Leonard Cohen Dies At 82

Legendary singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen has passed away at the age of 82.

The influential artist has had a career that spanned over five decades, with fifteen albums under his belt. His dark style led to a brand new uprising of similar artists in the sixties and seventies, only being surpassed by Bob Dylan in influence.

Cohen was born in September 1934 in Westmount, Quebec. He learned guitar in his teens and found his first ventures in poetry. After difficulty with selling books of his work, he went to New York to discovery to folk-rock scene, which he made his own. His career from then on is history. He released his latest album You Want It Darker last month. Cohen was best known for his songs such as 'Hallelujah'.

His death was announced on his Facebook page, with the following message:

It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away.
We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries.
A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. The family requests privacy during their time of grief.

Rest in peace, Leonard Cohen. Thank you for sharing your art with the world..

Is a New Tool Album Closer Than We Think?

Fans waiting for Tool's long sought for follow up to 2006's 10,000 Days may see their long wait come to an end. A Reddit user who goes by 77ohio recently posted a a tracklist, complete with track names and lengths.

He claims Tool will be releasing a double album in October of 2016, titled Decem ("ten" in Latin). Decem will feature twelve tracks, all clocking in above twelve minutes - the shortest track on the alleged tracklist is 12:01 (see the full tracklist below). The album is said to now be in its mixing phases - a good a time as any to get the press ready. The Reddit user claims he has a reliable source (apparently working a position for some press), but cannot reveal what exactly the source is.

The full tracklist for Decem is as follows:

Side 1:

  1. Abscissa (13:47)
  2. The Awakening (12:03)
  3. Gematria (Act I) (14:33)
  4. Regresolution (13:56)
  5. Divinotus (12:45)
  6. Astral (Act II) (12:21)

Side 2:

  1. Descending (13:53)
  2. Decem (12:22)
  3. Lesous (Act III) (12:43)
  4. Principles Of March (12:01)
  5. Pascal's Wager (13:46)
  6. Zeta (Act IV) (14:27)

If this tracklist is real, seems like this album alone is long enough to keep us listening for the next one to come (who knows how long that one will take...). The tracklist has some interesting things going on - a four part piece, perhaps some sort of sonic odyssey? 'Descending' was performed as a short instrumental jam on Tool's recent tour, debuting at the Monster Mash festival in Tempe, Arizona on Halloween day last year.

Something to consider, though, is that this isn't the first time a tracklist has leaked before the album. Back before Lateralus, a fake tracklist with fake files were leaked online to throw off file sharers. A fake tracklist was also released leading up to 10,000 Days, as well. Maybe this is no different. We don't yet have a real source for this yet. Only time will tell.

There's no telling if this rumor is true or not, but as we get closer and closer to a new Tool album, we'll take anything we can get. What do you think about the rumors? Are you excited for new Tool music?