Pneuma (song)

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

"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)

Background

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

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

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

Charts
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
  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. "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. "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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