Fear Inoculum (song) explained

Fear Inoculum
Type:single
Artist:Tool
Album:Fear Inoculum
Released:August 7, 2019
Recorded:2018
Genre:Progressive metal[1]
Length:10:21
Label:
Producer:Joe Barresi
Prev Title:Jambi
Prev Year:2007
Next Title:Pneuma
Next Year:2020

"Fear Inoculum" is a song by American rock band Tool. The song was released as the title track and lead single from their fifth studio album Fear Inoculum. It was released on August 7, 2019, the first new Tool song since the release of their previous album 10,000 Days.[3] Upon its debut on the Billboard Hot 100, "Fear Inoculum" broke the Guinness World Record for the longest song ever to chart on the Hot 100, overtaking David Bowie's "Blackstar", until André 3000 broke the record again in 2023 with "I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time".[4] [5]

Reception

Loudwire described the song as having "Middle Eastern drum patterns" and called it a "slow burn building to big, cathartic crescendos". They also praised Keenan's vocals, noting the lyrics "seem to address a rejection of fear and negativity from outside sources."[3] Loudersound described the song as "a lengthy, polyrhythmic song that slowly reveals its secrets. A carefully calculated trip that nevertheless hits emotional pressure points."[6] Metalsucks praised the song's mixing, Carey's drumming and Jones's guitar tone.[7] It was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 2020 Grammy Awards.[8]

Chart performance

The song debuted at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100, the band's first entry since "Schism" in 2001, and became the longest song in the chart's history to make an entry, breaking the record held by David Bowie's "Blackstar".[9] [10] [11] It debuted on the Billboard Top Rock Songs chart at number 4 on the August 17 release.[12]

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Fear Inoculum"
Chart (2019)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 68
France (SNEP Sales Chart)[14] 130
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 40
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[16] 3
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[17] 62
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[18] 58

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 6 Best New Songs Right Now. August 9, 2019. Revolver. August 13, 2019.
  2. Web site: Shoemaker . Whitney . Tool Catalog Finally Hits Streaming Platforms Ahead of New Album . . August 5, 2019.
  3. Web site: Tool Release First New Song in 13 Years 'Fear Inoculum'. Joe. DiVita. Loudwire.
  4. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/602315-longest-song-to-enter-the-billboard-hot-100 World Records
  5. Web site: André 3000 Breaks Hot 100 Record With 12-Minute, 20-Second Hit From New Album. Gary. Trust. 3 December 2023. Billboard. 28 November 2023.
  6. Web site: The first reaction to Tool's new single Fear Inoculum. Eleanor Goodman2019-08-07T14:08:29Z Metal. Hammer. Metal Hammer Magazine.
  7. Web site: Ten Random Thoughts on Tool's New Song "Fear Inoculum". August 7, 2019. MetalSucks.
  8. Web site: 2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List. November 20, 2019.
  9. Web site: Tool's New Single Makes Chart History; 'Ænima' Album Re-Enters Billboard 200 At No. 10. August 12, 2019. Blabbermouth.net. August 13, 2019.
  10. Web site: The Longest & Shortest Hot 100 Hits: From Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce & David Bowie to Piko-Taro. Billboard.
  11. Web site: Cadiente . Tim . Tool's 'Fear Inoculum' Breaks Record As Longest Billboard Hot 100 Hit & First to Run More Than 10 Minutes . . August 17, 2019.
  12. Web site: Top Rock Songs Chart. Billboard. August 17, 2019.
  13. Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #538. auspOp. August 17, 2019. August 17, 2019. August 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190817072649/https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/08/aria-chart-watch-538/. dead.
  14. Web site: Tool - Fear Inoculum. PureMédias. fr.
  15. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 19, 2019. August 17, 2019.
  16. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 12, 2019. November 16, 2023.
  17. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart. Official Charts Company. August 9, 2019. October 15, 2023.
  18. Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart. Official Charts Company. August 9, 2019. October 15, 2023.
  19. Web site: Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. March 19, 2020.

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