The Tool Page: Tour Reviews

concert reviews firsthand, immediate, from the heart

08/18/2002

Review written by: me (notnecessary@pointless.net) Review posted on: 08/18/02 23:08:09 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Typically amazing Tool show, the new stage features are mind blowing. If they played Eulogy the walls would have dropped and if anything from Opiate or Undertow except the usual songs were played they would have floored it. which makes me wonder, do u think they'll resurrect any of the older songs for the upcoming shows? cya in australia

Review written by: Andrey (universityandrey@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/18/02 23:55:18 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

Thank you Kabir for the ticket hookup section and making this night possible for me, Thank you, audiance for receiving Tomahawk really well. Thank you Danny, Adam, Justin, Maynard, Duane, Mike, John, and Kevin. Thank you TOOL for playing Triad. Thank you Tomahawk for playing with such energy. Thank you Mike for being born. If anyone recorded the show, please email me, I will put it up on my ftp.

Review written by: Blair Blake (blair@toolband.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 00:03:56 ET

Amazing show, as usual, in fact, guess who showed up - yes, that's right, it was Paul D'Amour! Who would've guessed that? Setlist is as follows: Sober The Grudge 4 Degrees Stinkfist (-) Ions Schism Parabol Parabola Aenema The Patient --Intermission-- Disposition Reflection Triad Lateralus Pretty much a standard setlist, Paul didn't play anything, but MJK introduced him before 4 Degrees, which was nice, I guess.

Review written by: Andrew (high_lord_andrew@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 00:16:54 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd! Tool show

The same show I know and love. Backgrounds were great, lights were amazing, set was good. Alex Grey's art definitely set a good mood. Would have liked a bit more old stuff, but was content. As my friend Flo said, "That was so ridiculously cool." And thus it was. Thanks Tool, you blow me away each time.

Review written by: jstanthrfan (jk6977@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 00:17:13 ET

This was this reviewer's 6th Tool show

Here's the right setlist: Sober The Grudge Stinkfist (extended) H. Schism Parabol/Parabola The Patient Opiate (fantastic) Intermission Disposition Reflection Triad Lateralus Maynard did the "Question authority, Think for Yourself" bit before Opiate, so we knew it was coming. Amazing. I can't believe they played H. 2 nights straight. From reading the reviews from last night I'd say Maynard got his energy back, or was just into the show. Danny is as unreal as usual. Another awakening experience. The biggiest question is - do they realize what an impact they have on us?

Review written by: brandon A (Ba1a30@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 00:44:15 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

the show was great!! when MJK said "think for your self....." most of the people and i all thought that we were going to here 3rd eye. the whole place started to go crazy, but instead the played opeit. that was crazy great. i have been to 2 shows now and both times they played that same some. the set list was good, a nice mix of all there music. one thing about the show is that if you want to mosh dont do it up frount were all the real fans are trying to enjoy the music, go out back where no one cares if you want to all hurt your self. if you have never seen tool live it is some thing that you should do. i think it is the best thing that anyone could ever do. i love tool. someday i hope to here 3rd eye.

Review written by: yesh (green8day@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 01:00:58 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

maynard.... i love you danny... i love you too adam.... yesh.... i love you too and justin.... you kinda look like jimmy page up there... and yesh... i love you too yeah tool was amazing and it kicked my ass in so many wonderful ways that i had to bring my dad to this show to show him how tool kicks everyones ass and tool has nother 46 year old fan. yesh sober grudge stinkfist h schism parabol parabola eon blue patient opiate disposition reflection triad lateralus i didnt get to have sex on the ride home while listening to elton john as maynard told us all too... but i hope to do it now while watching 'what about bob' good times... later tool!!

Review written by: Steve (lord_delia@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 01:54:27 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

I feel that I must begin with a universal WOW! This was my second opportunity to see the magic that is Tool in concert, and I must say it is always a great experience. Opiate appeared to me to be the highlight of the show, although Triad was pretty amazing. For some reason the recorded version of that song never really amazed me as muchas the rest of that album, yet live it just had this intensity, I almost didn't even recognize it. Sober made a great opener, and Lateralus (as always) a perfect close. The disco-ball/lighting effect at the beggining of the song with the black and white lights followed by the red and yellow lights really made for a great sight. I left that stadium feeling alive and awake, and I would just like to thank all the members of Tool for doing what they do.

Review written by: Jay (twiggers44@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 01:58:47 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

The set list is pretty much what everyone else has posted, cept for the guy who said they played Aenima...don't know what show he was at, but Opiate was the best song of the night. TOOL was really tight and there wasn't much talk between songs, but that is pretty typical. Tomahawk was much better than I had heard. Makes me want to "Put a mask on and dance for Daddy." Mike Patton has improved since the Fantamos Horror show from last Summer. I now see why is he thought of as being a great front man. My last statement is: if you don't like moshing get your ass a seat. TOOL, like it or not, is AGGRESSIVE music, and such music brings in the AGGRESSIVE crowd. If you don't like moshing, next time make sure you don't get a floor ticket. That is what the floor is there for, to dance, push and punch. ROCK!

Review written by: Jeff (Ihteu2439@cs.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 02:07:46 ET

This was this reviewer's 7th Tool show

Sober The Grudge Stinkfist H. Schism Parabol Parabola Eon Blue Apacalypse The Patient Opiate Intermission Disposition Reflection Triad Laterals Overall It was a amazing show.....It was my last in a string of 4 and im kind of upset that its all over. I guess the only thing that will get me through the next few months at work is knowing that when they come back....and they will. Meshuggha will be with them and in my mind that is the tour of tours.....Its been one of the best weekends that I can well remember its been a blast and Love Tool....

Review written by: Justin, Garrett, & Scott (GNGoldfish4@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 03:11:36 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

Correct Setlist: -Ending of Merkaba -Sober -The Grudge -(-) ions -Stinkfist -H. -Schism -Parabol -Parabola -Eon Blue Apocalypse -The Patient -Opiate ---------------------------INTERMISSION------------------------- -Disposition -Reflection -Triad -Lateralus Sound- Overall, the sound was excellent, although a few occasions of the bass drowning other instruments out. The acoustics of the arena were amazing. The vocals were very well done, right on key. Performance- There was a good amount of energy, however, the band didnt seem as pumped up as they were for the Boston show (specially Danny). I enjoyed Maynards speeches very much, he said: "Repeat after me...Think for yourself, question authority. Dare to be different, strive to be unique... Dont repeat what others have said" (obviously a little joke) He commented on Alex Grey's artwork, and said that we shold go home and put on Elton John and have sex in the back seat of our cars. Crowd- Manchester didnt seem to have the die hard Tool fanbase that Boston had. Specifically during the slower songs (Disposition, Reflection), and also when he gave the "think for yourself" speech, the crowd didnt seem to repeat after him as he requested them to do. High Points- -They played H, during the "i dont mind" part he attempted to bring the crowd in on the song. -Think for yourself speech before Opiate. ---------------EXPERIENCE MEETING DANNY--------------------- We had the "pleasure" of meeting Danny outside the VIP parking area as he drove in on his motorcycle. To set the mood of our viewpoint on this, we have been fans since 94' and have been feeding the band with our support just like the rest of the fans who admire and look up to the four people who create this masterpiece that is Tool. But after tonight we feel extremly dissapointed at the conduct of Danny. We recognized Danny as he rode up on his motorcycle and he stopped at the gate and waited for the staff to open it and let him in. We approached him knowing his chaotic schedule, while trying not to draw attention of his presence. We shook his hand and explained our admiration and he spoke to us. We then asked for his autograph and he told us he would if we had a purple pen (which appeared to be unique as well as a joke) So, we handed him our tickets along with the pen and he looked at them and thought for a moment, he then scribbled on an envelope with the pen, and he saw that the ink was blue and not purple so handed back the tickets and pen and told us the pen was not purple, so we would get no autographs. Here we are .....for years, dedicated Tool fans, at the point where an autograph of our favorite drummer would have ment the world to us, and basically, everything that mattered to us, that most likely would have changed not only our lives but how we lived them, was decided on the the color of ink inside of our pen. We're not trying to say that he's a bad guy, but we feel he should realize that, where he is in a position of superiority with a celebrity status, along with thousands, probably millions of adoring fans, it is not logical to screw with people's minds and emotions like he did. In a nutshell we feel that the reaction that he presented was bullshit. Again, we're not trying to turn anyone against the members of the band, because we still have enourmous respect for them and admire them ourselves, but we certainly have lost a measurable amount of respect for Danny. Thanks for a great show Tool, you guys rocked. -justin, garrett, scott

Review written by: Greg Jolin (Jaksiel@attbi.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 03:30:29 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

All I can say is that it was absolutely amazing. I saw Tool last year at the Tweeter Center, but the Verizon Wireless is a much better arena, and the show overall was better. It was the best concert I've been to. First of all, Tomahawk was amazing. I am stunned aat the number of negative reviews they've gotten. Luckily, the Manchester audience cheered after each Tomahawk song, rather than booed like other audiences reportedly have. Mike Patton was simply a maniac on stage. Vocal effects, singing, shouting, pleading, jumping about, flailing around, everything. Mike Patton is God. I don't know what can be said about Tool that hasn't already been said. Despite what one other reviewer said, the crowd was really into the show. Big cheers at the beginning of and after every song, headbanging where appropriate, singing aloud, etc., etc. High points of the show? Lots. I didn't get "Sober" or "H." last year, and they were both absolutely amazing. "Sober" isn't one of my favorite studio Tool songs, but live, it really clicks. "H." struggled a bit after the first chorus, but the ending more than made up for it. "Opiate" was great, though I was hoping for "Third Eye" after Maynard kept saying "Think for yourself. Question authority" a la Timothy Leary in the live "Third Eye" off of Salival. I had read reports that Maynard blew out his voice last night, but it didn't show tonight. He gave his all, and the screams in "The Grudge", "H.", and "Opiate" were right on. He even strapped on a guitar and played during "The Patient" and "Disposition/Reflection/Triad". The rest of band was great as well. I was particulary pleased at Justin's playing. There were quite a few riffs from songs that I had assumed to have been played by Adam but were actually bass parts. Great stuff!

Review written by: evan (elindorf@zoo.uvm.edu) Review posted on: 08/19/02 04:12:10 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

don't read this if you want this incredible performance to be a surprise. i know i did. an incredible show. i recently saw them in hartford last year, and i am very impressed by the set and video improvements. reflection's visuals have more of an impact, as do parabol and parabola's. the alex grey backdrops and curtains were a very nice addition to the new set and really added to the visual effect that was trying to be created. since i tried to ignore any and all information on the new set, this was all a pleasant surprise for me. the biggest and most prominent additions were the two floating balloon-like objects that just seemed to rotate in a stationary space with no visible rigging or attachments. i obviously thought of wires moving them around, but they made full rotations so i don't see how that would be possible. anywho, they were a very nice part of the set. the set list was fairly lengthy, and i especially enjoyed h.. i've always loved that song, and it was a good replacement for 46&2, which i heard back in hartford. sober was a really really nice opener, and the merkaba-intro worked nicely. it was also nice to hear parabola WITH parabol and the patient WITH eon blue. sometimes the songs don't have their respective intros, and that simply shouldn't happen. since i did not read any reviews for this leg of the tour i was very surprised to hear opiate before the intermission and disposition/reflection/triad. i almost thought they were cutting the show short because usually that song appears before lateralus. another notable part of the show was the change between reflection and triad, instead of overlapping guitar tracks like they do on the cd, the drums made the transfer, and they was done so perfectly. if you're still reading, i'm impressed. isn't this getting boring? well, a little bit more to go. some complaints would be that the guitar was a bit overpowering at times and it drowned out the vocals too much. also, on disposition, for some reason a small part of the guitar part was distorting. i don't know if this was meant to be or if it was a mistake. oh well. oh, and the drums were too loud on reflection. but it all turned out nicely in the end. wonderful improvs between songs. triad, schism, parabol/a were highlights. lighting was fantastic! visuals were improved. maynard�s comments about having sex in the back of your car while listening to elton john were entertaining. oh, wait! something else, whoever was sitting in section 222, you were all way to calm to be at a tool conert. i tried standing and moving to the music for the first 3 or 4 songs and people yelled at me to sit down. we're at a fucking tool concert, people! i can understand sitting for a little bit and taking in the music that way, but not for the entire show! be alive! you stand, get excited, flip out, yell loud, sing along, absorb the music and let it flow all through your body, while it transforms into pure energy which then escapes through sporadic spontaneous erratic body movements! you DO NOT sit down! i mean i don't want to be an asshole, but how can you sit down at a tool concert? anyway, it was a beautiful and brilliant show and i give tool AND the technicians behind such a well-done concert my utmost respect. i hope they bring us even more wonderful performances and music in the months and years to come. thank you tool. .spiral out.. ..keep going... . ..evan.. . p.s. if anyone has any pictures, videos, music or information on where i might find such media from the concert for sale or for free, PLEASE contact me. elindorf@zoo.uvm.edu im: the withered eye. thank you. goodbye.

Review written by: PAUL B. (TA2L@AOL.COM) Review posted on: 08/19/02 08:28:58 ET

This was this reviewer's 9TH Tool show

SETLIST SOBER THE GRUDGE STINKFIST H SHCISM PARABOL(MAYNARD*CHANGES WARDROBE,SPEEDO* PARABOLA THE PATIENT OPIATE _________________INTERMISSION__________________________ REFLECTION DISPOSITION TRIAD LATERALUS GREAT AUCOUSTICS IN THIS VENUE. THEY WERE TIGHT AGAIN. MAYNARD SAYING *think fo ryoursself ? authority.... 4 DOWN 1 TO GO C U IN NEW HAVEN TUESDAY.... SPIRAL OUT.......

Review written by: Garrett, Justin, and Scott (GnGoldfish4@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 09:18:14 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

Review written by: Justin, Garrett. and Scott (GNGoldfish4@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 09:21:06 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

Sound- Overall, the sound was excellent, although a few occasions of the bass drowning other instruments out. The acoustics of the arena were amazing. The vocals were very well done, right on key. Performance- There was a good amount of energy, however, the band didnt seem as pumped up as they were for the Boston show (specially Danny). I enjoyed Maynards speeches very much, he said: "Repeat after me...Think for yourself, question authority. Dare to be different, strive to be unique... Dont repeat what others have said" (obviously a little joke) He commented on Alex Grey's artwork, and said that we shold go home and put on Elton John and have sex in the back seat of our cars. Crowd- Manchester didnt seem to have the die hard Tool fanbase that Boston had. Specifically during the slower songs (Disposition, Reflection), and also when he gave the "think for yourself" speech, the crowd didnt seem to repeat after him as he requested them to do. High Points- -They played H, during the "i dont mind" part he attempted to bring the crowd in on the song. -Think for yourself speech before Opiate. ---------------EXPERIENCE MEETING DANNY--------------------- We had the "pleasure" of meeting Danny outside the VIP parking area as he drove in on his motorcycle. To set the mood of our viewpoint on this, we have been fans since 94' and have been feeding the band with our support just like the rest of the fans who admire and look up to the four people who create this masterpiece that is Tool. But after tonight we feel extremly dissapointed at the conduct of Danny. We recognized Danny as he rode up on his motorcycle and he stopped at the gate and waited for the staff to open it and let him in. We approached him knowing his chaotic schedule, while trying not to draw attention of his presence. We shook his hand and explained our admiration and he spoke to us. We then asked for his autograph and he told us he would if we had a purple pen (which appeared to be unique as well as a joke) So, we handed him our tickets along with the pen and he looked at them and thought for a moment, he then scribbled on an envelope with the pen, and he saw that the ink was blue and not purple so handed back the tickets and pen and told us the pen was not purple, so we would get no autographs. Here we are .....for years, dedicated Tool fans, at the point where an autograph of our favorite drummer would have ment the world to us, and basically, everything that mattered to us, that most likely would have changed not only our lives but how we lived them, was decided on the the color of ink inside of our pen. We're not trying to say that he's a bad guy, but we feel he should realize that, where he is in a position of superiority with a celebrity status, along with thousands, probably millions of adoring fans, it is not logical to screw with people's minds and emotions like he did. In a nutshell we feel that the reaction that he presented was bullshit. Again, we're not trying to turn anyone against the members of the band, because we still have enourmous respect for them and admire them ourselves, but we certainly have lost a measurable amount of respect for Danny. Thanks for a great show Tool, you guys rocked. -justin, garrett, scott

Review written by: Mark (redgto366@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 10:08:58 ET

This was this reviewer's 35th Tool show

Tool = Arena Rock? In my opinion, NO WAY! I have seen Tool shows now for close to a decade, I have seen them on the West Coast, the East and everywere in between. I have seen them in small clubs, gymnasiums, ice rinks, and now large Arena's. The visuals are exceptional, and they do have a true Arena Rock presence. But if they want to continue, to be the at the forefront of music there are a few things in my opinion that they need to do. 1.Maynard needs to come back out to the front of the stage 2.Get Paul back, Justin just doesnt play the beginning to Sober with the same intensity that Paul did. 3.If continuing to play Arena's, get a better sound man, I am happy to see that people are now posting that the Bass is to overpowering at times. which brings us back to 2. get Paul back. 4.Draw more from the earlier albums, on the Aenima tours they really mixed the setlist up well drawing from all there material. This was my 6th show that I have seen for Lateralus, and my first time in the Verizon Arena. It is smaller then Boston and has excellent sound so I am going to say that it was the most pleasing. This is my first review to TDN in its 7 years of existence, and i just felt that something needed to be said. All the reviews are so positive and I am sorry to be a little on the negative side but when you have seen the band from its early days you would understand that alot of the energy that flowed between the band and the crowd is now gone. I will continue to see the bands shows but will truely cherish the moments I had with them from smaller venues like the Avalon in Boston, and The Strand in RI. the Palladium in LA. and even an old abandoned Air Force hanger were the band mastered the terrible acoustics to pull off an unbelievable show. Thanks for reading! And if your out there Shelley, the midwest is just about to be pummeled by Tool in a few short days.

Review written by: rob (rob@techundertow.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 10:45:41 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

yeah...that sucks...I met Danny walking around the corner in NYC...I didnt want to bother him, and I remembered that he only signs in purple ink, but I did get a hello....so my advice to the ToolArmy.... Don't forget your purple ink.....

Review written by: Eric (ethereal1@bigfoot.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 11:28:08 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

1st show...visually, the best show i've seen yet. I really dug the videos, especially the one (i can't remember which song) which had the guy with the long floating tendrils coming out from his eyes and going back behind his head. I wish there had been more variety on the setlist, but the extended jam of Triad was incredible and Maynard's verbal screwing with the crowd (and the best musical games, like extending H for an extra few measures just so the crowd would sing the "I don't mind" part too early) was hillarious. I would say the crowd to band energy wasn't as great as it could have been, and despite what others may have said, the sound in that arena SUCKS. Big treble washouts are not my idea of a good sound. That said, I think this was more the fault of the arena than the sound people; it was possible most of the time to pick out everything Maynard was singing, what the instruments were doing, etc. And Tool rocked out in the best of style, so I'm happy. All in all, I would say this was up there with the better shows I've been to.

Review written by: Bill (wsmith21@maine.edu) Review posted on: 08/19/02 12:13:17 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

For a little while I couldnt tell if they were going into Triad or Third Eye when the other percussionist came out and they were pounding out the 3/4 rhythm.. I love both songs though and wasnt expecting to hear either of them. Triad rocked! I was somewhat pissed at how tight the security was blocking the floor.. I tried to run by them but to no avail. So I was stuck up in 206, but it was an out of body experience just the same. Maynard did some really trippy dancing during the Grudge.. It was quite an energy boost to see him flailing around to the rhythms practically naked like ive seen in bootlegs Disposition & Reflection really captivated me this time because I wasn't being suffocated. They put me in a trance. Sober Stinkfist and Opiate smoothly rocked H was beautiful Such uniquely trippy visuals.. I kept trying to find the subtle rhythms on the projection screens. Gotta get me some psychedelics for their next show.. I have alot of respect for anything Patton does, but it was really hard to make out Tomahawks music.. the frequencies were all fucked.. twas cool though gnarly show

Review written by: BlakNo1 (BlakNo1@attbi.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 13:07:36 ET

This was this reviewer's 6th Tool show

Somehow, I don't even think Tomahawk parties "Tomahawk style". The diapers would get in the way....... Thanks a bunch, one and all.....

Review written by: swimminginthesky (Comeondieyoung99@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 13:21:46 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Won't waste your time with another setlist, Tool never disapoints, they were tight to the point of exploding on Triad tonight. Only complaint was the drunk fool behind me, but after intermission i think he was gonna pass out so that was good. Anyone that said "FUCK YOU TOMAHAWK" think, who picks those opening bands? Also i was shocked at how little a response was shown when "your hero" came out to play what looked like an old synth, or his drum brain module with tomahawk. Loved the set, both sets, anyone with a setlist of tomhawk, e-mail me, i have a sinking feeling i'm missing one song. Thank you.

Review written by: Hunter S. Thompson (budahbilly@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 13:36:50 ET

