How to write a TOOL song

[@JohnAzopardi]

So this was quite the musical mountain to climb, but I honestly learned so much in writing this song and becoming totally entranced by the world of TOOL. I hope you all enjoy my track! Let me know who to do next in the comments xx

[@siestaeterna]

man you nailed it, not only the songwriting but the execution WHAT A MAN. No, really, it's impressive

[@JohnAzopardi]

I appreciate the kind words SO much. This one was a real uphill battle to get done, comments like this really give me the motivation to keep going!

[@ike2010]

Been a Tool fan since 1992. You nailed the essence. Great job. 🍻

[@JohnAzopardi]

Thanks so much dude, that means the most coming from a long term fan! So glad that you feel it captured the vibe of these geniuses

[@grawklewbeans728]

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

[@JohnAzopardi]

That’s the best sort of reaction I could ever wish for

[@TheSpartanFactor]

I'm always impressed by what you put together. This is the level I aspire to be as a musician. Once again, I'm voting System of a Down.

[@JohnAzopardi]

Thanks a million dude, it’s so amazing to hear people enjoying it! I’m starting work on the next batch of tunes as we speak.

[@hard_corr5253]

I'm doing a tool inspired song right now and this video has inspired me even more. This was a fantastic song and video

[@kevinkibble8342]

How does this not have more views? It's amazing! Like Schism, Vicarious and The Grudge all rolled into one, but also with your own personal touch added.

[@JohnAzopardi]

Hahahahaha WOWWW you essentially guessed the three biggest inspirations in this song, very good ear my guy! Also a heavy dose of 10,000 Days (Wings, Pt. 2). Thanks so much mate!

[@Maxmason.artist]

This mad lads only gone made a TOOL song in his bedroom!...😳

[@esareph6319]

When I saw this video title, I really really wanted to hate this. As a long time Tool fan, I gotta say.... I really enjoyed this song. You did a great job. I honestly love how its short, compared to most Tool songs, especially song from Fear Inoculum. Don't get me wrong, what they did on that album was incredible, but I gotta say that I liked songs from the Aenima/Lateralus eras more. Thats my personal opinion tho. Your song was an amazing tribute to Tool and it's something to be proud of. Way to go man.

[@JohnAzopardi]

I totally get that, and I knew this would be a video that came under a lot of scrutiny, so I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed it! I certainly didn’t feel like I’d be adding much to the conversation by having long periods of atmospheric percussion (probably wouldn’t help my retention rate either) but those records were the ones I was aiming for! So thanks a bunch for the kind words, it really gives me the motivation to keep going!

[@matiasleiva9558]

Absolutely amazing. This could easily be one of Tool's most listened songs. Thank you 🧰

[@JohnAzopardi]

I appreciate that so much, what an amazing compliment! Lots more to come!

[@grawklewbeans728]

I keep coming back to this video, the more i watch it again, the less i understand how tf tool has a formula

[@SlingshotMustang]

Freakin impressive, really good song. Upon my first listen, I wanted to see just how similar to Tool it really is, without being subconsciously influenced by the visuals of you playing the instruments, so what I did was I put the song on high volume and then got out of view of the computer screen and sat down on the couch and stared at nothing (so that I could put all my focus on just listening). And for most of the song I genuinely got the feeling that I could be listening to Tool if I didn't know any better. You replicated their style about as good as I've seen one man do. This was really good and I'm sure it took a lot of time and effort before it was all put together. Well done!

[@JohnAzopardi]

Wow this genuinely might be one of the best comments I’ve ever received, I appreciate that so so much, thanks a million for the kind words and I’m SO glad you enjoyed it. This was a real uphill battle to get right so comments like this make it absolutely worth it honestly. This is the reason I make these videos. Thanks so much dude

[@RatFiendHD]

Literally just found your stuff a couple minutes ago, gotta say I love all of it, rock on brother 🤟

[@JohnAzopardi]

The kind words give me the motivation to keep going, thank you so much!

[@brunovaz91]

Amazing song! I keep listen and listen again! Congratulations! Sounds a lot of Tool at same time has your own style. Thanks for sharing your talent!

