| concert reviews firsthand, immediate, from the heart |
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09/28/2001
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Review written by: IVIyThirdEye (fourty6and2ahead@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/28/01 23:58:02 ETThis was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
This tool show was amazing the setlist is a follows: The Grudge Stinkfist Forty6and2 Prison Sex Pushit Schism reflection/disposition intermission parabol parabola Patient ænema Lateralis The other show that I saw was the Cleveland show, I read some of the reviews and I also agree to some extent about what was written. Especially that maynard did not seem into the music. This Pittsburgh show was incredible, maynard was into the music, he spoke alot, he talked about being positive and trying to heal from the tragedy. Overall the show was spectacular.(Would you expect anything else). And to all those assholes who say that tool isn't exciting to watch and they don't have any enthusiasm, They should learn more about the bands before they go see them. Only true tool fans understand what the band is about.
Review written by: Dan (infinitesadd7@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 00:07:40 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
HOLY SHIT! This has been the most incredible thing I have ever seen. The msot incredible thing was Tool hugging on stage at the end and hten recognizing the crowd for being a great crowd(which it was!) More bands should do this. From what I have been reading, Maynard was way more talkative this show and way more into it. INcredible. Tool: Simply the best. Dan
Review written by: Christopher (fumusAf@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 00:14:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
I was wondering if there was anyone was interested in tickets to the Albany, N.Y. I have two GA extra tickets that I am willing to sell at face value. $37 dollars. Give me an email if anyone is interested in the offer. I would prefer to sell them to real tool fans that the people out the arena.
Review written by: Matt (msd155@psu.edu) Review posted on: 09/29/01 00:17:27 ET
This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show
WOWOWOW!! I went to the Wilkes-Barre show on Monday night, and this show tonight blew that to pieces. First and foremost, the crowd. I was on the floor for both shows, and finally, FINALLY, people acted like they should at a TOOL concert. Barely any moshing at all, only during Aenima. That Dispostion/Reflection moshing is rediculous, and I'm so glad I didn't see it tonight. I think the crowd was so respectful to the band as well, and the band showed their thanks too. Maynard seemed so much more into it tonight than Monday night. Talked a lot more, wished everybody "health and well being to all" and thanked the crowd twice throughout the show. On Monday, he stripped down to his black speedos, but not tonight. He took off a long shirt/jacket and had a black short sleeve tight shirt on the rest of the show. His energy was amazing. Danny was simply moving on the drums, while Adam and Justin couldn't have been much better themselves. The setlist has already been posted. It seems that the only songs they change night in/night out are Eulogy for Push It, and Aenima or Opiate. We got Push It and Aenima. The sound was way better than the Wilikes-Barre show too and the stage seemed more spread out, which was good. I could ramble on forever b/c the music simply moved me tonight like never before. I wish I could see these guys every day! They have changed my life so much and the music moves me like no other. The music tonight filled me with so much positive energy and feelings, I feel like the happiest and calmest person alive. THANK YOU TOOL!!
Review written by: Crl (...) Review posted on: 09/29/01 00:27:11 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
I just got back from the Tool concert. Damn, what a show. The band was amazing, just as I figured they would be. My only complaint about their performence was that, in my opinion, the mic was too loud for the first few songs and seemed to echo a bit too much. Maybe some of you guys noticed that as well. However, that was minor considering how well they played. Other than that, it was flawless. The band moved the the rythem of the music as eery images flashed across the gigantic screens. It was put together very well. Without giving too much away, I thought the man and woman from the schism video, (Oddiseus Labrynth I think they are called) were great, and really added something to the songs which they performed in. As far as Fantomis goes. Well, I can honestly say that I just didn't get it. They would start on something that sounded really great, only to stop in the middle and scream. They really had no flow to their music at all. I do think, however, that they have great potential. When they weren't screeching, they were usually playing something good. But that didn't happen too often. I guess they just aren't my thing. But, thats just my opinion. If you like them, more power to you. I did give them a round of applause after their set though. They made an effort to entertain and I respect that. Overall, the show was great. I can't imagine anything that I would have changed, other than having them play more songs maybe!
Review written by: ALL2EZ81 (all2ez81@quixnet.net) Review posted on: 09/29/01 00:27:44 ET
This was this reviewer's Tool show
Fantomas: GREAT! A truly out-there experimental sound. Using all sorts of sounds, instuments. In my opinion a better opener than Meshuggah. Although at first the music was very sporadic, it mellowed out towards the end, and almost sounded... Well, Musical. All in all, a great sound to these guys. Tool, was spectacular, as usual. These guys truly are amazing. It's just a damn shame that there are so many... What's a good way to put it??? Um... MORONS in the crowd. I was on the floor, and there are just some people that should NOT be allowed to goto a concert. Wearin' their little wife-beaters, moshing to EVERYTHING... Including Disposition. REDICULOUS. AND during Adam's continuation of Disposition this one guy kept yelling "Come ON... PLAY ALREADY". He decided to do the SAME thing during the intermission. Apparently his 5 minute attention span wore out... Then between songs they SCREAM for "Opiate". As if TOOL is going to play it JUST for them. I am truly glad that TOOL didn't play it. Just to spite them. So these stupid drunk wife-beater wearing dumb-asses bounce around elbows flying. They don't seem to understand. But people like that are gonna be at every show... There's nothing you can do about it. Sound was GREAT. well balanced, nice volume. One thing I will say was quite nice was that except for an occasional yell, the venue was respectfully quiet. It was nice to be able to listen to the music without people yelling all the time and jumping all over the place. So here's the setlist... The Grudge Stinkfist Ions 46&2 Prison Sex Pushit Schism Reflection/Disposition Intermission Parabol/Parabola Patient AEnima Lateralus Maynard did not talk much. Other than good evening... He only really said one line. Which went something along the lines of "Remember how you're feeling right now. Good/Bad/Whatever, and in the coming weeks. Try to make something positive out of it." Something like that. And he also said "See you again soon." right before AEnima. Everything this tour has been pretty constant. Same outfits... More or less. No stripping for Maynard tonight... Just took off a sweatshirt. An embrace between bandmembers at the end. A TRULY MOVING experience I will NEVER FORGET.
Review written by: Denae C. (denae@wizardworkshop.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 00:43:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 5th Tool show
I enjoyed Fantomas. They were different but very entertaining. Tool: Thank you as always for healing us through your music.
