Tool was quick to release their first full-length album, Undertow, soon after Opiate. Members of the Tool Army were given the opportunity to purchase specially autographed copies that were released in very limited quantities. On August 23rd, 2005 Lateralus was re-released in "double vinyl four-picture disc" edition, and limited pre-release copies were made available as well. Photos of the band recording their upcoming album can be found at Adam Jones' Myspace page: Still, a CD release is widely expected for a release sometime in late 2005 or early 2006. Considering the rumor mill preceding the release of Lateralus in 2001, these reports are not likely to prove true. Since the members of Tool avoid press and rarely grant interviews, there is little evidence to support any of these claims. There have been some rumors about the new release, including possible titles, potential stylistic changes, and a slew of release dates. Tourmates Fantômas and Meshuggah have been cited as recent influences. Tool is currently working on their fourth full-length album. Their albums have been and continue to be sold by the millions. Additionally, most of their music videos feature stop-motion animation created by Jones, in a style similar to the Brothers Quay that tends to perpetuate the perception of Tool as a "dark" band. They are known for unusual lyrics, often spiritual or primal in nature, and songs that feature "complex rhythm changes, haunting vocals, and an onslaught of changes in dynamics" which prevalently results in a greater-than-average track length. The band receives a moderate amount of exposure on mainstream television and radio, which may come as a surprise to people who perceive them as a "dark" band. They have been listed as influences for bands of various genres of music including art rock, alternative rock, math rock, heavy metal, nu-metal, and trip-hop. Their overall sound has been described as "grinding, post- Jane's Addiction heavy metal" as well as "a primal sound as distinct as it is disturbing" - most simplified categorizations of the band's genre are often dismissed (see: Arguments About Genre & Categorization).
Their music has been heavily influenced by King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Rush, among several others. From left to right: Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor