Pneuma (song)

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"Pneuma"
Single by Tool
from the album Fear Inoculum
ReleasedApril 4, 2020
GenreProgressive rock
Length11:53
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Joe Barresi
Tool singles chronology
"Fear Inoculum"
(2019) 		"Pneuma"
(2020) 		"Opiate²"
(2022)

"Pneuma" is a song by American rock band Tool, released as their second single[citation needed] on April 4, 2020 off of their fifth studio album Fear Inoculum. It peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart.

Background[edit]

The song was first released on the band's fifth studio album, Fear Inoculum on August 30, 2019; it was not a song that had been teased or played live prior to the album's release.[1][2] It was first performed live in mid-October of the same year at the Aftershock Festival.[3] The song was released as the second single from the album in early 2020, and spent twenty weeks on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, peaking at number 15.[4]

Band members gave the song particular attention, with publications noting members releasing extra footage of the song, including a specific "drummer-cam" video of drummer Danny Carey performing his parts of the song, and guitarist Adam Jones releasing a guitar-tutorial on how to play the last verse's guitar riff.[5][6] This was considered rare, with the band usually being cryptic and generally withholding information from the public.[7]

Composition and themes[edit]

The song was described as having a mellow start that builds in intensity over the course of its eleven-minute playtime. The track has multiple lengthy instrumental interludes, some parts focusing on drumming, others on guitar parts. It was described as "atmospheric" and "trippy", while containing "middle-eastern" styled drumming.[8] Jones describes the song's guitar part as "not difficult to play, but very satisfying".[9] He also noted that Justin Chancellor's bass riff "stays on the original [guitar] riff so there are some nice little conflicting moments between the two parts".[10]

Thematically, the song is titled after the Greek term for spirit or soul, pneuma, and contains many allusions to "breathing".[11]

Reception[edit]

The song was noted as a standout track from the Fear Inoculum album.[12][7] Revolver described Danny Carey's drumming on the track as "jaw-dropping" and "almost supernatural".[12] Metal Injection praised Carey's performance as "absolutely slaying".[13] Loudwire noted the song had become a favorite among the band's fanbase as well.[14]

Personnel[edit]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Pneuma"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 78
Ireland (IRMA)[16] 84
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[17] 8
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 4
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[19] 31

References[edit]

  1. ^ "See Tool Play "Pneuma," "Fear Inoculum" Live For First Time at Aftershock". Revolver. October 14, 2019.
  2. ^ Parker, James (August 24, 2019). "The Persistent Complexity of Tool". The Atlantic.
  3. ^ "Tool Performs 'Fear Inoculum' and 'Pneuma' Live for the First Time". October 16, 2019.
  4. ^ "Tool". Billboard.
  5. ^ Munro, Scott (May 4, 2020). "Play along to Tool's Pneuma with Adam Jones". loudersound.
  6. ^ Laing, Rob (May 2, 2020). "Tool guitarist Adam Jones shows you how to play the riff to Pneuma". MusicRadar.
  7. ^ a b "Tool's Adam Jones shares guitar playthrough tutorial for "Pneuma": Watch". May 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Hartmann, Graham. "Tool's 'Fear Inoculum' Album - What to Expect During Your First Listen". Loudwire.
  9. ^ Bienstock, Richard (May 4, 2020). "Learn to play Tool's Pneuma, straight from Adam Jones himself". guitarworld.
  10. ^ "Learn How To Play Tool's Pneuma With Guitarist Adam Jones". Kerrang!.
  11. ^ "Music Review: Tool's 'Fear Inoculum' Album". NPR.org.
  12. ^ a b "See Tool's Danny Carey Play "Pneuma" in Stunning Drum Cam Video". Revolver. March 12, 2020.
  13. ^ Kennelty, Greg. "TOOL Posts Full Live Drum Playthrough Of "Pneuma"". Metal Injection.
  14. ^ Schaffner, Lauryn. "Watch Tool Play 'Pneuma' + 'Fear Inoculum' Live for First Time". Loudwire.
  15. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #541". auspOp. September 7, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  16. ^ "Tool discography". IRMA. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  17. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. September 6, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  18. ^ "Tool Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  19. ^ "Tool Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
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