Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat

Just when you think your wallet was safe, another killer artist announces a new album. And this time it’s pretty big.

A Perfect Circle just announced that they have signed a deal with BMG for a worldwide recording deal, and are currently working on new material for a new full-length album which will be released later this year!

While it’s not exactly a Tool album (there isn’t enough keyboard rage in the world to sum that one up), the news is certainly exciting since the band is coming out of a thirteen year hiatus with the announcement of new material.

Key member Billy Howerdel said this of the new deal: “We just signed a new record deal with BMG! Looking forward to sharing new music with you soon. New APC-2017!”

While the other key member, Maynard James Keenan of Tool, has been doing a small number of tours and (supposedly) recording new music with his original band, it looks like the stars have finally aligned for a comeback, something Howardel has been expecting for a while.

“To be honest, I thought [a comeback] would be a few years earlier…It felt like a few years ago it was going to happen, but this is just the way the schedules lined up. But I’m always excited to get the machine up and going.”

The timing seems somewhat destined for a reunion as 2017 has seen an increasingly tense political climate, and APC has never shied away from tackling issues, with the band’s height of success falling under the tumultuous Bush years.

The band’s first tour will kick off very soon (April 6) and will be their first since 2011, and Howardel hopes that fans will get to be the first to hear new music ahead of the album’s release.

“We’re not promising anything, but I have every intention of doing my best to have us playing some new tracks during this run—with the idea that new music is coming very soon after.”

The band will also perform at this year’s Monster Energy Fort Rock festival.

If you need more Maynard in your life then you can check out a video from his other side project, Puscifer, here.