Finnforest
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars The Tool sound with more spice

I remember describing the previous album "Lateralus" as the soundtrack to a shark attack scene, with the brooding and tension filled tracks suddenly exploding like a shark hitting an unsuspecting victim as the full Tool sound kicked in. On this, their long awaited follow-up, there are subtle changes despite many Tool fans complaining that the album was a lame redux or others who feel "all Tool sounds the same." Here the album feels more variable in intensity and force. Where "Lateralus" was consistent power and heaviness, on "Days" the band mixes things up and explores a more introspective psych-metal landscape. The four key sound elements are often featured individually or in tandem pair as opposed to being consistently clubbing the listener to death with their combined fury and firepower. It's still Tool and it still often resembles "Lateralus" but there is more diversity for better or worse. Another issue is that the periodic interludes of quiet, reflective space or tribal percussion and chant, which interrupts the flow of heaviness I seek from a Tool album. In some sense the variable is cool, but personally when I want the experience of being bludgeoned the other stuff kinda foils the flow. If I want the spacey psych thing I can turn to numerous other bands for a more thorough experience in that kind of music. "10,000 Days" is a good album and I enjoy it but I would certainly recommend "Lateralus" be acquired first. And John is right, the bottom end on a good system is formidable.

Review by UMUR
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars "10,000 Days" is the 4th full-length studio album by US alternative/ progressive rock/ metal act Tool. The album was released in May 2006 by Tool Dissectional/ Volcano Entertainment.

From the first second of the first track "Vicarious" there is no doubt that youīre listening to a Tool album. The band have created a sound over the years thatīs unmistakably their own. A strong and adventurous rythmic foundation is the backbone of the often dark and desperate sounding tracks. The desperate part is mainly due to frontman Maynard James Keenanīs vocal delivery. Often mellow and subdued but occasionally bursting out anger and frustration.

The album is 70 minutes long and the songs are generally rather long and intricate, but some are actually rather repetitive, stoned and well...too long. I miss a bit more aggression and progressive playing and could have done without the often unneccessary long mellow building parts/ songs. Some even build toward climaxes that arenīt very powerful and some build towards climaxes that never come. If you sense a bit of frustration here your observation is right. I really miss the more simple, powerful and direct delivery from the first two albums. Much of the material on "10,000 Days" sound like it was conceived while jamming stoned and completely lack aggression of any sort. Itīs mellow and and probably well suited for chilling out, but I miss structure and memorability. When Tool decide to rock out, they shine though, but unfortunately it happens so rarely on this album that Iīm left frustrated.

The musicianship is of course excellent and the production is wonderful, so no problems there.

So with my above complaints about the songwriting on the album in mind I canīt say I think "10,000 Days" is an artistically succesful album. The band donīt expand upon what theyīve done in the past either and in the end Iīm disappointed that it took Tool five years to come up with so little. Frustrated or not I still think there are enough quality material on "10,000 Days" to warrant a 3 star rating, and people more into meditative, mellow and stoned jamming type music might find this album more appealing than me, so donīt just take my word for it. This is the kind of album that you need to listen to yourself to see if it appeals to you.

Review by Sinusoid
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars To skip over LATERALUS straight to 10,000 DAYS was a risk for me considering the ratings of the two albums. I loved plenty of songs from the other Tool album I've heard so far (AENIMA), yet I felt the album as a whole was patchy and too fillery. So, judging from a first-glance look at the tracks, it seems as if most filler is filtered out.

''Lipan Conjuring'' and ''Lost Keys'' actually work at creating beautiful atmospheres instead of sounding like throwaways meant to pad the length of the album. ''Lost Keys'' actually sounds like a song Tool would normally write. In contrast, we never needed ''Viginti Trees''; it's a noise piece at the end of the album that is simply a time-waster. I'm used to this technique from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, but it's still unnecessary no matter what artist tries it.

