Tool

Fear Inoculum

First released2019

Fear Inoculum, Tool's fifth studio album, was recorded primarily at Larrabee Sound Studios and other Los Angeles-area facilities between 2017 and 2019. The album was produced by Tool alongside engineer David Bottrill, known for his work on progressive rock and metal projects. The recording process was notably extended, with the band taking considerable time to refine arrangements and incorporate intricate layering, reflecting their meticulous approach to songcraft. Bottrill's mixing techniques emphasized the album's complex instrumental passages and dynamic range, particularly on lengthy tracks like the title song. The release in August 2019 marked Tool's first new studio material in thirteen years and was notable for being made available on streaming platforms, a significant shift for the band's previous distribution practices.