This was this reviewer's 7th Tool show

The congregation gathered at around 8:30, eager to hear what Tool would be doling out this day. A Sunday no less, what luck. I mean this is a religious experience after all right, and the Lord rested on Sunday ... but not TOOL. They're still out there working for us. The tension started to mount and people began cheering and calling for them to take the stage. At around 8:45 the lights went down, smoke billowed out and the saw-blade eyes light up the two adjacent video screens. I began to enter a trance, syncing up my breathing with the rhythm of the circles, focusing in and out. It's a real kicker when they flash the eye-flame right in the middle of the circle. Justin and Adam came on in darkness and began to mess around with the end of merkaba a little bit, Danny took his throne and the Reverend Maynard strutted up to his pulpit, then Justin laid into the opening riffs of Sober, we were under way. The stage was awash with red and black lighting for this song, a tribute to the old days, for TOOL is a new band now, reborn. There will be no old songs any longer, count your blessings if you saw them then. The time has come to move on and evolve. Sober rocks and we segue into the Grudge, the backdrop falls and we're presented with Alex's incredible brilliance awash in numerous colors of the chakra, truly magnificent. The power of this song is unbelievable and the crowd's feeling it, Maynard nails his scream as Danny hammers away and Adam's just piercing your ears with his riff, awesome, it's sick. The Reverend says 'good evening" We're on to stinkfist. It's been extended the past two nights with Elvis' Suspicious Minds lyrics so even Danny looked a little confused when the Reverend didn't throw them out there this night. Too bad, I was signing them in the shower earlier that morning and looking forward to hearing it again, the harmony and melody is so good. The Reverend seems to be doubting the congregation's intensity a bit here. No worries though, we're on to H. It's such a beautiful song and the Red snake on the screen, constantly devouring itself is a perfect compliment. Maynard watches it circling him on his platform for there are 3 projectors at this sermon, two that we can see and one directly on Maynard himself. Pretty cool. Tonight's version is a little tighter and a little bit better received than it was the night before, everybody's happy. "Consider that you're killing me" sounded awfully personal...... much like "need a vacation" did the night before on Aenima. To appease the masses they then rip into Schism and it seems a little flat tonight but rocks out none the less at the end, the backdrop here looks insanely trippy during the slow breakdown that they do in the middle/end of the song, again amazing. After this the Reverend steps off stage to strip down, he's got the standard war stripe going across his head and he's wearing the black leather suit but there's more to this show than just trying to get a rise out of all of you homophobes. Maynard's the 4th projection screen and it's time for Parabol/a with Alex Grey. Maynard's crouched off to the side feeling the moment as he opens the song, the crowd erupts as parabola kicks in, there's a cheer as he nails the part he lost it on the previous night and goes on to finish the song, all the while the video is splashing across his ghost white back drowning him in a myriad of colors, a definite highlight of the show .... this body holding me ..... A little Eon Blue Apocalypse kicks in before Red, I mean the Patient. TOOL fans are missing a huge opportunity here. No one picks up the backing vocals on this and Maynard's practically handed them to us ... I must keep reminding myself of this .... I can only imagine to what level this song would go to if we as a crowd backed Maynard on this one, what a powerful, powerful song this is, I tried to back him but I am one against many large stacks. So it's Sunday, so we get... Opiate. Morons, it's Sunday, Opiate, Sunday, Opiate, Sunday we can make this connection can't we? Maynard talks a little about the difficult times we live in and how we have a dicey Political and Global outlook these days, he urges us to think for ourselves and question authority, then he'd like us to repeat after him, but no one's really biting, I just say "yes Maynard" to whatever it is he asks us to repeat and the gag's soon over. I'm very thankful to watch Danny at the end of this one, the double bass, THE DOUBLE BASS, dear lord we were delivered, hallelujah, amen, let's go to intermission, pass the plate (oh wait they took up the collection at the door before the show ... smoke'em if you got 'em then) After a pretty short break they again take the stage under cover of darkness, the lights come up and they get under way, it's at this quiet moment that some dick starts calling out "Maynard you sexy little bitch" a couple times until he's sure the band heard him, sounds like one of the aforementioned homophobes, nice buzzkill buddy, why are you here? (I don't mean the show, I mean here as in "on Earth", you seem to me like you're just wasting precious resources, air, food, water, a spot in general admission. I thought about seeking him out and smashing his scull but I wanted to see the rest of the Sermon and didn't want to risk missing Reflections, Triad, or Lateralus. So our souls are soothed by the sounds of Disposition and everyone's calm and feeling really good about their experience in general, the vibe is good. It's time to "reflect". There's a new backdrop after intermission, a temple of eyes, it made me think of all my ancestors that had come before me, if they were watching my time here on earth would they be proud? What about TOOLs ancestors, if they're watching, I'm sure they'd be stoked. I need to live a better life. Like the stations of the cross at your local Catholic church 6 not 12 Alex Grey tapestry's unfurl from the ceiling, each seems to depict a segment of our being, death, life flow, energy and the 7 pointed star that has no beginning or end, Maynard turns to reflect himself as the star descends. Colors of the Chakra are everywhere and the drumming is hypnotizing, an overpowering feeling takes hold as the tempo builds and a mini pit breaks out towards the end as Adam wails away and Danny hammers on. For the third night in a row the crowd fucks it up again. Danny and Maynard take it so low it's ridiculous, right before .... the moon tells me a secret. my confidant .... each night 3 to 4 dickheads take this opportunity to be heard and give a shout out, it sucks because you can sense everyone holding their collective breath in amazement that a band this loud, raw, and powerful can take it this low .... 15 to 20 thousand people dead silent in the middle of "a", no "the" rock and roll show of this time and era and 4 dude's have to ruin it. I'd quit right now if I was TOOL, What's the point? There's no chance in hell they'll ever be understood completely. Either I'd quit, or I'd do arena tours and make some cash. ;- ) We have reflected and hopefully some of us have gained some enlightenment at this point. Some of us, you can't reach everyone you know. Triad. Danny's time to shine. They started adding this to the show in New York in '01. I begged for it in Portland, and asked for it at Marshfield (Boston) so I was a little bummed when they started playing it 2 shows later, but I was patient. If you wait good things do come. Friday nights show Danny had to be on something, he threw a fill into Stinkfist towards the end that was insane and they had 3 extra players on for Triad that night, blown away was an understatement. Tonight they came really close to duplicating the intensity and it seemed like they may have even stretched it out a little bit more, Danny was a blur, I love how Justin steps off to the side to get his groove on and work into it and Maynard seems like he's really into it as well. Unbelievable, they took it up and down about three times over the course of the jam, so sick. To all good things come an end and it was time for Lateralus, Maynard thanked us and hoped that we had taken something positive from the evening, was hoping we had gotten a little horny from the show and suggested a little Elton John while we got it on in the back seats of our cars post Sermon. He sounded genuine in his hopes that he had helped heal us, it was a warm feeling and as the band gathered around Danny the positive energy moved 'cross our skin all through the center. What a way to end a show, so powerful, such a high note, every member shines during this one, even Adam was tapping his foot a little for this song, and the house comes down right at the end. Amen. Danny frisbeed a few drum heads and chucked a few sticks to the crowd, some water bottles were tossed out and they had the group hug, it was nice. Justin gave the thumbs down to the dick heckler and that was it. Dr. Gonzo.

Review written by: Rachel (spamthisemail@cs.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 13:56:48 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

Well, I liked Tomahawk although not many other people did. They played: flashback, 101 north, point and click, god hates a coward, pop1, and laredo. Also, there was an intrumental interlude where Danny came in. Then tool came out and were amazing as usual. H was personally my favorite. Oh, and by the way, moshing at tool is completely stupid. It's not a moshing band. I assume all the newbie tool fans were the ones who wanted to mosh. Whatever. Anyways, great show nonetheless. Alex Grey's artwork was amazing as usual.

Review written by: Eric (seekNdestroy519@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 15:02:22 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist. You all know the setlist so im not gonna bother with that. This was my 1st time seein Tool live. When i entered the Verizon Wireless Arena I had butterflies in my stomach. I was so excited that I was actually nervous. So around 7:30 Tomahawk hit the stage...I cant say much. Im not gonna sit here and bash then just because I didnt like them, they just arent for me. A little after 8:30 the lights were cut and the lateralus eye ring was projected onto two large screens above the stage. It was showtime. Then the lights shined on Justin and "Sober" began the most amazing 2 hours of my life. I was completely blown away of what I was witnessing on stage. It was truely a spectacular experience. Im a little upset that they didnt play Eulogy, Aenima or Prison Sex...but I cannot complain on the set they gave me. It was still nonetheless unbelievable. The highlights of the night from my point of view were "H.", "Opiate","Triad" and "Lateralis" And I must say that during triad I did not blink once not once I was in a trance and a state of awe and disbelief...I seriously almost shit myself. Tool is GOD. Thats it...next time they come around I will definately be there...singing, dancing, moshing and jumping to one of the greatest acts in rock. Thats all P.S. Hey to all you fuckers in section 207...blow me. Ive never seen such a lifeless group of people in my life. WHO THE FUCK SITS AT CONCERTS? It's like you are a waste of seats and shit...whatever though you didnt stop me from havin fun i guess...It just wouldve been better standing up without being bitched at by the assholes behind me.

Review written by: Brad Desjardins (MeEtYoUrMaStEr85@juno.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 15:21:38 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

-Ending of Merkaba -Sober -The Grudge -(-) ions -Stinkfist -H. -Schism -Parabol -Parabola -Eon Blue Apocalypse -The Patient -Opiate --INTERMISSION-- -Disposition -Reflection -Triad -Lateralis The show was amazing, just like last time I saw them, in september. Mike Patton, who also opened for them with Fantomas a while ago, seems to have put much more of an effort into this project, Tomahawk, then he ever did with Fantomas. Nothing really to complain about this time around, except towards the end of their performance he kept letting off shrill screams that kinda annoyed me. Seening Danny come out and help with sound effects was a plus..I'd say he got the majority of the applause on those songs. As for TooL, this show kicked ass in so many ways. I was lucky enough to get right up to the very front of the floor, so I saw everything perfectly...made my night. They opened with Sober, which somewhat surprised me, because according to past setlists, he usally comes in with The grudge...can't complain at all though. I was somewhat looking forward to seeing them do some of their older stuff, like Intolerance, 4 Degrees, and AEnema, like I'd seen for other venues. Parabola was cool, because they lifted these bigass balloons, that levitated for the better show. They were being held up simply by hot air. Amazing. Opiate was a great touch as always. I'm not really sure what was going on though. Anyone who had a decent view of the stage probably could see that Justin was extending the interlude while Adam said something to Danny, then Whispered to Justin...don't know if it was technical error, or if they were just being TooL, and keeping the audience in suspense. Works either way, I guess. Yeah, then came the intermission, which in my opinion was far more impressive when Osseus Laberynth was there. They did about 4 more songs after that, and closed with Lateralis as always. Great song, and a great way to end the show. Afterwards, they threw various shit in to the audience, drumheads/sticks, and water bottles mostly. Apparently I screamed loud enough at the end that Danny heard me as he walked off-stage and saw me give him the rock'n'roll sign with my hand, and gave me a thumbs-up. I know that other people got to meet him, but for me, a thumbs up beats a middle finger, or even nothing. Thats all from me. Later Brad Spiral out...keep going.

Review written by: Wicked Pissah! (whocares?@nobody.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 16:18:04 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

What a ridiculously hardcore awesome show! First-- Tomahawk was actually much Much MUCH better than I thought they would be. I heard a few of their songs off their CD and I didn't like them. Not my thing. But they REALLY kicked ass live. I don't think they should even bother trying to sell their studio recording--just sell a live CD. THEN I'd be interested. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the 2 near-naked men in diapers dancing on the sides of the stage. They were hilarious, as was Mike Patton. As for him telling us that he could sum up the looks on our faces with one word, which was "BORING!", I honestly was enjoying myself immensely. It's okay to throw insults at the crowd like that, but he called some poor kid "Fatso" or something like that, and this kid was one of the few people there that were truly rockin out to Tomahawk. Looks like they might have lost a fan....or probably not. Anyway. TOOL WAS INCREDIBLE. Yet another deeply moving spiritual experience for me. I won't bore you with another rambling of how awesome they were, except to reiterate how perfectly they played Triad. Disposition, Reflection, and Triad together is the best sequence of songs on any of their albums. I was completely lost during those 3 songs, however, it would have been much better if people weren't trying to mosh to one of the slowest parts of Reflection. Honestly, how does one mosh to that song??? Stop acting like a fucking monkey for at least 5 mins and let people enjoy the song. As for Triad, I would have done some serious moshing if I wasn't pinned up against the gate at the front of the general admission section, directly across from the stage where Justin as standing. Still managed to get my groove on nonetheless. Random thought time. Maybe I'm the only one, but I felt that I should have seen the band from farther away. I saw them last year at the Tweeter Center in Boston, and son of a bitch, I ended up AT THE BACK OF THE LAWN! IN THE BLEACHERS!!!! 80 MILLION FEET AWAY FROM THE STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone who has ever been to the Tweeter Center would know how badly my "seats" sucked ass. Anyhoo, this time, I was right up against the gate, so close I could see them breathing. Incredible. But....it seemed dissatisfying in a way that even though I was so close, I still couldn't connect with them on a personal level. Not that many fans do. It's just that being that close gave me hope that I might be able to get a sticker or whatever it was they were handing out to meet the band after the show. So I'd like to take this time to say fuck you to the little nut-less pretty boy BITCH who thought he was a hot shit with his little stickers. I wouldn't have cared about not getting a sticker if you weren't such a dick about it. I hope someday you discover what a piece of shit you are and realize that you could have made a huge difference in someone's life.....but didn't because you felt like being an asshole. Thanks! Sorry....I get a little angry sometimes. Hope you all enjoyed the show as much as I did. Spiral out!

Review written by: Jeff Moore (recruiter2064@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 16:49:51 ET

This was this reviewer's 9th Tool show

Great Show, it was my 9th show and they get better everytime. Opiate was a religous experience..... Anybody record this or the Boston show??

Review written by: Steve (chabot@hws.edu) Review posted on: 08/19/02 17:05:42 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Personally, I'm a little tired of paying $45 per ticket (after Ticketmaster's service charges) to see elaborate (read: over the top) sets and be given the opportunity to purchase $30 T-shirts. I think I would have swapped all the props to hear Eulogy or Third Eye. This show was great of course, but it will most likely be my last for Tool. I'd rather pay ten dollars less and see Pearl Jam play for over three hours. While I'm complaining, what's with ToolArmy costing an absurd amount of money too? Hate to say it, but Tool's getting a bit self- indulgent.

Review written by: twink (hjb2429@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 19:56:15 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd? Tool show

..another magical TOOL experience...1st arriving on the floor just as tomahawk ended (i have a temporary mike patton allergy after the fantomas debacle of 2001) and then an incredible performance by the main men of tool! my only ?, if people are going to stand frozen like a statue for the whole concert, why do they get floor tickets? opiate was wonderful! as always, TOOL rocks the house!

Review written by: Phoenix (bilobong94) Review posted on: 08/19/02 20:50:22 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

this was my first time seeing tool live, and my first concert. so my opinion wont matter to all the people who have been to 20 different concerts. Tomahawk was dissapointing to me because i couldnt take them seriously with their costumes. plus they kept messing up with the drums. but i still cheered for them because how would i like it if i was opening for a great band like tool and i was getting bood off the stage. the only thing to say about tools performance "WOW" the lighting was awsome. the whole thing with the psycic tarot card reader guy drummer was awsome. maynards think for yourself comment was awsome. i dont know there old songs except for sober. i got my first tool cd in january and that was aenema. then i got the lateralus cd. i was really hoping to hear ticks and leeches, aenima, eulogy, and hooker with a penis. but even though they didnt play those songs i was still happy with what i heard and saw. i really liked the effort tool put in for lateralus, which was the final song. but i was dissapointed in the crowd. i was seated in section 107 and everyone in my row was sitting except for me and one of the kids i was with. and all the people in front of me we sitting except for one dancing girl. i wouldve thought if you wanted to come to a tool concert you would at least stand up for the band because i heard there is nothing like seeing tool live.

Review written by: Graham (HomerJay105@juno.com) Review posted on: 08/19/02 21:55:49 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Setlist: Sober The Grudge Stinkfist H. Schism Parabol/Parabola Eon Blue Apocalypse/The Patient Opiate ~short break~ Disposition Reflection Triad Lateralus Once again, a spectacular show. I was lucky enough to be able to go to the show in Boston on the 16th, and although the setlist was pretty much the same, I enjoyed myself just as much (Last time we heard 46 & two instead of H. and AEnema instead of Opiate). H. was an awesome song to hear live. At the "I DON'T MIND!!!" part, Maynard paused to let the audience shout out the lines before giving a loud growl of his own. Maynard wasn't as talkative during this show as he was last time. One thing, however: before playing Opiate, he started a little speach all Tool fans are familiar with that goes "Think for yourself...Question authority." I don't think i speak only for myself when i say i almost died of pleasure when i thought they were going to play Third Eye. Then we heard "dun dun dun dun" (the opening notes to Opiate) and it was terrific. I guess i wasn't really that disapointed at all. TOOL IS AMAZING

Review written by: dave hamm (killthegratefulldead@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 00:15:26 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

what can i say that hasn't been said before? this concert was amazing, well worth the 8 hour drive and the high ticket price. the grudge was amazing along with the patient and opiate. there was no aenema (oh well) but opiate was just as good. H. was also played, very good. can't wait to see them again soon. maynard was so hypnotizing but seemed a little pretentious. still an amazing show, compelety worth every penny paid....

