Tool is promising fans not one but two new releases in the next six months, which should help placate fans who've been waiting since 1996 for a new offering from the band.

According to Tool's official Web site, one album, presumably a live effort, will be released close to Christmas, and the band's long-awaited studio LP should be coming out in February or March. The group has also announced that a new official site, dissectional.com, will be launched in conjunction with the 2001 CD.

The band is expected to head into the studio in October to start recording the follow-up to 1996's "Aenima" (see "Tool Plans Studio Time For New Album"). Sources close to the group told MTV News that the band is known for "writing long and recording short," meaning that although the group (most notably guitarist Adam Jones) spends a lot of time writing and demoing material in advance of the sessions, the final recording process is traditionally brief.

In related news, the scheduling means that singer Maynard James Keenan will not be appearing in the new David Fincher movie "Panic Room" as widely anticipated. A post on the official Fincher Web site (davidfincher.net) acknowledges that Keenan had been in talks for a lead role as one of three burglars in the film, but the singer was too busy. The part has apparently gone to country star and part-time actor Dwight Yoakam.

Fincher, director of films such as "Seven" and "Fight Club," most recently worked with Keenan on the video for A Perfect Circle's "Judith" (see "David Fincher To Direct A Perfect Circle Video").

Also on the burner is the September 12 rerelease of "Giving Birth To A Stone," a 1993 album by Tool bassist Justin Chancellor's former band, Peach, with new artwork courtesy of Tool guitarist Jones. The album was originally released in Europe on Mad Minute Records, a small label owned by Justin's brother, Jim. The re-mastered disc includes two songs that were performed by Tool during the band's last show at Coachella (see "Tool To Play One-Off Festival Show") with Chancellor accompanying Keenan on vocals.

Tool is apparently without management at the moment, having recently left Lollapalooza co-founder Ted Gardner's roster.