| concert reviews firsthand, immediate, from the heart |
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10/06/2001
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Review written by: Zachary Wyatt (everhum@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 09:38:59 ETThis was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Setlist: The Grudge (-) Ions Stinkfist Forty Six & 2 Parabol Parabola Eulogy Schism (feat. Osseus Labyrint) Disposition Reflection Triad (feat. Osseus Labyrint) Eon Blue Apocalypse The Patient Aenema Lateralus
Review written by: Chris Clemons (LZEPPLIN@1986) Review posted on: 10/07/01 10:22:31 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
This was my First taste of Tool, I had never took interest until last night. The Show was crazy, the stage acts were outragious. The too people swinging upside down 30 feet in the air was defenatly the best part. Tool has just reseaved a new fan. Thanks for putting on a good show.
Review written by: Eric (mopar41@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 10:32:44 ET
This was this reviewer's nth Tool show
Tremendous show. Video screens were abundant, something like 9 or so, The show was similar in description to others I've read for the tour, so I won't comsume your bandwidth. The geeks were interesting. Glad to see Tool still doesn't take part in the stupid encore ritual. Play hard - thank the crowd - good night. They still fucking rock.
Review written by: Charlie Roscoe (walkingcorpse@totaldeath.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 10:54:21 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Since someone else posted the setlist...I will refrain from doing so. This was my first time seeing tool and I am still in a state of awe. Mr. Carey's talent blew me away, he is surely one of the most technical drummers that I've ever seen. MJK's performance blew me away, thats all that can be said. This was the most amazing show that I've ever seen. The contortionists (sp?) were especially great and added to the show. I will definatley go see Tool again. :)
Review written by: Master Reviewer (ssfasdf) Review posted on: 10/07/01 11:05:36 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.
Review written by: Master Baiter (korn420_74@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 11:39:04 ET
This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show
OK, I know I am gonna catch hell for this but it has to be done. Last night's show sucked big time except for the sound quality. The setlist should have been much better than it was. Come on, not 1 single song from Undertow or Opiate?? The contortionist thing was a complete waste of 20- 30 minutes that the group could have been playing actual songs. Adam extending out that last riff on Reflection for what seemed like forever was not needed at all. Tool put on a much better show in 1996. My experience of watching you guys perform last night was not at all "positive", except for when Maynard talked about infinite lap dances in heaven. So I am putting my experience from last nights show to give this harsh review of the band which is most deserving. Oh yeah, what is up with Maynard just holding a guitar on stage? Couldn't he at least learn a few riffs and ACTUALLY play??? I mean, who exactly do you think your fooling? I could've taken the forty bucks I spent on this show and put to something "positive" as Maynard soo eloquently put it, by buying a years worth of toilet paper to wipe my ass with. But I got the setlist from the stage, so I'll just use it . Oh, I invite all of you to send your viruses, worms, trojans, etc. my way because I am a MCSE and I can beat anything you may try to send.
Review written by: cameron (cameronkennedy@payneandkennedy.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 11:48:55 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
The show was excellent. Maynard was drinking Thunderbird on stage and occasionally passed the bottle to Danny and Justin. At one point he said, "We are toasting to infinite lapdances in heaven.......and infinite amounts of cocaine sniffed out of David Lee Roth's asscrack......long live OJ."
Review written by: Jayce (xxx_saint_x_xxx@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 11:58:38 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
I just got back from the TOOL show in Charlotte, and the only way to describe it is Kinetic Spirituality. The entire show had this presence, from the people chanting along to Ænema, to the Godlike stage. The lights were incredible, and my friend commented it was the greatest concert she had ever attended. It was my first, but I can safely say it was indeed one of the best ever. I can’t remember the set list (which contained TOOL’s more artsy songs, avoiding material from Undertow and Opiate entirely), but I’m sure you’ll find it elsewhere on this page. Besides, the show had little to do with WHAT they actually played, but how. They could’ve played “Mary had a Little Lamb” and retained the same presence. It was...amazing. As Maynard hammered away the lyrics, a ghostly silhouette against the screen behind him, the band played perfectly, not missing a single note. They were truly CD perfect, if not better. The concert was held outside, and it was about 40 degrees, but one would never notice. At least, I didn’t. I never really stopped moving, from the moment I showed up. I missed most of Fantomas’ set, but I’ve heard them before and love them. They’re really really really good, and I recommend them to everyone. Anyways, TOOL opened with The Grudge, and Maynard hit the trademark roar with all the power of a raging demon. The chant that starts the song bellowed throughout the area, and brought me a fear of...something. They followed with Stinkfist, then perhaps Forty-Six & 2. My memory draws a massive blank around this point, but as I said earlier, the set wasn’t what was essential. Maynard was in a pretty good mood, cracking quite a few of his trademark jokes. “We’re drinking to a heaven with infinite lapdances, and all the cocaine...”, but the crowd roared far too loudly for me to actually hear what was said. Anyways, the videos shown were amazing, as were the two performers from the Schism video, who hung inverted in front of the screens at one point, swinging back and forth like clocks. At the end, after playing Ænema (which was chanted too readily), Maynard wished the crowd a good drive home, and to keep the moment together fresh in their minds for the next few weeks, and to turn it into something positve, followed by playing Lateralus and saying goodnight. All in all, the show was amazingly amazing, to be redundant. I’m not going to miss a single TOOL tour in my area, period.
Review written by: Jody Westmoreland (Joceef@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 12:00:46 ET
This was this reviewer's 5th Tool show
When I saw Tool at the Tabernacle in Atlanta on the day Lateralus came out I was standing next to the soundboard and Videographer and it was so cool to see how they put this wonderful show together. I didn't expect to hear disposition or reflection and we did. It was also great to hear Swamp song and Opiate, as the band trudged through the new songs live for the first time they seemed to go to the older songs for comfort, maybe for themselves, maybe to please the crowd. They were finger deep, feeling out the new songs and the show seemed like a AEnema tour show with new songs. Last night in Charlotte was very different. The four legged creature that is tool had sprouted two new legs. Evolving in a way. No undertow or opiate songs were needed. They were able to string together disposition, reflection, an intermission, Triad, Eon Blue Apocalypse, and the Patient in the middle of the set. Those are not moderate tool fan crowd favorites by the way. This show was not for people who came to see sober, and it was wonderfully refreshing to see them play a set that was obviously for them, and for those of us who have seen them multiple times. My personal highlights were the Extended Stinkfist Jam with maynard singing Elvis' "Caught in a trap" lyrics at the end... "I can't walk out because I love you too much (baby)". Another difference was the outdoor ampitheatre. It was cold outside which maynard made refrence to at one point. My only complaint is that because of the Ampitheatre set up huge speakers were blocking the view of the Performance Artists during triad. There were large numbers of the crowd on the left and right sides of the stage who never saw them and quite possibly never knew they were there. Awesome show... my second favorite next to Atlanta '96 when they played H. Thanks for reading, Jody G21 in the Tool FAQ
Review written by: danial (grimboy@excite.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 12:03:46 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
after riding 4 hours and haveing to sit though fantasmos i was hoping tool would deliver, and they blew me away. fantasmos was not what i was expecting but they seem to be in a field of their own. i can say mike patton has a lot of energy, and the band was good at times, but they just didn't make any sence to me. then tool opened up with the grudge and all hell broke loose. the images were very cool and timed perfectley with the band. this was my first time seing them and i plan on seeing them agian. thanks tool danial
Review written by: Kyle J (Insomniac999@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 12:16:51 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
The show was a fantastic display of genius. Fantomas was alright i wasnt really into their whole music genre but they were tolerated...but then came TOOL. Maynard belted out the grudge and then rolled into stinkfist and then into 46&2....after that i lost track but the setlist should be posted already. Maynards dark silhoutte lurked on his platform the whole time created a prescence of mysticism. ADAm, justin, and danney were on target as well performing at their best The visuals were great and the contortionists were awesome... The best performance of the night had to of been Ænema. Overall it was a mind altering experience, and i will never miss another tool show in my area...
Review written by: JEadie (kaptnkrunch@cyberarmy.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 12:17:59 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Notable Variations: Stinkfist - had longer and diffrent parts to it, i liked it even more than the original Eulogy - had a longer ending thus providing Danny with some what of a drum solo, btw Danny is a god Reflection - Adam played the last riff for well over 3 min Ænima - "fret for your mowhawk and fret for your fruit basket" What can i say about tool live that hasnt already been said? Not even after reading numerous reviews could get me prepaired for seeing tool live. It is truely and experience and by definition can only be experienced. Go see them perform, it is incredible.
Review written by: Michael Childress (birdskater@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 12:21:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Wow the concert was unbelievable. The opening band was horrible but some punk wannabes were headbanging to it anyway. When tool came out i was so amazed and totally shocked that I was actually seeing them. Tou couldnt see Maynard very well but I was next to the lawn. The videos during the song were scary and freaky but at the same time awsome. The setlist went something like this: The grudge (.)ions stinkfist eulogy forty six and 2 parabol parabola schism disposition reflecton triad aenema lateralus Maybe not in that exact order but still really close. Maynard didnt say much. Right before aenema he said "Were drinking to the fact of infinite lap dances in heaven, and infinite amounts of cocaine. And along with O.J." Then he told us goodbye and told everyone to drive safe. The contortinists were really cool and fun to watch. I know that this will be a concert I will remember for the rest of my life. Until next time SPIRAL OUT KEEP GOING!
