Fear Inoculum

In an age of instant gratification, this album demands your patience in order for you to truly appreciate it. The tracks are very long, and each feeling like a journey in and of themselves and each one progressively feels like a mini album/ep of its own. It takes time and repeated listens to appreciate each track but if you commit to it you will find amazing depth as the complexity and utter beauty of this music gets its hooks into you. It probably took me about 6 or 7 playthroughs until the music really started to open up to me and reveal itself. A lot of it is building your 'memory' up of the tracks in order to start feeling the power of them increasingly on the next listen.Upon first play through you probably won't feel gratified but with patience and commitment you'll realise that this album is an absolute modern masterpiece and extremely satisfying, I really can't emphasise this enough! This is truly deep and complex music which will keep giving and revealing more of itself to you the more you listen.Tool's music is not for you if you want a quick fix, it is to be experienced on another level.This album will surpass the test of time as one of the all time greats which in an age of superficiality is an absolute breath of fresh air and very exciting, not to mention rare. It's different from the previous albums but no more so than they were from each other.Don't let the negative reviews about the expensive CD put you off. Pay attention to what people are saying about the music itself. And if money is an object, just download the mp3s like I have.Fear Inoculum is a challenging and musically amazing album, even if it does ask for your patience. A slow burner for sure but nonetheless worth your time.

A Modern masterpiece , this progressive metal album is well worth the money, the vinyl presentation is well made , personally one of my favorite Tool albums like a fine red wine the band have gotten even better with age.

Tool do not fail to deliver with Fear Inoculum. And the vinyl pressing is worth far more than the price you pay. Quality edition with more than you can handle, and sounds immense when played through a quality setup. This is the way albums should be delivered. Impressive sounds, awesome packaging, and very very worthy. If you can find one of these original sets at a reasonable price, then just go for it. And if the price is on the high side, then still go for it.

Had to buy it as I don’t own any Tool vinyl! Nostalgic feel when the needle drops and once again you can immerse yourself from the haunting openings of Fear Inoculum and beyond.

After what seems like a lifetime for tool to release anything on vinyl of note, yes Lateralus picture disc is garbage for the most part, they finally deliver. And the result is impressive. Not my favourite album from them, I will state upfront. However, purely on the sonics of this album on vinyl, I was blown away. This box set is a must have, despite the hefty price, as they have finally produced the product that vinyl fans should have received for all their albums. Hopefully Aenima, Lateralus and 10,000 Days will get this prestige treatment sometime soon. Tool will never be considered in the top tier of artists until they release their back catalogue on good vinyl ie no picture discs. Buy this now!

Tool are clearly a very talented and important prog rock metal band for the ages. Admittedly I have been slow to get round to a well deserved Tool fest as it were (I love metal so this is a big oversight in my collection).Partly because of the lead singers strange distance in tracks previously heard....I hear an edge of self righteousness that does not rub well on me....and partly because Tools work sits on the edge of that sometimes bland main steam American metal sound that irritates me....I have avoided them in a fashion thats admittedly slightly prejudiced.I'm glad to say in lockdown I have had more time to venture forth and challenge my musical prejudices and I'm glad I did with tool because Fear Inoculum, the track and the album is excellent. Borderline Enigma meets proggy Pearl Jam with a twinkle of Metallica and a big slice of their own distinctive musical identity and sense of spirituality.....really hits the mark in most senses. The drum and base work is particularly outstanding and original and the production.....much like the lovely velvety cover is to die for sonically.I have since picked up Lazeralus and Aenima and they have left a good impression on first goes.I will say that they are still not up there in my music sanctuary heaven, but they may get there with time.....because as I said at the start there is a subtle distance or self knowingness ....or something that does not click with me still in the vibe of the music and its character, probably that of the singer maybe....but I'm not letting it put me off the challenge of discovering what is obviously great stuff. Check it out!

Those who kept abreast with the interviews from Maynard would've know that Fear Inoculum would be released in two forms. Firstly, a deluxe package containing the 7 track CD, Book and built in tablet display screen showing artwork and various other delights. And secondly as a download version with 3 bonus tracks. I find it somewhat annoying that some reviews have just criticized the price of what they understand as "£74 for a CD"!This album (I'm on my third listen) is nothing short of spectacular! It's very Lateralus sounding in influence but you do get some of the chugging Bass we first enjoyed on Undertow. 7empest, Invincible and my current favourite Descending are real stand out tracks.This album will go down as a masterpiece.My God, what did they leave out if this is what they put on this album?!