Given what a force they are within heavy music (I mean, look at how 2019’s Fear Inoculum did), one might assume Tool have sold eighty million records already. But that’s sort of what makes them awesome — though massive, the band are also an underground phenomenon of sorts, living large among those who live below the mainstream. But now, it appears that Tool have hit another huge milestone in any band’s career, with three of their albums reaching new multi-platinum marks.
According to the RIAA, Tool’s 1993 album Undertow and their 2001 record Lateralus have both gone triple platinum, meaning they’ve sold three million copies apiece in the US. Meanwhile, Tool’s 2006 record 10,000 Days has reached the double platinum mark, meaning it’s sold two million copies. Compared to these albums, Fear Inoculum has only been certified Gold, meaning it’s sold a mere half-million copies and change.
Congrats to the guys in Tool for hitting these massive milestones.
While it’s unsurprising that Tool have sold this many records, it is sometimes a little astounding to see how big the band have gotten, and how important they are to certain fans. Saved By The Bell’s Dustin Diamond included meeting bassist Justin Chancellor among his dying wishes, while Aquaman actor Jason Momoa has publicly said that listening to Tool is what made him want to get serious about playing bass.
“We were on the set of Aquaman. I always have instruments on the set, so my son was playing drums and my daughter was playing guitar,” explained Momoa. “It was my assistant’s birthday, and she really loves Tool, so I borrowed a bass from my buddy and we all played ‘Sober‘ for her. Right then, my passion for bass really exploded. The moment I put it on, I could just feel the connection – and it was all over.”
“I always knew I wanted to play bass. After that I wanted to play standup, so I bought one and now it’s a passion for me, with how it makes me feel and how it sounds. I studied and studied and studied bass, and I was like ‘My God, I wish I would have done this when I was young.’ I wish that I had that opportunity — but I’m making up for lost time.”
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Words by Chris Krovatin
