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    Billy Howerdel Confirms Work Has Begun on New A PERFECT CIRCLE Album

    SenecaBy 607 Comments3 Mins Read
    The Mosh Network - A Perfect Circle band photo 2025

    In a new in-depth feature from Revolver, A PERFECT CIRCLE take a comprehensive look back at their 25-year journey, while also teasing what’s next. The retrospective includes reflections from both MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN and BILLY HOWERDEL, touching on everything from their early days to the rotating cast of band members.

    From the band’s formation and navigating around TOOL’s downtime, to candid insights on former members like PAZ LENCHANTIN and JOSH FREESE, the piece leaves few stones unturned.

    But beyond the nostalgia, there’s a spark of what’s to come: Billy Howerdel confirmed that writing is underway for the long-awaited follow-up to Eat The Elephant (2018). Speaking about the creative process so far, Howerdel revealed:

    “As I’m writing, sometimes I find myself [thinking], Wow, I really like this, but man, this is fucking sinister. I’m in a not-sleeping-much and self-discovery mode. When I’m writing music, I’ve been full night-terror, waking up — like, can’t let your mind rest thing.”

    Keenan added:

    “I’m always writing. I’m writing with everyone… And if I can get the other guys [Tool] to dig in, there’s always that. I’m sure that Billy’s got a folder of fun stuff for me to dig through. It’s all about timing.”

    While fans may want to brace themselves for a wait—Keenan still has harvest season at his winery and an expected new PUSCIFER album on the way—the window for new A PERFECT CIRCLE material is open, especially as TOOL continue at a characteristically slow pace.

    In the meantime, A PERFECT CIRCLE are currently on the road as part of the ‘Sessanta’ tour, which finds them performing alongside PUSCIFER and PRIMUS, with band members rotating in and out across the sets. The tour celebrates Keenan’s 60th birthday milestone, with the first leg having taken place last year. Remaining dates for this year’s leg include:

    05/24 Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
    05/25 Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
    05/28 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
    05/29 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    05/31 Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
    06/01 St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
    06/03 Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
    06/06 Portland, OR – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
    06/07 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre

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    607 Comments

    6. Chad Hindahl on

      Duh. Billy is a creature of creation. There’s always going to be APC in process as long as he’s with us, which I pray is a long, long time. Ashes Divide and his solo record are absolute gold mines of audio fantasticism.

      Reply
      • Ben Waldock on

        Chad Hindahl got to see Ashes Divide open up for Linkin Park and Chris Cornell in 2008, they were amazing. I wish he’d do more with them

        Reply
        • Chad Hindahl on

          Ben Waldock Give his solo effort a try if you haven’t. It very much feels like Ashes, with maybe leaning a bit harder into the electronics in a Depeche Mode way.

          Reply
        • David Enriquez on

          Ben Waldock it was at first him with an actual band now he is more so going by his own name and doing most of everything himself with some help from a few other musicians, a la Trent Reznor/ Nine Inch Nails back catalog style. But Billy’s new album that just came out not to long ago os fucking dope! It’s. Better than the Ashes album (In my opinion) and feels more like that album mixed with Thirteenth Step mixed with Depeche Mode. Definitely recommend.

          Reply
      • Karl F. Schoenefeld IV on

        Chad Hindahl it’s because of this work ethic you talk about that I sometimes I wish he was a 5th member of Tool. If him and Jones could find ways to sync creatively, I think he could help take their music to another level, while also helping them produce quality music at a more acceptable pace.

        Reply
      • Anthony Ortiz on

        Travis Dolby I think all of us day 1 APC fans have been secretly longing for that to become a reality

        Reply
    13. Ryan Scott on

      might as well considering it will be another seven more years before the next tool album in order to stay on track for their thirteen years between albums policy

      Reply
        • Robert D'Amico on

          Greg Harvey I don’t think James has actually recorded anything with APC other than what he contributed to Emotive. He’s a touring member.

          Reply
        • Robert D'Amico on

          Greg Harvey I thought I read he was doing this tour since SP aren’t touring until later this summer. Billy Corgan is going to be doing a solo tour with a completely different line up in the meantime.

          Reply
        • Thomas Fuller on

          Robert D’Amico I remember watching an interview with this line up of the band and James didn’t know how his guitar was tooned. I was like, I get it. Maybe his Guitar Techs take care of that. But Billy, Matt and Josh were into and enthusiastic about it. Now that makes sense and maybe Billy is like here you go.

          Reply
      • Denzel Wilson on

        Cannibal Dan Can confirm! His solo debut album is dope. There’s some parts that are kinda choppy and meh in most of the songs but overall such great inventive melodies and song approaches.

        Reply
    33. Wayne Clair III on

      Eat the Elephant was interesting. It grew on me but I don’t want another like it. Keep changing it up!

      Reply
      • Lyndon Leverington on

        Wayne Clair III unfortunately they’re all getting old and that’s where they’re heading

        Reply
      • Andy Rhodes on

        Tony Cesare it was my least favorite for sure. I feel like this new one will have a different direction.

        Reply
        • Clarenze ZaBeau on

          DS Cilibrasi I am too and have been since I saw them open for NIN on the Fragile tour in 2000.

          I bought ETE and tried several times but I don’t think I could hum a single tune from it.

          Reply
    50. Chris Heath on

      Damn, that’s awesome. I kinda expected these guys to be winding down, but I’ll take it for sure.

      Reply
    57. Emlyn Luke Foley on

      Thankfully with Josh on drums this time, so it will be a better album already than Eat the Elephant! 😛

      Reply
    62. Teemu Mäntynen on

      When I heard Eat the Elephant for the first time, I was hugely disappointed. I kept on listeming and one day, when I had the right circumstances and mindset, the album just clicked and opened up and I finally understood the whole album and how great it actually was. Is it my favorite from them? Well, no, but still a great album nonetheless. Also, still, hoping that the next album would take a turn to a different direction and maybe even back to more traditional APC sound

      Reply
      • Ivan Stevanović on

        Teemu Mäntynen What circumstances were those, and were specific drugs involved, and if so, can you share which ones? Because the album is still absolute ass to me 🤣

        Reply
        • Teemu Mäntynen on

          Ivan Stevanović I don’t do drugs, or hardly even drink. Since the circumstances were extremely personal, I won’t go into them specific. All I say, is that when you are hitting an emotional low in the face of a loss that hurts quite a bit and on that moment you hear something that fits the moment and tou start to listen to the album on a different level than on the surface, it hits you hard

          Reply
      • Jason Merritt on

        Teemu Mäntynen well this was the most accurate and intelligent thing I’ve read so far…and I had to scroooooool…

        Reply
        • Teemu Mäntynen on

          Edgar Lopez 13th Step is their magnum opus and a masterpiece which they will most likely never be able to top or even match. ETE was boring at first for me too and a huge disappointment, until came a day when it wasn’t anymore

          Reply
    68. Dave Lodowski on

      Im wierd n stuff but like i strait up said to someone or maybe even myself the other day….whatever shinfo…i said “i feel like Maynard is brewing up something special. I just feel it. Just like when i was a child and randomly Tool Aenima showed up in my mailbox and niether my mother or her bad partner paid for it or ordered it. I partable cd playered it the fuck into my soul comute to school there and back like wow for most the year. Still toss tune through me here amd there till this day. Thank you universe

      Reply
    71. Kevin Stevens on

      Just saw them with Primus and Pucifer. The bands switched off every 3 songs. It was like being Bipolar. 3 great Primus songs where everyone was jamming, 3 to 6 Maynard songs which became unbearable, then 3 Primus songs where everything was great again. Repeat. I love Tool and Maynard’s voice, but these songs were painfully all the same . Dreary.

      Reply
    75. Jonathon Davish on

      *long term fan hits his knees

      “Please!!!! To all things worthy, give me the progression after thirteenth step! The build up after Mer to Step was monumental! Idgaf how you pull it off Mayne….but ffs, I love all of your art but always felt like APC was visceral and to the bone in a way that truly shows ur versatility! Now finish it!!!! It’s there! I know you have the bones!

      Reply
    76. Matt Richards-Clark on

      If its more nursery rhyme xylophone style music where every song loses its momentum 3 times in 5 minutes so Maynard can suddenly sing like he’s got marbles in his mouth – ill pass. When we saw them live on the ETE tour cycle the crowd didn’t know how to react everytime they finished one of the new songs. Like a stagnant applause slowly built in the silence each time. Super strange gig.

      Reply
    88. David Hamill on

      Look forward to this , just hope they ramp it up a gear from last album, good to have Josh , James and jeordie back haha JJJ

      Reply
      • Jennifer Melo on

        Alexis D. Contreras lol they’re gonna do whatever they want to do and you’ll listen to it.

        Reply
    93. Vittorio Bongiorno on

      Can we revert back to the style and temperament of the first two albums please and not try and be modern?

      Reply
    94. Edisons Child Ren on

      Went does everybody complain about the last album? TalkTalk Hourglass Eat Disillusioned Contrarian Doomed Fish Feather Get the Led out? Not every song is going to be The Noose and The Package. As a whole it actually flows great. ETE starts off with teaching you how to get through a day when that day don’t feel like a day you want to get through.. and have to. Keep doing what you’re doing mate. Everything you’ve done lately puscifer and new APC… it’s new its change its modern its dark its awesome. Let them listen to Ariana Grande if they want the same shit

      Reply
    98. Manuel Peña on

      Yall tripping, i know the ol “bands first album is their best album” but i dont believe that shit. Just cause you listened to it more doesnt mean anything. Heres some blasphemy, I felt eat the elephant surpassed mer de noms, yeah i said it, though thirteenth step remains their best.
      And as everyone mentioned having josh freese back on drums would be nice, hes just got this touch that just works for apc.

      Reply
    107. Alistar Sebastian Kaster on

      Why did everyone hate Eat the Elephant? Serious question? I didn’t LOVE it, but it was still good in my opinion

      Reply
      • Jocelyn Vezina on

        Alistar Sebastian Kaster I think people find it way too soft and want more rock. I don’t hate it but was a little disapointed with it.

        Reply
        • Alistar Sebastian Kaster on

          Jocelyn Vezina Ah that actually makes sense. I know Maynard fans in general are always wanting his next projects/albums to be more rocking than they are. I agree though, it would be nice for the next album to have more intensity like Mer de Noms or even 13th Step had.

          Reply
        • Jocelyn Vezina on

          Alistar Sebastian Kaster absolutely! 🤗 I want more of Billy’s writting and Maynard reacting to it. Not the other was around. If it makes sense.

          Reply
        • Alistar Sebastian Kaster on

          Jocelyn Vezina That actually does make sense, cuz I’m a fan of the way Billy writes music… Especially when he takes his time with it.

          Reply
    111. Jerry Henderson on

      The first two efforts are two of my favorite albums, I don’t know what happened with the last, but it had no magic to it.

      Reply
    114. Jason V Mannello on

      This is the first time I’m reading g comments people don’t like eat the elephant…. It’s such an awesome album

      Reply
    125. Lazar Max Michaels on

      I don’t think APC is active enough for josh to join as a permanent member. They’ll likely be on another hiatus after this tour.

      Reply
    127. Steven Fitzgerald on

      Can someone please tell Maynard that his one trick pony act for each and every song is thoroughly exhausted?
      Oo look at me I’m quiet whispering the verse, now I’m screaming the chorus! Aren’t my lyrics so edgelord! I mean “prison sex,” come on I’m like soooo edgy!
      How do you like my one octave range?