Review written by: Faaip De Oiad (Todd K.) (tmk195@psu.edu) Review posted on: 09/29/01 02:03:16 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
All things move in cycles. There is no border that separates one day from another, it is a consant circle of light and dark. There is no separation of years, but an eon-old cycle of the earth's tilt. Life is a cycle as well. We start out as helpless children, unable to get through a day without assistance. We then move into a stage of freedom as children. Following this is a period of servitude as we grow up and become workers, another period of freedom as we retire and are freed from the work, and then a final period of helplessness as we pine away in old age. Everything goes in circles. The key to transcendence is the spiral Spiral out Keep going What a day it has been, counting down the hours until the show. Then I was there. I walked into the Mellon Arena with my friends Mike and Veronica and stood there on the floor level awaiting Fantomas. Staring at the high ceiling of the arena, I paused to remember an important day 18 months before. My buddy Tony Fonzi was telling me about some band who had the best singer and drummer in the world. He also said something about how all their videos were claymation and they had a CD called Enema. They sounded interesting, so I asked him to make me a tape. A few days later, I got a tape with four bands: Fear Factory, Sevendust, Tool, and some guys who later did a song with Maynard called the Deftones. There were four songs on the tape: Cold and Ugly, Stinkfist, 4 degrees, and 46&2. My first time listening to Tool was in a traffic jam. When I would have regularly flipped out and yelled at everyone in front of me, I was calmed by the soothing vocals. Tony was right, they did have the best singer in the world. I made a resolution to go out and buy this Enema CD the next time I was at a record store. Fantomas took the stage without any splendor or introduction. They simply came out and played. Maybe I was just missing something, but they made no sense to me. In many ways, Fantomas is a supergroup, consisting of members from the best groups in the world, but the 90 second songs were only cool for a while. There was some interesting stuff added with singing, but eventually it would become yelling and noisemaking again. Any band would be outshone opening for Tool, though. I put this weird AEnima Cd into my player, and hit the play button. The art on the booklet was quite strange, the moving eye was neat, but after the third track, they kept playing all those weird tracks. I put the Cd away for awhile, listening to it on and off for a few weeks. After realizing how good eulogy really was, I went back and listened to the whole thing over and over again. I was amazed and addicted. I went out and bought Undertow and Opiate, and found toolshed. I was checking this page before my email after awhile, and soon I was hearing rumors of a boxed set for Christmas and a new album on Maynard's birthday. Out came the video screens, the enochian board was uncovered, the lights were dimmed, it was time for the show. I closed my eyes for a moment in preparation for what was about to happen. Then, the Grudge. It was loud beyond belief. I was able to feel the clothes move on my body and my eardrums rattle within my head. Wow. They had animation prepared precisely for the video, and it was mesmerizing. They sounded perfect live. There was no other way to describe it. They came out with Stinkfist next, and during the breakdown in the middle they expanded and added a solo. They stood in their spaces up there, above the crowd like they owned the world. They did for the time they were playing. Then the bass began. A spotlight hit Justin as he played the introduction to 46&2. The crowd went crazy, as would be expected, with many of them singing along. There was a video of a person with their Third eye open on the video screen, and I think that moment helped us all to squeegee our third eyes. The next song was Prison Sex. Instead of recycling video footage, like they did during Stinkfist, they had new stuff to show. Nothing really special, but something beautiful anyways. I had been hoping for the slow version of Pushit, and if I was reeeeaaaaly lucky even one with Aloke, but alas, it was not meant to be. The opening bars to it made everyone anxious to hear the song. There was some soloing in the middle, and it came out a bit longer than normal, roughly 13 minutes. Right before this song, the guys in front of me lighted up a joint and began passing it around. Any other concert I would have asked for a hit, but this was Tool. I didn't want to forget anything. As schism began, they showed the video on their screen. During the solo, the two contortionists, collectively known as osseus labryint, came out walking on all fours, letting their heads wag like in the video. For the first time in the night the gaze shifted from the band. I thought that would be all for osseus labryint that night, but I was wrong. After schism, the band messed around with their guitars for a while (and by the way, Maynard played guitar on schism) and I heard Danny hitting his effect pads that sounded like a tabla. I knew what was coming next, so I whispered over to Mike: here it comes... I was looking forward to Reflection so much that I don't remember Dispostition, just that they played it and it sounded great. When Reflection began, I watched Danny's rythymic movements and got swept up in the trance-like sound of it all. They concluded the song, and all walked off stage one at a time, except for Adam. He kept playing the last f our chords from Reflection. over and over, for five minutes. Nobody seemed to realize that this was intermission, because they stayed put to watch the rest of the show. The first time I ever heard a Tool song performed live was not tonight, but about a year ago by my friend Mike. He was performing with his band Blanket Search, and covered Eulogy. When they started playing, I moved as close to the stage as possible without intruding on his space. He hit the long "goodbye" perfectly. I was mesmerized. Now the man was standing right next to me. I remember e-mailing him in October with the news that Lateralus was coming out on April 17th, six months away. I also remember contacting him when I heard that Tool was playing in Detroit shortly after the release of Lateralus. I was worried that they might not stop in Pittsburgh. He told me to be patient. I called him again when I read that they were coming to Cleveland. He told me to be patient again. Besides, we didn't have the money. Then I found out that they were coming to Pittsburgh. I had forgotten to check the Tool Page for a while, and I found out that they went on sale at 5:00 pm that day. I arrived at the Record Store at 3:15. I arrived wearing my Tool shirt, and the first thing I heard was "they're not on sale yet!" coming from one of the clerks. They told me there would be a lottery at 4:45, so I waited in the corner and greedily read their magazines. I came in last in the lottery from the eight of us there, but I still managed to get the floor level tickets. Tony Fonzi, the guy who got me first listening to Tool, said that he showed up at 5:15 and the floor tickets were gone. During the intermission, I noticed two ropes being put up. Slowly, the two member of osseus labrint came out and climbed the ropes, tying themselves upside down. They hung there, and reached out and held one another for a moment. Tool took the stage and began playing Parabol. It was slow, and the crowd knew what was about to happen. Osseus labryint slowly writhed to the sounds of the music. When they broke through with Parabola, they began moving, twisting, shaking as hard as they could. The crowd was awake and energized, and when Maynard Screamed "Aliiiiive...." everyone was in with him. It was one of the best songs of the night. They played the Patient next, which I never liked much, but it had become much more effective played live. They changed it from one of my least favorites to a true favorite. There was some silence, Maynard spoke a few words, and then began breathing into the microphone. The beginning to AEnima! I doubted they would play it since the recent urban violence on September 11th, but they pulled no punches. The visions of apocalypse were echoed on the screen as they showed comets in outer space, presumably headed toward earth. Maynard looked out at the crowd, and asked us to take whatever we were feeling, good or bad, and create something positive with it. Then they played Lateralus. The video screen asked all of us to spiral out, starting with one spiral, then two interlocking spirals, then four. I sang along with every single word, making my voice hurt a bit, but it didn't matter, I was trying to spiral out. I would keep going. Two hours after it has begun, it was over. Danny threw his many drumsticks and a drumhead into the crowd. I met the guy who caught it after the show, and it had a star of david with an eye in the center, weird stuff. I walked back to the car in total peace. I feel renewed now, and rode home without the radio on, just driving through the darkness, amazed by what I had just seen. We were asked to create something positive as the show ended, and I hope this can be it. This was the best representation of one of the best nights of my life. Thank you Maynard, Adam, Justin, Danny, Fantomas, Tony Fonzi, Mike Kramer, Kabir, and every Tool fan out there for creating a community. and always remember to spiral out.