Review written by: adam (mogvvai@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 12:23:27 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
I saw tool for the first time in Atlanta in may. Of course i was amazed both that time and this by both the energy posessed by this incredible group of guys and the perfection to which they play their music. No other band in the world playing right now brings together so many various forms of media in such a powerful, cohesive way as Tool. What people have to realize before attending a show is that they are not going to see a band whose image is more important than their music. They're not even going in order to hear a list of songs at all. They're going for an experience that will include various forms of stimuli grouped together in a very controlled way. The end result is an experience. I have to admit that the Charlotte show was improved a great deal by the addition of all three songs of that great series: Disposition, Reflection, and Triad. I dont think that any of those songs are complete without the addition of the other two. Much respect goes out to MJK for being able to stand in darkness at the back of the stage and still control the crowd as well as he did. Danny was godlike as usual. Adam, which his art direction and mastery of his instrument, is beyond conventional description. Justin. Goddamn. I try to go to every Tool show and not wonder about what they're going to play, or what Maynard is going to wear. I try to just trust in the band to take places that I've never been before and create something collectively with me and the other people at the show....and one thing I've found in the only 2 times I've seen them. Tool never lets you down.
Review written by: Michael Childress (birdskater@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 12:27:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Im sorry about the setlist. I screwed it up anyway, i was in such a hurry i forgot about the patient and eon blue apoclypse. Forgive me. Thanx
Review written by: Crazy Pete (Ficvirth@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 13:01:07 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Well, I gotta say it...this show was true art. I'm sick of hearing all the people that said Fantomas sucked. If you don't understand what they're doing, don't yell and scream over the band and let us enjoy the differnet ideas they bring. There use of silence as a sound (John Cage anyone??) was truely amazing. They held me through their entire 45 minute set. So we were all there to see Tool. I have to say that their show was amazing too, but the crowd ruined it for me. Drunken rednecks yelling and moshing around is not what Tool is. To me, Tool's music brings you in and takes you through so many different emoitions and gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling everyone likes. Tool's performed on stage like real musicians, not jumping around and adding tons of ne stuff to the pieces. They themselves became one with their art, and that was the most artistic thing. The Schism dancers were a nice touch if you can like the interpritive dance stuff. That's about it really, Danny Carrey is a BEAST! The band hugged after the show and he was easily another 5 or 6 inches taller than the other guys and his arms were massive. I would definantly go see Tool again, but I would wish that they could play to a smaller audience. Other points of interests--- Lateralus was taken a tad faster, it was kind of nice to add to the feeling of spiraling downward Adam played the 5 note riff at the end of Reflection for about 3 or 4 minutes. The rest of the band walked of stage and Adam had half the crowd hanging on each note and the rest yelling for him to stop. He's aloud to do that though because he is bad ass
Review written by: Thomas (civil_dissident@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 13:30:02 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Ok, so, for years, I've been wanting to see Tool live, and it seems that something always conspires to keep me from going. Most recently, that debacle with "service master" over the distribution of tickets to the show at the Tabernacle in May (my roommate got 'em, but I didn't, oh well). Anway, so I go and find out that my seat is not worth $45 and for the venue to call it a "reserved seat" should be a crime. Well, I did what everyone else did and moved to a better seat that wasn't occupied and I enjoyed the show much better. Ok, all that crap aside--this show was simply amazing. From the beginning of "The Grudge," I fell into this almost trancelike state where I just let the rythym and the energy pouring from the stage and speakers flow through me. I was totatlly lost, transfixed on those huge video screens, rarely looking at the stage except to glance at Danny (goddamn, he makes that look so easy!). Anyway, most of what I would say has been said already. I LOVED the end of "Reflection," it's one of my favorite parts of the song and the extended outro was hypnotic, especially the way he made it drag toward the end and the visuals were almost grinding to a halt. Then out come the performers from the "Schism" video and I was like, "Holy Fuck!" Those people have an amazing talent, and very well toned bodies to be able to pull off the feats that they did. High point of the show: Everything Tool did. Low points: Being surrounded by stupid rednecks that just want to hear "Ticks and Leeches." I tried to tell them that they won't play it but they didn't believe me. Also, I have to ask, why the fuck did everyone stand up? If you would've stayed in your seat then everyone would've been able to see the show and enjoy it from the comfort of the $45 dollar seats they paid for. I don't really care, I'm used to living in North Carolina where most of the people are ignorant and backwards, and just being able to experience Tool from about 100 feet away makes up for anything those dumbfucks could've done. By the way, some people need dictionaries. Not knowing how to spell is alright--plenty of people can't. But not knowing how to look it up in a dictionary is just stupid.
Review written by: Bryan Adams (larks_tongue2@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 13:34:01 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.
Review written by: Fantomas rawks! (saddler@wilkes.net) Review posted on: 10/07/01 13:34:01 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Wow! What can I say? I was there to see Fantomas just as much as I was there to see Tool. Mike Patton is a musical genius! They played a good mix of stuff from both of thier releases. "Der Golem" and "Spider Baby" were set highlights. I really didn't hear the boos and hisses that I was expecting from Charlotte. I did hear several people around me putting two and two together as to who was in the band and what their previous accomplishment are. Leave it to Mike Patton to keep the music world from becoming dull and boring. Keep up the good work Mike! Tool was quite a different band than when I first saw them at Lollapalozza in 1992. Great set! However, I would have really liked to hear more stuff off of the Undertow album. The stage show was interesting and the screen images were a nice accompanyment to the music. Thank to both bands for the great show!
Review written by: Shane (crombieboy81@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 13:46:08 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
The show last nite in Charlotte was spectacular. It was like having sensory overload for 2 hours straight. There was so much going on and so much to take in with the huge screens. It was the greatest form of abstract and expressionistic art I have ever seen. The screens blew me away with a sense of eerieness and bewilderment. If you were wondering to your self....."what the hell is going on with all the nudists in the pool".....then Tool and the set designers acheived and accomplished there goals. The highlite of the show for me was probably "Eulogy". Danny's drum fill-in at the end was simply awesome. Every song was performed flawlessly. Maynard was once again, his same old mysterious, witty self. I was very pleased with the show last nite. I just wish they would have played "3rd Eye". But all in all, it was one of the greatest shows I've ever been a part of. It was unique in it's on way. I hope everyone came out of Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre with lots of positive thoughts and memories from this whole experience. I hope Tool comes around again soon. Thanks guys for a great nite of music. P.S. Pink Floyd's "The Wall" anyone???
Review written by: Gwyn (Scully332@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 14:18:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist. My best friend and I drove 4+ hours from Atlanta on Saturday to see Tool. This was our second show, our first being Portland, OR, on the King Crimson tour. Needless to say, the smaller venues are better, but Tool never fails to make me feel things beyond the scope of everyday emotion. From the opening notes of "The Grudge", I was in absolute heaven. Even from the lawn, the sound was incredible. I had wanted to hear "The Patient" and "AEnima", which we didn't get in Portland. And I wasn't disappointed. I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. This band is inhuman. Their talent, their passion, and the fact that they do whatever the hell they want, because it's all about the music - I have undying respect for all of them, as individuals, and as musicians. Every note they play is so perfect and pure. I loved the changes made to "Stinkfist" and "46 & 2". (Amazing drum solos - DANNY CAREY IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!) I have never seen so much talent in one place, at one time. There simply aren't words for what I felt last night. I could feel whatever I wanted, whatever they wanted me to feel....everything is so fragile, so possible. Take Maynard's advice, about creating something positive, and never forget to "Celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing." Long live Tool. ~Gwyn~ P.S. I wanted to give a big FUCK YOU to all the supposed "fans" who were there last night simply to drink beer and smoke weed. Stay in your fucking garage, and let the rest of us enjoy the music.
Review written by: Juggalo (carniejuggla@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 15:01:02 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
I went... it owned... they played The Grudge Stinkfist Forty-Six & 2 Eulogy Schism Parabol/Parabola Intermission with those crazy ass contortionists Disposition Aenima Lateralus
Review written by: Taylor Killion (bkillion@charter.net) Review posted on: 10/07/01 15:13:22 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
A wonderful experience, let's leave it at that. I've been waiting to see Tool for a long time and they delivered big time. But there was only one thing bugging me about the concert. It wasn't any of the performance art peices, the absence of anything from Opiate or Undertow, or the prolonged riff (I thought that playing the same riff for nearly 5 minutes was an epiphony of Adam's brilliance). The thing that got me down were the stoned idiots who came there to see a "Slipknot-esk" rock show. I was going to see creative art showcased through eery goth-metal music, but the guy in front of me apparently wanted something to thump his head against. I didn't pay around 40 bucks (including parking) to do something I can simply do when I turn up my stereo really loud. I just kinda wished those people would've shut the hell up about how long those "naked critters" have been dangling from the wire, and see how creative and original the artists are being. Otherwise, it would've been a flawless night, and I thank Tool for sharing it with us. P.S. - Fantomas wasn't wonderful, I realize this, but they're artists as well and deserve your attention, not "You SUCK!" yelled across the entire amphitheatre....
Review written by: leatherdoughnut (l_doughnut@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 15:43:38 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
WOW. What a super show! The dancers/performers (whose name I think I know but am not sure...) did an excellent job using their bodies to communicate the messages of the songs, and I was blown away by the backdrop of images. The whole show seemed like a celebration of the human body, the human psyche. I was a bit annoyed by a token frat guy yelling "Ooh, them dancers are naked- Let's all get naked! Show us your tits!" but he got booted out of the box he was pillaging so then all I had to put up with was the guy singing "Arizona Bay-eeee!" but that's cool- It was really nice to see so many different people celebrating the joy of Tool... I loved the whole atmosphere, and the stage set-up (Maynard only a silhouette on slight platform, Danny's gold drums on neighboring platform, etc.) really brought on a different perspective- You ended up paying more attention to the music and the images on the screens more than you were paying attention to how the singer was writhing around on stage, which was great. I was glad they played Disposition, as well as almost the entirety of Lateralus save "Ticks and Leeches", and the bits from Aenima were astounding and so tight. My only pitfall was the lack of material from Undertow or Opiate, but Tool is promoting Lateralus on this tour so thus I retract. The Fantomas were... primal. I don't think I "got" them, but they were very exhuberant. Can't wait to see Too again!
