Stuck searching for the perfect gift to get this holiday season for a special music lover in your life? How about tickets to Tool‘s “Fear Inoculum” concert coming to Austin and Dallas in January? 

For 13 years, avid fans of Tool have longed for new music from the band. The collective wishes of fans everywhere came true when the progressive metal band released their fifth studio album, “Fear Inoculum,” in August, knocking Taylor Swift’s “Lover” aside and claiming the top spot on the Billboard Chart. To their surprise and delight, the band also announced their previous four albums would be available for digital download and streaming. 

“Our obsession with, and dream of, a world where BetaMax and Laser Disc rule has ended. Time for us to move on. But never fear, there’s a brand new thing we think you’re really gonna dig. It’s called digital downloads and streaming. Get ready for the future, folks,” said vocalist Maynard James Keenam. 

The Grammy-winning band had even more surprises for their loyal fans—their tour would begin in the fall and early spring in support of their latest album.  

On the first leg of the Fear Inoculum tour, they only made two stops in Texas—San Antonio and Houston, however, Tool recently announced they would be back in Texas and adding Austin and Dallas to the second leg. The Frank Erwin Center welcomes them in on January 21st and The American Airlines Center in Dallas the following night. 

Tool has drawn rave reviews for their performances during the first half of the tour by combining songs fans have grown to know and love, like “Forty Six and 2,” “AEnima” and “Schism,” with new songs from their latest album. This dedicated group of musicians conveys a deep and artful passion for their music. Together, this passion and conscious effort for their music to remain at the forefront are some of the reasons Tool has a strict “no cameras or cell phones” policy, a policy the band takes very seriously. 

How serious, you may ask? Signs will be posted at every entrance into the venue and again when entering the arena. Should you be caught photographing or taking video of the band, you will be ejected from the venue. The main focus of the evening is the music. They want their fans to be present and not watching the show through a five or six inch screen.

Widely known for their progressive videos, Tool is featuring imagery from Alex Grey throughout the performance with Grey’s work displayed on the screen behind the band. The art flawlessly compliments the music and really takes center stage. Not only is Adam Jones the band’s guitarist, he is also the art director and director of their videos. Jones and Grey worked together on the album art for both “10,000 Days,” and “Lateralus.” In 2006, “10,000 Days” won a Grammy featuring Grey’s “Net of Being” painting reimagined by Jones into a 3D photo.

Tool may be somewhat of an enigma and known for going long periods of time between releasing new music, but their performances are unique and memorable. Perhaps, if you respect the policy and remain fully present for the show, you will get the chance to capture extraordinary memories and have bragging rights for being the Best Gift Giver before the concert closes. 

After seeing their November 2019 tour in San Antonio, we know you’ll be voted Best Gift Giver when you surprise your favorite music fan with tickets to one of Tool’s Texas shows in January.

Cover photo courtesy Tool

Brian Maass is a native Austinite who has a passion for music, travel and sharing his experiences through his camera lens. He lives in Round Rock, Texas with his wife Dana Kent Maass and their faithful dog Chester.