      Reply
    131. Nick Dalessandro on

      Billy has heard all the negativity about the last album. I’m sure they will avoid that sound for the next album.

      Reply
    135. Todd Love on

      Love Tool but APC is hit or miss for me and can’t stand Puscifer. Eat the Elephant was a huge step back imo so hoping this is much better.

      Reply
    140. Andrew Scott on

      I don’t really have anything bad to say about ete album, it’s not my favourite apc album and quite different from mer de nom, but it grew on me and I like it when bands try different approaches. It can get boring if they put the same kind of thing out time after time, so really looking forward to new music. You only have to listen to Billy’s other music to know it’s not gonna be a straight up rock album, and I like you never really know what you’re gonna get with them.

      Reply
    144. Randonis Balthazar Calrissian on

      They played a song I’ve never heard during their performance with Primus and Puscifer that was pretty awesome sounding so I’m hoping this is gonna be good. Eat the elephant was abysmal. Not a fan at all. I tried to listen to it this morning again just can’t do it. That being said 13th step was amazing and the first album is still a banger. I feel like the last good thing I heard them do was the song passive.

      Reply
      • Tone Coco on

        Brandon Koger or keep developing the sound and invite them back for a song or 2 and keep it original and fresh

        Reply
        • Æryn Sinwell on

          Brandon Koger and he came back. He is back in as their official permanent drummer. A Google search could have told you this.

          Reply
        • Brandon Koger on

          Æryn Sinwell I did Google because I couldn’t remember the year he left. It said he rejoined the band for their spring tour last year, didnt see anything about it being permanent. Hopefully he’s on the next album and not just a touring member

          Reply
      • Daniel Kytta on

        Brandon Koger at this point the idea of mer de moms 2 being anywhere as good as the 1rst is impossible

        Reply
      • Joshua Oatman on

        Brandon Koger this. Its not a perfect circle. Paz was there for his 60th birthday concert. Its a shame

        Reply
    161. Jon Herbsman Ocampo on

      I just got ETE on cd. Im going to give it another chance and have it on constant playback while doing chores around the house. I originally got it digitally but only listened to the whole album less than 10 times. I didn’t get the same vibes as the previous albums and as if Im listening to a while different band. Since Im on an APC/Billy Howerdel binge recently Im going to give ETE another chance and maybe Ill hear something different now from the first times I’ve listened ti the whole album a few years ago. Can’t wait for this new album!

      Reply
    165. Jesse Miller on

      I’m not even excited, which is unfortunate because Mer de Noms is in the top 10 best of all time for me

      Reply
    170. Fabian Diez on

      If they can go back to their sound on those first two albums, this is great. If it’s going to be anything like their last album… no thanks

      Reply
    173. Rancor Zep on

      Please make it heavier rock or anything heavier. I understand you have the greatest singer alive sine Chris Cornell but please no more soft music

      Reply
    190. Shawna Wood on

      Maynard just cannot sit still can he!? New Puscifer and new APC albums as well as the incredible Sessanta tour! Plus managing his Vineyard/ restraurant. Maynard is a freaking legend!

      Reply
    194. Ryan William Gannage on

      That’s fucking grate but how about a new tool album for fuck sake like you said after the fear innolceum tour that was going to be worked on

      Reply
    203. Marc Tricarico on

      How about you just get back to what really works TOOL and stop pussy footin around. With this music that is just stagnant

      Reply
        • JD Martin on

          Robert Donavan this is true. The last story I read was this was going to be the main focus so they don’t take 7 years to complete the next TOOL album

          Reply
        • Michael Warren Goldman on

          JD Martin The only reason the last Tool album took so long to come out was because of roughly 10 years of litigation. That won’t be a problem this time as long as they don’t get sucked into another lawsuit.

