Beginning with 1996′s Aenima, you could count on Tool putting out an album every five years. Then 2011 came and went without a follow-up to 2006′s 10,000 Days. With 2012 over in a matter of days, it’s pretty obvious that we won’t have any new music from them in 2012, either. But according to a post on the band’s site by their webmaster, 2013 could be the year when the band finally puts out album #5, and there’s proof that the band’s been recording:

Something that might be encouraging to some Tool enthusiasts is that while riding with Danny to Chili John’s yesterday, I heard a lot of new Tool music (sans Maynard). This was the most new material that I’ve heard so far, although a few of the riffs and arrangements were familiar. So, what did I think? Dare I say that it sounded like… Tool (some of it reminiscent to earlier Tool stuff, with other parts pushing the envelope), and I assume that it will sound even more like Tool once the vocal melodies, etc. have been added. To answer your next question, I cannot say how far along in the writing process the band is. If I had to GUESS, I would say more than half way (and keep in mind that in the past, at least, the writing went faster once the first few [more complex] songs were finished).

He’s right – that is very encouraging. Drummer Danny Carey playing instrumental versions of music already recorded is the most we’ve heard about a new album so far. With the band playing Japan’s Ozzfest in May, it might be wishful thinking that the band has an album to promote by then, but it’s hard to tell with a band like Tool. Maynard Keenan is obviously busy with other ventures, juggling life as a winemaker and his other project Puscifer, but as soon as he can contribute vocals to the music, we’ve got ourselves the first new Tool music in seven years (or 2,555 days, if you will).

[via Sputnikmusic]