Credit: Tim CadienteTool has returned to the studio at last to record their first album since 2006's 10,000 Days. The nine-year gap between releases was caused by a complicated eight-year lawsuit, which, as revealed by guitarist Adam Jones, has been settled in the band's favor.
"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," Jones tells Yahoo Music. "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."
The lawsuit began in 2007 when one of Tool's employees claimed he had created artwork for the band, and wanted credit for it. Tool assumed their insurance company would handle the matter, but the company instead refused and sued the band as well. The case was repeatedly delayed by Los Angeles courts, but the case was finally settled in favor of Tool the week of March 2, thanks to a venue change, and a judge who shares a name with one of rock's legendary guitarists.
"You know what his name was? Randy Rhodes!" Jones says. "I knew the power of metal and my appreciation of metal was some day going to be like a guardian angel. But he was great. He came in and took over, and he’s the reason the whole thing is finally over."
With the lawsuit no longer weighing down on them, Tool has returned to recording. Jones says he hopes the album will be released by the end of this year, but he's not setting any deadlines.
"We're older guys now," Jones says. "Everyone kind of has their own life. ... But I feel like every day we work on the songs is a productive day and we’re getting closer and closer to finishing them."
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.