Maynard James Keenan Compares TOOL Delays to GNR's 'Chinese Democracy'

No one is more acutely aware of the decade-plus gaps between Tool and A Perfect Circle albums than the singer for the two legendary alternative bands, Maynard James Keenan. 

With Tool finally putting music to tape for its first album since 2006's 10,000 Days and A Perfect Circle just a matter of weeks away from its first new album since 2004's eMotive, Keenan revealed the frustration he personally felt as a member of both projects. 

"I had this other looming project that can't seem to go forward, as much as I've tried, every magic word in the book that I tried," Keenan recently told Revolver Magazine, referring to Tool delays that resulted in the new APC album being completed. "It's just no different — and worse because there's pressure now, and what are we? [Guns N' Roses] Chinese Democracy II or III? So I saw a window."

Keenan is a fiercely private person yet ironically the most public member of the two bands. 

As a result, most fans theorized that he was behind the hold-ups in both projects due to his activity with his other band, Pucifer, and his wine business Caduceus Cellars. 

Keenan explained that when he took stock last fall, with Tool still not 100 percent finished on its new material, he had a choice as to how to use that window of time: help APC guitarist Billy Howerdel complete his long-gestating APC demos or do another record with Pucifer—a band that has frustrated many Tool fans begging for a new album. 

"It seemed like [Howerdel] was ready," Keenan said of his decision to turn his attention to APC. "If I were to do another Puscifer record, I'm going to get fucking murdered in my sleep because people are going to keep blaming that project for the delay — when it's not [responsible]."

With (hopefully) two highly-anticipated albums on the way, Keenan explained that his schedule is just about fully booked for the next year.

A Perfect Circle's new album, Eat the Elephant, is due out April 20 via BMG. 

The band has tour dates booked until June 1 with more presumed to be announced soon. See the dates here. 

It's unclear whether Tool's new album will be released this year. 

While Tool drummer Danny Carey and guitarist Adam Jones have claimed the album will be out in 2018, it stands to reason that it might be a challenge for Maynard to find time record his vocals.   

Tool only began recording in March, and after 12 years of work you better believe they won't start rushing through the process now.

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