Jen Keenan, wife of Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, recently provided an update on the long-awaited vinyl remaster of Tool’s 1996 album “Ænima.” She spoke with The Vinyl Guide Podcast.
When asked about the status of the remaster, Keenan revealed that the band possesses both an original sealed pressing and a test pressing from the remaster project. However, the vinyl has yet to see an official release.
“We have original pressing [of ‘Ænima’] that’s still sealed and half of one and then, it’s not the original test pressing, but we do have an ‘Ænima’ test pressing from the remaster that still hasn’t been released,” she said. “And believe me it is just as frustrating for us as everyone else that wants that vinyl.”
Keenan emphasized that the delay does not stem from Maynard’s reluctance. She regularly advocates for the band to repress their classic albums. “I will just say it’s not Maynard… And I mean I always… it falls on deaf ears, but every chance I get, I do mention like, ‘Hey, Tool should repress that stuff.’ But, you know, they’re a complicated band,” she explained.
The frustration extends to the secondary market, where bootleg pressings of Tool’s work command premium prices. “Sometimes I’ve gone to record stores and I’ve seen like a ‘10,000 days’ LP — which is of course a bootleg — and I’m like, ‘where did you get that?’ And then I want to buy it, but I’m not going to pay $100 for it, but I do want it so I can have it in my store,” Keenan added.
The remastered Ænima vinyl has become one of the most anticipated releases in the progressive rock community. Fans have been waiting years for its official arrival. Tool marked the 28th anniversary of Ænima on September 17, 2024, according to The PRP. Despite hopes, the remastered vinyl edition remained unavailable as of that date. This extended delay has only intensified fan anticipation for what promises to be a significant release.
The band’s commitment to the remaster was confirmed by drummer Danny Carey in early 2024. Carey praised the improvements in sound quality. He described how the remastered tracks “Stinkfist” and “Eulogy” sound incredible on vinyl, as reported by The PRP. The low end and overall mix have been significantly enhanced. “I forgot how good it sounded. I hadn’t heard it in an analog form in ages,” Carey reflected on experiencing the remaster in 180-gram vinyl format.
The original album was first released on vinyl in 1996. That pressing was not a remaster. According to Wikipedia, Ænima has remained a cornerstone of Tool’s discography and progressive rock history. However, fans seeking the remastered version have had to contend with unofficial alternatives. Unofficial colored vinyl reissues have existed since 2019, but these are not official remasters from the band or label. This reality has left collectors frustrated with the lack of an authorized release.
Tool’s release schedule is notoriously slow and unpredictable. This characteristic has become part of the band’s mystique. Rumors and hopes for the Ænima vinyl remaster have circulated since 2017, as noted by The PRP. No firm release date has materialized. As of late 2025, the remastered vinyl edition has not yet been released. No official release date has been announced, leaving fans to continue their patient—and increasingly frustrating—wait.