Review written by: Bill Hicks Lives (thatangrykid@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 10:12:44 ET

This was this reviewer's 6th Tool show

After seeing Tool in the utilitarian hugeness of Boston's Fleet Center, I was looking forward to Manchester's smaller venue. General Admission meant the floor was doable, and our tribe made its way up close on Danny's side of the stage by the PA's. The thunder of their rage got the little hairs dancing on my skin from the first notes of "Sober." My throat and root chakras were pulsing to the bass of "The Grudge." Tool turned a cheap building of concrete and steel into a sacred ritual space. They transformed a roomful of target marketed consumers into participants in a mystical rite. And some third eyes opened. FEELING the music weave its web of power around me set my limbs in motion and I danced almost as uninhibitedly as Maynard did upon the stage. There's just something so primal, so tribal about Tool as they mature as a band. As the Wheel turns over again, Tool are fast becoming a tool of the Combined Consciousness. With Danny and Justin as the channelers of the ancient Earth rhythms, Adam as the cosmic overdriver and Maynard as the shaman, they are awakening our oldest cell memories, alerting us to the need to live consciously by tapping into the wisdom and language of our subconsciousness. Fueled by the very desire of our race to get through the Darkness into the Light, Tool burned brightly upon that stage, moving the crowd to holy catharsis for a few hours. Another reviewer wondered if they understand the effect they have on us. I think they're one of the only bands who are actually trying to effect us anymore.

Review written by: massman (zeeman@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 10:29:40 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

First off, Maynard sang with his back to the crowd all night. He started to get into it during stinkfist and some a-hole threw something at him. Adam looked at him and gave a shrug and he turned around again to sing the rest of the night. Wish Maynard was into it more........ Kick ass show as always, Tool cranked Tomahawk was good, pertty funny to. Anybody see the shit stains on the fat guys tighty whites on the sides of the stage while Tomahawk played? funny shit man..... SPIRAL OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review written by: I am Jacks Colon (juststained@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 13:04:07 ET

This was this reviewer's 5th Tool show

After returning from a long trek out west which included a crazy night in Sturgis South Dakota i was looking forward to nothing more than to see Tool. The Portland M.E show earlier in this tour was great though i felt the set list wasnt mixed enough and im sure you all have heard the horror stories about Fantomas. Tool has an uncanny ability to take on horrid opening acts. The joke is getting old. That brings me to Mike Pattons new band, Tomahawk. Well needless to say the crew and I decided to skip them though Captain Shawnboy did catch half there set and said we didnt miss much. The Verizon Wireless Center is a nice modern facility with $5 french fries and a one beer at a time limit so needless to say once the show started they stopped selling beer. Thats fucking blasphemy dude. We still had enough illegal substances coursing through our viens to enjoy the show. Sober was a pleasant surprise and Opiate and Lateralus were my high ponts. The sound was ok but there was serious echoing of the cavernous arena, also the venue really undersold this show. the last 4th of the arena floor was empty and this show sold out months ago. We actually had no problem getting Dr. Gonzo a ticket for $20 bucks. The crowd was a dissapointment and i think the band ewasnt much impressed either. All in all it was a solid show though i agree with a previous reviwer who is starting to feel cheated a bit whith the high ticket prices, setlists and general commercialsm that our men in Tool our following. We will have to see what the future holds. Ill wait around for now. Spiral out, keep going....

Review written by: Another Tool fan (toolfan@toolbox.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 13:16:00 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

i saw tool perform for the first time since last september in hartford...way too long a time span. this show was easily the best i've seen yet. most impressive stage show, visuals, and easily the best setlist. i was hoping for pushit, but i've seen that once already. i've read almost every setlist yet to date, so seeing H and Opiate was a treat. i was so pumped during stinkfist, i love hearing that song live. adam really lets a few notes rip out, sounds awesome. the buildup in the middle is exactly what it should be. intermission was different then their last US tour, but shorter too. i was very relaxed when maynard and company stepped on to play dispostion/reflection/ triad. a mix of substances and the incredible energy from the crowd left my mind wandering. i easily say those 3 songs were my favorite part. lateralus was awesome to see live. the added lights in the middle took my by surprise. very awesome. the arena was so powerful during this last part. a couple sidenotes: maynard might have thrown his voice out the night before, but there was no sign of that tonight. to the kid in section 106 with the video camera: damn dude, how can you stand for the entire show and film it? i would love a copy, put it on the internet! and finally, maynard may sing with his back to the audience and danny may refuse to give an autograph. neither effects me, or how i think of the band. i went to manchester not to see tool, or not the have a religious experience. i went to see tool PERFORM, and perform they did. they made incredible music, and incredible art.

Review written by: Another Tool fan (toolfan@toolbox.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 13:16:08 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

Review written by: crYme (N/A) Review posted on: 08/20/02 14:23:31 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

So I'm late in posting my review. I think I haven't fully recovered from the mind blow. Admittedly, I'm no expert on TOOL shows, having only seen 3, but I have to say that this show had the most respectful crowd I've seen at a TOOL show. They actually would listen when MJK spoke, instead of hooting and hollering and carrying on. In sharp contradition to the tours with Phantomas and the Melvins, the audience opened themselves up to Tomahawk. I was glad to see this, and was happy to see the "boo's" kept down to a minimum. The performance was awesome. Perhaps only topped by the first TOOL show I saw (Lewiston ME '99ish). OPIATE and THE PATIENT were real treats for me, but then again so was H. and Schism. The stage show was great and the video screens were intense. I had absolutely horrible seats, so I moved around. I got kicked out of a few places, but eventually settled up in the nose-bleed section - directly across from the stage. Those seats were awesome! Hardly any security, great view, great sound and good people. Shared a few smokes with the people around me, and basically enjoyed myself. Keep on rockin'.

Review written by: ogrenivek (ogrenivek@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 14:52:54 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

Section 102, Row Q, Seat 11. Still feeling the effects today, the 20th. I can now cross off one of my life long goals of seeing Tool live, quite an accomplishment. Having been a fan for 9 years, this concert was almost a pinacle for me. The point where the wave breaks and comes crashing down. Someone mentioned a few third eyes opening that night, mine sure did. I think there were about 5 people in my section who seemed as enthrawled as I was, totally enamored with the sites and sounds before me. Ripped to shreds emotionally, don't ever want to return from the place I allowed them to take me to (Quiddity?). One thing I will say, I wouldn't have traded my seat for the world. We can't keep clamoring for the band's attention, they don't exist! Shows like Manchester proved that point. They aren't there for anything other than to deliver a message, a long overdue one at that. I could barely make out the silhouetts of Adam and Justin from where I sat. That was fine by me, Tool doesn't consist of real people, it just IS. I thanked the makers that they played primarily from Lateralus. Words cannot describe the impact that record has on people. Someone asked, Do they know the power they have over us? That question can be answered by watching the power their own music has over them. Hopefully I can find the inner power to continue on after that show. Maybe I saw something like Quiddity that night, it seems perfectly possible to me. "Memory, prophecy and fantasy- the past, the future and the dreaming moment between- are all on one country, living one immortal day. To know that is Wisdom. To use it is the Art." -Clive Barker

Review written by: Terata (nhjinx@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 15:45:26 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist. I thought this show was AMAZING!!!......Although I think that Tomahawk didn't get the admiration they deserved. Mike Patton's performance left my jaw dropped! When Tool came on I was completely speachless. I dont beleive I've ever seen a show quite like the one I saw on Sunday. The performance Tool gave was defenitely the best performance of any artist that I've seen to this date!! Thank You Danny, Adam, Justin and Maynard....I look forward to the next time I will be graced with your melody.

Review written by: jbshado37 (jbshado37@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 17:15:33 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

Thank you Danny Carey for blowing my fuckin' ears out! Out of the 4 times i've seen Tool, this one was the best. To me they are not so much a band but a tribe. Play more Opiate.