Review written by: Zoe (zz_25@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 16:32:04 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Even though I had to sit through a freezing high school band competition to get a ride, and even though we arrived in the parking lot during 46 & 2 (meaning we missed Stinkfist- damn!), all I can say is that I made it. I saw Tool. I was a little disappointed that Maynard wasn't more visible, but otherwise this show was incredible. There really was nothing that could prepare me for the experience: the perfectly timed, pulsating images on the huge screens; the way the crowd (at least in the WAY back of the seats where I was) stayed quiet during the songs and just tranced out; and, oddly enough, the setlist itself was not what I was expecting. There is really no way to describe the sort of time vacuum that everyone I talked to afterward seemed to have entered. Though our buzzing ears and frozen noses told us otherwise, as well as the disappearance of the moon behind the stage as the hours passed, the whole experience seemed to last only about 20 minutes. Truly magical, definitely not my last Tool experience. Next time, I'll get there on time, though.
Review written by: not a drunk redneck... (no thanks...) Review posted on: 10/07/01 17:36:17 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
OK,... 2nd TOOL show ever. It was one hell of an experience. But of course I'm going to bitch about the negative things first... (sorry). The acoustics were pretty bad, but I quickly got over it. And, of course, the drunk redneck behind me, shouting in a repeating rave-beat fashion, was nice... ( lay off the crack pipe buddy ) The worst part; my view of the stage from section 9 was almost completely blocked by speakers. I realized that the contorsionists were there only when I decided to stretch my legs and walk around. I should have realized that since no one was checking ticket stubs, I could have sat practically anywhere. BUT, that crap comes with the territory, and the show itself ( minus the venue ) was great. The weather was great. People were generally friendly. I don't feel so bad about shelling out 45 bucks for a ticket. Hopefully, next time I'll get to see them in a venue that will do TOOL and their music some justice. Oh, I agree with the time lapse thing... it seemed like I was only there for 30-45 minutes... and I was completely sober.
Review written by: Jacob (old_school_sk8er@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 17:40:47 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
There are lots of words to describe last nights Tool concert, but only one comes to mind: Amazing. Sure, not everything was "Amazing." I wasn't impressed by the setlist, or the opening band Fantomas. Fantomas mainly consisted of noise for about an hour, but were ok at times.Now back to the setlist. I was dissapointed in not hearing anything from Opiate or Undertow. There was one point in the show that the Undertow symbol (the ribcage thingy) came up onto the screen, and made me think that they were going to play a track that actually was from Undertow. But, to my surprise, Parabol (I think it was) was played. But all in all, it was a great show. All of the visuals that went along with the music were breathtaking. I couldn't see Maynard at all. The screen he was standing in front of made him look like a shadow. I really didn't see any point in him "holding" the guitar. Watching Maynard sway to the music was much better than seeing him holding the guitar. Osseus Labyrint was kind of interesting. Oh, and i was very surprised to hear Eulogy. Maynard said something before Eulogy started, but some drunk guy next to me was screaming his brains out, and i could hardly hear a word. This was my first Tool show, and I can say, it will not be my last.
Review written by: David Loner (Pulsox4@cs.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 17:54:06 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
First of all, Tool fucking rules. The day started off with fantomas which fucking ruled. I couldn't ask for more art-rock ever again, The only problem I had was the fact that two asshole redneck jocks were right behind me screaming 'You Suck!' over and over, of course 70 % of the audenace was assholes that only came to hear 'Sober'. Tool started off and it never really got dull, suspenceful, but not dull. the animation was fucking awesome, and the contorstionists were masterful as well. I loved the fact that in between it all they played a 20 minute jam and pissed off all the fakes and jocks, very professional and very smart. Maynard in is masterfulness told the crowed: 'Were driinking to Enternal Lap Dances In heaven and cokelines and .... oj. The rounding out was great as well. They closed with 'Lateralus' my favorite song off the album. And then wished us all good luck and to make a positive thing out of all the bullshit that has happened lately. Maynard, Adam, Justin and Danny came down and hugged which I thought was really sweet of them, and also proved who was a closed minded asshole in the crowd. And then they left. I havent seen much shows before but out of all of it, Tool moved me the most. God bless Tool David
Review written by: shiloh (pushin_me@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 18:36:25 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
Dear toolheads, what can i say it was a awsome show!!!the setlist went like this grudge,stinkfist,46&2,parabol,parabola,eulogy,schism,disposi tion,reflection,triad,eon blue epocolypse,the patient,aenima,and lateralus. the only real grip i have is they didnt do pushit, cuz thats my fav song. and they also didnt do anything off of opiate or undertow which kinda bummed me out but all in all it was awsome like i said. this was my third tool show and they done a great job just like i rember from the other shows! there sound live is so clear and good unlike other bands who sound like shit live, tool always have a good sound live!! maynard was drinking thunderbird wine and in between songs he would go around to danny, justin, and adam and give them a drink of it and he said something about drinking it and said he hoped we brought our own cuz they were stingy. he also said something about infinte lap dances in heaven and something about doing cocaine out of somebodys ass. one time he gave danny some of the wine and it must have been empty cuz danny threw it to his left offstage it was funny. and the first time danny drunk some of it he made this face like man this sucks it was funny! adam also played one song with the opening band fantamos. well be good toolheads.
Review written by: Mike Toman (mike@fiberoptiks.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 19:57:58 ET
This was this reviewer's 6th Tool show
Section 1 upfront tickets - what a rush! And what a great show! Not unexpected, the guys came up with something totally different and equally confusing by having Adam and Justin in the spotlight while Maynard hung back beside Danny on a slightly elevated stage in front of one of the many screens, only his silhouette showing. An occasional bright light revealed Maynard's "burglar" outfit - face painted black, wearing a black cap, black jacket, black pants and boots. The audience was full of energy and sang along with every inflection in every word to AEnema. Crazy energy - one would have thought it was a full moon. The setlist was fine with me. I've seen their opiate and undertow songs in concert before so I was excited about seeing how they were going to perform the Lateralus material. I also liked the added versus in a couple of their AEnima album songs. I had no interest in seeing the opening band so I can't comment on them. As far as the venue is concerned, I wasn't impressed but I wasn't disappointed either. The acoustics up at the front were, well, loud... but in a good way. Some of the bass lines rumbled the bones. Overall an excellent experience only slightly hindered by ticketmaster's exceptional lack of customer support. This wasn't my first and it won't be my last!
Review written by: Lee Merriman (anarchy30@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 20:19:51 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
This is the first time I've ever seen Tool live, and it was awesome. Me and my band went, we still can't stop thinking about several different features to the show.....such as the contortionists. I must also menchion that the new bridge for stink fist rules. It fits the song perfectly.
Review written by: Master Reviewer Daniel (iluv_metallica@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 20:29:09 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Wow!!! This was my first Tool show ever, mainly because this is the first time they have come near me in a long while, and it was brillliant. The music, the band, the visuals. It was just perfest. I haven't been to any other Tool shows, and I do love the great music from Undertow and Opiate, but I was thoroughly impressed with the setlist. Anything Tool plays is a treat for me. These guys are just the best fucking musicians around today, and nobody can touch them. It was truly an experience for me that I will cherish and keep with me until the day I die. The only thing that I had a problem with were the immature assholes who thought it was cool and fun to mosh during the show. I went to experience the band and their music, not to jump around and push people like some kind of primate. It makes it hard to go to that place that Tool os trying to take us all when some dick elbows or pushes you in the back. If any of the guys reading this were moshing on the lawn in Charlotte...FUCK YOU!!! Once again I want to thank Tool for giving me the best night of my life. Thanks guys. I am a fan for life.
Review written by: Lance (evrgroingconcern@alienmail.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 21:44:06 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
This was my first Tool show and I wasn't disapointed. They flat out rocked.The new version of Stinkfist was incredible though I think the two best performances were Aenema and Eulogy. The only negitives I have are : 1. I'm sorry for those of you who are fans of Fantomas, I really and truly gave them a fair chance but I just thought they were awful. They sounded more like a 3 year old's temper tantrum then music. 2.It was great to hear the Disposition-Reflection-Triad sequence but I really would've rather heard "H." "Third Eye" or "Tick and Leeches".Not playing anything off of Undertow or Opiate didn't bother me all that much because while I love those two albums, I think that Lateralus and Aenima are much better.Oh yeah, I've noticed some people have posted some "Fuck you's!" so let me send out a big FUCK YOU to all of those disrespectful assholes that started chanting "SOBER! SOBER!" Tool isn't and never will be a jukebox.Great show though, next time I hope to be closer and warmer!
Review written by: Music Man (CapnMoe@trust-me.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 22:20:24 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
This was my first tool show and I screamed like a schoolgirl in anticipation. First off, I would like to give mad props to Fantasmas for putting on an absolutely wild performance. I had never heard them before, but as a musician myself, it was obvious that they are excellent musicians. Their set was completely suprising, with a blend of melody as well as complete rock walls of sound, they did not cease to amaze me. Good job guys I will certainly keep up with your coming work. ALLOW ME TO LOSE MY MUCH VALUED COMPOSURE FOR A MOMENT AND DISPLAY MY DISGUST FOR THOSE WHO PUT THEM DOWN! I DON'T KNOW IF YOU IDIOTS THAT WERE CHANTING "YOU SUCK!" KNOW WHAT KIND OF WORK THESE GUYS PUT INTO THEIR MUSIC! IT WAS A VERY GOOD SHOW, AND WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS CONVENTIONAL MUSIC, IM SURE THIS GENRE WILL GROW INTO SOMTHING THAT WILL MAKE YOU TOOTHLESS DRUNKEN REDNECKS LOOK STUPID AS HELL FOR. SO WHILE THEY ARE PIONEERING A NEW SOUND OF MUSIC, WHICH IS MORE THAN YOU EVER DID, YOU CAN GO BACK TO DIGGING YOUR HOLES FOR MINIMUM WAGE AND BEATING YOUR GIRLFRIEND. GO TO A STRIP CLUB, AND WASTE YOUR CHILD SUPPORT MONEY ASSHOLES. LEARN TO APPRECIATE SOMTHING DIFFERENT YOU NAZI MULLET CUT LOSERS. Whether or not Fantasmas was your thing, it was certainly quality music, and takes a little getting used to, but I'm sure my kids and your kids will love it. Now on to Tool. What can I say, it was all I expected and more. Many of the reveiws said that they were dissapointed that they paid $40 to see contortionists dance and see a silouette of their favorite vocalist. But when you are a serious tool fan, you have to expect stuff like this. If you know anything about Mr. Keenan you know that he prefers to keep his profile low. And for good reason. And as for the contortionists, its called visual art. Somthing that Mr. Keenan would appreciate as well as Mr. Jones, Carey, and Mr. Chancellor. The music was beautiful, the visuals stunning. It caused a complete emotional meltdown for myself and for many around me. It was completely overwhelming how they projected their emotions and power into everyone that was there. Acoustics were great in the front section. I wished people wouldn't have smoked the whole time, but, whatever floats their boat. An all around unforgettable experience. For those of you who are considering going to a Tool show anytime soon, I have only two things to suggest: Come with an open mind and put yourself into a state of absolute openmindedness. Because your going to need it. To Fantasmas and especcially Tool: Thanks guys, it was an incredible experience. Wish I could have caught one of those bottles Mayard.
Review written by: Xtraspecialj (xtraspecialj2@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 22:59:56 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Pretty freaking good! I must say. I do feel a little cheated though, that they decided to change their setlist and not play anything from Undertow. I also would have absolutely loved to hear pushit. Oh, well. What was up with not being able to see anything of maynard except for his silhouette. Is that normal? I took my girlfriend who is a big country music fan. She was pretty much confused, just like I thought she would be. Actually, confused probably wouldn't be the word. Also, if anybody can tell me what song went to the video with the toilet in it, then I would appreciate it. Anybody wanting to reply to my queries please do so via my e-mail adress. Thank you
Review written by: Josef (stmottaraw@rsub.com) Review posted on: 10/07/01 23:20:53 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
I live in Gainesville, Florida, and when Tool were scheduling tour dates in groups back in August, I thought Charlotte would be the closest they'd come to Florida. So I bought the NC tickets, and yesterday, although a couple Florida shows had been added to the tour list, I drove 9.5 hours to see Tool in Charlotte. I'd probably drive twice as far. This was my first Tool concert, and I've heard many people complain that the band had more energy following Undertow and Ænima. Perhaps; I wasn't there. But as their music has changed greatly since then--the result of maturation as individuals and as a band-- so one would expect their presentation of the music to change. There was certainly great energy last night. My personal anticipation for the show was little compared to the dramatic tension created by simply darkening the amphitheatre and playing heightening, otherworldly music. Tool walked onstage, basked properly in the roaring applause for a few moments, and began by delivering The Grudge. When I listen to a Tool album at home, my sense of hearing orgasms at least six times, and my admiration of Tool's ingenuity with music, lyrics, and poetics is strongly reinforced. I've often thought, what could a Tool concert possibly be like? Essentially, it's that same wonderful energy, powerful and physically manifested, with the addition of much visual stimulation. It's the excitement of having great talent performing for you; of experiencing the art you love directly from its source; of watching and hearing the music as it is created. Sonic, visual, intellectual grandeur; it's incredibly intense. Simply standing there and performing, afront mesmerizing video of clean, well-organized animations and creatively ironic art almost as intricate as the music itself, Tool were telling me: YES. YOU'D BETTER BELIEVE IT. WE'RE REALLY THIS GOOD. WE CAN SIMPLY STAND HERE AND BLOW YOU THE FUCK AWAY. Four days until I see them again in Orlando. Josef
Review written by: McNabb (im_a_homesick_alien@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 00:31:46 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Ahh well, i got to the place a little late and only caught maybe 15 or 20 mins of Fantamos, what i heard was good, just not enough to make a judgement, i've heard some of their stuff before, but never really got into it..on to Tool, the show was done really good, and they thought out the whole process perfectly...how to annoy people who are there just because Tool is in the area, people who came just to hear a certain song or 2, ect..ect...and i really enjoyed hearing people's comments around me about how they wished Adam would stop playing the same riff over and over. Another thing i thought was funny was how Maynard mixed up the lyrics some what to Aenema, throwing in "fret for your fruit bowl" ect..ect i didn't quite understand what he said, i got shitty seats, even though i got through on ordering day at 10:05am..but oh well...the show was really good..the setlist was great..i didn't go wanting to hear favorites..blah..blah..i liked everything that was played..and no reason to comment on the crowd...what do you expect?..everyone doesn't look at Tool or music in general the same..
Review written by: Jason Oswald (oswaldj@carleton.edu) Review posted on: 10/08/01 01:49:59 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
I have been thinking about this post for a long time. I know I am not exactly playing by the rules, but I want as many people to know how big of a deal the concert was to me. Furthermore, I want people to know what Tool means to me. I want this so that the people reading this will have a better understanding of the concert. In order to do this, I must recount the story of my life (abridged) to some extent. The year that Tool was with Lollapalooza ('97, perhaps), I so wanted to see them. They had a stop in my former home town of Kansas City. Unfortunately for me, I was out of town the day they came through, so I didn't get to see them. However, later that summer I had another chance to catch them in Minneapolis (near where I now live, Northfield). If I remember correctly, Lollapalooza and another festival were having a mega festival, and I had a chance to go. Well Minneapolis is a ways away from Kansas City, and my parents shut me down. Too bad. I vowed that the next time Tool came near, I would NOT miss them. Enter 2001. Tool's tour is starting in Minneapolis, which is less than an hour away from here, I have to go. Unfortunately, the show sells out in twenty minutes, and guess who misses Tool again. I start pondering how I am going to keep my vow and see Tool. Luckily, the opportunity comes when I see that Tool is playing in Charlotte on a day that works well with my schedule. I have family pretty close to Charlotte, so I buy tickets and decide to work out the details later. To save some time, everything worked out, and after the trials of checking in at an airport (see September 11th), I find myself in South Carolina the day before the concert with no sleep during the past day. October 6th, I find myself at the Verizon amphitheatre in Charlotte, North Carolina (which is a long way away from Northfield, Minnesota) recounting the story of Tool's elusiveness in my mind. I am eager to see Danny playing his shiny new drumset. I am anticipating Adam and Justin's unique sounds. I am pondering the finer points of the "Maynard Stomp" and the "Crouch and Bob." I am ready for Tool. Tool does not disappoint. They blow me away with their first three songs, The Grudge, Stinkfist, and 46+2 (a personal favorite). Of course, Maynard has his way with the lyrics, but they are his and he can. After a little bit of breath, the wonderfully exquisite Parabol/Parabola combination. I love those two songs, and the juxtaposition between them, tonight amplified my feelings about these songs. The explosive transition between Parabol and Parabola was extended and glorious; it had me teetering with anticipation. Up next was the much-loved Eulogy followed by Schism, with Osseus Labyrint of course. Indeed good songs. The almost light-hearted melody of Eulogy coupled with the driving guit line of Schism made a quality combination. Danny Carey got to play out a bit at the end of Eulogy. Did I mention his new drumset? It is awesome. After Schism, the tempo of the concert settled a bit to give the band, and the fans a bit of a rest. Something resembling Merkaba played, followed by Disposition then Reflection (of course). The smooth transition from Disposition to Reflection was gorgeous, and while the two songs are connected, the separation between the movements was fabulous. Reflection was wonderful, and being able to look up at the stars and moon on the crisp fall night made it all the better (..."The moon tells me a secret - my confidant"). The ending of Reflection consisted of Adam lulling the (willing part of the) crowd into a trance with the riff at the end. He varied the tempo, volume, and sound quality for 5 minutes. I imagine that this time is used to give the band a rest, as well as set up Osseus Labyrint's aerial performance. It was soothing and relaxing and amazing. Eventually, the band came back on and took their time breaking into Triad while O.L. performed. Maynard gave the vox-box a rest and picked up a guitar to assist in pounding Triad into everyone's head. Triad signaled the beginning of the end of the show. Tool played The Patient next. At this point, I should mention the amazing video graphics that were presented during every single song. Each had its own theme, and they were all incredible. However, I was completely in awe of the video that accompanied The Patient. After watching the video I have a completely different take on the song. From what I could tell, it was Maynard and perhaps his wife being filmed. The film was edited and a lot of effects were added but the general feeling that the song and the video left me with was that it was Maynard speaking directly to his wife and telling her that he misses her, and that he will be back as soon as he is done with his current (tedious) task. I found this to be the most beautiful part of the concert, although I did miss the dual Maynard voices at the end of the song, but you can't have everything. The ever-so-familiar scratchy/whispery beginning of aenema broke the silence following The Patient and a Maynard schpiel, and the crowd came alive with more intensity than at any point during the night. There were some addition fuck X's and some additional fret for your X's (the best of which was fruit basket), but the crowd was hooked, and Tool knew it. Following aenema, Maynard told us to use our energy and feelings and this moment for something positive, and then, the silence was broken again. Don't get me wrong, I love so many Tool songs. And I loved the entire set from last night, but Lateralus was a freaking amazing song to end an amazing concert on. As soon as they started it, I felt an instant rush. It went faster than it normally does (for the first half anyways), and it was amazing. The video, lights, sound, the song itself was so amazingly intense. I was floored. The last part of the song had my heart beating so quickly, the blood was flowing so hard, it was amazing. The whole night had built up to this moment: starting strong, retreating, teasing, building, building and building to this huge climax called Lateralus. Wow. And then it was over. The lighting was amazing. The videos were amazing. Osseus Labyrint was amazing. Maynard was amazing. Adam was amazing. Justin was amazing. Danny was amazing. Danny's new drum set was amazing. Tool is amazing. The fans were amazing. It was incredible to look out and see everyone in the crowd moving differently, but to see the crowd as an organic singularity moving as one. Amazing. The concert was definitely worth the price of admission, the plane ticket out and back, the drive to and fro, the lack of sleep received on both ends of the concert, and 20 years of waiting for the ultimate musical experience. Sorry it is so long.
