It’s fair to say that we have been waiting a long time for a new Tool album, about 9 years to say the least, and today Tool finally announced that they have no reason to not work on a new album after they have settled a long running lawsuit.

The lawsuit originally started back in 2007 when an unnamed employee of the Tool name claimed to have created artwork for the band and demanded credit for the works. The band claimed that compensation would be paid to the artist which never seemed to happen, and the employee started a legal battle which allegedly has now been settled. Past other unspecified legal issues and health problems within the band, it actually seems like Tool will be starting to lay down the tracks for the new album this year.

Don’t get too excited though, it seems the band are still in jamming mode and we won’t actually see the new album until next year.

When recently interviewed by Yahoo Music guitarist Adam Jones spoke out on the hinderances in the writing process for the new album:

“When you try to be ethical and sleep well at night and try to do the right thing, and people around you are not doing the right thing and trying to take advantage of you, it really affects your creativity and your sleep and your relationships with people and everything you do. We would have had an album out a long time ago, we would have been taking more tours. But we’ve been discouraged and distracted by this major lawsuit, which is the worst thing that’s ever happened to us. It reminds me of one of those ads you see on TV where a guy goes, ‘Have you been in a car wreck? Call us!'”

Jones also spoke some reassurances:

“Our greatest strength is jamming and coming up with stuff. We’re doing that really well now and I’m excited about everything we’re working on. Some of it’s really heavy, some of it’s complex and some is more atmospheric, but it’s definitely Tool. I think having this lawsuit out of the way should really speed of the progress of getting the album done.”

So finally some real positive news out of the Tool camp, no more excuses! Now if Wintersun would stop fishing some out of a shallow pond we would be in business…