TOOL : Fear Inoculum Review | Music Monday

[@JoshuaValour]

Video correction - Primus Song Name is “My name is Mud” For those of you curious;)

[@dev.b9685]

I like Mr.Krinkle and John the fisherman

[@barchetype6430]

You should check out San Francisco bay Coffe. It's like $5 per pound, pretty good. Bold, smoky.

[@zahitemremetin606]

Josh can you make one Music Monday episode on No Land - Aramızda? I'm curious about your thoughts.

[@darrellharwood6600]

I thought I couldn't respect your audio expertise any more, and then you said that TOOL is one of the best rock bands of all time. :D

[@NomadeDigital]

Danny Carey killed it on this album, and the guy is 58 years old ! I was afraid as a long time fan of the band that they would lose their sound but Danny and Adam composed those songs perfectly.

[@sn0w8]

Hi josh, recently found your channel and love your content! Have you listened to this album on headphones? There are some serious mastering issues with some of the drums throughout the album, for example about 8:30 into pneuma. They have mastered the drums so loud it sounds like there’s clipping on the mix bus! Same issues with 10000 days album. It’s a shame as it’s a little distracting for myself who is a drummer! Brilliant album though, just a shame about the master imo

[@konna200]

I love all Tool´s tracks "sober" was my first kick! :D

[@markrigg6623]

Someone finally mentions how good the engineering and sound quality is!

[@MetalZaraki93]

Finally, I like this format man.

[@prodantech]

Yes!!!!!! This album is amazing with the Aryas with a little bass boost. What an amazing experience!

[@WitzyZed]

YES. Those synths in the build up on CCT, it images incredibly well. With your eyes closed you feel like different parts of your brain are being lit up by the sound.

[@FourT6and22]

What headphones do you think bring this album to life the best? I've tried Focal Elear, Elegia, Sony Z7M2, and Sennheiser HD820. They all sound good, but I'm searching for the perfect pair of cans to bring Tool to life and this album has some amazing recording quality. Not looking for a super neutral and clinical reference headphone, but something with a super punchy and authoritative low-end to bring Danny Carey's drumming to life without being scooped in the mids so those tom hits resonate and let the guitar sit where it needs to be.

[@gimphandjeff]

Does the distortion in the mix bother you? It happens at the climax in Pneuma, before the break down in Invincible.

[@mclement052164]

I missed it...i thought the album's production quality was amazing overall. I'll have to re-listen to that track and see if I can catch what you're describing.

[@user-vi3tb3bw5t]

@@mclement052164 I heard it in 7empest around the 12:50 mark. it lasts for about 20 seconds after that.

[@gimphandjeff]

@@mclement052164 It's all over the album when the music gets hectic, except for the title track. That one is flawless.

[@WitzyZed]

comparing the cd mix in 16/44.1 to the Qobuz 24-96, the latter had no peak level samples, whereas the cd does all over. something with how it was dithered and downsampled down to 16-44.1 caused those issues.

[@user-vi3tb3bw5t]

Its a very fantastic album. Do you hear any distortion or artifacts in some of the recordings? Particularly at the 12:50 mark in 7empest and lasts for like 20 seconds after that. Invincible is definitely my favorite song. The breakdown at 9:30 and the finale was just so freaking amazing.

[@Tonycaveman]

Definitely. The album is also very compressed in places and the noise floor is strangely high throughout the whole thing. You can hear it especially in quiet parts like the intro of certain songs - there is a "hiss" like an old tape recording hiss that I honestly find kind of unforgivable for current audio recording standards. I've heard non-remastered albums from the 1970s with less hiss than this one. More to your point - there is distortion and crackling present throughout. I like the music but find the album very hard and fatiguing to listen to. Tried to have a listen to the High-Res 24bit/96khz version of the album and it's just as bad, so I don't know what Joshua is talking about when he mentions the sound quality.

[@WitzyZed]

Tony C there’s no peak level samples in the 24-96 version, so there’s no clipping problems. peak levels stay below 1.0 throughout the whole thing. on the CD it peaks 1.0 consistently. In dB and DR measurements it’s compressed far less than 10000 Days, even though they had identical mixing and mastering engineers. So it’s not as bad as you’re making it out to be.

[@user-vi3tb3bw5t]

@@WitzyZed it's not bad, but it's definitely noticeable for me in some parts. Other than that the recording quality is great.

[@Tonycaveman]

@@WitzyZed I didn't mention clipping, but there is definite distortion, crackling and hiss throughout. It is actually fairly bad if you look at it honestly and without bias. I adore Tool but this album is quite poorly engineered.

[@WitzyZed]

Tony C bias would be shouting without evidence imgur.com/a/VYQpOi4 imgur.com/a/nXOixFK there’s clearly a difference which I don’t defend, between cd and hi res copies, that alone is just weird.

[@devolutionary]

Chocolate Chip Trip has unseated Ions (from Aenima) as the preferred Tool imaging test track. 👍

[@irun2sanaxox]

Lonnie Liston Smith: Visions Of A New World. that album is seriously a experience/journey Ima keep recommending this album

[@HoomanR17]

Hey Joshua, a while ago I had considered those same Infinity speakers, but the ones with additional drivers.. I always wondered if they were going to sound like "modern" speakers like Kef, Elac, etc.. I'm wondering how you are finding them? Are they detailed and image well or are they "vintage" sounding ?

[@__ZANE__]

For the hidden track take 7empest and mix Legion Inoculant followed by Litanie contre la Peur instrumentals (in that order).

[@WitzyZed]

Zane I was told take CCT, reverse legion inoculant, sync its end to the end of CCT, start mockinbeat at the first gong hit in CCT, and then put litanie with its end to CCTs end as you did with legion inoculant. It had nothing to do with 7empest

[@__ZANE__]

@Ian Fitzpatrick Knowing Tool, there's probably 7 hidden tracks in there! ;-D

[@Tonycaveman]

@@WitzyZed Don't forget to sacrifice a virgin in a ring of salt and olive oil.

[@Tonycaveman]

@@WitzyZed Sorry if I offended you, it was just a playful jib. Personally I like to take things more at face value but I have nothing against those who wish to explore further.

[@BluncheonMeat]

I was excited to listen to this album, but I noticed some clipping in a number of the tracks. Really noticeable in Pneuma. Looking at it in audio editing software, it looks like whoever did the editing tried to smooth the clipping out, and maybe they got it to sound right on what they were monitoring with, but it's blaringly obvious on my headphones. Good music, but the clipping is intolerable. It's like taking a shit at the finish line. I expected better.

[@WheezyTech]

Been enjoying this album on my DT 1990s recently, such a good album

[@chavezlaw78]

Hi Josh, I think a very interesting comparison video would be the Arya vs the Clear since they are within the same price bracket.

[@stevenr5149]

A reasonable & even-handed review of Tool on KZbin. Hmm. Just tried Olympia Coffee Nice. For coffee, I recommend the Clever Dripper and James Hoffman on KZbin. Instead of Audio, he does all things coffee.

[@0dyss3us51]

It is a fantastic album!

[@ChickyFace]

Can you tell me for your opinion what s the best outdoor headphone for listening tool sound under 300 dolar ??

[@turbomustang84]

Nice to see a youngster that actually has good taste in music..... Tool is legendary and Fear Inoculem is a great album that although very innovative also gives a nod to their previous Album's and let's not leave out the Grammy Award which I'm sure at least Maynard is way too cool to give a shit about .

[@immanueljungheim8512]

Great short review. I have to agree with you on mostly all your points; "Pneuma" - also for me the best song on this record. And the quality of the sound. 10.000 days was already well recorded but this one is, regarding that this is a hard rock album, even better. But on the Spotify "version" I noticed some noise on some of the songs. Had it on my m1060 and on my KSC75 during workouts. One via bluetooth and one via my headphone amp setup. So it must be Spotify related. Any thoughts on that?

[@MintShows]

Immanuel Jungheim not Spotify related sadly. Something in the mix or mastering. Definitely hear crackles in the bass when it first kicks in on pneuma

[@immanueljungheim8512]

@@MintShows Huh, that's interesting. So you use a different source and still hear it? Is it another streaming source or the CD?

[@oberonmeister]

Tool just doesn't change and I love them for that. There were so many bands that tried something new and failed miserably...

[@guybkt]

No comment on the digital distortion that's clearly apparent when listening on headphones? Definitely easier to miss if you're listening on speakers

[@Tonycaveman]

Seriously. I'm starting to think I must be going crazy that no one seems to notice this. Even on a pair of modest speakers this is pretty apparent to me. The album is riddled with unwanted distortion.

[@Gabriel-of-YouTube]

Could this be audio watermarking? I did not listen the album...

[@Tonycaveman]

@@Gabriel-of-KZbin What do you mean by audio watermarking?

[@Gabriel-of-YouTube]

@@Tonycaveman Something like in the link below. You can hear it in many sounds, if you know what to search for: mattmontag.com/audio-listening-test/

[@guybkt]

@@Gabriel-of-KZbin Nah, it's seriously bad distortion during certain busy sections. Take a listen from here. Once the bass solo starts it becomes very apparent: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqnWnZdna7mdibc

[@Elliot_Pett]

have to tried Dream theater?

[@FPrimeHD1618]

Chemex coffee is fuckkkking amazing! If you get a chance Spotted Cow in Bothell uses this method and has some of the best coffee I have ever tasted (their Sumatra blend).

[@240sxdriver]

Holy shit you’re local. If the stars ever align I may have to pick your brain to help this ever indecisive soul figure out what headphone setup to go with.

[@rawrj]

As a Tool fan I've been afraid to listen to this album because I really didn't enjoy 10,000 Days. I guess I need to give it a chance.

[@matejgrim]

Just by the way, for the sake of interest... And I know this will be the most annoying question you'll ever get, but: Which IEM's would you recommend to me under 50$? With your music monday albums, one actually starts realizing, how bad his equipment really is... 😂

[@mclement052164]

Idk of any I'd recommend under $50, but for under $100, Klipsch wired ear buds are pretty good. If you're looking for wireless, LG 1120 ear buds have great tonality, but are not hi-Rez. If you're a critical listener, there's much better out there, if you're wanting just to have a soundtrack for your daily activities, they're great. Check out Amazon...and Z reviews on KZbin for products in your price range. Good luck! Btw, for headphones, AudioTechnica ATH-M50 headphones are a great value and easy to drive from almost any cellphone with a headphone jack. 1 of the best bang for buck items out there.

[@matejgrim]

Danke shön😅😁 I'm thinking about the Tin T2's and the KZ ZS10 pro's... Maybe the Tins.

[@alexpolakow4908]

The tin T2's are dope. Got mine at the beginning of my audiophile days and I will have them for a long time.

[@Peaches-yj8xk]

@@mclement052164 the tin t2 are great and under 50

[@lorcro2000]

Emit-r - so you mean "emitter"? :) As for Tool, it just did nothing much for me. To each his own.

[@619RobdoG]

Descending has a great peak

[@net_news]

amazin album waiting for the vinyl release... (did you see the price of the CD edition??? crazy!)

[@mclement052164]

Agreed on everything you said, but I really can't emphasize enough how masterfully produced this album really is. The recording is as close to perfect as possible. I listened to it on Audeze LCD-2 headphones powered by a Schiit amp. Wow...just Wow... The drumwork just flows and carries the songs...i got lost in listening to the drums...its hard to describe...you just have to listen to understand how exceptional from every technical aspect, asides from the drumwork, this album really is.

[@MintShows]

mark clement do you hear the crackling in the bass on pneuma though? Listen for right when the bass kicks in. I can’t I unhear it.

[@Peaches-yj8xk]

Josh did you go to rocky mountain audio fest?

[@ahumblerequest5222]

holly shit!! good to know that your a Tool fan.

[@davidmthekidd]

I love this record, A++. Got the 24B96Khz and it sounds great!

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

I was talking with a colleague about the new album. Maybe I should check it out.

[@dzivri]

Don’t say you feel the 15 min in 7empest bro. Just trust the guys to deliver what they intended to. Give it time and give it your full attention. I think that song is conceptualized perfectly from so many aspects. It can’t have been any shorter or any longer.

[@SoundWaveTrax]

All the hipsters talking about this album. It's alright. Nothing to hype in my opinion.

[@Tonycaveman]

Probably due to the fact that the band haven't released anything in 13 years so it is bound to make a big splash.

[@facilegoose9347]

Lateralus deserves the praise cultists are shilling for FI;-- FI took an eternity to be released, and that's about it. Very OK, goodish for a (once?) great band. The players still have it at a musicianship level if nothing else.

[@2010johnking]

I love Tool. I might have to buy this album.

[@apxika]

Did this man just do a pour over with fine ground coffee?

[@omegaelixir]

From headphone reviews to coffee ASMRs! Josh has it all!

[@bigjay1970]

Great series!🤓🤗😎

[@formerviking]

I really do enjoy the album, but I think the first 3 songs are weaker than the rest. Once you get past those I find it harder hitting. And yes, 7empest is crazy. So many guitar riffs.

[@wcg66]

Agree on all points, Josh. I think it's become fashionable to crap on this album (looking at you Fantano!) I also think this is also a well produced album that makes it a great listen for audiophiles too. (I would add that any Tool fan has had this album on repeat since it came out :) )

[@jeremygunkel]

fantano has been a turd for years....its a great tool album...nothing new

[@Tonycaveman]

I always frown an eyebrow when people gush over Tool's production quality. I'm sorry but Tool's albums are generally poorly engineered. The Vinyl masters are a little better but still nothing to write home about. This album also has poor dynamic range and while I love the band I wouldn't use any of their albums as reference for a good recording.

[@jeremygunkel]

@@Tonycaveman What albums have you written your parents to tell them about?

