My pics do no justice to this impeccable work of audio and visual art. Got it today. I am floored. Blessed to have this.
It’s beautiful and sounds good, no doubt. If only the pressing quality was on par with everything else!
Finally playing this for the first time. Holy crap! Pneuma! Amazing. It’s not *quite* as big and open as I was hoping based on all the comments, but still sounds great for a modern metal album.
I fought the urge to buy this for some time, but I finally caved a few days ago. The high cost for one album was a big turn off for me, but I love this album so much I just decided to go for it. The sound quality is impressive to me and it is an absolute delight to play. That moment in Pneuma (you know the one) seems larger than life. I hate that I love this so much, and my bank account is praying that this same treatment does not get applied to the other albums.
Kinda wish I would have waited a bit. I love this record and I'm happy that I got it, but the execution and artificial scarcity leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Not to mention the frequent marketing emails from their website trying to sell me Tool branded blankets, pillows, and such. I'll willingly buy your stuff if it's good quality and I want/need it, but I don't like being made to feel that you're actively trying to fleece me.
Their current marketing makes me think they should just sell a sh!tload of stickers and I can put those on all the blankets, scarves, anything else I already own. There you go - Tool.
Buy from Amazon so you can return until getting a perfect set. First shipment had 2 LPs with non-fill defects. Replacement came........ had defects too, but not on the same LPs. Best rock release in terms of packaging by a long shot. Sound is fantastic despite being pressed at GZ. Maybe they should only press one-sided records going forward
Beware making too many returns on Amazon. If their algorithm decides you're not worth their time & trouble, your account will be canceled with no recourse. https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/amazon-account-closed.346365/
I finally got this one and I have lucked out with quiet pressings for every vinyl in the box. This thing sounds amazing and I hope the band can hire Chris Bellman to finally remaster the rest of their catalog on vinyl. There is a part of me that hates how they did not take this mastering concept over to the Hi Res digital side. From the vinyl mastering you can tell how much effort they put into the engineering and recording of Danny Carey's drum tracks (I would love to visit Henson Recording Studio).
New 3-LP of FI up for preorder, with new packaging and a poster/lyric insert. https://store.toolband.com/product/...&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mtemail_840402
Definitely would have preferred this one not have any etched sides. Would have loved a recut of Fear Inoculum/Pneuma on dedicated sides. This means that dishing may still be a minor problem with the last disc.
Wow, I love how they release first the $800 set, then the ~$180 set and now the most convenient option a 3LP set for $65. This band really takes advantage of their fans, yikes.
It'll be the same mastering as the 5LP, no doubt, so as long as the new 3LP pressing doesn't suffer from any QC issues then I'll definitely just get this'un when some $ deals show themselves
Next it will be a "Remastered Audiophile Digital Edition" using the mastering for the vinyl cuts... which I would not be opposed to.
if we're being honest and not sensational, it takes a pretty staggering level of returns to get to this point. on top of that, Amazon actually limits replacements now, too.
Hopefully, Tool will take the three LP approach with subsequent reissues. As much was I like the rather grandiose 5 LP Fear Inoculum set it's not the type of presentation I want to purchase (for big $) when 10,000 Days, Lateralus and Aenima come down the pike.