Review written by: Tim Gonsalves (punksk8r911311@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 17:27:27 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

where to start, well first of all, this was my first tool show, and being an unbelievable tool fan, i managed to make it front row with my little blue wrist band, i was almost in the center, a little to the left, non the less i was up front with my friend Brad D (he made a must read review),..ok to the concert, tomahawk came on, and hey, i needed a good laugh, cuz i mean, it wasnt terrible, but it wasnt tool, and i was waiting for tool, so anything else sucked. i admit they were creative and energetic, but he should stick with FNM. now the moment..the lights go out, and the lateralis eyes are on the big screen, i didnt care tho, i just wanted to watch the stage, evenutally TOOL arrived on the stage, thats when i realized where i was, at the greatest concert of all time, with the greatest band ever, and justin came in on bass and started sober, after adam did a few, notes on his guitar, adjusting the volume and such.. when sober started i almost burst into tears, because i knew this was a night i would never forget, and with that the show went on, displaying amazing art work from Alex Young, and unbelievable lighting effects. soon enough manyard was pretty much naked, with that bad ass tattoo of his. (damn i envy that). differnt things that were so creative happened, like that ball thing, im not sure what it was, but those things floating were amazing, and the 7 sided star that was lowered, and the skeletal cycle was awesome too. eventually i had to leave, cuz i had trouble breathing, i soon passed out breifly, but that didnt stop me from getting back there just for the start of lateralis, and goddamn was it ever amazing, i mean i only missed 3 minutes of that long intermisson, but lateralis made up for it. I was all the way in the back of the floor, and i needed to get back up there, so i made my way through the croud, and a small mosh pit with some kid that was like 5'0, i wanted to punch him in his goofy face, but i kept wading through people, till i couldnt anymore, so i decided that i was about 1000 people away from the stage, and this was TOOL, i figured what the hell, im gonna croud surf, and i did, alllllll the way up to the front, and i got pulled out by a secruity guard, and the song ended about 5 seconds later......but the show was so amazing, i didnt get a water bottle , or dannys drum heads, but i got the greatest experiece of all time, and there is no way i will ever, ever forget it. Thank you tool for making me the happiest guy alive. Spiral out...keep going Tim G

Review written by: Master Reviewer (in_tha_flesh@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 18:38:44 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist.

Review written by: Josh (in_tha_flesh@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 19:21:00 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

........HOLY SHIT!! Really, those are the only words i spoke after this show and the Boston show two nights prior. Tool is not just a band, Tool is an experience. There is no other band out there that can top a Tool show, well except Tool. To pass up an opportunity to be at a tool concert is just plain idiocy. That's why you are reading reviews and not writing one. This was one amazing concert. Once I heard the music cut out and this synth stuff start playing, I knew it was gonna be awesome. They came out with sober. Busted out a bunch of sweet ass tunes. H. FUCKING KICKED ASSSSSSS!! The extended version of stinkfist kicked ass too. Schism and parabola were fucking GREAT. The Patient had a fucking cool light/visual scheme going on. It looked so ominous up there with the stage and band drowned in red light, the glitter falling from the ceiling all over me, and those orb/molecule things from parabola just spinning behind the band. The backdrop had a friggin cool design on it with like a face that had one head facing left, one facing straight ahead, and one facing right. In different light, different parts of the face appeared and disapperead. This is hard to visualize, but if you were there... Then there was this fucked up break in the show with like some noise and like a strange video playing. I believe this intermission served one of two purposes: First for the band/audience to get ripped off there gord for the next part, and to get the audience to actually sit down and relax. When you think about, the break came after all of the sweeetest songs and they needed a transition from those to dispostion, reflection, and triad (which the former two are their most relaxed ). And i think that the band knew that if they have the audience sit down, they will pay more attention to the next song (at least i did). I never imagined i would be sitting down to watch Tool and i did. Once they hit disposition, i felt like i just wanted to sit there and experience Tool, i didn't want to stand, i didn't want to groove, I didnt want to think, i just wanted to relax and experience Tool. I think that's what they wanted. This was one of my favorite parts. I loved disposition so much. When that came on it felt so good just to relax. The light scheme was so smooth and easy on the soul that these songs just kinda tap into the soul and just tweak something. It was great After the show (which ended with Lateralis) because I was left with a feeling of pride (for the band for putting on such a spectacular show which would blow my ming and inspire me greatly) and emptiness (for the fact that the show had reached an end). I cheered for them until long after they were off stage. I often wonder if they know their impact on their fans, I believe they do, i think that may be why they seem to find it hard to leave the stage after the show (both shows i saw, they attempted to leave the stage but came back and played with the crowd a little). Thanks Go see TOOL Peace

Review written by: Sean (mchale1342@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 20:45:18 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

Well, this is my second tool show, and it was AMAZING. Tool's performance was borderline hypnotic, I truly think that anyone who sees one of their show's will become an instant fan. They are starting to deify themselves, through the only way worth doing: By pure goodness. If you like Tool, go see them live. If you don't like Tool, go see them live. Maynard's claim that everyone should put Elton John on in their car and have sex in the back seat was an added bonus. You can see they love performing, and you can tell the crowd loves them performing also. The one downside was Tomahawk, whom I didn't particularly enjoy, as I couldn't tell if they were difficult to understand, or just bad. Other than that, a superb performance.

Review written by: +2behind me (tbowen2k@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/20/02 21:55:05 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

If it is possible for God to create a stone that he himself cannot budge....then Tool must be that stone.

Review written by: dudderer (dudderer@aol) Review posted on: 08/20/02 22:03:10 ET

This was this reviewer's 8th Tool show

I am posting thisreview for both the Boston and Manchester show. I only went for one reason and that was a frined of mine had ticketsfor both show and he insisted I come with himfor one reason and thast was to see what he described as and i quote "themost amazing drummer on earth today,Dan carey. I was aware of him by the reviews and articles in Modern Drummer and other publications, Being a percussionteacher by vocation I wanted to see just what all hte raves were about, all I think of right now is My God is this fellow human or from some wourld we are yet to come to know.frankly I sat in awe at times and just kept say He cant do That it is not possible but I just say and heardhim do it, Listening with my eyes closed do as tnot be distacted by all the other things going on, I heard the useof drumming as I have never heard before Or even knew was possiibe, Was this truely One Man ????? His spend is beyond belief yet at time his dynamics are so subtle as to make one think it is some machine of the future(by th way no Machine will ever approach this level of development. I want to say this to every young stundent of percussion If you want to see what a human can do (or in this case a Super Human) can create do see him play. ou may not like the music but no serious student of percussion can help but realize he is in the presence of GENIUS

Review written by: Enlightened (cvd@gwi.net) Review posted on: 08/21/02 00:59:00 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist. Tool was beautiful as anticipated. I was also @ the Providence show and sensed annoyance from Maynard and hoped he would be happy to see us in Manchester. Maynard was awesome in on this night as was the rest of the greatest band of all time. Maynard encouraged the crowd to strive to be unique, to think for ourselves, to question authority and held out the microphone as if to suggest everyone repeat after him, which they did. Me, nor the group of family and good friends I was with fell for it. We knew where MJK was going with it and then of course he told us not to repeat after people... then they played Opiate! What an experience! I was there with my sister and cousin who did not know who Tool was a year ago, but I push this band so hard on people because otherwise they're just missing out. Anyway, I got my hands on Aftershow Passes and I gotta say I took it as a sign that me and these guys are destined to befriend another, they just don't know it yet. How I got the passes was pure, random chance, but I reach out to embrace the random. Backstage we were put in a room where I enjoyed a beer on Tool. Never saw Justin, but Maynard popped in for a minute and although I was tempted to approach him, I didn't think it would be appreciated. I wasn't even expecting to see him, so that in itself was a thrill. Adam also popped his head in the door, but somebody said his name aloud and he immediately went back into the hallway. Incidetally, Adam and my friend Tom, who is also a talented musician, look extremely similar. Danny was definetely Mr. Socialable. He gave me an autograph after I introduced myself even after I told him that I hate the Lakers. I had heard from a friend that he wore a jersey @ the Fleet Center. Thanks Danny, you made my day and you're the best drummer in the world. I'm almost done, but I have to add that I wish bad things upon the security between the crowd and the stage. Me and my friend James made it to the front row, dead center, where I had told him that we would be rewarded with water. There was no water and security seemed to find that amusing. James was "dying" he was so hot and a security dickfuck had his own water and took a drink from it. There was the tiniest amount of water remaining in the bottle as he began to reach to set it back down. James begged him for that small sip of water and before the dickfuck sat it down he pulled it back. James looked so relieved, but only for a split second as that asshole opened it back up and swallowed the tiny remainder, looked @ James and said "Uhhhhhh" totally mocking him. If you ever happen to read this Mr. Dickfuck, I hope you realize that karma is gonna kick your ass. But I'll end this positively by stating the obvious... Tool is loved!

Review written by: Matt White (mnw7@cornell.edu) Review posted on: 08/21/02 11:46:26 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

As has been said a million times over, it was an amazing show. A few notes from the night: -- In the middle of Tomahawk's set, Mike Patton commented about how Danny has three testicles, thus returning the favor handed to him by Maynard the night before in Providence. -- To my huge delight, Skinny Puppy was played between sets. I heard a few seconds of something from towards the end of Music for Cats (i swear i did) and "Death" and "Cellar Heat" were each played a couple times. I think I might have heard an Ohgr song too. -- The 6 banners that come down later in the show are amazing. They really show the layered progression of the body, from the skeleton to the circulatory to the nervous to the muscluar to the soul to the collective mind of humanity. I thought the last 2 banners especially were done very well, showing how each soul connects to all others. I love you Alex Gray. -- About Danny not giving his autograph unless you have a purple pen: this has been a policy of his for some time now, over a year I think. It wasn't something he did specifically to you. Think about everything the color purple represents, and maybe that means something to Danny. Or maybe he does it so that only *really* hardcore fans can get his autograph. Because, afterall, if you really cared then you would have known you needed a purple pen. Yes, I know I wasn't suposed to respond, but it's said in a general way. Bring a purple pen everywhere.

Review written by: Jamison (nonside@msn.com) Review posted on: 08/21/02 14:02:01 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

i recorded the concert.... email me... maybe i can hook ya up with it. used a minidisc recorder with awesome microphones and a bass rolloff to eliminate the extremely low rumbles that distort the recording... very clear and awesome to listen to. nonside@msn.com Sorry i dont have tomahawk only tool.. i got there too late for tomahawk.

Review written by: Andrew (crosshammer@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/21/02 21:42:07 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

Before we go ANYWHERE, i have to say that i did not like tomahawk, i found the band way on this side of annoying, and managed only to applaud when a song ended, for the sake of that song ending. Sitting through their 40 minutes of music was not at all pleasant, if you are intent on seeing them, then do it, but if you aren't quite sure, skip the opener, you'll retain some brain cells. Now to Tool. This was my second show, the Mass. stop last year was my first. This show was, by comparison, a let down. Don't get me wrong. Tool themselves kicked some serious ass, but there were more outside flaws to this show than anything else. First of all, as many have already mentioned, the crowd wasn't great. I didn't see the boston show, but i felt like i was with a group of people who, at times, simply wanted their heads blasted off a la sonic waves. Secondly, and again not directly against the band, i found the sound system and acoustics at the Verizon to be TERRIBLE. I could barely decipher Maynards words, and i'm pretty sure he wasn't slurring. Not only that, but from the top bowl, and quite near the stage on the side, i was a bit TOO close to the tower of speakers that was jumbling up all this noise. Believe me, i listen to Tool loud, but it was in this case FAR too loud considering the sound quality sucked there. Of course, i reiterate i don't blame this on the band, and i don't plan on seeing another show at the Verizon (another TOol show on the other hand is a completely different question! ) Tool themselves had some great highlights, capped off in my book by H., which they didn't play last year, and i get the feeling they don't play often. Though the crowd didn't seem to notice it any more than any other song, the band seemed to pour everything into this particular song. All in all, it was a good show, and i'm looking forward to another at a BETTER venue!

Review written by: Marty (mendy@usa.com) Review posted on: 08/22/02 16:49:51 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

Wow. This was my first Tool show ever. It's been a few days since the show, and I'm finally posting about my experiance. Every time I think about the show since I went, already 5 days ago now, it seems to me the show was more and more amazing. I've always loved tool, but this was my first time seeing them. I don't think there is a way to explain and describe the show exactly, to anyone out there who hasn't seen a tool show, to let them know how amazing it really is. I found it weird maynard stripped down to his underwear after a few songs for the rest of the show, and didn't face the crowd at all, but that is his style, and definitely being unique, as he said we should all be. It was amazing watching the way he throws his body around while he sings and moves to the music. All I know is that if they come nearby me again with this second tour with meshuggah, I'm guarenteed to be there. I'm glad people knew every song they played and put the setlist on here, since I didn't know some of the songs, and now I'm listening to those, and more. Anyways, if you're contemplating going to a tool show, do it. It's not like other rock and metal bands, which just make a bunch of noise. As the radio DJ here in boston mistress carrie puts it, "the sweet sounds of tool"...that's exactly how it should be phrased. They have such melody to their music, along with the good sounding heavy parts, and much, much talent. I wasn't even sure if there would be a mosh pit, because of so much melodic tunes, but yeah, there was, although it was on and off whenever the heavy parts of songs, or heavy songs came on. Every day I'm going to be more and mre amazed about this show, and I'm seriously wondering if I like them better than metallica now, my favorite all time band......YOU KICK ASS TOOL.

Review written by: Brad (thedad2000@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/22/02 20:13:42 ET

This was this reviewer's Tool show

The first Post that said Paul D'amor showed up......and everyone was like that guy didn't know what he was talking about....they didn't play 4 degrees or Aenima....blah blah...did anyone Bother to notice that was Blair from TOOLBAND.COM who made the post. I thought it was funny and in typical TOOL type sarcasm...Blake..you rule man!! ha ha ha.

Review written by: eoolat (smokeandreason@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/22/02 21:54:22 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

First of all... holy shit. The show was incredible. The setlist was amazing. The lights and visuals were mind bending. I wouldn't have changed anything about the entire night. If you want more, read on. We got to the show early, hoping to get standing room on the floor right in front of the soundbooth ["booth".. it was huge..]. We did get to stand there, which was great.. the sound was excellent. Tomahawk is a very interesting band. We'd been listening to their cd recently, and I must say... it's pretty good stuff. I don't think I would have liked it as much live if I hadn't heard them on cd before, though, so I can see why some people didn't like them. Interesting light show, weird giant "babies" [big fat guys wearing diapers] who marched in time to the music. Some people were pretty into it... no booing, no shouts of "fuck you" or "you suck". Well, actually, I think someone said "fuck you" when Mike Patton was talking to the crowd, telling us to party Tomahawk style, but whatever. Tool. The visuals, the sound, the lights, the whole damn experience. The only thing I could think was... wow. This is like one continuous orgasm. Tears of joy pricking at my eyelids. Nothing could explain the elation I felt, body rocking, arms thrust into the air, screaming along, deafened by the sound and loving every second of it. I can understand religious fevor now. I can feel for people who have felt the presence of something larger than themselves. This was something intense, something new, something huge. It felt DIFFERENT. As if the energy from all the people thrilled at seeing tool live just combined beneath the septagram of light rigging. I guess it was something in the air. The visuals... wow. Check out www.alexgrey.com for more on what you're going to see, if you don't mind ruining the surprise. Amazing stuff. And the weird balloon floaty things... my boyfriend leaned over and said "is that cgi?" it looked so fucking bizarre. I think they may have been held there by streams of air from the ground. They were certainly not attached by wires. The lights... incredible. And glitter? A little weird, but it felt amazing at the time. Oooh... sparkly! I wish I'd gone to the Boston show... and hell, the Providence show too. If you have more than one chance to see them, TAKE IT! TAKE IT! Amazing live! I wish I could see them again and again and again. Please, oh PLEASE... Tool, please come to Georgia next tour... Savannah, specifically...! Thank you to alex grey for the amazing art... I'd buy his stuff if i could afford it... And to Tool, especially Maynard for not losing his voice, for everything... incredible night. And thanks to the powers that be for letting us get our flat tire only a mile away from a friendly home in the middle of nowhere so I didn't have to walk too far in the 3 inch heeled boots I was wearing. I'm eternally grateful. spiral out aim: eoolat