Tool guitarist Adam Jones has recently given some new updates about the new album's progress and the legal issues the band faced. He was interviewed by Yahoo! Music and announced that the lawsuit that dragged on for eight years has been settled in the band's favor. For now, Jones, bassist Justin Chancellor, and drummer Danny Carey have finished one yet-untitled track and have more than 10 songs in various stages of completion. The next step is making plans for vocalist Maynard James Keenan to come in and start tracking vocals.

Jones revealed: "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!'"

The saga which wrapped up the week of March 2nd, began in 2007 when one of Tool's employees claimed he created artwork for the band and wanted credit. Jones insists there was no merit in the man's claim and the band assumed its insurance company would take care of the matter. The company refused, and when Tool disputed the legality of their refusal, the company filed its own suit against the band.

In addition to dealing with seemingly insurmountable legal obstacles, the band has also been affected by previously undisclosed health issues, which impaired its progress.

About the new material, he said: "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."

The band hopes to finish the new Tool album before the end of the year. We will have to wait until all the pieces fit.

Source:	yahoo.com
Band profile:	Tool