Why is Tool Re-Recording Old Music Instead of Working on a New Album?

If you’re following Tool through the various social music channels, you might have seen this on Instagram.

~ We recorded a new version of Opiate not too long ago. We wrote a different break down that’s about five minutes longer in the middle of the song. I believe there are recent live versions of it online. @dominic_hailstone_ did an (unreleased) Ultimate Video for it. Anyway here’s a clip of me messing with sounds for the distant Synth Melody. *Enjoy ❤️ #Tool #opiate ~ https://instagram.com/p/BL7guPOASjA/

A post shared by Adam Jones (@adamjones_tv) on Nov 7, 2017 at 3:48pm PST

Um, okay. But is this really necessary? They’ve managed just four full studio albums on their resume since they were formed twenty-seven years ago. The last record was released 11 years, 6 months and 8 days ago and they’re messing around re-recording a track from 1992?

Okay, so maybe this is a temporary distraction. Maybe they were seized with some kind of inspiration that made them think of a way of improving “Opiate.” The best explanation is that this is part of a remaster project that will see all Tool releases offered on vinyl.

Or maybe it’s a message to fans. “We’re slow. Get over it.”