Danny Elfman Says Tool's Fear Inoculum Got Him Through Grueling Tattoo Sessions

Danny Elfman relied on Tool's Fear Inoculum to help him endure the lengthy, painful sessions required to complete his extensive tattoo work.

During a backstage interview with Kyle Meredith at Louder Than Life, the composer and former Oingo Boingo frontman recalled telling Tool drummer Danny Carey how important the band's 2019 album had been during the process.

"I told Danny Carey a while ago that all of the tattoos on me, I only got because their last album, Fear Inoculum, literally got me through the whole process," Elfman said. "I couldn't have done it without it."

Rather than choosing individual songs, Elfman repeatedly played the album from beginning to end. He estimated that he had heard the complete record approximately 40 times, although he admitted that he still could not name any of its individual tracks.

"I don’t even know the name of a single song because I've only listened to the entire album about 40 times," he joked.

Elfman began his tattoo project more than three decades ago but left much of it unfinished. He eventually returned to the work and underwent several marathon sessions, including a two- or three-day stretch with his tattoo artist during the pandemic.

The musician has previously said that loud, intense music helps him lose himself and focus on something other than the needle. Along with Tool, his tattoo-session listening has included Nine Inch Nails and Einstürzende Neubauten.

Although Elfman is best known for composing the music for films including Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, his recent solo work has leaned heavily into industrial rock, progressive metal, and other abrasive sounds. His enthusiasm for Fear Inoculum shows that his connection to heavy music extends well beyond his own recordings.