Review written by: s.m. (sulk_on_your_knees@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 05:27:20 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
fantomas in six words: guh guh guh guh guh guh! but king buzzo's hair is pretty badass. started out the show on the lawn but finagled some seat tickets, even though wasted little sister fell in a sewer hole in the lawn and dropped her ticket, it was later recovered and used, dirty. of course they opened with the grudge, but that doesn't mean it didn't rock like a motherfucker. i have to agree with some other reviewers, maynard's voice sounds a bit off at the beginning of this song. but he quickly rolled right into stinkfist (well, after ions) which rocked but it was strange...when i saw tool in london at brixton academy in june, the *whole club* was moving in time with the song, and it was a very spiritual experience...i told all my friends who were on the lawn with me in charlotte to watch the crowd because it looks so cool...but then nothing happened!! i mean, of course there were plenty of people who got excited about stinkfist, but it was NOTHING like in london. way to go, brits. this was followed by 46&2 (my first time hearing the song, it's my favorite from aenima) and it rocked me right. i can't believe maynard's voice and danny's drums actually issue from human beings. i'm in awe. then a little setlist changeup with parabol/a and no ossyeus labyrint! i was nervous they weren't going to show at all...but of course they did come out during schism and did the bobblehead walking. one of my friends is a 5th grade teacher and she said she wanted to learn how to walk like that just so she could lead her kids down the hall that way. yeah. parabol/a was underwhelming to me live, both in charlotte and tonight in raleigh...it's by FAR my favorite song(s?) on lateralus, and it seems like adam's beautiful guitar work is totally lost in the mix at the actual show. turn down the bass, turn up the guitar. right. also, didn't adam look dapper saturday and sunday nights?!? cool as a cucumber and looking suave. ok, stinkfist, eulogy, 46&2, aenema...charlotte rocked. oh, and maynard talked a lot, i thought. at one point he said, "we're drinking to the possibility of infinite lap dances in heaven" "and snorting cocaine from david lee roth's ass crack". someone's probably posted that already, but it was a hoot. the group hug really touched me. i don't care how many times they do it, i think it's great. when do you EVER see bands do that?!?! especially hard rockin bands like tool? i love that they have that bond between them and they want to express it publicly. incredible. beautiful.
Review written by: Rodney Stanley (rodneys@wcs.k12.va.us) Review posted on: 10/08/01 08:09:16 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
This was my first Tool show but i've been a fan for several years. I think the played a perfect show. The golden drum set sounded bad i've seen silver ones before but never gold. The crowd was'nt pumped up at all. And I must of been really drunk or they did'nt play an encore. But they made it easy to sneak up front and tool played one of the bet sets i've ever seen so I give it five stars.
Review written by: Thomas (th5623@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 09:24:55 ET
This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show
Well this was my 4th show, and first since Ozzfest back in 98 or something. Let me go ahead and start at the beginning of this though with Fantomas. To put it mildly, I have never heard a band in my entire life that was this bad. I have seen 30 or 40 concerts in my life, but no band ever was this bad. They played for around 40-45 minutes, and during that time there was maybe 2 or 3 songs with lyrics that did not involve screaming 'Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da....'. So that experience behind me, I was ready for Tool. They came out and rocked from the start. I have to go ahead and say this up front, so if it does not apply to you then you can ignore it. Opiate and Undertow are not mandatory at the show. So stop your damn bitching. This is not a show for all of you guys that like 3 or 4 songs from albums quickly approaching 10 years old. This is a show for fans, and fans are there for the experience of Tool, not to hear Sober or Prison Sex. I like those songs too, but then again this was my 4th show and I have seen them play pretty much everything . All in all, the show was awesome. The performing arts people were okay, they weren't great, but then how much fun can do people dangling from ropes convulsing be. I didn't mind them, but they didn't do much for me. So i'll just say this in closing, the show was fucking awesome, but they all have been.
Review written by: smw72 (stevew72@mediaone.net) Review posted on: 10/08/01 09:46:41 ET
This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show
Amazing!! As usual. I have never heard Fantomas before and I was extremely surprised. Definitely original and captivating. I was pissed off to hear some of the drunk idiots behind me yelling that they sucked. C'mon have some respect for who Tool picks for their opening act. They know what they are doing. Tool took it a step beyond once more. Every time I have the pleasure to see them live they take me to a different place than the time before. I saw them in Atlanta at the Tabernacle and this show was much different. They are getting more comfortable with the new songs and are doing things with those songs that are unbelievable. There were some real idiots at the show that were drunk and extremely annoying. That kind of pissed me off!! Go see Jackyl, tool is not for you. There was also one jerk off that was playing with his laser pointer the whole time. I thought the sound was absolutely amazing, especially for an amphitheatre. I would go to the bathroom and I could still hear everything very clearly. It was a very loud show. I loved it when MJK said to remember this experience that we are sharing at this moment and make something positive out of it. That's exactly what it was is an experience that cannot be duplicated. I am going Friday in Atlanta and cannot wait for a new experience with TOOL. Thanks guys
Review written by: Zach West (zwest99@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 12:01:08 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Thank you to the band!! The performance was incredible, intense, and exhilerating. I was strucken with awe as the maynard and the band belted out beautiful sounds to please the ears. The band played mostly new which I really enjoyed. Osseus Labtrint was also very captivating. TOOL has obviously been blessed by the god of music apollo. These four gentlemen put on a performance that was totally pleasing to the mind, body and soul. Greatly anticipating the Atlanta and Birmingham shows. Myself, my girlfriend, and my six close friends that went to this show enjoyed it completely and are greatly appreciative of the band and their love for art and music.
Review written by: ryan (ryanthegreat69@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 12:33:14 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
WOW! This was my first tool show ever, however, I have been a fan for quite sometime. First off let me start with the negative aspects of the show... Anyone reading this who hasnt been to a Tool show... STOP! I was as dumb as you and decided to see what to expect and now I am constantly pondering what the experiance would have been like had I not read reviews. Secondly, I must unfortuantly speak on Fantomas. When I read everyone bashing them I decided that I was going to go in with an open mind...THEY SHUT IT QUICK!!! I really didn't want to bash them but if you have never heard them you should check them out to see if you are willing to sit through them... (i wish i hadnt... it was cold as shit) For anyone who does not like them dont waste your time. Anyone who does... the following is solely my OPINION I am not intending to personally attack you, just reviewing my thoughts of the band.... Basicly, for me, watching them open for Tool was like getting a toothy blowjob before getting the best sex of your life from the hottest girl you can imagine. If thats what you gotta go through... bring it on. I really had no idea what was going on with them, it was like everything was made up as they went along. I was really pissed at this point cause i had been freezing my balls off for hours already and was hoping to jump around a little. Seriously, if anyone can explain to me what is redeeming about this band I would really like to know... maybe i missed something. if you are a fan gimmie an email and tell me why. Finally Tool came on... It was amazing... the only negative thing i can say about Tool was that it was all so overwhelming I find it hard to remember specific parts(but of course that isnt really bad is it?) I got to the Pavilion early enough to hear sound checks from out side and that was such a big tease! I do remember how cool it was when they first came on and the circle of eyes was there and Maynard was right in the middle of it. The whole thing was just amazing...the visuals were great, the sound was great, everything was just awesome. Some highlights were the extended stinkfist(that didnt come across right) the talking to the crowd, the AEnima changes (fret for your fruitbowl) and the Intermission. Here is a breakdown of some of my favorites... Best Visuals- 46&2 naked swimmers...actually all the naked people were great(you just cant say that without sounding perverted) Best changes in a song- STINKFIST! those Elvis lines were so great and the false ending Most disturbing part- Osseus Labrynth(sp?) the giraffe walk! WHAT?!? people arent supposed to do that and when they were hanging they were just limp like they were dead. it was pretty cool. Biggest rush- either all of lateralus or the "praying for rain" part of Aenima To finish up I would just like to say to some of the people who may be going (actually i hope that the people im talking to wouldnt be reading this)... evaluate why you are going. Some of us take this very seriously because the bands message has personally touched us and if you are there just to get drunk and be obnoxious you are ruining an experience for others... It is not cool to drink too much and then fall down on everyone in the middle of a meaningful experiance... Hey! do i come get drunk and fall on you when you are banging your cousins??? no! Just show some consideration for the other people around you. Also is it just me or does anyone else find that the drug usage and getting piss drunk is a tad disrespectful? I mean is that what you have to do in order to enjoy the band? Personally I didnt feel the need to drink or smoke up to feel something, but if that is your thing please do it at home some of us dont want to smoke weed with you... Lastly, IT IS NOT A COMPETITION TO GET OUT OF A DAMN PARKING LOT!!!!! I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE ASSHOLES WHO WERE GOING AROUND EVERYONE ELSE AND TRYING TO CUT IN UP FRONT! WHY ARE YOU THE ONLY ONES ALLOWED TO BE IMPATIENT NO ONE CAN DO IT TO YOU!!!! Lastly to the bands(yes even fantomas) thank you for coming to charolette. I know i really appreciate it and im sure countless others do as well. Thanks guys!
Review written by: andro (none@none.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 13:04:56 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
wow, what a weekend. left from boone, nc around 4:30 and got to our seats shortly before fantomas went on.. ended up having some really awesome seats, although the people around us really didn't seem to appreciate music. i think they were there just to drink beer and cause trouble. i can totally understand why people wouldn't like fantomas, but screaming for the band to get off the stage was just idiotic. fantomas' music (if you can call it that) is not easy to listen to. it's not radio friendly. it's hardly even user friendly. that doesn't make it bad music. so i strained to hear patton & co. over the "you suck", "play some tool", and whatever else people were screaming. fantomas' set was pretty hard, but had a few melodic points. patton said some silly joke about the cops having the best pot in town. lombardo's drumming was absolutely insane. anyways, when they left the stage, i didn't know whether i liked them or not. i was simply "entertained". tool's setlist has already been posted.. i haven't read all the reviews yet, so i don't know how much people have mentioned about the specifics of the show. the extension in stinkfist was amazing. with maynard singing a variation of elvis - "caught in a trap, i can't walk out.. because i love you too much baby" there's really nothing i can say that hasn't already been said. the guys behind us were as obnoxious as any group of human beings could possibly be. one of them thumped my girlfriend in the back of the head when she sat down. oh, this was AFTER he threw up in her seat. these girls in front of us were go-go dancing to half the songs. i would have had a perfect view if it hadn't been for the teased-up hair and arms straight up in the air. i was disappointed that they didn't play anything from undertow/opiate. that's not saying the show sucked, because it was amazing. adam hit the harmonics at the end of parabola PERFECTLY and you could even hear the swamp noises at the end. they seemed to go through reflection a tiny bit faster than normal, but they _were_ playing a harder set. adam got a huge cheer for his solo before the intermission. it was a really amazing show. *rant warning* (the above wasn't?) *rant warning* i know i'm going to come off as one of those arrogant tool fans who thinks that people with an iq under 110 shouldn't listen to them. i'm not that type of fan. personally, i don't care why a person chooses to listen to tool. i know that, on some level, tool's message is going to get through to them. what bothers me are people who don't give a damn about anyone else's experience.. (or even their own, for that matter). these people feel that they are in a consequence- free enviornment, so they act like animals for 3 hours then go home talking about how much tool rocked. how do they know? they were too busy being assholes to actually listen to the music. (this was my first show at verizon wireless..) verizon is a really crappy venue. their traffic management was atrocious, the parking lots and roads surrounding the venue were FLOODED with bootleg-shirt peddlers (and whatever else they were trying to scam), and security inside the venue itself was laughable. letting in people who are obviously drunk (who were still holding their beer cans) is beyond my comprehension. you can be drunk off your ass and get into a concert, but you can't bring a blanket to sit on. (oh you might burn it? or smother someone with it?) *end rant* tool's show was amazing. my only complaint(s) are the crowd.
Review written by: Jaydawg53 (jaydawg53@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 14:24:12 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
I was expecting to be dissappointed with the amphitheater, with my last two shows being the Charlotte show in 96 and the Cleveland show earlier this year, which were both inside. You simply feel the sound more at the indoor concerts. Although I did enjoy those better, they still sounded awesome even outside. However, the sound man must have been on crack during the grudge, and stinkfist didn;'t sound right either; but they obviuosly got it straightened out after that. The contortionists must have been freezing their asses off! But they were still cool. The visuals were great; and Danny was unbelieveable, as usual. You could swear he has four arms at the end of the grudge! Lateralus is the perfect ending to an unreal show. I was surprised not to see very much moshing, which was fine with me. With all the visuals that Tool has along with their concert, they're missing a lot of the show. If we could just hear Third Eye live again...
Review written by: Jen (phat_kat_j@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 15:29:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
My first tool show...my first truly religious expirience. I traveled six or so hours from nashville, where i reside, to see what I've been waiting nine years to see. I have a roll of film that i can't wait to develop. The 11th row seats will definitely contribute a good turn out of the pictures. Maybe since the Nashville and Memphis shows (which i will also attend) are both indoor general admission shows, I can get closer for better photos. As for the actual show: Fantomas was absolutely amazing... and there are no words to describe tool. you have to see a show for yourself to understand...
Review written by: Keeney (jonkeeney11@home.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 19:09:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
This was my first tool show, and so it was the first truly amazing experience of my life. I'm not sure if anyone has put a set list yet or not, so I will The Grudge (-) Ions Stinkfist Forty Six & 2 Parabol Parabola Eulogy** Schism (with contortionists) Disposition Reflection Triad (with contortionists) Eon Blue Apocalypse The Patient Aenema Lateralus The show was truly amazing, having never seen tool live, my knees felt weak after the grudge. the sound quality was way better than any concert i had seen, almost cd quality, except the bass on adam's guitar was way to high. i was a bit dissapointed not to get to see anything other than the silhouette of maynard, my god, but such is life. as for fantomas, i have heard several people profess to really like them. this strikes me as odd. the drummer (of slayer) was decent, but the guitarist had no talent and the singer reminded me of a horny deranged parrot. i suppose its an acquired taste. either that or maynard and co. playing a cruel trick on the audience. or perhaps a statement that you can be a famous concert band with no talent whatsoever. regardless of the reason, it made tool sound even better. i was really amazed that they played eulogy as i hadn't seen it on any of the set lists before. even though eulogy probably isn't even my favorite tool song, it was great to hear in concert after having listened to it so much. i was happy that they played a great deal of aenema, my favorite cd, but i was also a bit dissapointed not to hear any opiate (my second favorite) or undertow tracks like sober and prison sex. the show was very intense, so the relaxion that accompanied disposition/reflection/triad/intermission was a nice tempo change, and lateralus wwas an awesome was to end the show.
Review written by: Justin (ibanez43@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/08/01 23:11:28 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
this show blew my mind.... the abundance of screens gave a view to everyone in the arena. It was about 40 degrees outside and everyone was freezing untill Maynard walked on stage. They opened with the Grudge, and i think everyone there yelled with Maynard's roar, but by the end of it, he was the only one still able to make a noise..... The power behind that voice is unfathomable. I was dissapointed not to hear any songs from Undertow or Opiate, but i was also glad that the crowd's chants for Sober were left unanswered..... they dont need to jack off to the crowd by playing what everyone wants to hear. Maynard left us with a message to " take the feeling we had and do something positive" I know that i definately had the feeling he was talking about
Review written by: Derick (nutshell18@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/09/01 00:36:23 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Tool is by far the greatest piece of music machinery ive ever experienced in my life. Eulogy and The Patient were the best songs they performed.. I like the Thunderbird too. Danny Carey is by far the best percussionist alive, no one can touch him, his bass drum quality was mind shattering, i was really dissapointed with all the backstreet boys and n syncers there to get drunk and pick up chicks. You guys fucking suck, and so do all the damn gothic people in skirts, trying to hard to be different makes you no different at all. Tool rocks, i am truly a dedicated fan. Long live Maynard, Justin, Adam, and Danny.
Review written by: Katybeth (Kajjer Bey@cs.com) Review posted on: 10/09/01 00:41:51 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
This was my 5th concert that I've ever seen but my first Tool one. It was definitely the best - if not neck-and-neck with the A Perfect Circle show last spring. Sure it was freezing and I had to buy a 50 dollar long-sleeved shirt just to keep me and my friend warm but hey, it looks cool enough. We got there early enough to watch all the drunkards fall in with joints hanging out of their mouths that the security AMAZINGLY didn't seem to notice (tisk tisk) and Fantomas. The people sitting behind me didn't seem to like them one bit seeing their spouting of "cut downs" but I tried to sit back and enjoy it. It worked to an extent. So then we wait some more for Tool to come on. More people come into the arena-thingy or whatever you want to call that tent of a venue, and as the show opens, the short person that I am, is left with no choice but to stand on my chair. Not fun at all. But you live with it. So the boys come on and belt out [you've seen the set list] and I'm, naturally, instantly happy. I'm not going to break down each song - mainly because I can't remember it all - thank the secondhand smoke from various vapors for that one. But I do remember almost falling out of my seat during the contortionist performance - LITERALLY. I was blown away. It makes me doubt my upperbody strength - no, entire bodily strength - seeing the two on those ropes. Ouch. Rewinding a bit, the outro of Adam's before the intermission was....beautiful. Just that one riff with every blue spotlight slowly drifting over him...I could have listening to that for days and not get tired of it. So after the break, and a few more songs, The Patient comes on. I belt out a few shouts - seeing that it's my current top pick for easy listening - and soak in the whole experience. Sadly enough, the end of the show soon came with Lateralus and a few good words from Maynard. Not good words - that's an understatement. With all the things that have gone down lately I was curious about what he would say to end the concert and I was proud that he didn't directly comfort us on the attacks but simply encouraged us to make something positive out of our feelings spawned from that night. He probably would have had the same words for us even if nothing had happened -- but its a nice thought. *Just for point of information - I've never seen projected pictures of naked people come out as such beautiful art before. Quite a feat*
Review written by: tender branson (gs_west@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/09/01 02:22:47 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
hey wanna a set list? well get it from somwere else. this is about my experience from the art which was on display. noonetoldyou...my warningmeantnothing...quicksand...SUCKS Y OU... FANTOMAS NEED TO GET THEIR sacs rubbued, because they did what the do so well, which is to tell music it now has permmission to die. MIKE PATTON IS MY FATHER. i meant he's kinda like a father figure for any number of fictuous canines roamin the streets of DC... whatshow..whatFUCKINGSHOW??/ ...oh tOOl, tOOL pUrItY:::::::::::::AFTER being faced with the fact that the boys were beginning to get HUGE, i think i know why the show wasn't sold out. TOOL bought the tickets that remained, sort of as a flexing of the independent artists muscle, to keep TOOL on as small as stage as possible. ooooooooh....conspiracy theory. OPiAtE...........IGNORED uNdERtOw......IGNORED NICE to see the hugs at the end, even if you guys were just placing bets on which dick in th audience was gonna snap a picture and sell it on e-BAY for 200 dollars. THE WORLD OF WHICH I AM A PART IS A SICKENING PLACE. THANKS FOR THE MOMENT. AND TELL MIKE PATTON THAT I GOT SOMETHING HIS EARS NEED TO HEAR....
