This Day In Music History: May 2nd, 2006 – Tool (progressively) examines life and death on ‘10,000 Days’

While it finally received a follow up in Fear Inoculum, Tool’s 10,000 Days is still an effective and quality record by the progressive metal titans. The hype for it, at the time of its release, was pretty notable in the rock and metal worlds. Debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200, these tracks are more relevant than ever for the time that we’re living in. Especially “Vicarious”. where the media is always known to thrive and capitalize on tragedy.

“I need to watch things die from a good safe distance.
Vicariously I live while the whole world dies.”

What’s fascinating about 10,000 Days is the fact that, while it is a fairly typical Tool album, it ventures more into progressive rock territory than metal – it’s only tracks like “Jambi” that have some of the heavier riffs and passages the band is known for. It’s probably the band’s most melodic album, too – and “Rosetta Stoned” in particular is a song that older fans of the band will appreciate, being more reminiscent of Aenima-era Tool. That’s not to say it’s not fairly heavy, though. “Jambi” is also hilarious in a way because of a viral video involving Squidward Tentacles “performing” the song at a talent show. Try not to laugh, good luck.

Even over a decade later, 10,000 Days is a vital album that even newcomers can appreciate. Melodic undertones and fantastic musicianship collide into what should really be considered a cornerstone of forward-thinking and progressive music. Listen up.