The rest of the tunes are Tool tunes as you would expect had you heard any Tool songs before this. Even with only one album of experience, the parallels are astonishing (good and bad). I swear ''Right in Two'' is a rewrite of ''Jimmy'' with one beat added to it even if I really enjoy ''Right in Two''. ''Vicarious'' and ''Rosetta Stoned'' are two other good tracks I swear I've heard before also. I get this innate sense throughout the whole album.

That is until we have the ''Wings for Marie'' segment. It's a very haunting, building, brooding piece that relies very much on the psychedelic part of Tool's sound much more so than the metal, though outbursts come and go. Everything about this epic just seems right to me, and add that to Maynard Keenan's most moving vocal performance to date (I believe he wrote the tune as a tribute to his mother; the emotion shows). ''Intension'' has similarly good soundscapes to it, but not quite up to the epic's standards.

I can understand the agony of many Tool fans back in 2006 that felt like they were served the same burger and fries over again. If Tool worked new sounds into their own, I honestly can't detect any of them. So, I will say that 10,000 DAYS is a lot like AENIMA; it has its own unique sound with plenty of great moments, but this time instead of too much filler, there's too much déjā vu.

Review by AtomicCrimsonRush
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars A psycho-drama of technical riffing and atmospheric gloom.

Tool blaze a trail of glory on "10, 000 Days" with raucous metal riffing precision and powerful song structures. The riffs are like machines in factories churning out iconic metal prog, check out that machine gun attacks on 'Jambi' for example.

It begins with a blast of riffing elegance on 'Vicarious' with the Tool signature sound, razor edge riffs and emotive raspy vocals that echo more anger than the average screamer. The attitude of the band has always been to attack at the jugular vein of society and reveal the uglier side of humanity. The lead breaks are as well executed as the distorted riffs, such as the wah-wah vocoder effects of Adam Jones' lead guitar on 'Jambi'. Tool have a relentless rhythmic pace that is familiar to all Toolaholics, from previous albums "Aenima" and "Lateralus." The angular guitar phrases and odd time signatures are a key feature and the dark lyrics sung with so much passion by Maynard James Keenan.

On 'Wings for Marie (Pt 1)' the droning ambience of layered guitars and extended vocal intonations are ethereal and atmospheric. Justin Chancellor's bass drones menacingly and then the percussion explosion of Danny Carey augments the chilling soundscape.

'10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)' is where the complex musicianship really comes into effect and all in 11 glorious minutes. This is a masterful track beginning with stormy distant thunder and a guitar picking phrase. The clean low key vocals speak of a river, the tales of a saviour, trials and tribulations, "a congregation gather round spewing sympathy, spare me", and "blinded by choices" you are "safely on your way". It builds with looming menace as the thunder gets closer and some violining guitar swirls, sounding like Pink Floyd's 'Empty Spaces'. Eventually loud thunder crashes lead to a fast hypnotic motif and some more forced vocals. It kind of sits on the one note musically but is very effective with its brooding atmosphere. It breaks into a loud instrumental break powered by phased guitar and a vibrant bassline. The lead break has sustained feedback and some wonderful string bends with soaring elegance. It gets heavier at the end until the whispered portentous vocals "never lived a life, never took a life", capping of a masterful track.

'The Pot' is next beginning with a capella vocals "who are you to wave your finger you must have been out of your head". The tribal percussion and strange guitar effect is soon joined by a chugging riff, as heavy as distortion can get. The melody on this is more accessible than previous track and has the repeated phrase "you must have been high". I like the pulsing riff that locks in at the end as a snarling guitar blasts over; it is an enduring track. Keenan's guitar is interminably locked into a D minor pentatonic scale but it is recognizable as trademark Tool, and the sound really haunts well after the album is over.

'Lipan Conjuring' is one of the short Tool tracks with tribal vocal intonations and a mystical percussion feel with some guitar. It is a transition into 'Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)', a track that really made me sit up and take notice when I first heard this album years ago. It is dominated with sustained lead notes feeling very dark and downbeat. A nurse's voice converses with a doctor about a situation of concern. They have a patient who is experiencing some kind of catatonic state. We hear his breathing and then the band launch into 'Rosetta Stoned'.