[@scottlefaivre6889]

Impressive.. I completely understand how difficult that must have been but you smashed it. I must say vocally must have been one of the most difficult parts due to the intellectual ability of mjk and his ability to write a masterpiece but your voice sounded like if you did a disturbed cover band you guys would be rolling in the dough. Either way I liked it very much very impressive

[@multilingo]

Love the vid! U just got a new sub! Keep up the awesome work!

[@crypticreality8484]

You deserve much more attention. Your channel is a gem! 💎 Thanks!

[@JohnAzopardi]

I appreciate that so much! We’ll all get there together, for now I’m just enjoying making music!

[@adamadeptus3686]

This was so epic that I instantly subscribed. Amazing work. 👏

[@harrykeane7142]

Absolute quality mate! Would be really cool to see a video, maybe after this season has ended, of you talking about your past with each instrument and musical skills, for example how you got into lyric writing etc. Something along them lines i'm sure you'd come with something more original and insightful. Have been watching all your of videos and am loving where it's all going!

[@JohnAzopardi]

Thank you so much man, your support throughout this entire season has been absolutely incredible honestly. I’m going to do a video once the season is over wrapping everything up so will absolutely put those things in! Give a little background to how this came about. Thank you again lad, it means the world to me.

[@disruptivebutterfly8045]

DUDE! Nailed it! I have seen a lot of these, this was good. Really good.

[@JohnAzopardi]

That means a tonne to me! Thanks a bunch, this one was a bit of an uphill battle but I'm still super happy with how it turned out!

[@tabatasampaio8754]

Sometimes it sounds like TOOL, but other times it sounds different. VERY VERY good song!

[@ZethKeeper]

I once tried to write a track inspired by Tool ("Reflection" for the most part, to be specific), and it actually has a 15/16 parts! And I like how it turned out. If interested, check it out on my channel, "JM Linsner's Dawn - Coloring Process" is the video.

[@Mimmeew]

Man you deserve more views. This is fire!

[@saenz829]

This sounded like Tool with David Draiman as vocalist

[@JohnAzopardi]

Hahahaha ILL TAKE IT

[@danishrajput9383]

HOLY SHITTT DUDEEEEE... I WAS BLOWN AWAYYYYY

[@JohnAzopardi]

Legend! Thanks so much man!

[@ZomniacMedia]

DOOOOOOD! This was f$&^$ing AMAZING! Thank YOU!!!! I am willing to bet that when you listened back for the thousandth time to this, you thought in your mind, "I could have done THIS better," or "I could have done that differently," but those doubts are unfounded, and this is a masterpiece, but more than that, it's a beautiful musical theory study in an underappreciated genre unto itself. Please, no matter how much this took out of you, I humbly and solemnly request that you consider doing another? Further, might I suggest, that in the style of many of Tool's tracks, you try tackling a more unconventional alternating measures of different timing? Like 9/8, 8/8, 7/8 or 3/4, 2/4, 7/4. Mindbending, I know, but it's the experimental musician in me. Again, thank you. This stirred my creativity and brought me out of a musical funk I've been in for too many years. Love ya, brother, ROCK ON!

[@JohnAzopardi]

Oh man comments like this really do make it all worth it making these videos. I’m so so glad you enjoyed it, there’s undoubtedly things I would change looking back on the song now but who knows, I’d love to revisit Tool sometime. It was a lot to put this one together but man I’m so happy with how it turned out and I’m intrigued to see how it would be if I did something similar now. Thanks so much for the support, it really does give me the motivation to keep going!

[@romulusxyz6722]

Honestly the only thing you need to know about writing music like Tool? Tune your guitar to Drop D. Write *everything* in D minor. You are now Tool.

[@JohnAzopardi]

Great now I know that this video COULD HAVE BEEN A SHORT

[@romulusxyz6722]

@@JohnAzopardi Lmao I wasn't taking anything away from your vid/efforts in creating it. Don't get me wrong, you killed it.

[@MarcelloDavideCaio]

me: Dream Thea..! you: don't tell me Dream Theater

[@JohnAzopardi]

HAHAHAHA

[@leedog1211]

Well done man. Keep grinding.