Review written by: poop comeout (ofmyass@yesitdid) Review posted on: 09/29/01 02:12:35 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
The show was alright. The opening band sucked. My ass would be a better opening act. Tool didn't play sober, third eye or opiate. Hell, there wasn't even an encore and there were way too many penises present in the background during the show.
Review written by: nomorepenis (toomanypenises@toolconcert.hotmail) Review posted on: 09/29/01 02:26:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 5th Tool show
I've seen some great tool shows, but there were way too many penises. They were floppin' all around the whole damn show. One of the contortionists had a boner while he was performing. When the two of them grabbed each other, I wanted to vomit. They were lucky an eye wasn't poked out. I repeat too many penises. Down with boners! Protect your eyes. Don't look directly at the boner.
Review written by: pills (pills469@aol.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 02:35:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
what was i thinking, i shouldve seen tool a long time ago.. great show.. pretty much a great crowd..(i was slightly distracted by the two young ladies that were trying to fuck each other,while standing and dancing in the little space they had between the rows of seats, no big deal, its just kinda hard not to notice when they keep bumping into you) .... i really liked the live performers on stage and their suspension performance..i hope tool comes back again and again and again and again..
Review written by: james in wv (anew_level@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 03:13:28 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
TOOL has never sounded so good, words dont do justice to decribe their prefomance this sept nite. It will have be there to experience. The SL goes as follows... The Grudge (-)ions/Stinkfist Forty-sixand2 Prison Sex(extra verse) Pushit(studio live(1)ver.) Schism(MJK) w/guitar(lab. performer/salival) reflection/disposition(MJK) /wguitar(lab. performer/salival) intermission(lab. performer/salival) parabol/(a) The Patient ænema Lateralis Floor, about 5 rows back, right of center, dead center. A feeling of calm filled the air, waiting for the first note to drop. TG came in with such force it took your breath away. Sfist was a great reminder of their recent past, then it got alot deeper with forty-six & 2. The screens in the background fit to be a visaul being for the mind. PrSx reminded us where it all came from. Shit was a great releaver. Schism brough some nre voices in, but in classic form, shockin yet familar. re/di taught us to reason and let go. the intermission gave people time to regather their moment and to prepare for the 2nd half. par/(a) was a exciting seeing of the future and possiblites. TPat was the 2nd growth of pushit. ENMa brought fear with realizing that were all moral. But the last number Lateralis, it brought that calm back and also reflecting on "what we all felt at the moment", as MK mention that before Lat, we understood that it cant be taken away and it was something to remember. The crowd was blowing away of what they recivced, and were at zen.
Review written by: voices of reason(s) (therealsolution@excite.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 03:30:57 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
Wow, it looks like alot of people had their thoughts and expressed them out and beautiful form, mispellings and all. you know the selist, and the show, it was the greatest concert moment that i can remember, so i'll talk about the other parts of the show. I was right there to in the middle, unbelievable feelings of being between 2 aggo mosh pits as like in the eye of the storm and seeing the force right in front. It was a close, like in a club, making you feel like you feel more included in the moment. No USA chants, not alot of talking, there was the usual talk of "remembering this moment happy, sad, just remember".The crowd was in a "what the?!" with Fantomas, yes there were a different sound, it was accepted in time. Peopl were letting go, working in the pit, alot new more of the newer stuff, which that was good, and a alot of OGT's were present. Oh ya, thank god for women and what god gave them, certain ones know what i mean. I've gotten keep some memories to myself, so let me at calm and let other TOOL fans post, laterz PS: ZS and DS... thanks for being there, it was something.
Review written by: Dan (SK8INfiend187) Review posted on: 09/29/01 09:46:14 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Well, its the day after my first Tool concert, and I still got images running through my head! The show was so great. I've been to about 7 different concerts in my life, but this one kicks all there asses! Well buy a ticket now, trust me, you need it.
Review written by: Gennaro DiLembo (futant46n2@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 11:11:53 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
This was my first time seeing Tool and what a great show it was.We got there right in the middle of Stinkfist,so if they played anything before that,I would'nt know.Although I can't remember the set list in the exact order, I do know that they played Stinkfist,Prison Sex,Schism,The Patient,Aenima,46n2,Push it,Parabol/Parabola, and a few others.The intermission with the contortionist type dudes,was fascinating.As I watched them scale the screens and then hang there upside down I realized just how much I loved this band,this night and this feeling I was having.Unlike alot of today's bands,Tool actually cares about giving their fans a good show and I respect that.We had section D seats,and for those of you not familiar with the Mellon Arena,they sucked.But I could remember walking out when the show was over thinking,"I would sit on the roof of the arena just to see this show." This was my first Tool show and it totally blew me away.Good work guys.
Review written by: Orph82 (Orph82@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 11:32:54 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
This was absolutely the BEST show I've ever been to in my life. The only thing that could ever top this is another Tool show. the music was great, the stage presence was great and the visual arts were amazing. Also, Danny Carey is just insane. I don't know how the man does what he does...he must have a third arm or something. After seeing that madman play live, I'm totally convinced that he doesn't double-track for album. His polyrthyms are unbelievable. I can't wait until I have the opportunity to see them again. Thanks to all the guys in Tool for putting on a great show
Review written by: bryan (rapp00@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 13:41:03 ET
This was this reviewer's 6 Tool show
Very impressive. I have to thank the fans last night for behaving and listening. Having read alot of the reviews from other shows, I thought this might end up being the worst show to see in the sense that 'new' fans, the young, the red, would sabotage an otherwise great perfomance. On the contrary, Mellon Arena was compassionate and by far the most accepting and self-controlled crowd I've ever seen at a Tool show in my four years of seeing them live. Of course a few people didn't get it, but they were the minority. So THANK YOU to fans present last evening. I thought Maynard's voice sounded a little worn early on. I mean the man has been pretty busy the last two years w/ APC and back to Tool, tours, etc. As the show went on, his voice got stronger, and stronger, and stronger. He didn't speak much at all. He spoke very little compared to other shows I've been to, yet I thought he was very into his performance physically. Seeing TOOL has always been and continues to be a religious sort of experience. Ever been to a concert where you can't help but get teary-eyed? Thats Tool for me. There is just no band out there today who can touch me like Tool does. And when those contortionists came on stage like some sort of fantasy, sci-fi four legged creature bobbing their heads in unison...too cool. My only complaint is that I wasn't able to see more than 4 minutes of Fantomas. I was really looking forward to seeing Buzz from the Melvins and the former lead singer of Faith No More, despite all the negative responses they've received on here. The concert shouldn't start until everyone is in the building. As long as there is a line wrapped around the arena, the show just shouldn't start. Thank you Tool for raising the otherwise low bar of music a bit higher, further seperating you from all the shit music being released, setting a higher standard, and maintaining your supreme rule over the world of music.