This is an 11 minute prog metal blaster, with chunky riffs and speed rapping. A very weird vocal is soon heard, overlayed growls and phased vocals enhance the ominous atmosphere. It builds eventually to the zinging guitar effects done by slashing a pick over the strings, and an excellent time sig change moves the track into a new direction. The polyrhythmic riffs are mesmirising and inspiring, and the bassline solo on this is incredible. One of the best tracks on the album without a doubt.

The last three tracks are linked well making the album culminate in some intricate riffs and time sigs. 'Intension' follows on with a weird intro of shifting glass and leaves with an stoned atmosphere of loneliness, and the air is intense with whispered rage. The bass emanates nicely and there are harmonised vocals, so effectively layered over. It is one of the quietest moments on the album, but threatens to break out any moment. When the rhythms stop a lone guitar echoes in the night, before a bass joins and then percussion. It builds to more power until the melodic vocals return. The guitar is beautiful on this song, understated and melodic.

'Right In Two' has a similar rhythm, slow and patient with soft vocals. I like Tool when they are in their melancholic mood but at times I long for a blast of distortion to keep things interesting. This one has some psychedelic textures but is overall replete with chilling lyrics such as the "2001: A Space Odyssey" inspired verse; "Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground, Silly monkeys give them thumbs, they make a club, and beat their brother down, How they survive so misguided is a mystery, Repugnant is a Creature who would squander the ability, To lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here." It builds to a heavier section, with the repeated "cut and divide it right in two."

Tool finish albums with disturbing material, such as the Area 51 rant on "Lateralus", and here is no exception with the esoteric 'Viginti Tres', Latin for 23. After a cosmic pulse sounding like a planetary signal, a deep voice is heard uttering a mystical phrase, and then it emanates into oblivion. As scary as Tool like to get and one that has been interpreted over the years as leaving the body into some state of transcendental realm. The uttered phrase "asisco" apparently means to "take-in" or "accept", spoken in the angelic language known as Enochian. It makes more sense understanding that the album was dedicated to Maynard James Keenan's mother, who died prior to its recording, and the voice may be taken as a means of God inducting his mother into Heaven. The pulse then may be the life machine she was plugged into prior to passing over. Interestingly enough if one syncs this track up to 'Wings For Marie (part 1)' it makes even more sense, as many have discovered. This form of syncing two tracks also has significant meaning along with the stereographic album artwork with the use of the special stereogram binoculars. The track has developed a cult following for all these reasons.

Tool again have produced an intriguing album with masterclass musicianship, driven by angular guitar riffs and powerful vocals. It has some of the most innovative album design art ever, complete with those unique glasses making everything jump out in real 3D. The psycho-drama concept is heavy and hard to grasp as always but it is the music that really makes Tool such an endearing act. "10, 000 Days" is as good as "Lateralus", forever my favourite of theirs, and this is well worth a visit now and then; a wonderful example of the band as inventive metal geniuses.

Review by Warthur
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars The only psychodramatic occult concept album to include a repeated refrain about [&*!#]ting the bed, Tool's 10,000 Days finds the band travelling further down the increasingly progressive trajectory suggested by Aenima and especially Lateralus. The evolution in the band's sound is a bit more gentle than the quantum leap between Undertow and Aenima, or even the jump from Aenima to Lateralus, but the album should be pleasing to anyone who's fond of Tool's progressive direction - though if you were more intrigued by the alternative metal style of Undertow (or the alternative-progressive fusion of Aenima) you're not going to see a return to that here, and sometimes the band's noodlings end up becoming experimental for experimental's sake rather than going anywhere interesting.
Review by The Crow
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars With 10.000 Days Tool failed to deliver another masterpiece like Lateralus, but they managed to create an excellent album with some of the band's best moments, among other mediocre parts.

The production of the album is really good , with more balance progagonism of every instrument compared to Lateralus, where the guitars are god. I find the obsession of Maynard to distort his voice in some songs a bit annoying, but otherwise nothing to complain about the sound of the record.

Vicarious is just a perfect song, with outstanding lyrics and a perfect balance between commerciality, technicity and obscurity. But Jambi is even better, presenting the best Adam Jones guitar work to date. Just amazing start for this album!

But sadly, Wings for Marie is too slow and boring, despite the solid lyrics. 10.000 Days is better, thanks to the powerful second half, but inevitably the sensation of quality descent is there. But suddenly comes The Pot, another great song with one of the best Maynard James Keenan works on vocals. A classic!

But Tool does it again... Lipan Conjuring is absurd and pointless again, while Lost Keys (Blame Hoffmann) is a superficial introduction for Rosetta Stoned with nice guitar layers, but nothing more. Since Aenima this band is obsessed in introducing this little silly tracks wich are normally just pretentious, dull and unnecessary. And 10.000 Days is no exception.

Nevertheless, Rosetta Stoned is another thrashing track, with funny lyrics, very rhythmic and complex. Very good!

But then comes Intension... Once again too slow, but with mysterious and cryptic lyrics, very well written and a song wich leads to Right in Two, another highlight on this albums with top lyrical work. Similar to 10.000 Days in intensity and structure, but better.

And Viginti Tres? A vain reference to Nostradamus and the Antichrist, really boring.

Conclusion: 10.000 Days contains five great and three nice songs. The rest is rubbish. But the problem is that the good parts are so incredible, that I must give this album four stars. Is by far not so good as Lateralus, and it's also clearly under Aenima in my opinion, but it's another strong release from one of the most interesting and unique bands un progressive metal. And it contains the best lyrics of the band's history in my opinion! And that's is not a little thing.

Let's hope the best for the album that Tool are composing right now! I think It will not be their best, but I hope that surpasses this not so great 10.000 Days.

Best Tracks: Vicarious, Jambi, The Pot, Rosetta Stoned, Right in Two.

My rating: ****

Review by Hector Enrique
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars 5 years after the acclaimed Lateralus, Tool presents 10,000 days, an album that without reaching the compositional or musical levels of the previous album, leaves us excellent songs and that to this day continue to form a fundamental part of their live concerts. Two approaches have been mentioned regarding the origin of the album title, one is that the mother of singer Maynard James Keenan suffered a brain aneurysm that had her prostrate approximately 27 years (almost 10,000 days) before dying in 2003, and the other that has to do with the time it takes Saturn to orbit (a little closer to 11,000 days), and the opportunity that time gives humans to transform and leave behind behaviors that do not allow it to develop to have a fuller life .

As for the musical aspect, we find fundamental songs that are part of the indelible seal of Tool, starting with the powerful Vicarius, a criticism of the insensitivity of society to the mountain of violent and dark news to which the newscasts constantly subject people. An excellent song, followed by the no less powerful Jambi, which shows the influence of the Swedish extreme progressive metal group Messhuggah on Adam Jones' riffs, after previously sharing touring together.

They are followed by Wings for Marie part 1 and 2, composed in gratitude to Keenan's mother, Judith Marie, previously mentioned,. Part 1 is very heartfelt and has excellent musical content, which has an extraordinary moment in its development when both Carey on drums and Jones on guitars make it in seconds that the calm and dense song enters a tumultuous roller coaster for then return to its resting state. In my opinion the second part doesn't add much more to the first, being extensive and monotonous at times.

Then The Pot, excellent song, trademark of the group, where we find an impeccable presentation of bassist Justin Chancellor, with a wide variety of effects that at times can confuse the bass with the sounds of a guitar (wah-wah, delay, among others).

Lipan Conjuring, is one of the usual interludes in Tool, but they don't add points to the album in musical terms, like Intension and Viginti Tres, in my opinion without much relevance and dispensable.