          Reply
      • Carlos Car Low Videla on

        JD Martin yes Tool is working on a new album and it will be ready in about 15 years! 6 new songs 3 that are good and 3 that sucks 😉😃

        Reply
    209. Jason Dombek on

      Maynard needs to create, and if the guys from Tool are taking their time putting together new music, I welcome new music from APC and Puscifer 🤷🏼‍♂️

      Reply
    218. Scott Kurtzal on

      God i hope it’s better then the last eat the shit album. Or that’s what it should have been called lol. I’ve loved APC since I was a kid when they first broke out but. The last album i just couldn’t force myself to like any of the tracks except for so long, and thanks for all the fish.

      Reply
    230. Jay Hallman on

      Hopefully, he writes more with his Les Paul instead of the piano. I like everything they do but prefer their more heavier side than the melodic piano stuff

      Reply
    237. The Unknown, Author on

      Hell yeah!!! I will definitely be looking forward to anything MJK does. If it’s not TOOL, its A Perfect Circle, and then there’s Puscifer. He tends to fill the gaps perfectly between the three.

      Reply
    245. Riki Jee on

      I’d love a new Ashes Divide album by Billy. First one is a MASTERPIECE.

      If you aren’t familiar with it, check it out. 🙂

      Reply
    246. Chris Bridston on

      I can’t wait ! On the other hand .. my selfish side wants the new “leaner “ TOOL ALBUM to come out first Danny has been teasing lol

      Reply
    251. David Barnes on

      We NEED more ASHES DIVIDE!! It’s been 18 years!! Need a follow up to the greatest album ever.

      Reply
      • David Enriquez on

        David Barnes Billy released another album under his own name not to long ago called What Normal Was, it’s really fucking good. If like his Ashes stuff u will definitely like this album.

        Reply
        • David Barnes on

          David Enriquez yeah, I bought it. Only a couple songs I really liked. He played one AD song on the tour, but it was cool to see Danny Lohner with them.

          Reply
      • Jimmy Martin on

        Myles Tracey Nah, Maynard comes in last and does his thing based on how the music makes him feel, the band is still working through what the next album will sound like.

        Reply
    266. Daniel Nunes on

      I actually do love Eat the Elephant and listen to it more than any of their other records. It’s fantastic! I can’t wait to hear anything they produce.

      Reply
    268. Steven Andrews on

      Game changer. Almost started my own called perfect oval. Would have been horrific as I don’t play any instruments and pretty sure I can’t sing.

      Reply
    270. Christine Pickett on

      Im excited! I’ll forever love “Mer de Noms” and “Thirteenth Step”. But “Eat The Elephant” was the cat’s ass 🤮

      Reply
    272. Alvaro A. Quintero on

      Hope it’s better than the last album. They really went in a weird direction with that album.

      Reply
    286. Brandon Curnutte on

      I just left their show and they didn’t say anything about it, new Puscifer in the fall though!

      Reply
    294. Andy McKay on

      I should be more excited for this, but the last album, sounding more like Puscifer/Ashes Divide, really has me lukewarm on this. Give me something the sound and calibre of the first 2 albums and I’ll be excited.

      Reply
    308. Max Carlson on

      Jeff has been more than fine, but they’ve gotta bring Josh back behind the kit for this. Shit, get Paz back on bass too.

      Reply
    334. Kris Fris Fields on

      Oh, they call it work. No crime investigations into the theft of my music. Not the top of the crime DOJ even give two craps. Anyway, f#ck humans.

      Reply
    341. Daryll Howe on

      ETE unfortunately reminded me of what the smashing pumpkins are doing; which was essentially alienate their entire fan base. That album is not it, and it absolutely pales in comparison to their earlier work. Social media sites and magazines are quick to bring up the anniversaries for MDN and Thirteenth Step, but I have never seen them praise ETE every single year since its release. The song “Thomas” is better than that entire album.

      Reply
    353. John B Herbert on

      Last album was growth, it was melodic, less hard guitar wise, but I liked it, but always hoping for something different and fresh. Hope it is a release this year.

      Reply
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