Tool Inching Closer to Completing New Album

The latest update on Tool's next album comes from bassist Justin Chancellor, who says the group is "about 90 percent there" on its long-awaited follow-up to 2005's 10,000 Days.

In an interview with the MetalSucks podcast, Chancellor acknowledges that "it's been like a crazy science project -- kind of a petri dish. We've just been really picky over what we want to put on this new album and really want to come up with something completely unique. Plus we have endless amounts of material to sift through, so it's just been a process, a little different from last time. It really is an evolving thing. Being out...on the road and playing together, this year, we've really kind of hit a new level, I'd say. (We're) really excited to be around each other and we're gonna just bang it out when we get back home. We're ready to go."

Chancellor did not commit to a timetable for the album's release, however.

Tool recently wrapped up a North American tour and has no other concerts on its schedule. Frontman Maynard James Keenan will also be releasing a new album and touring with his other band, A Perfect Circle, this fall.

Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.