Then we found again a very good song of more than 11 minutes (Rosetta Stoned), and a long introduction (Lost Keys- Blame Hofmann) of almost 4 minutes, dramatic and very well done. It is the apparent journey under the influence of LSD of a patient, who talks in the introduction with his doctor and nurse, and refers to the discoverer of the hallucinogen, Albert Hofmann. ' Right in Two, the last great song on the album, is in the same vein as The Pot and Jambi, and reflects on the good and the bad of the human being and on the unpredictability and volatility of their actions.

In general lines a very good album, perhaps a little step behind the Lateralus. After 10,000 Days, Tool took over 13 very long years for its next and long-awaited Fear Inoculum.

Latest members reviews

4 stars TOOL masterpiece! 1. Vicarious and the dark entry, unrecognizable rock, latent spaces, 2. Jambi and the syncopated, electric riff of the start; a still very heavy, choppy sound; when I think that some see the psyche, the progressive in there, I remain circumspect; the vocoder used puts a little ... (read more)

Report this review (#2310899) | Posted by alainPP | Thursday, January 30, 2020 | Review Permanlink

5 stars My wife is not too crazy about this album. But then is it her writing this review? No. This album with it's concept as a whole beckons back to the seventies when bands actually cared about art regardless of how high they were on drugs and being manipulated by record executives who were probab ... (read more)

Report this review (#1428597) | Posted by KenFrankenstein | Friday, June 19, 2015 | Review Permanlink

5 stars I can not write a really long review for this 10,000 Days album or any other. But I can say that this is my favorite TOOL album, I love it and I have listened to it at least 10,000 times or more. This is Tool's most Progressive Rock/Metal album to date. Rosetta Stoned is my favorite track from this ... (read more)

Report this review (#1131115) | Posted by infinityisgone | Thursday, February 13, 2014 | Review Permanlink

3 stars Tool returned in 2006 with an album that has a few shining moments, but which ultimately falls short of their earlier works. That's not to say it's a bad album by any means, but given the pedigree of albums such as Aenima and Lateralus, for me it is somewhat of a disappointment. The first half ... (read more)

Report this review (#959139) | Posted by bonestorm | Tuesday, May 14, 2013 | Review Permanlink

5 stars 10/10 This album does really get to the levels of Lateralus, and after several listenings it's to me better than Aenima. It's the masterpiece that I knew I could be, on its own level. Tool has been known for his unique sound, while it has brought a different sound in each of his four works. ... (read more)

Report this review (#933672) | Posted by voliveira | Thursday, March 21, 2013 | Review Permanlink

5 stars I do not understand why Aenima is ranked much higher than this album. Aenima is an essential, amazing album not just in prog but in the music scene in general; however, this album is a lot more "progressive" so I do not understand why it is ranked lower here. On top of that, I find it more enj ... (read more)

Report this review (#694934) | Posted by Riuku | Wednesday, March 28, 2012 | Review Permanlink

4 stars this is going to be an odd review for me to write becaus i am just coming accross this album in 2011; i was a tool fan through my youth then my interest sort of cooled yet i always appreciated the music and its brilliance....so stumbling upon this one day was quite an experience. like many r ... (read more)

Report this review (#572666) | Posted by thepoliteforce | Monday, November 21, 2011 | Review Permanlink

5 stars People have mentioned that there are a lot of fillers on this albums--this is true, but the album itself is 75 minutes long, and full of invention. This album didn't get a 3.7-- because it deserved it; it's rated this low because people (in this site) hate creativity and commercial success. ... (read more)

Report this review (#420941) | Posted by themortician | Wednesday, March 23, 2011 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Trim the Fat and you've got a Great album. Well, I never thought I'd see the day where I would have to eliminate 20 minutes off a Tool album just to make it listenable. I've listened to Undertow, AEnima, and Lateralus at least 50 times, where as I listened to 10,000 days maybe twice in 5 yea ... (read more)

Report this review (#359385) | Posted by Phoenix87x | Tuesday, December 21, 2010 | Review Permanlink