Review written by: Jamie (jacook2@vt.edu) Review posted on: 10/09/01 12:33:35 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Hey guys, just wanted to post a tidbit people seemed to miss: During Fantômas' set, at one point, Trevor Dunn, (the bass player) played the main riff from Stinkfist. Thought you kids would get a kick out of that. PS: anyone who may have made any kind of recording of either/both Tool/Fantômas' set, please let me know.
Review written by: JUSTIN WEBB (JTWEBB7@HOTMAIL.COM) Review posted on: 10/09/01 15:13:39 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
THERE IS NO WAY TO EXPLAIN THE FEELING OF THAT NIGHT! THE WHEATHER WAS COLD BUT ONCE TOOL GOT ON STAGE IT DID NOT MATTER! THIS IS AND WILL BE THE BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVERY SEEN! IT WAS ME AND ABOUT 20 OF MY FRIENDS THAT DROVE FROM CHATSWORTH GA TO SEE THE CONCERT AND I WOULD DRIVE ACROSS THE US JUST TO SEE THEM AGAIN! I CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL ATLANTA SEE YA THEN!
Review written by: G (g@mindspiral.com) Review posted on: 10/09/01 15:39:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
Tool has grown so much over the past 10 years. Lateralus is just the latest step in the evolution and seeing this show demonstrated that the growth has carried over to their live performances as well. I thought it was great that they played virtually the entire Lateralus playlist. Perhaps Maynard used the music and shows from Opiate, Undertow and AEnima to hash out and deal with some past issues (some his own and some belonging to others). The Grudge closes that chapter and opens a more positive door (and the show) to a realm of growth, hope and unity (notice Ticks and Leeches didn't make the set list). The visuals were amazing - from the video screens to Maynard's silouette to the 4 of them standing on Danny's drum platform to start Lateralus (the closer). Sure the 1996 show "rocked" harder, but is isn't just about the "rocking" now is it? All you "fans" that were screaming for Sober and Opiate and thinking Maynard was romanticizing cocaine use with his "sniff cocaine from DLR's asscrack" comment should have paid more attention when he sang the lyrics to Reflection and Lateralus.
Review written by: Thomas Dolister (newgnosis@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/09/01 18:12:43 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
First time I saw Tool was Lollapalooza (sp?) '97 where they only play for an hour so I was glad to finally see them do their own show. Most things worth mentioning have already been mentioned, even the weather, so I just wanted to say I enjoyed the show, especially the extended parts to Stinkfist and Eulogy. Yes, I know, too many rednecks in NC and unfortunately I had to drive a few of the drunk bastards around after the show, but I think most of the people there were good old Tool fans who appreciate and understand the music. After they played Eulogy the lady sitting next to me asked "Are they devil worshippers?" to which I replied "No, but they're not Christians either, I think that's the point of that song." At the end of Reflection I left my seat to go find my friends back on the lawn and even though it took me five or six minutes to find them Adam was STILL playing the end notes to Reflection, which I thought was kind of funny. I noticed some different lyrics during Aenima but I couldn't really make out what Maynard was saying because of all the tone-deaf drunks trying to sing along with him. And I don't believe anyone else has mentioned this, and perhaps it was simply an auditory hallucination, but I swear they fucked up a little bit towards the end of Lateralus - it sounded like they were out of sync for just a second or two; which is probably what I'll remember most from this show because let's face it, it's TOOL!! How often do they fuck up??
Review written by: Ryan Folks (Headchange_bass@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/10/01 00:27:53 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Well, this concert experience was quite different from my 6 other ones. I was riding with a friend and neither of us have licenses. Our ride ditched out. The show started at 7:30, it was 5:00. I live a good 3 hours from Charlotte. We called everyone we knew asking if they wanted a free ticket (our former ride's ticket was purchased by us) in exchange for a ride to Charlotte. We found one. We rolled in to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre around 9:10. I could hear Stinkfist blaring in the background. We RAN up to the ticket booth and had some problems with the bitch with the metal detector. But we got in at the start of 46 & 2. We had only missed 3 songs the lady had told us. My god it was amazing. From the closing notes of Stinkfist to the closing notes of Lateralus, it was one of the greatest expriences of my life. I had to break during Schism to roll a joint in the porta-potties, but that wasn't a big deal (I think we've all heard it on 93.3 about a million times here in the Western NC area). I only had a few beefs with the concert. The two contortionists from the Schism video...they could have had their time cut down to a good 5 even tolerably 10 minutes. Another problem I had was the view. I had lawn tickets but we were allowed to get as close as the people with seats. I could not see anyone but Adam and a black figure holding a microphone and wearing a tobaggan that couldn't have been anyone but Maynard. I wish we could have actually seen him like at the APC concert I saw in Charlotte. All in all it was a great show. If anything can take my mind off of 40 degrees and below weather...it's damn good. Thanks guys, I'll be there the next time around...hopefully an indoors concert in the warmer seasons.
Review written by: dude in the cold (666@hell.com) Review posted on: 10/10/01 12:45:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 30th Tool show
i want to thank the lady that sat beside me at the concert it was nice to talk to someone who was not a dumbass. thanks cindy! from the guy who was rolling his nuts off!
Review written by: Sarah (Smoke4ever) Review posted on: 10/10/01 20:03:17 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
WELL I SAW TOOL OCT. 6 AT PEPSI ARENA IT WAS THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE. THERE WERE SO MANY COOL PEOPLE THERE. WHEN TOOL CAME OUT THIS HIGH CAME OVER ME IT WAS THE BEST THING. THERE WAS SO MUCH ENERGY AT THE SHOW. TOOL IS THE BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO .THE LINE UP WAS FANTASTIC I COULDN'T OF ASKED FOR ANYTHING ELSE. I WAS JUMPING AROUND BUMPING INTO PEOPLE AND IT DIDN'T EVEN MATTER ALL THAT MATTERED WAS TOOL I HAVE BEEN A TOOL FAN FOR LONG AND SEEING THEM IN CONCERT MADE ME EVEN A BIGGER FAN.I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM AGAIN. THEY JUST PUT OUT SO MUCH ENERGY IN THE CROWD.I TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME IT WAS AWESOME. CAUSE ITS HARD TO FIND ANY LIKE ME ANYMORE I WISH I COULD HAVE TALKED TO EVERYONE TO HEAR THEIR EXPERIENCE OF THE SHOW BUT THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE. WELL I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IF ANYONE GETS THE CHANCE TO SEE THEM I WOULD GRAB IT IN A SECOND EVEN IF U DON'T LIKE THEM CAUSE U WILL LEAVE IN LOVE WITH THEM TOOL KICKS ASS , ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL !!!!!!!.
Review written by: dave paul (sterling420@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 00:17:26 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
tool is a driving force with an endless imagination !! the show in charlotte was another ritual from tool i tried getting tickets for the 2 shows in detroit and couldnt but somehow i ended up in n.c. for the past month and got tickets with no problem.god was looking over us this night he let us know when we were getting in line the sun was setting in a cloudy sky but you could see a wild thin strip of blue in the sky. igot lost on the way there and on the way back but i didn't care because i still got see the masters known as tool by the way i came back to detroit a day later and all friends were jealous
Review written by: Jeremy Crocker (erevno@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 00:29:27 ET
This was this reviewer's 5th Tool show
Usual setlist. There are a few things I would like to point out. The visuals are awesome. I believe the videos really add to the song the meanings that Maynard and co. are trying to get through. For instance, Parabol/a featured lots of circles in the video. neato, eh? The crowd was totally geared up! I've never been to a large outdoor concert such as this and seen a crowd so into the band as a whole. If you go see TOOL, and want to know how much they are loved, check the number of people standing around the bathrooms. I hardly saw any. One of the best moments for me was just standing back, and listening to the crowd sing in perfect unison, and very LOUD! I think TOOL was even surprised by the ovation they received at the end. Danny just stood around the front of the stage for about 5 minutes waving to everyone. "The Patient" was freaking awesome. If there is one complaint, i feel that they should have played more structured songs, and less tinkering - and the little acrobat act got old after a few minutes. But, I paid my $30, and I saw TOOL., hence, I am a consumer.
Review written by: Sita (ladylava@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 01:46:53 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.
Review written by: Sita (ladylava@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 01:55:57 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Ok, to start with, Oh My God. I have never experienced anything like this in my life. The band is the most baddass band in the world. I have been waiting patiently for 6 years to go see Tool. I have been in love with them for so long but was either too young, too broke, or they didn't come near me. I had to drive 6 hours to get to the Charolette show and it was so worth it. I was at the very beginning of the lawn, it was really cold, but i couldn't feel it once they started playing. As soon as i saw them walking out onto the stage i just got really warm and i stood up and waited. when the Grudge started it was so incredibly perfect. the screens were in perfect sync with the music. when maynard got the guitar (which was headless) he was holding it and from where i was it gave the appearance of him having a huge cock. i enjoyed that. danny is so fucking amazing. my jaw stayed dropped through most of the show. when it was over it was so sad but they all hugged each other in a big circle onstage and that was so fucking cool. its like they are a big magickal circle. they are, though, because what happened at that show was magick. i love the tree of life symbol from the lateralis cover they displayed on the screen during Parabol. And the baddass effects and the naked people swimming under water...it was all so breathtakingly astounding...it was almost surreal...i feel like i was sent to a different universe and surrounded with love...if you haven't been to see them, YOU MUST FIND A WAY
Review written by: Tyrfing the Viking (magick1@optonline.net) Review posted on: 10/11/01 09:01:19 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
It's actually kind of hard to explain. But I'll do my best. Going to a TooL show is like being "home". It's hard to put into words. It's a sacred space that's very familiar. It makes you open up even your trying not to. It makes you vulnerable. Almost like an innocent child who just found a hidden little nook somewhere where noone can find him. From the start to the end they bring you into their realm and allow you to be free and protected. When it's all over and the last note is played for Lateralus, and after you've "spiraled out" they send you back to reality, where nobody wants to be and makes for an emotional departure, with a new found sense of......life. What it's like to be alive, what it's like to co-exist with your enemies and your friends for that matter. There is a definate sense of magick and it's like they've given their musick life. The musick almost speaks to you, it does to me. It makes it even more special when you see someone, like i have, that hates what they hear, not having a good time (usually means they're relating to something and are in denial, initial reaction is anger) and what makes sense about it is the fact that you understand what your experiencing. It's kind of like the song H. You have both the good and the bad at your feet. Basically, it makes it more personal when you see someone not getting their whole experience and you are. TooL's musick DOES have life. It lives and breathes and is out there for the next person to relate to it and make some sense out of it and use it to their advantage, hopefully for something positive. For me when I've heard "Pushit" live, I've cried like a new born baby. Call me sensitve, call me weak, call me what you will, but that song (more like an epic) makes CRAZY sense to me. I am so happy and fortunate that I am alive while this band exists. I'm not the greatest TooL fan in the world, like I couldn't tell you what Maynards fav dish is or what Adams height and weight is, but as far as them on a whole...I have a pretty good idea. I am proud to be a futant. Waes thu hael Tyrfing the Viking
Review written by: Phil (straight78aol.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 09:43:08 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
My review didn't show up - just wanted to see if his post would, before typing out another review...
