Tool dominated 2019 with the lead-up to and release of their long-awaited new LP, Fear Inoculum, and now the psych-metal heroes have a 2020 Grammy to show for it. In the category of "Best Metal Performance," the band beat out Killswitch Engage, I Prevail, Candlemass and Death Angel with their epic cut "7empest," Revolver's top song of 2019. Tool were also nominated in the "Best Rock Song" category for the title track off their latest album, but the award went to Texas-based blues-rock musician Gary Clark Jr.
Drummer Danny Carey and bassist Justin Chancellor accepted the award on behalf of the band — see their speech above — and took the time out to thank their mothers, their wives and children and, for Carey's part, the "drum gods" that shaped his illustrious career like Led Zeppelin's John Bonham and Rush's recently passed virtuoso Neil Peart. "Wow!" Carey opened his comments. "It kind of renews my faith in humankind that there's long attention spans left out there that can listen to a 12-minute song." For the record, "7empest" is actually almost 16 minutes in length.
See below for the full list of winners and nominees in the Grammy's various metal and rock categories. Additionally, punk icon Iggy Pop took home a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Chris Cornell's posthumous self-titled album won the trophy in the Best Recording package category for the design work done by Barry Ament, Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam) and Joe Spix.
Best Metal Performance:
Tool – "7empest" (winner)
Candlemass – "Astorolus – The Great Octopus" feat. Tony Iommi
Death Angel – "Humanicide"
I Prevail – "Bow Down"
Killswitch Engage – "Unleashed"
Best Rock Performance:
Gary Clark Jr. – "This Land" (winner)
Bones UK – "Pretty Waste"
Brittany Howard – "History Repeats"
Karen O & Danger Mouse – "Woman"
Rival Sons – "Too Bad"
Best Rock Song:
Gary Clark Jr. – "This Land" (winner)
The 1975 – "Give Yourself A Try"
Vampire Weekend – "Harmony Hall"
Brittany Howard – "History Repeats"
Tool – "Fear Inoculum"
Best Rock Album:
Cage the Elephant – Social Cues (winner)
Bring Me the Horizon – amo
The Cranberries – In the End
I Prevail – Trauma
Rival Sons – Feral Roots
Tool tour dates:
January 28 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
January 29 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
January 31 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum
February 1 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
February 14 Perth, Australia RAC Arena
February 17 Sydney, Australia Qudos Bank Arena
February 18 Sydney, Australia Qudos Bank Arena
February 20 Brisbane, Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre
February 22 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena
February 23 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena
February 28 Auckland, New Zealand Spark Arena
February 29 Auckland, New Zealand Spark Arena
March 9 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena
March 11 Portland, OR Moda Center
March 12 Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Center
March 14 Boise, ID Ford Idaho Center Arena
