In the most recent issue of the band’s official newsletter from December 4th, 2018, webmaster Blair confirms that drummer Danny Carey played a new Tool track for him in his Porsche, referred to simply as “track 3.” “Hellboy,” admin of Fourtheye.net, a popular resource and web forum for all things Tool-related, wrote in a recent post that he subsequently spoke to Blair personally and reports: “I asked Blair if there was Maynard [James Keenan] on what he heard, and the answer was yes. I didn’t ask (nor will I) for further information.” In the rest of the post he goes on to describe a possible timeframe for a new Tool release in 2019:

“As to where they are at – I’m no expert in the process, but seems likely that the majority of the recording is done. Any further recording at this stage I expect would just be to add a bit of colour and depth to the album. I’d like to think however that’s all done, and all that remains is some tweaking of the mix, and sending off to master in January. I expect Maynard will want to be involved in approving the final mix, so don’t expect this part to be “done” until after APC wrap up. I still think an album in April is the most likely scenario, unless Tool take what I’d consider to be an unusual step (for them) of releasing digitally first, and then physically second. Assuming they go for a traditional physical release, we need to ponder where are they at with artwork? Are they going to do vinyl? I doubt the band is going to take a backwards step in regards to the presentation of their physical release.”

Until now, there had been no confirmation that Keenan had completed any vocal recording for the album, with one of the last solid updates about the new record’s vocal tracking progress coming from a September 10th tweet from the singer himself: