A Review of the Fall 1996 Tour

Date: November 22


From: Eddie Bitetti (edbite@gate.cybernex.net) I had the priveledge of seeing TooL both nights in New York. I thought the Thursday show was excellent and figured that it couldn't be topped. Then Friday comes along and I was actually blown away at how they really outdid themselves from the previous night. It was incredible!! I was totally immersed in the spirit of the music that flowed through every inch of my body, and then to have the gripping lyrics hit every one of my nerve endings, stimulating me and putting me in a different place and time. It felt as though I was feeling the anguish, the pain, the strength, the fear, the joy, the happiness of every syllable of every word, all at the same time, in one euphoric energy bubble overflowing into everyone in the room. It was incredible! Friday: Same eerie music then the rumbling noise before they came on. Maynard looked awesome. The right side of his body was covered in dark blue paint and the left side in white, again with just boxers. Adam had on blue body paint and Justin was all white. Danny again just shirtless. They opened with Third eye which was just amazing. During one part of the song, Maynard looked like he was digging, using the mike as if it were a chisel, pulling it down and towards him. Then Stinkfist. Maynard then said, "I'm going to ask you to do something. I want you to dig down deep to the bottom of your heart, and with all your soul at the count of 3 scream out yes." At 3 the whole place screamed YES. He then turned around and said "Just say yes" as Justin started the bassline for 46 & 2. They played Undertow. He went on and talked about the little devil on one shoulder and the little angel on the other, and how both are looking out for your best interest. He said this song addresses that and went into H. Then P. Sex. Then he asked how many of us were there the night before. Me and my fiance along with some other people cheered as someone behind us screamed You lucky bastards. He went on to say how P. Sex was about abuse and how Jimmy was about dealing with that abuse. They then conferenced for a little while. After they came out of their huddle, Maynard said " I'm gonna throw you a curve. Here's a song by Rush" They then played Cold & Ugly. Then Sober without the long intro. Next was Eulogy with an explanation: "This song is about martyr's. Then Maynard said this our second to last song. The crowd booed(sp). Then he said "We're not some fucking pop band that's gonna play 3 minute songs" and the crowd cheered. He gave a meaning to it but it was hard to make out with all the cheering and screaming going on behind me. It was something about people being fucked up and that they needed a change. It was Opiate. Lastly, Aenema. What was different this night though, was that, instead of saying "hopeless fucking hole we call L.A." He replaced LA with New York. Has he done this at any of the other shows? Like I said before it was totally amazing and I hope I never forget the experience of seeing a band called TOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish upon everyone the chance to experience it. Eddie