Descending
by Tool

Album: Fear Inoculum (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Descending" is about a fallen state of humanity.

    Heedless in our slumber
    Floating nescient we free fall through this boundlessness
    This madness of our own making


    The song is reminiscent of Tool's song "AEnema," critiquing modern society for being shallow, vain, and meaningless. Musically, though, "Descending" isn't as angry as "AEnema" - it's cleaner, and more restrained. Even in the parts when the song gets more aggressive, it remains restrained and feels imploring more than it does angry.

    Stir us from our
    Wanton slumber
    Mitigate our ruin
    Call us all to arms and order


    Who is being called upon to do this stirring and calling to arms is uncertain. It could be to some spiritual force, or to the listeners.
  • At 13:37, "Descending" is the second-longest song on Fear Inoculum, Tool's first album since 10,000 Days in 2006. The Fear Inoculum track "7empest" goes 15:43.
  • Tool debuted this song and "Invincible" during a short pre-release tour they did for Fear Inoculum.

Comments: 3

  • Ding from NjIt's about humanity bringing back social order from chaos through force (armed).
  • Skyler from UsIf we are following the overall theme of the album, I feel that it's safe to pull meaning from Fear Inoculum and Pneuma to shed light on Descending. The title track very much reads like a prayer and is intended as such. Pneuma stresses the important of spiritual practice in life. Taking into account that the band has said that this album is a reflection of their growth and journey to maturity, and adding the former comparison above to AEnema. This song is more than likely Maynard once again praying like he did in AEnema, but not for all life to end and be washed away. It shows his growth, and maturity on the subject now. As if he's now praying for lives to be saved, to be changed, to be unified. Instead of the damnation of man, he's asking for the salvation of man.
  • Samanghasabian from Ankara It's about chromosomes. Descending refers to our next chromosome number.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.