I dug this thread back up after the magnificence of lat night.
I saw Tool again, here is a review my friend wrote..sorry for the lengthiness but it all has to be said:
Review written by: Simon Fazio (
[email protected])
Review posted on: 04/27/02 20:07:20 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Tool : From the Nosebleeds - by Simon Fazio
Hey, well, last night me, and two of my close friends had the
honor of seeing Tool for the second time in a year. Indeed,
I was luckier with the ticketing last time, managing only
nosebleed seats, almost on the most acute angle you could
buy, as opposed to having general admission last time. It
was a different perspective none the less, however, we'll get
to that later.
The day that tickets went on sale was a hectic one, with
Clarky (one of my two companions last night) coming over
for a full phone and internet assault. Unfortunatly, camping
out seemed like a better idea, as it took us an hour and a
half to get through, and by that time, we were rushing to
school in the car, late for our Year 12 English SAC. However,
we got there okay, if not a little buzzed about scoring
tickets. At the venue however, I was appaled to see plenty
of empty seating both above and below the place where we
were. However, we got over it.
After a day of waiting around, Clarky and I borded the 6:01
train to the city, ready for a night of Tool. I was a little
hungry, as all I had had to eat for the past day or so were a
couple of saladas and some hommus, so i reluctantly
purchased a McChicken burger at an outragious price when
we got into the city. After a brief walk (against Clarky's
desire to take a tram to the venue), we arrived at Rod Laver
Arena shortly before 7:00. We got the regular pat down and
went into the venue. After buying some merchandise (2 t-
shirts, one for me, and one for my little brother at home
crying because he was too young to see Tool), Clarky
bumped into some friends of his, and started chatting. I
decided to scope out our seating.
When I finally finished my Everest-like-assent to our
seating, i was a little relieved to see that we had a clear view
of the stage, as I thought we previously might not have. It
was also intresting to note that we could see the entire setup
of the stage area, and were probably the first to see
anyones entry and exit onto the stage. Anyway, I was
delighted to see that DJ Angela Someoneorother had
commenced her set, and that we wouldnt have long to wait
before the proper show got underway. I met my second
companion, Ben, about ten mintues later, which was good,
because I previously thought he was going to miss out on
part of the show, due to a late basketball match. Anyway, we
were all seated shortly before 7:30, and were ready for a big
night of Tool. The usual discussion of all things tool (in
particular the new Live EP Gammon), trying to pass the time
before we got to see the greatest band on earth (excuse the
cliche).
The problem was, the DJ wouldnt stop. We were a little harsh
in our comments to her, seeing as a DJ would obviously not
appeal to a vast majority of Tool fans, openminded or
otheriwise. Anyway, we saw what Ben thought to be
a "soundcheck girl" appear on stage, but what I correctly
guessed was Dale from the Melvins appear on stage.
Anyway, he sat at his kit, whilst the DJ continued her set.
Suddenly, to my surprise, Dale commenced a thunderous
drum beat, which nearly gave me a coronary. Anyway, after
the initial shock, followed by the joy of seeing Angela walk
off stage, Buzz and Kevin walked on stage, plugged in,
tuned their instruments and commenced playing.
It was nothing special.
Yeah, the Melvins have been around for a while, and while
their set was energetic, I couldnt really get into it, despite
the fact that I had tried to weeks before. The only song I
recognised was Brain Center at Whipples off their latest
release Hostile Ambient Takeover, althought a few songs
sounded familar. Dont ask me the setlist. Anyway, there
were only lyrics for one or two of the songs, and perhaps
only one or two breaks, and songs ran into each other for
the whole set. Perhaps this was an attempt to give the crowd
no chance to not clap for this band? I know its always a hard
task for a band to support though, so i'll stop attacking.
The Melvins stopped quite abruptly, and left the stage as
they entered it, without saying a word.
We waited a little longer, and the regular occurances of a
Tool show commenced : the unbeiling of Danny's giant drum
kit, the tuning of the bass and guitar, the weird music
playing over the PA, preceeded by the german monologue
(mention something about cadavers) I was familiar with
from July show. Then, all hell broke loose.
