When you say the name of Maynard James Keenans new recording project, Puscifer, it is Pus as in Pussn'Boots, says the Tool singer on a recent afternoon at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Not as in a boil, he adds with a dry chuckle.

Keenan, working on the record on a rare day away from Tools current world tour, explains that Puscifer is my attempt to make music to inspire people. Heavy rock is sinking, the industry is dying. This is definitely not thinking mans music elliptically referring to Tools dense, serpentine metal but groove-oriented music that makes you feel good.