4 stars More accessible and psychedelic at the same time? Rating Tool albums is so difficult for me that it almost hurts. I'm a huge fan of this band, and I like this album very much. I really do, but when it comes to rate it I have a problem. First of all I don't find the concept and atmosphere to be eq ... (read more)

Report this review (#307966) | Posted by bartosso | Tuesday, November 2, 2010 | Review Permanlink

3 stars when i first heard vicarious i was excited to hear the rest of the album so i went out bought and bought expecting something even betetr than lateralus i was very disapointed while vicarious and wings for marie Pt.1 and 10,000 Days are 10/10 for sure teh rest of teh album is somewhat lacking w ... (read more)

Report this review (#297652) | Posted by paroxix | Monday, September 6, 2010 | Review Permanlink

3 stars A solid follow-up to their best Is it a good album? Yes, it is good. Is it as good as Lateralus? No, not at all. The absolutely stunning art inside the album led me to believe that this could be another masterpiece. While not a masterpiece, it is still worth the buy. A description of t ... (read more)

Report this review (#289405) | Posted by DisgruntledPorcupine | Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | Review Permanlink

4 stars This album really is not as bad as tool fans say it is, just because its not a fantastic album to listen to all the way through doesnt mean its not worth a listen. I mean its true some tracks arnt very interesting but the album does compensate for them with songs like "wings of marie", "jambi ... (read more)

Report this review (#248116) | Posted by native bandit | Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Tool is a great band. They have tons of rabid, loyal fans who love pretty much anything they do. After Lateralus, they anticipated another killer album on the same high masterpiece level. This is possibly why there is so much dissapointment for this album. Many say it sucks, many think it's the ... (read more)

Report this review (#217995) | Posted by topofsm | Sunday, May 24, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Tool - 10 000 Days (review#2) 1. Vicarious - Good, strong piece, but somehow repeats the concepts already known from 'Schizm' and to a lesser extent from 'Stinkfist'. Kicks off the album with power. The lyrics are somehow atypical for MJK (more down to earth), touching the topic of 'blood cal ... (read more)

Report this review (#200297) | Posted by Boowka | Friday, January 23, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4 stars TOOL is comparable to religion. They have a vast and loyal following, some of which are not right in the head. They also have an army of opposers...the Anti-TOOL. I don't think I would go as far as to say they were compositional geniuses, but they are indeed clever. Most of the TOOL hatred seem ... (read more)

Report this review (#198531) | Posted by Sgt. Smiles | Monday, January 12, 2009 | Review Permanlink

5 stars I remember the first time I listened to this album like it was yesterday. I had just finished listening to Tool's entire discography, in chronological order from Opiate to Lateralus. I liked Tool by this point, but wasn't necessarily their biggest fan. Then, 10,000 Days came along. I didn't l ... (read more)

Report this review (#192073) | Posted by evantate09 | Saturday, December 6, 2008 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Tool...the last three releases could do no wrong. This one digs Tool even deeper into Prog Metal and I consider them to be the leaders in that genre. Start to finish, this album grinds at the love for deep, dark, and intricate music, which comes from three instrumentalists and a singer. Once aga ... (read more)

Report this review (#180494) | Posted by StyLaZyn | Thursday, August 21, 2008 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Te cunosc după sandale / Că eşti fată de locale Tool is band that has tried to be a little bizarre by experimenting with textures, sounds adding synth keys in a industrial manner and on Aenima and Lateralus, the band achieved a certain level of avant-garde music and noise em ... (read more)

Report this review (#178463) | Posted by Zarec | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 | Review Permanlink

3 stars After giving this album countless spins, I just can't bring myself to give it the four stars that I feel instinctively inclined to grant one of my favorite bands. Because when all is said and done, although there are certainly some excellent tracks here, the final product comes off a bit flat i ... (read more)

Report this review (#156086) | Posted by The Progmatist | Thursday, December 20, 2007 | Review Permanlink

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