The giant eye-circle appeared on the screens, now two
screens with one mirroring the other. It was a very nice
addition from last time, with the visuals more stunning than
before. Anyway, a short time later, after a few minutes of
ambience, Justin made his way to the stage and
commenced the first song of the night, Flood. Shortly after,
Danny came on stage, followed by Adam. The belted out the
start of flood for a few minutes, before we saw Maynard
come from behind the stage, stand at the back of his little
screen (which we couldnt see), and then make his way onto
his little platform. It was great. I was happy. I wanted to
stay there forever. However, the show progressed, Maynard
commenced singing ('Here comes the water'), and then
Flood got going. The song continued almost to the end when
suddenly the burst into The Grudge, a move I was not
expecting. Even though we were so high up, we were still a
very active bunch, singing, and playing air
guitar/bass/drums through the song, unlike everybody else
in the area. The 'defining, controlling' part of the song
kicked in, and the general admission area had its first
chance to mosh. The bodys turned into a raging sea of
most, a sight pretty unknown to me, as i'm usually in the
mosh, rather than looking down apon it. The Grudde was
good, as like last time, although I had the lyrics down pat
now. Maynard scream was as impressive as ever, lasting a
good 20 seconds or so. And then, it was over.
"Good Evening"
Those few words got the crowd going like no-ones business,
the first of many lines, such as asking the crowd in these
hard times, we have to all do our little part in like, so on the
count of three, i want everyone to say Yes! 1, 2, 3....
I didnt say anything.
But anyway, I forget where his little lines of onstage talk slot
in, so I wont put them anywhere.
Anyway, the opening feedback to Stinkfist started, my 2nd
favorite song of the night. I got right into it, and it was cool
to see the extended version played, with the album intro
played before the 'I Keep Digging' line, a move which left
me breathless. Anyway, after that 4 Degrees kicked in. I
didnt know all the words (shame on me!), however, I sang
what I could, but I was sitting back on my seat at that time,
setting the tone for the rest of the show, bar the last song.
Anyway, after that, I beleve that Parabola, Schism
(accompanied by the stunning Osseus Labyrint, doing their
walk from the video, heads going back and forth), Eon Blue,
The Patient (one of my favorites for the night, and one I
was really hanging out for last time round), Disposition and
Reflection. There was a very cool Noise Jam in there, with
Adam on his Virus Indigo. For all the musicians out there, I
think that Adam actually has two synths on stage, or at least
another controller on stage, as he was on his knees twisting
knobs at the the end of the last song, Lateralus. Anyway,
Danny was going mental in Reflection, much to the delight
of Ben, a drummer himself. I found myself watching the
band much more this time, partially due to the fact I'm a
short *** and couldnt see **** last time.
The Parabola video started, and we left for a breath for fresh
air, and to see if i could find a Bratwurst, or anything to eat
for the that matter. I went back outside with my friends,
Bratwurst-less, but none the less pumped for the big finale.
We discussed the dissapointment of h. not being played
(our big wish for the night), among other things, and as the
Parabola video wound up, we made our was back to our
seats for the last three songs.
We say down just Tricky was holding up the leaf on the
video, and noticed parts of Dale's kit in on Maynard's little
platform. We knew then that Triad would be next. Tool, sans-
Maynard but with Dale Crover came back on stage to
thunderous applause. Danny kicked off proceedings, with
Dale bashing along too, and shortly after Justin started the
bassline. Maynard was behind the screen, playing guitar,
and Osseus Labyrint had climed up infront of the screen
(with the male of the group giving up quite and eyefull).
Triad was personally the highlight of the night for me, being
on of my neglected tracks of the album up until early this
year. The song was a visual feast, and persoanlly, I couldnt
decide what to look at, the screen, the two drummers,
Maynard, Osseus Labyrint or Adam or Justin. It was sensory
overload in the truest form of the word.
Anyway, Triad ran its course, Danny shook hands with Dale,
Dale left, shook hands with MJK, and the drum kit was take
from the stage. Maynard came out and vocally thanked
Osseus Labyrint and Dale, and then atoped his platform for
the last time of the night.
"hey..hey..hey..hey..hey..hey..hey..hey.."
The crowd went nuts as Aenema kicked in, only the 2nd
song from the album of the night. It was good, I think
better than the last performance, with the highlight being
Maynard's vocals, which, for the first time of the night
appeared truly stunning to me. I think after the song I had
a new appreciation for him, if thats even possible, as I think
he's the greatest singer in any group at the moment. The
band was going off at the, end, I belive with Justin having
one foot on the drum riser at the conclusion. Anyway, they
all came together at the end of the song, around Danny's
drums, and started the last song of the night, Lateralus.
It was mind-blowing. I had mixed feelings all through the
song, as I knew it would be the last of the night
unfortunatly, and nearing the conclusion, the band kicked
into overdrive, then kicked up and notch, and then another
with Adam taking on his synth yet again in a hail of static
and whirring-synth. It ended with the final open D chord, the
band went to the front of the stage, threw items out.
(including a drum skin, caught by some lucky bastard),
embraced, and then waved goodbye.
And then it was over.
And then we went home.
