TOOL On New Album Recording Sessions: 'All Systems Are Go'

TOOL has released an official update on the recording sessions for the band's long-awaited new album. The disc is being helmed by Joe Barresi, an acclaimed producer who has worked with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, VOLBEAT and SLIPKNOT, and who engineered and mixed TOOL's last LP, 2006's "10,000 Days".

In a post on TOOL's web site and Facebook page, the band's webmaster wrote: "Who's ready for some major breaking news? Brace yourself; get ready… okay, here we go.

"We are very excited to announce what is sure to be welcome news for both fans of TOOL and prog-metal enthusiasts in general. After all the years of writing and arranging (and re-arranging) at the band's loft, I can at this time officially report that the guys have moved into a major studio where the recording process for the next album is about to begin in earnest. For the past few days the band members have been getting sonically adjusted to their new surroundings — dialing in the equipment settings and restaurant catering choices — in preparation for Danny [Carey, drums] to begin his tracking any time now — perhaps by the time that you read this!

"I am also excited to announce that 'evil' Joe Barresi will once again have his capable fingers at the engineering controls for what will certainly be another masterful TOOL offering by the talented team. Pinch yourself if you want, but I have been told that all systems are GO at this point for the upcoming sessions.

"I will be posting periodic bits and pieces on the progress of the tracking once the guys get deeper into the recording process, and hope that all of you will keep checking back to the official website for these updates. In the meantime, be sure to also visit the individual band members' sites and socials (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) for more inside glimpses as TOOL prepares for the next stage in their musical odyssey."

TOOL guitarist Adam Jones stated in January that the music for the band's new effort was finished, later writing that the recording sessions would begin in March. Frontman Maynard James Keenan revealed last month that he had finished writing the "words and melodies" to all but one new song for the new disc.

Still to be determined are a title and release date for the new disc, although Carey said in several interviews that it would be out sometime this year.

Work on the new record did not get underway in earnest until perhaps the last year or so.

Keenan also sings on the new album from A PERFECT CIRCLE, which arrives in April.