Wow!! What an experience! TOOL are certainly solidifying their place as one of the greatest live acts of all time with the current ‘Fear Inoculum’ tour. TOOL have been amazing fans with their current stage production. And after witnessing the band’s unbelievable show on Monday, it’s absolutely easy to see why.
What TOOL create live is an entire immersive experience. All while keeping the importance of the music in the forefront. But they way they add light choreography to their songs is unmatched. It’s certainly one of the top five light shows I’ve seen. Not only that but the jumbotron screen art was mind blowing. Displaying the typical ‘TOOLesque’ visuals through out. I also loved the half curtain they had going on, then pulled back about mid-set. The pulled forward again before the initial ending track ‘Forty Six & Two.’ The encore was just as impressive. Just an un-freakin’-believeable show.
The set list was perfect. A repeat of the night before. Which had a perfect combination of the traditional hits and the new, even more progressive, material. TOOL opened with ‘Fear Inoculum.’ The opening track on their newest album. Which is a perfect opener. The way the song builds and builds set the stage for the rest of the night. Maynard James Keenan’s storming voice at the end chaning, ‘FUCKING SWIM, FUCKING SWIM, FUCKING SWIM, FUCKING SWIM!,’ set the tone for what was to come. From there they moved on to an A-list rendition of ‘AEnima.’ An amazing one-two punch.
But it wasn’t until the third track ‘The Pot’ hit, that the crowd went truly insane. It’s certainly one of their biggest songs and one I was really looking forward to hearing it. Rocking out to massive groove was a dream come true. Especially with the whole stage show. Despite the song being down-tuned a bit. TOOl kept it rolling hard with ‘Parabol’ and ‘Parabola’ coming next. The experience of having this kind of an iconic set was other worldly. The set was almost like a perfect playlist. The second run of the new track ‘Pneuma’ came next. Certainly one of the highlights. And of one of strongest tracks on the new album. An extended version of ‘Schism’ hit next. There was literally no roof on the hits. Just amazing!! And the crowd responded appropriately.
But when TOOl followed with ‘Jambi’ and ‘Vicarious,’ I thought the universe was going to explode. TOOL built up to the breakdown so magically. With a lights-out pause that got the crowd riled up for one of the most bad ass moments in metal. When the breakdown hit, the energy of arena nearly exploded the roof of of the venue. Pretty sure I gave myself whiplash during it. And then ‘Vicarious’ hit and no one even knew what to do with themselves. I certainly didn’t. The ending breakdown is something I’ve always dreamed of seeing live. And TOOL delivered on multiple fronts. The band then threw it back to one of their most kick ass tracks; ‘Intolerance’ from the ‘Undertow’ record. Personally, it was fave moment of the show. Hearing their clear, heavy tone fill the arena was ear candy. ‘Forty Six and Two’ closed out the immediate set. And it was a perfect closer. One of TOOL’s signature songs.
The encore was just as amazing as the initial set. Danny Carey opened it with an extended rendition of ‘Chocolate Chip Trip,’ which is his percussive solo on the new ‘Fear Inoculum.’ Starting off with paradiddles on a gong and then building up to some major drum rippage, it was the perfect alternative metal drum solo. Carey is truly one of the greats. And he didn’t hold back. ‘Invincible’ followed, which is a near perfect choice. Carey’s solo modulated perfectly into ‘Invincible.’ The signature ‘Stinkfist’ closed the night out. It’s the perfect ending. A heavy, groovy track that gets everyone riled up for the rest of the evening. At least that’s how it was for me.
TOOL put on a nearly perfect show. With one of the greatest light rigs I’ve ever seen. Mixed meticulously with the music. The bands presence wasn’t in the forefront of the show either. Maynard Keenan really provides the voice more than being a ‘frontman.’ The band wants you to focus on the music and how it fits in with the psychedelic nature of their show. It’s all about rhythm and the mastery of time changes. And TOOL provides the entire immersive experience.
