Tool - 10,000 days (Review: Roshan)

10,000 days was the first of tool I was exposed to, which is actually a bad thing (reasons why later). Their sound is definitely a unique and refreshing take on the metal/rock genre that is very much sagging with age. I wouldn’t oppose a spawn of a new genre based on tools style, I would embrace it and hope that other/new bands will follow these pioneers.

As you might probably guess I have very much enjoyed this album. One thing that always affects how much I like an album no matter what the band is its production values. The production on this album is simply splendid and you can hear the quality the moment you press play, to the progressively inspiring drum fills and the last of the ambient Viginti Tres.

The albums starts of strongly with the palm muted, heavily delayed, almost hypnotic opening melody in Vicarious that has an “eastern” feel to it. As mentioned the anthem like lyrics of it really power the song along, but the part I was most impressed with was echoing of lyrics in the guitar riff at 3.25, which is then joined by the drums, almost like an A cappella of instruments. Jambi’s beginning I can’t help but feel is slightly Meshuggah inspired, it’s the sort of polyrhythmic chugging that you’d expect from them. The progression in this song is a lot more secretive than the previous song climaxing up to 3.04 before the instruments make way for the almost speech like delivery of an awesome verse.

Ah now, Wings both parts 1 and 2 are a masterpiece. If these were the only two songs on the album I would have still felt I received my moneys worth. Incredibly well crafted, atmospheric and engrossing. It begins with a soothing whirling sound that almost surrounds you, fluctuating in speed. By the time it’s sucked you in it hits you hard at 4.12 into a full on traditional power chord enraged riffing followed by an increasingly robotic voice. In wings part 2 the whirl of sound has been replaced with thunder and rain taking you again to another world. The voice is kept slow and almost silent, rarely rising above a whisper. Something I thought was quite cheeky was the return of the whirling sound without you quite realising it blends into the vocalists harmony at 3.18, blink and you’ve missed its entrance. It returns to similar heavy riffing heard in the previous track.

The Pot brings things back to the mainstream with very impressive singing and minimalistic riffs and random guitar noises. Halfway through it cuts to a familiar palm muted melody heard at the start of vicarious. Its little things like this, the similarities, the constants, such as the guitar tone and style of singing in the album that makes sure every song sounds like it belongs there. Blame Hoffman keeps with the background noises and with some simple picking of guitar chords and background chatter makes for a great and interesting instrumental, something other metal bands try and hopelessly fail at, producing an incoherent mess they clearly aren’t talented enough to direct.

Intension builds on their instrumental efforts, including Tablas which I think is a silent nod at reflections from their previous album. There’s not much I can say about the other tracks other than I can only describe them as “typically tool” and they have a fair amount in common with the previous album.

I have to say I am immensely impressed with the hidden genius of this album and it beckons for repeat hearing so you can appreciate it fully. I only wish that this wasn’t the first tool album I heard as their other albums disappoint in comparison. I think tool, although well into their career still have a lot to offer us and I look forward to future productions. Overall 4/5