[@Tonycaveman]

@@jeremygunkel Very clever. You must be proud of that one.

[@jeremygunkel]

@@Tonycaveman You have no idea. What albums do you think set the bar in terms of being well engineered? I am always looking to add good albums into my rotation.

[@jekken333]

You should do your top 10 artists.

[@beyer66]

Wait.. Danny Carey ISNT the most technical of drummers ???🧐

[@plompiderunglaubliche8764]

You audiophiles should listen to more prog!

[@jeremygunkel]

and post rock

[@plompiderunglaubliche8764]

@@jeremygunkel yes

[@oberonmeister]

I'm actually not sure if it qualifies as prog at all. To me, Tool was always a unique thing of itself, out of any classification. I feel almost insulted when someone just mindlessly classifies it as prog.

[@plompiderunglaubliche8764]

@@oberonmeister but prog is music that you can't really categorized, its what music is supposed to be. be creative and pushing the boundaries... I mean it's exactly what tool did, so they're prog. you also can categorized bands like pink floyd, king crimson yes, early genesis, the mars Volta, porcupine tree, leprous, btbam, devin townsend project, and some dream theater albums as prog.

[@jeremygunkel]

oberonmeister it’s alternative metal/art rock/progressive metal....and at this point....formulaic metal

[@steeltown2692]

9-10? No, it’s 10-10! What album in the past 13 years is better?

[@steeltown2692]

Becoming Godsize I have all of them, and they’re good, but this is better: 10-10!

[@Nephilim-81]

Killer sound quality on this album. Joe Barresi is a mixing god!!! Recorded on 2 inch analog tape too!! Fear Inoculum is an absolute masterpiece. People of earth! If you have great headphones explore this album!!! :)

[@jeremygunkel]

New album isn't bad...could have easily been a double album with 10,000 fists.

[@algo2957]

Danny Carey is crazy technical lol...

[@aesonone]

dude this album does not sound that great at all. not even talking about the peaking distortion incidents. guitars are mixed in too loud and sound shrill af. drums sound weird and narrow (harder snare hits have an ugly high frequency transient), as well as the whole mix. no airyness, weird eq in general. haven't heard it on speakers, maybe it works but damn, especially on some parts where adam goes ham with the resonances, it really gets painful. also did anyone notice at this amazing - but sadly ruined - moment on 'fear inoculum' right before 'DECEIVERRRR' (8:28 to be exact) this second chord is obviously chopped digitally and put together so it do-doubles. this is definitely not up to their standards. and yeah the album is not as hype or deep as previous titles to be fair. still great in a vacuum but kind of feels like you wait for too long for something really awesome to happen

[@sarundayo]

TOOL always delivers

[@urielmesenja1040]

No matter how talented the members of Tool are they didn't release anything for so many years because they refused to pay Cam De Leon decent money for his artwork when he sculpted the entire face of the band in its earlier years. Maynard is competing with the sun for its spot in the universe, all i can ever learn from somebody like that is how to never be as a human.

[@urielmesenja1040]

Had to post this, a tool fan is the blind being led by the blind. Placing these humans on a pedestal proclaiming their greatness, behind their veil there is nothing to marvel over. A homeless person playing a guitar in the subway who is thankful and grateful for a quarter has more secrets to the universe than Tool will ever have.

[@Tonycaveman]

Tool are known for being sanctimonious dicks. That said, you should always strive to view the art separate from the artist. I mean, if someone told me today that Martin Scorcese was the literal reincarnation of Hitler I would still think that Goodfellas is one of the greatest movies ever, y'know?

[@urielmesenja1040]

@@Tonycaveman Art comes from the mind, spirit and heart of an individual.

[@urielmesenja1040]

@@Tonycaveman Those who embrace darkness can only ever spread darkness.

[@Tonycaveman]

@@urielmesenja1040 I agree with the first part of your statement but disagree with the second. The world and its people are not black and white but shades of grey, red, blue and every color in between. An evil person is perfectly capable of performing a good deed as much as a saint is capable of an evil deed.

[@lorcro2000]

Dude, get a french press. Or an Aeropress.

[@edwardl4141]

better review than Anthony Fantono's...

[@iknowyounot88]

Wish I had your job...

[@kickthejamz]

Translation. If your not a niche diehard tool fan dont expect to be blown away

[@dmannion81]

Check out SOEN if you like Tool

[@TheHammerofDissidence]

I cannot think of a more overrated band than Tool but whatever floats people's boat.

[@JoshuaValour]

Nickelback maybe? Lol 😂

[@TheHammerofDissidence]

@@JoshuaValour everyone knows Nickleback causes cancer though.