Review written by: Atonal Kahzmik (noiseintoner@grindcore.i-p.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 13:43:09 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Well its great Tool has created such a huge fan base over the years. Too bad a large majority of the fans are ignorant, annoying and just the ordinary trend followers. I enjoyed all the kids who dressed up in "punk" attire in their torn up Giant Eagle workshirts just for this special occasion. Tool is punk? Tool isnt anything, They are their own sound, but whats with everyone dressing up like everyone else, acting just like all the other close minded and unfortunatly blind fans who just "dont get" Fantomas. My favorite part about seeing Tool, is alot of their work is about being an Individual, fuck the rest of the crowd and all those who follow each other because its hip or its a rebellious change. Yet more than half the people in Mellon Arena last night fit the exact description, yet they dont even see it. Does Tool see it? Maybe there is something I dont see Anyways, Fantomas were great, though they missed a few good songs, but im convinced some of it was sampled, which would makes sence from how many sounds they threw on the new record, but it was enjoyable to see Mike Patton mosh around on stage by himself
Review written by: Michael Petranek (Woger723@aol.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 13:47:57 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
The show last night was excellent. I saw Tool about four years ago on the second round of the Aenema tour, and I saw a Perfect Circle open up for Nine inch Nails one year ago. The new material from Lateralus is great onstage. I thought the highlights of the show were "The Grudge" and "Parabol/Parabola". I was a little disappointed the band skipped "Hooker with a Penis", but I got to hear it at my last show, so its cool. With the current situation in our country, "Aenema" sent shivers down my spine. I don't remember that tune being near as intense the last time I saw the band. This show was shorter than the last show I saw, but I think it was better. Just because a band comes out and plays for a long-ass time doesn't make it a good show. They chose a great set-list (ending with "Lateralus" was cool as shit), and blew the audience away with about 12 songs. Danny Carey is the best drummer alive. He never ceases to amaze me. One of the best shows I've seen in a while. If you don't go see them when they're in your town, all I can say is "sucks to be you".
Review written by: john (vedderfan55@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 14:10:28 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
here's the ultimate set list. the grudge jimmy(with bridge into....) stinkfist the patient 46 & 2 pushit (salival of course) you lied intermission (the one on aenima) part of me disposition/reflection/triad H. bottom (with henry rollins!! i know i'm dreaming) jerk-off eulogy parabol/parabola aenima lateralus flood third eye what would that be? like 2 hours of music? holy shit, i would shit my pants peace
Review written by: Ahmad (moozikman101@aol.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 14:17:13 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
That show was one of the most spiritually uplifting experiences I have ever had. I wore a shirt that I wrote on instead of going in with a pre-purchased Tool shirt on. It's a white shirt and i wrote on it (front) Tool: A Stepping-stone in Human Evolution. (back) 46&2 Are Just Ahead Of ME!. I got some positive remarks for it. Tool started the set off with The Grudge. Next was Stinkfist, followed by 46&2, Prison Sex, Pushit, Mantra/Schism, (instrumental), and Disposition/Reflection. At this point they took a little break and when they came back, they jumped right in with Parabol/Parabola. After that was Eon Blue Apocalypse/The Patient, Ænema, and finally to close after thenking everyone and bidding good heath and telling everyone to be courtious to thier "brothers and sisters" on their way out, they played Lateralus. A beautiful show with people of all ages from teen-agers to 50 year olds. A great show. Thank you Tool. Thank you very much.
Review written by: DJ (djtsa98@cs.com ) Review posted on: 09/29/01 14:31:29 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
the show kicked ass, Tool know how to put on a show.. From there visuals with film on the screen, the lighting off the dome of the arena, the awesome guys from schism, to the music itself which was flawless.. The show is like listening to a cd. Maynard was perfect, the whole band was perfect. Only one complaint was they didn;t play sober. But other than that. They changed around the songs like stinkfist which was really awesome. Even though maynard said so little it was still sweet. he said to take this evening and no mater what feeling bad or good, use it to do something good, and he was awesome on his little stage. I will definetly try to see them again.. peace out
Review written by: Silent_Rich (silent_rich@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 16:30:39 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
You know a few things bug me here ... first is, of course, the dislike that is thrown at fantomas. I had to stand in a crowd of jocks that boo-ed fantomas off for nearly their entire set, which thouroughly pissed the hell out of me for the sole reason that I have been a patton fan since I was like 10 and that these people obviously had no understanding of what fantomas is about. Then after they were finished and tool got the crowd that I had been stuck in the middle of spent the entire time dancing like it was a fucking club spinning house, while remove heir shirts and screaming at that the top of their lungs through every fucking song for tool to play sober. It seems that the only reason half the crowd is their is because it makes them cool, never takign half a step outside to understand the purpose of the bnad and their music. Then to end it all there are these cosntant posts here about too much penis. How old are you 10. Grow up. It's art, at its purest form. As for the show it was amazing from beginning to end it was amazing as is always with Tool (and mike patton for that matter).
Review written by: Liz Laycak (Pathogen02@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 17:08:58 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Our buddy the psychic wasnt too far off. The set list, and im not sure if this is 100% correct towards the end, because my pen ran out of ink, is as follows: 1. The Grudge 2. Stinkfist 3. 46 & 2 4. Prison Sex 5. Pushit (original version) 6. Schism (this is where the "circus" starts) 7. Disposition/Reflection-everyone leaves stage...our painted friends come out and put on a little act 8. Parabol-Parabola 9. The Patient 10. Aenema 11. Lateralis - I want to leave some unique comment, seeing as most people pretty much say the same thing, yet I can't help but say that it was so much more than a show. I've waited four long years to see tool, and to see them up front and live, to hear there awe inspiring, talented music just meant so much to me. I couldn't have asked for more. Except maybe to have heard some more of their old songs. But the tour was for the Lateralus release so what should i have expected. Everyone has changed somewhat except for dear Danny Carey- on the outside he is the same, but he is more skillful than one ever could have imagined. The boy is amazing. He certainly stole the show, Adam too. And of course maynard was majestic. Not to forget how far bassist Justin Chancellor has come. The mellon arena was most certainly turned into a visual/audio sensory theater for a night. The sight, the sounds, the feeling, and the heeling were without a single doubt, UNFORGETTABLE. -LIZ
Review written by: Kronic Master (Jacko1@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 17:28:35 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
The best setlist would be this: 1. The Grudge 2. Eulogy 3. H. 4. Prison Sex 5. Parabol/Parabola 6. Schism 7. Stinkfist ---- intermision ---- 8. Opiate 9. Sober 10. Bottom 11. Pushit 12. The Patient 13. Lateralus 14. Aenima
Review written by: Mike Patton (dyoung1@san.rr.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 17:35:40 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Show was amazing. Could someone please post or email the FANTOMAS setlist for me. thanks, Greg
Review written by: DogmaDean (deanofrock@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 17:35:53 ET
This was this reviewer's 4+2* Tool show
* I've seen Tool four times and A Perfect Cicle twice...in Pittsburgh, D.C. and Dallas/Fort Worth. Let me first qualify my comments; I'm a huge Tool fan, have been since Opiate. Thus, my critique below should be viewed as relative to what I've seen/heard from them in the past. After my initial excitement, I commented to my friend, when 46&2 began, that MJK appeared to be "off" tonight. My friend agreed and said he heard on the radio that the band members were supposedly sick. Although this made sense and became apparent with each passing song, the excuse couldn't curb my bitterness. I've been waiting for this show for ages, tried getting tix to their initial 4 US dates, and failed, so a less than par concert from them was dissatisfying. JC and AJ were off time, missing notes, stolid...and MJK -- probably the biggest let down. Let's see...he was holding back vocally, with shortened notes, numerous corners cut, tons of delay to cover his imperfections...his stage performance was completely absent...where was the Maynard of past? This guy is one of, if not the, greatest rock singer of all time...and he did NOT show it last night! I also wasn't impressed with the set list; it felt again like the band created their set purely to accomodate a bunch of exhausted, sick musicians i.e. they laced it with long, drawn out instrumentals and slower, mellower tunes...which again, I like all of it...but I prefer to hear their heavier songs live. On the up side, Danny was undeniably impeccable as always; he is a rock concert on his own! I also enjoyed the addition of some new multimedia/video being used; the clips were excellently timed with the music...definitely added to the band's performance when they were on. Their sound was top notch also, which is another thing that sets Tool apart from every other rock band; no matter where I've seen them -- mid-sized club, shed, arena -- their sound quality is impeccable. And I'll admit the band did step it up at the end of the show, which was even more frustrating...if they did have it in them to perform that well on aenima and lateralis, why couldn't they have done it the entire evening!? Overall, I'm happy anytime I get the chance to see Tool perform. But since I know how fucking brilliant and intense Tool can be -- the best concert I've ever seen was Tool in D.C. -- I expect a lot more from them (for $44 no less!) when I get the chance to see them. And their set ending was interesting; can't remember ever seeing them do the whole "rockstar" thing...remaining on stage after their set, throwing paraphrenalia out into the audience...and then the hug. What was up with that? It was clear from Maynard's comments that the band was deeply affected (as we all were) by the recent tragedies...I guess it worked. In hindsight, the vibe of this show was more like that of A Perfect Circle...which I've experienced as being less tight musically, less intense and definitely mellower...
Review written by: Eric C. Robinson (wakenbakel@aol.com) Review posted on: 09/29/01 19:06:28 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Well I must start of by saying that Fantomas was different and weird but in an awesome way. I am glad I got to see them performe. Tool rocked as thier music always has. The set list was a perfect balance of older favorites and new tracks. The performance was beautiful in my opinion. The stage and the visuals made it even more memorable. And, those performers from the schism video (I cannot remember thier name) were amazing. Basically what I want to say is the show speaks for itself, if you missed it I feel bad for you. The crowd was good, except for those who only came to hear schism since it's on the radio but hey maybe they do appreciate the band after all. I am glad to have been a part of the beautiful history of this band and will be at the next area show for sure. Take care everyone and enjoy living.
Review written by: Ryan Alessio (ryan82@prodigy.net) Review posted on: 09/29/01 20:06:08 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
OH MY!! ill tell you what, i went to the cleveland show. but good God. if you put the cleveland show next to the pittsburgh one. the pitt show would melt it. not to say the cleveland show was bad....it was good. but this show. great....the sound, the back ground videos, and everything,.....oh my. the set list was much much better, throwing prison sex and anema in there was crazy. such godness all over the place! so many happy people, so many happy people, i was drunk on vodka, so was my friend. the rest of the 8,000 there was drunk or on something. there wre tons of people in the parking lot partying. they were all so happy. my friend and i had a nice meal before the show. the china wok. not bad, but they didnt have plates, so, they lose to the great wall. our favorite local place. they have plates......and those fuckers made us get our own food! they didnt bring it to us. but anyway....when we went inside after all this we sat in our seats and watched phantomas(sp.?) theres something you dont see everyday. not bad, very different, i dont think i could listen to a whole cd of theres, but, its all in what you like....then tool came out. and for awhile i couldnt speak english. just nonsense. cause they were so good. they have to be one of the best live bands out there. they sound just like they should. crisp and powerful. again, such a good night. they need to come back asap. ryan
Review written by: Wardawgwv (Wardawgwv@netzero.net) Review posted on: 09/29/01 21:52:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
That afternoon, I had shaved my head. Not all of it, I saved the patch on top where I am starting to grow dreads. The seats I bought tickets for were the only ones that I could get; side seats to the stage in the igloo section of the Mellon Arena. I wanted to get floor seating, but that was not to be. However, the band has quoted that the new album reflects "lateral thinking", so I thought that it would either be appropriate or we would be left in the cold like eskimos. On the ride up the road in transit to Pittsburgh, my companion, Joe, and I noticed a very pronounced rainbow somewhere between Mt Morris and Washpa. It was almost three dimentional. Just merely a precusor to the evening's events. We arrive there and the seats are excellent, almost zero obstructions. We were so close! We could throw rotten tomatoes at the performers, but Fantomas was much better than I had anticipated. Well, the only word I can describe TOOL's performance and show is .....beautiful. The playing, the visuals, the naked acrobats, it was all so graceful and colorful. Osseus labyrint was definitely a highlight and a compliment to the music, much more than the cgi loops. The whole time that they were susspended up there I kept thinking "they're gonna fall!" They kept writhing and moving and gyrating, though. Huh... TOOL du Soleil! The people in my section needed to visit museums more, though. They couldn't handle the man's backside during "Schism". I tried not to look, but it was difficult not to notice his um, endowment. ha ha ha ha. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Like I had hoped, I nearly lost my marbles during many, many songs. Although the band were a little aloof, though. It was a smart move to hire people to move around onstage. However, Maynard did get into "Prison Sex". The cgi's bothered me, only because I could tell that they were looped. But those are my sole critiques. I needed to see them live. I had such a shitty week. It was such a great release. After the show was over, after the band's group hug, I felt as if I had been cleansed. As if I had just been skinny dipping into a highly chlorinated, private pool with 10,000 friends or had a hot, refreshing shower alone. Ahhhh........ ahhhh..... AHHHHHHHHHH! I am born again! Thank you!
Review written by: chad (chad_eadg@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 09/30/01 00:16:49 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
this show was amazing... the energy in the crowd was so surreal, when the crew unvailed dannys' drums and sacred geometery symbols, it finally hit me... tool was in the same building as me... i'm going to see maynard live...i'm going to hear adam's riffs, danny is going to shake this arena with his kick drum, i'm gonna feel justins low beats in my chest.... it was honestly the most beutiful feeling i could have ever expierenced.....maynards last words before finally playing the last song were these "remeber this feeling, this intense energy you're sensing right now..In the next few weeks or days, do something positive with it, dont let it go to waste." and with that as his final note, tool played lateralus...everyone went crazy. When the song was over, justin adam danny and maynard hugged to show their love for one another...they waved goodbye and disappeared behind stage, only to reveal themselves again in another year or so....i'll never forget that night, never.
Review written by: John Zedick (johnzedi@access995.com) Review posted on: 09/30/01 03:01:14 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Tool, what can I say, nothing actually, I couldn't say anything after the Pittsburgh show. I went to the Cleveland show two weeks prior, and it was mind-blowing...but I couldn't view the screens since my seat was on the side of the stage... ...but for the Pittsburgh show, I was dead center... ...we left home at 4:30, giving us plenty of time to get down there, locate a chinese restaurant to sample, and fill our juice bottles with a few shots of vodka to get a nice buzz. After we got our eat and buzz on, we walked back to the arena. So many happy people walking everywhere! It wasn't heaven, but it was close. As we were herded into the complex, we first located our seats. C13 row G seat 1, what a great view of everything. Fantomas was like nothing I have ever heard, totally original and nicely orchestrated music. They played a little snippet of Stinkfist which caught me by surprise, since it is my favorite song. After they assaulted us for about 45 minutes, a brief intermission took place. My friend and I contemplated if they would play the exact same list of songs that they played in Cleveland. We both thought that they would mix it up a little, but woldn't stray too far. As we waited, tension was building, we couldn't wait to see what all the people were cheering about at the screen at the Cleveland show. Holy shit was all that escaped our lips... The Grudge, Stinkfist, Prison Sex, Schism, Ænema, Pushit...such great songs, and the screen! Oh, the lovely, lovely screen... Seemless, intriquite, flawless... The timing was great, the only videos they played were Stinkfist and Schism, all other footage was nothing I have seen before. When they played Ænema, everyone lost it. I woulnd't think that they would play it since the recent tragedies, and since they didn't attempt it at the Cleveland show, but it appeared that they thought we were ready. At the end, the hurling of drumheads and other merchandise was scrambled for, and the band hug, which signified to me that we all have to begin to be more open to other people. Traffic was difficult as usual, bu the drive home was peaceful and filled with the sounds of Pantera. Vodka tends to make ya sleepy, as I soon found out as I hit my bed. All in all, the Cleveland show can't touch the Pittsburgh. The footage definitley made a difference.
Review written by: das (rydasn@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/30/01 03:22:07 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
In response to review by: deanofrock@hotmail.com I read your Tool review.. sorry the show was such a letdown to you. You seem like an intelligent true fan, so for some reason, I feel compelled to offer my opinion. Of course opinions are relative, so just consider this a different perspective. I'll admit, the first time I heard the new Tool album, I was peaking on 3 gel tabs, so my opinion is heavily weighted by that factor. It was a powerful experience, we listened to the album 15 times or so. In order to fully experience the overall idea that is Tool and their music, you have to learn from them and let go of expectations and think as freely as possible. To me, the lyrics (the meaning behind them, not the vocals)of the songs perfectly complement the tempo and energy of the music, and the ideas. I am really into the heavy shit too, I am a heavy metal fan in general, I love the ripping sound of hooker, jerk-off and cold and ugly. Tool has evolved, their progression correlates with the idea. The healing message that is. Opiate focused on resent, anger, and bitterness. Undertow was an exploration of the healing process, and excepting pain to overcome it. Aenima is about understanding, self-exploration. When I heard the Lateralus album, it instantly seemed to be the next step. Rising above our pains, expectations, and "grudges". Taking the steps to improve our world. The message is strong, our consciousness IS expanding, much like our universe (important point, it is in a sense, one body). It's important that we approach life with a completly open mind, thinking around all of the imformation and "knowledge" that has been spoon fed to us from the time we are born. So I have tried to learn more about different perspectives of existence, Budhism, Taoism, astrology, science, etc... gathering information to inform myself, a logical sense of reality. Maintaining high expectations, leads to disappointment. We are just beginning to understand the depth of our new consciousness, and understanding it can be enlightening. Tool has a firm grip on the idea, and present it superbly. Damn, I went off there... I wasn't dogging your review or opinion at all, I just happened to be thinking, and wanted to express how Tool has helped teach me to "Think for myself" PEACE
Review written by: P. Anderson (paul92498@email.com) Review posted on: 09/30/01 03:42:29 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Show - September 28, 2001; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Setlist: The Grudge, Stinkfist, Pushit, Prison Sex, Disposition/Reflection, Schism - intermission - Parabol/Parabola, The Patient, Aenima, Lateralus. Review: While the opening band - Fantomas, featuring such surprising members as Dave Lombardi from Slayer and Buzz Osbourne of the Melvins - was disappointing, Tool picked up the slack they left and ran with it. Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor spent the entire concert as life-like statues while Maynard James Keenan sang and moved on a second stage next to Danny Carey. The band wound through almost all of Lateralus - with the except being Ticks & Leeches, which Maynard has explained, Tool will not perform due to the strain it puts on his voice - dabbled in Aenima, and played one song from Undertow. All songs packed the emotional/physical energy you'd expect out of a Tool show (you'd expect it even if you've never gone to one, using your imagination while listening to the album is a good place to start) and they used that energy to the fullest extreme for approximately two hours. It was disappointing that the band played nothing from Opiate (I was hoping that they'd play the title song, Jerk- Off, and Hush), and that they passed over most of Undertow and didn't play Eulogy off of Aenima, but to just stand there and watch them play was enough. Maynard says between songs, "I hope you take the feelings you feel right now-- whether it be pleasure, sadness, indifference--and try to remember that in the days and months to come after we leave tonight. I want you to remember those feelings and do something creative with it; something positive." The feelings were high and the crowd's reaction was galvanizing. I'm not particularly big on arena-rock shows, but dear God did Tool pull it off. Maynard: "We thank you for coming out tonight." The crowd returns: "No! Thank you!"
Review written by: jessica (jessi15323@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/30/01 04:56:11 ET
This was this reviewer's 5th Tool show
I just wanted to say how great TOOL was in concert Friday I always enjoy the shows they give, I dont want to ruin any surprises by saying how great the special things were involved in the concert, but I will say this "TOOL has and will never let me down." Keep it real fellas you kicked some ass Friday. Luv Jess
Review written by: brian (b33white@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 09/30/01 21:41:03 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
the show was awesome, the only thing i didn;t like only hearing 2 songs from undertow, and none from opiate...oh well, the concert blew my mind it was amazing. if parabol/a was a pop song you would be hearing it on ever fuckin radio station in america, i have to fuckin nag my radio station to play anything TOOL. fuck you if you think TOOL is pop
Review written by: ~*JAMIE*~ (JAMIESAWESOME@AOL.COM) Review posted on: 09/30/01 23:14:00 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
THE SHOW FRIDAY WAS FUCKING AWESOME! MAYNARD YOU ARE A GENIOUS! THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME SEEING TOOL AND IM REALLY GLAD I GOT THE CHANCE! I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT SOBER WASNT ON THE LIST BUT IT ROCKED NAYWAY! GOD WHEN ANEMA CAME ON I WAS IN A DIFFERENT WORLD! ON THE WAY TO PITTSBURGH FROM WEST VIRGINIA, I SAW THE SUN SET I NOTICED IT WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND I WATCHED IT AND NOTICED HOW BEATIFUL IT WAS, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER TOOK THE TIME TO WATCH IT. JUST THOUGHT IT HAD SOME SIGNIFIGANCE TO THE SHOW. MAYNARD I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE BEST FUCKING SHOW YOU KICK ASS!!
Review written by: nathan (disco99v2@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/01/01 01:09:48 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
opening band... talented, tight, but you can only hear the same progression so many times in a half an hour. ya gotta mix it up. at most, i & others found them humorous. I don't care what other "great" bands it's members were in... TooL... "health and well being to all" - right after maynard said that, the guy sitting two seats down from me puked up what looked like a puddle of nacho cheese all over the floor (irony). He had to leave and I felt bad for him, he missed a very visually stimulating set. 3 screens constantly filled with computer animation layed the back drop for naked contortionists hanging from the roof and tool respectively. I enjoyed it. It could have been longer, but what was there was fantastic. maynard had his face painted black. hidden as usual, he stood in front of his own personal projection screen. All you could really make out was the outline of his body and his gucci pants. (he didn't strip tonight as i thought he would... pitty.) performance was standard tool goodness... it seems difficult to imagine what it actually takes to put something like that together as well as they did. They deserve kudos and the 40 dollars i payed for my ticket. hehe. At the end, the band gathered in a circle for a touching group hug. this is not something that i remeber seeing at the other shows but... it's been a while.
Review written by: Craig (craig_s_shearer@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/01/01 11:31:58 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
In maybe the greatest concert I've ever seen, Tool played an amazing show here in Pittsburgh. Stinkfist was great, as was Aenema. Probably the best performance of the night though was Parabol and Parabola, which featured the contortionists Osseus labyrint from the Schism video. Not only was the music incredible, but the visuals were a great way to add to the atmosphere. Maynard, who usually has sarcasm laced into everything he says, was incredibly sincere when speaking, and refered to the recent tragedy in New York and Washington as he urged the crowd to take care of one another and to use the show as a catalyst for something positive. At the end of the show the four members gathered in the middle of the stage and embraced, which nearly brought tears to this longtime Tool fan. The band was extremely gracious for our attendence as well. Unforntately, the crowd were not the intellegent college types that make up a majority of the Tool army. Goths, freaks, and just all out wastes made up most of the crowd. Pot smoking losers surrounded me and my girlfriend, making breathing almost unbearable. It's too bad these fools don't realize the free thinking message that the band is trying to put forth. But dispite the idiots we had to deal with, the show was an unreal experience.
Review written by: Chris (cgiglione@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/01/01 15:39:28 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Tool is the most talented band in the world. The things they come up with are unbelievable. I saw Tool in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing. The show in Pittsburgh was just as great if not better. The artwork they put on the screen was unreal. Maynard voice was perfect. Everyone was perfect. Danny Carey is the greatest drummer in the world. He plays everthing like it is on the album, and never fucks up. Tool is even better live than they are on the albums. Being a musician myself, its almost unhuman how tight they are onstage. Their music is so complex and they don't fuck up. I just can't get it out of my head. They're not from earth.
Review written by: Andre (ajast18@pitt.edu) Review posted on: 10/01/01 17:55:48 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
This was my second time seeing tool. The first was back during the undertow tour. (the show originally had been postponed due to an earthquake in California) I read most of the previous reviews, so I won't bore anyone with the details, all that I can really add is that each member had his own section of the stage, and pretty much didn't move more than a few feet from there, but the amazing thing was that there was so much to watch. Unfortunately, since I was on the side, I couldn't see Adam's fret hand at all, so I just had to listen to him, but I would go from performer to performer and just become mesmerized. Then I'd notice the screens, then scan the crowd. It was an overwhelming experience. I took my date, who had never listened to more than a song or two, and she was blown away also. I think that they really just focused on the music for this tour, and have earned every last ounce of respect I can possibly muster.
