I remember before 10,000 Days came out, the first thing I saw was the cover, online, and I didn’t think it was real at first. For some reason I had it in my head that tool would use a new artist for every album or at least more of a departure from what they’d done before.
Watching them go from Opiate, to Lateralus, it felt like there was an evolving, progressing, surprising jump in their artistry, look, logos, and most importantly, sound.
Anyway, I just was convinced it was going to be a collaboration with that generative Artist Joshua Davis, who had done the interactive website entrance with the colorful shapes shooting out. Who remembers this?
When I saw what was clearly Alex Grey again, I was disappointed. And frankly, it represented the first sign to me that Tool had peaked with Lateralus and that their art and sound would sort of recycle from then on.
I love Tool. Just to be clear.