TOOL - Fear Inoculum: Every Song Ranked From Worst To Best

8. Mockingbeat

And thus, our journey comes to an end.

"Mockingbeat" closes Fear Inoculum after over 1 hour 26 minutes of music. It's the shortest piece on the album at 2:05 and a palate-cleansing final track of glitchy, scratchy, pulsing noises from a chewed-up tape. Unintelligible vocal samples drift in and out. A loose, echoing rhythm plays subtly in the background, giving body to this kaleidoscope of sounds, meaning while "Mockingbeat" is a short ride, it's a wild one too.

A mockingbird's chirps come in as the sonic madness fades out, tweeting over a faint conversation in the background. Then, with a single chirp, it's over. The end. "Mockingbeat" has just chewed up what's left of your brain via two minutes of the boldest experimentation Tool have ever put to tape.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.