Review written by: solipsyst (ignorant_@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/01/01 21:02:31 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
hello, i would like to start off by saying that i thought there were too many un tool people at the show. these are the people that have only ever heard like five songs but still claim to be "huge fans". they have a right o be there too cause they paid for the tix but they piss me off cause they do not know what it is like to love and respect this band as much as most of the people who would be reading this do. anyway, on to the show. it was phenominal, out of the aprox 300 rock show i have seen in my lifetime nothing can even touch this one, not floyd, not the dead, no one. it was an assault on the senses, mind bending, thought provoking and artistic beyon an end...this was an inside show and on sunday i will be seeing them in my hometown of raliegh, that will be an outside show, icant wait to compare the two and i will let y'all know the differences and similarities, and tell you how amazed i still am at the greatness and unparalled music of this band
Review written by: Silent Rich (silent_ebay@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/02/01 00:13:40 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
You know reading these reviews makes me embarassed to be a tool fan ... the reference to goths and freaks being wastes and that the crowd was obviously not made up of the intelligent college types blah blah blah ... first off, fuck your tool army .... obviously you're the follower ..... and second if more than half of the crowd was made up of these type ... wouldn't that make the majority of the fan base consistent of these wastes .... perhpaps your hypocritical vomit is completely contradictory of what you were trying to say ... and obviously you have no understanding of free- mindedness .... and creativity and artistry, and genius at the root of true human thought .... you can go stick your nose in your books and fuck yourself because your type is lost in a reality based on the tangible ... before you open your mouth perhaps you should pay attention to who's going to shove your words right back down your throat ....
Review written by: brendan keenan (tool_chair@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/02/01 09:12:59 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
The Grudge Stinkfist 46 & 2 Prison Sex Schism Eulogy Disposition Reflection ======== Sober Parabol Parabola Pushit (aenema version) AEnema Lateralis The support band cosmic phycos sucked real bad but it was all made up for by tool. the setlist was longer then expected which was nice the see. the lighting was amazing which set the mood rather than have lots of bright lasers shoting every where. it was more of a religious experiance than a concert, the crowd just all came together as one and during some of the songs i would look around and notice the crowd blending in together to create and army. As i looked down on the mosh it was as if i was floating on a rough ocean. Maynard was amazing, danny, well just incredible. Justin's sound was so unreal to actually hear and have in front of me and last, been a guitarist seeing adam was unreal and spooky at the same time. I recemend every one see's them live and if you allready have... see them again and again.+ By the way this was the Sydney Show on the 25th of August. just thought i should put my say in.
Review written by: Bucephalus (bleber@andrew.cmu.edu) Review posted on: 10/02/01 17:12:04 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Since the setlist, and other notable ideas have already been commented on, I think it'd be more appropriate to comment on the crowd that attended this amazing show: First off, I completely agree with the people who posted here about the jerk-offs who composed much of the floor of Mellon Arena. Being dead-center on the floor, trying to enjoy this amazing band (and their message of compassion and understanding), I was blown away by the idiots trying to mosh to some of the most serene Tool songs ever written. I can understand a good mosh session during Aenima or maybe a few portions of select songs from the album of the same name, but this was absurd. I spent more time defending myself from drunken jocks weighing in at over 250 lbs, then listening to this phenomenal show. Getting past the idiots who scream shit like, "PLAY OPIATE!" during the intermission (knowing damn well that the setlist wont change due to precisely choreographed video in the background), or the guys trying to start fights in the pit (completely missing Maynard's message of compassion for 'brothers and sisters'), I finally enjoyed the show. Maynard's vocals (despite a minor slip up during the patient where he came in a bar too early, but caught himself) were dead on. He sounded powerful and vulnerable all at the same time. Adam and Justin were great, and I couldnt have asked for more. Being a drummer, seeing Danny in the flesh was almost a religious experience. His fills were eerily similar to the recorded versions, proving once again that he is without a doubt one of the world's most amazing drummers (I might even use the word percussionist :). In the end, I left the floor in a daze, blissful, yet aware of the many "tool fans" who just DON'T GET IT. Don't snicker at Maynard's non-sarcastic speech. Listen to it, ponder it, and absorb it. "Health and well being to all." That wasn't a joke; he was dead serious. This was serious as well: (quoting from a seperate post, as I dont remember exactly what he said): "I hope you take the feelings you feel right now-- whether it be pleasure, sadness, indifference--and try to remember that in the days and months to come after we leave tonight. I want you to remember those feelings and do something creative with it; something positive." I will, Maynard. Tool. thank you for an amazing night. I will never forget it.
Review written by: Nick Serra (figmentseed@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/02/01 18:58:05 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Going to see TOOL was basically all that I had talked about before the show. I thought the show would be all I talked about after I saw them but it's not. I can not explain it. The words won't come to me. It was an indescribable experience. One that has changed me. Though they didn't play very much of their older stuff ... it was still TOOL and it was absolutely amazing. I was in awe the entire show. In a state described as numb I sat and watched them place every sound together to form formations of perfection. TOOL was crazy ... anyone who has complaints about the concert needs to lay off of the methamphetamines. I have spoken.
Review written by: Mr. Moustache (mr-moustache420@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/03/01 12:37:42 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
OH MY DEAR GOD.... the Tool show in Pittsburgh was utterly breath taking. Maynard was actually visible, contrary to what i heard about a show in Ohio. They had the Schism nude contortionists, two jumbo screens, and Maynard gave a speech on being positive about your experience from the show. He was very cool. To give an example of how the crowd felt.. i over heard a guy say he had multiple orgasms. Rock on Maynard!!! -MK-
Review written by: SMITTY (baldbullape@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/03/01 22:34:51 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
Attention all: If you haven't seen TOOL live, you haven't experienced what is so magical about them. With that said, I'm not going to get in to setlists and highpoints etc.; however, I will say that TOOL , to me, is everything that music should be all about --PROGRESSION-- Progression in their music, progression in their sound, progression in the sense of their musical existence. Pioneers. I've seen TOOL 3 times, and to my sense of hearing, this show was the best. Not only the best sounding TOOL show, but the best sounding concert I've ever witnessed. I've seen STP when they started, TOOL years ago, but Maynard's voice and TOOL's overall dominating sound took my opinion of music itself to a new level. That show meant a lot to me. I felt driven, and pissed off, astounded, and hopeful. I'd heard some things on the radio days before about some things that Maynard had said about a crowd at another show that was chanting "U-S-A" "U-S-A" and I guess Howard Stern isn't happy with TOOL for some reason. I started to get a little uneasy about my opinion of the band, and then thought - I have no idea who the members of TOOL REALLY are, so who am I to judge their opinions? MORE PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THIS!!!!!!!! Anyway, thank you for the experience(s). JFSMITH Oh, by the way, the STP reference was thrown in their because in my opinion S. Weiland and Maynard are the 2 true talented vocalists of my time. Sorry about the run-on-sentences boys!!