Publication: Metal Edge Magazine
Date: September, 2001
Transcribed by
Alekcey Yevdokimov (yevdokimovs@hotmail.com)
Alekcey Yevdokimov (yevdokimovs@hotmail.com)
page: 141 title: Playback: Lateralus Special Review author: Lisa Panzariello As if the success of A Perfect Circle wasn't enough to satiate the senses, TOOL have rejoiced their fans with one of the year's anticipated albums. Was it strange to have the album released in the midst of frontman Maynard James Keenan's success with side project A Perfect Circle? Yes. Would the album have been worth the wait had TOOL held it longer? Yes. Are fans complaining? No. And based on the more than 75 minutes that are Lateralus, Tool's fourth release, we shouldn't be anything but thankful. Opening track "The Grudge" kicks with infamous bass lines that are TOOL's signature, taking us right back to the musical place they've brought us numerous times before. But brace yourself for the lyrics, as Keenan steers away from the veil of cryptic disillusionment he so often hides behind, showing a bit of the character and depth we saw with A Perfect Circle. In short, it all just makes more sense. "The Patient" starts off slow with beautifully melodic vocals before slamming into a heavier tone two minutes in. Lead single "Schism"- which is a lot more radio-friendly than the bulk of the album- is frightful and sends chills down your spine, the pounding bass drums a huge factor in adding to the infectious TOOL groove, and if you're a churchgoer- or were, for that matter- then Keenan's priestly voice makes you listen to every word he preaches on "Parabol." "Ticks and Leeches" bellows with overwhelming double bass drums, matching Keenan's almost impossibly fast paced vocals. "Lateralis" maybe what "Stinkfist" was to AEnima, while "Disposition" rings through as the sappiest song on this album, bongo drums and soft guitars swing it into a headspace vastly different than many of the preceeding tracks. Still stuck on A Perfect Circle? Lateralus is TOOL's reminder of who came first, as well as their bold declaration of power- They remain the masters of heavy metal art rock!
Posted to t.d.n: 08/22/01 23:59:54