[@magdalenageorge1261]

Excuse me, *clears throat* JENT, how are you not viral?

[@JohnAzopardi]

A lot of hard work to be done before we get to that point, but I'm here for the long run! Thank you ever so much x

[@knoxcascio4101]

Good job

[@primitivealien]

play thats kinda cool a lot

[@andrethomas7096]

If you made and album like that i would buy it. You heard right i would buy it. I purchased all of TOOL's albums. I would buy that.

[@JohnAzopardi]

Wow now that is a big compliment! Thanks so much dude, who knows, when I finally get around to releasing my own music it may be right up your street!

[@tattooedwriter]

Wow! Awesome! Great job!

[@JohnAzopardi]

Thank you ever so much!

[@axelhanson4947]

Thank you for making such a cool song. I will listen to it, and recommend it to my friends. Your talent for music analysis and production astonishes me. Have a wonderful day, and I would not mind an album with just a bunch of progressive/math rock/metal.

[@JohnAzopardi]

Thank you so much, don’t you worry, I will be back very soon with the most outrageous tunes you can imagine. Season 2 will blow your mind xox

[@abysswatcherparabellum2960]

Bravo

[@JohnAzopardi]

Thanks so much!

[@melanphilia]

Brilliant way for me to spend half an hour ☺️ Cheers

[@JohnAzopardi]

Thank you for sitting through my attempts to decode this absolute labyrinth of a band!

[@dashielleheidt7223]

Excellent stuff as always! With the amount of effort you put into making these original songs, I hope more people take notice. I would love to hear you do Foo Fighters sometime

[@JohnAzopardi]

Dashiel Heidt Thank you mate! Well we’re only just getting started, I know stuff like this is a slow burn! Foo Fighters are inevitable at some point I reckon, they’ve been on the list since day 1! I will get round to all Dave Grohl bands eventually... get ready for Writing a PROBOT Song

[@JohnAzopardi]

Ps. My notification said you suggested DTP in your original comment, I will 100% be doing a DTP song, I’m an ENORMOUS HevvyDevvy fan

[@dashielleheidt7223]

@@JohnAzopardi Lmao you have great taste, my dude. I just changed it because I think I read that he achieves his "wall of sound" style largely in post and I wasn't sure if that was outside of your vision for One Man Band. But if you're willing to do DTP, hell yeah, big excite!

[@JohnAzopardi]

Dashiel Heidt believe it or not, the post production is a huge part of me putting these songs together, I just didn’t want to fill the videos too much with engineering jargon but if it’s something people are interested in then maybe going forward I could do some separate videos diving into the production side of things. I can guarantee without a doubt I will do DTP, just have to tune my guitar to ‘frontman power stance fifths’ tuning he uses!

[@dashielleheidt7223]

@@JohnAzopardi Since meticulous sound engineering plays a big role in Townsend's work, I think talking about the engineering side of things would be very fitting if you do a video on him.

[@sygyl]

this guy has 1k subs? this video is amazing

[@JohnAzopardi]

1k and counting hopefully! So glad you enjoyed it, this was such a challenge but one that taught me a great deal!

[@masindog]

😸😸😸😸😸 awesome

[@NoirEater]

Nice dude! PS I love Erik Satie!!

[@marcocardinguntsche3024]

You are awesome

[@thecrumplenugget5744]

You should totally tackle opeth Edit: oh sorry you totally deserve a break, two prog metals in a row might melt your brain😂

[@JohnAzopardi]

HUGE shout. Love Opeth to bits, it’d be a mega long video but I’m up for it.

[@thecrumplenugget5744]

@@JohnAzopardi oh boyyyyyy

[@TKDFORCEART]

You gonna make him have a seizure

[@jirikrajnak9047]

sounds more like john azopardi than tool to me.

[@ZethKeeper]

Next: Type O Negative?

[@JohnAzopardi]

Had a few requests for them now, straight on the list.

[@ZethKeeper]

@@JohnAzopardi, awesome!

[@linkexterminator]

Where are the tabs?

[@Indignia-gq3rt]

Can you help me with my song?

[@ZethKeeper]

BTW, subbed.

[@StasLeo1987]

Your mic is too quiet man...