Review written by: Phil (straight78@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 10:33:38 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
It took the sight of a ring of eyes to pull me out of the anger that a combination of undesirable weather and Fantomas had caused me to sink into... Incredible riffs, stunning visuals. You could have powered a metropolis from the energy of both band and crowd. Maynard's toast - see above - made my night. The SWAT Fire Extinguishing Team, running past every 30 seconds, added extra amusement. Cannot wait for my 2nd show - it'll take an incredible effort to top this one.
Review written by: Fhakeu N Dahass (butt.lover@fudgehole.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 14:17:05 ET
This was this reviewer's 10th Tool show
I love my tool..........I put my tool inside of u.........Feel my tool grow.........Bear the pain even if u don't like my tool.........Brown and yellow are all i c...........Pushit
Review written by: marc (therootsofcreation@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 20:37:04 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
OK - I think i had the terrible misfortune of getting to sit right behind those stupid fucks that are writing the bogus "reviews". There were two big - ummm - "southern" guys all decked out in their best camoflouge outfits that insisted on screaming, playing the drums on the seats, and even clapping out of sync with the music. At one point one of the guys decides he is going to take a piss on the seat in front of him. I seriously almost put the steel toe to the side of his head. I talked with the people around me and everyone was getting pissed off. I wonder if those guys even remember the show? they were probably in the parking lot before the show downing beer and liquor trying to get as annoyingly drunk as possible. ANYWAY.... despite the disturbance, I was mind boggled at the sound quality. I have never seen tool before and they certainly blew away my best expectations. I always knew that they were one of the best live shows out there, but they take things to a whole new level. the contortionist people were insane. they really started freaking me out. i'm not sure if they are real or not. they move like robots. as intermission faded away, danny brought the guys into TRIAD. adam and justin sat down right around danny's drums to play. it was amazing. by this time, the dumb-asses in front of me began to sober up and quiet down so we could all concentrate on the reason we came there in the first place. i think the coolest part of the whole show was when they finished playing, they all came to the front of the stage huddled together in what appeared to be a prayer and then stood and waved to everyone. they seemed to be thanking everyone for the energy. i am on my way tomorrow to see them in atlanta at the philips arena with the melvins. i'm sure i will be just as amazed. hopefully, there wont be any hunters right in front of me this time. ALSO, i thought it fuuny that maynard said something about infinite lap dances in heaven and then lots of cocaine served from the ass of david lee roth and oj simpson just to see who cheered. HAHA!! KEEPIN IT REAL!!! STAY POSITIVE EVERYONE
Review written by: Nat (greatglad@plopmail.com) Review posted on: 10/11/01 23:29:38 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
OK... Let me start off by not posting a setlist because I know like 30 people already have. I'm late with this review because I was way too tired after getting home at 3:30 the next morning after the show. Anyways, my day with Tool started off shitty as can be. For one thing I couldn't get out of work so I was at work at 7:30 in the morning on what was to be the greatest day of my life. After dipping out of work at 1:30 the person I was going with was nowhere to be found. So I'm leaving and just before I get on the interstate I get a call so I pick him up. Everything after that went really smoothly. The 3 hour drive wasn't really fun but it was all worthwhile when the lights dimmed and the show started. I must give a big FUCK YOU to all those who were ragging on Fantomas. I was really impressed by them. It was something new and different so I really appreciated your performance, Mr. Patton. I thought they were great. Then the lights dimmed and there was the Lateralus spiral image on the screens(there were like ten of them) for like 15 minutes. Then Tool came out and played one awesome setlist. I really shouldn't complain because the show was great, but I really wanted to see Pushit. They made up for it with Eulogy though. The highlight of the night for me was the last two songs, Ænema and Lateralus. Those are two of the most amazing songs ever composed. I was sad to see them go but happy to have experienced such an amazing audio as well as visual show. This was the greatest concert I have ever been to. I can't wait to see you guys again on Friday in Atlanta with the Melvins. Til then thanks for the greatest night of my life.
Review written by: Nicole Simmons (colby04@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/12/01 12:39:01 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
This was the all time best show that I have ever attended! The graphics on the big screens just make it outstanding! I didn't think that it would be that good. The only thing that I have a problem with was that I did not hear the song "Sober" and that is why I went to the show to begin with. I really do believe that some of the pictures on the big screens really gave people nightmares. And for those who were tripping, it really set it off! After seeing that show I will deffinitly be buying tickets to every tour that comes around this area. But next time play "Sober"!
Review written by: Master Reviewer (gdog@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/12/01 12:42:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show
Well, I have read most other reviews and have some comments. First, the show was great. Fantomas was not my thing but if you are going to a show they open be ready to have an open mind. Second, as far as the opiate and undertow issue, if you have seen Tool more than 1 time you have heard these songs many times as the band have. Try something new. Third, the entire visual set-up was great. From the screens to the performers it was top notch. If you don't like this you are at the wrong show with the wrong band. Know this before you go if you haven't been yet. And lastly, I have seen Tool many times and have to say the overall quality of this show was better than any I have seen since 1996. I am not as big a fan of the new album as I am of the last 2 but the sound and the atmosphere at this show was the best in many years. The surroundings on the stage and all around is the difference between seeing Tool live and just popping in a CD. Be safe everyone.
Review written by: JAMES (ingko_13@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/12/01 15:23:45 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
HEY I LOVED THE TOOL CONCERT IN CHARLOTTE IT WAS VERY MOVING FOR ME IVE WANTED TO SEE TOOL IN CONCERT SINCE I WAS ELEVEN BUT I NEVER COULD BECAUSE I WAS SO YOUNG BUT IM 18 AND I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT. THE TOOL CONCERT WAS THE DAY AFTER MY 18TH BIRTHDAY SO I HAD TO GO IF ANYONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT EMAIL ME INGKO_13@YAHOO.COM
Review written by: Jaysun (Mechabaka@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/13/01 06:03:06 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
It's time to type up a long, long rant (You've been warned) about my first Tool show. Blah blah, been a big fan for years, blah blah.. You know the routine.. Well, it's not really routine, but youse guys don't care about that. My friend Tommy was hooked up with two VIP box-seats (Box 9, for anybody that cares, the Budweiser box), and of course, we were ecstatic--I mean, this is Tool.. A new album/tour only comes around every five or so years :P We drove from Asheville, NC to Charlotte, braving crazy, maniacal truckers and people with cell phones, all for Tool. Well worth it, I must say. I'm with the majority when it comes to Fantomas--While people should show respect for a group when they're on stage (IE, don't yell "You suck" or anything like that), they weren't all that great. Making loud screechy noises can only get you so far. Ah, and then Tool came out. Of course, I was shaking all over, partly from the very cold weather out and from anticipation.. This is the band I've waited since Aenima to see. Throughout every song, I sang along, just because I had to. I had to.. I mean, I have no idea when I'll get to sing along to Maynard again. The videos were *great*, especially the one for "Reflection" (The toilet one, for those that have seen it and are not sure which one I mean :P). They were true pieces of art. The guy in the box next to mine was definately on something.. X, probably.. Rolling around, looking as if he was having a spastic episode. The contortionists' were very interesting--It was just poetic to see them live, and in action.. It's so hard to convey. "Lateralis" started up.. Last song of the evening. I've sung that song countless times, and I knew what I had to do. I looked at Tommy, nodded, and slung my military/camoflauge jacket over the rail. I propped up a chair next to the box wall, and I stood with one foot on the chair, and one on the rail. At approx. 7:29 into "Lateralis", I rose above the crowd, and just went all out and sang as loud as I could to the rest of the song. It was truly a memorable moment, and one that I'll treasure for the rest of my life. After the show, Tommy and I could only talk about how great it was to see Tool finally.. to watch Maynard do his stomping and his dancing.. To see Adam finally play live (I'm a *huge* Adam Jones fan), to watch Justin strum the bass.. and to see that monstrous hulk known as Danny Carey play the drums--Incredible. To those that were at that show, and any other show.. I hope it had a profound impact on you all. To see these masters of logic at work is truly an amazing thing to behold. And please, leave the drugs and alcohol at home. I can't understand how anyone would want to be inebriated during something like this. Write me if ya wanna talk. ~Jaysun
Review written by: eon (N/A) Review posted on: 10/13/01 13:35:27 ET
This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show
After seeing a 96 tour, a 97 tour and the DC show this year, the Charlotte show still flowed forth with abundant surprises. As with most TOOl shows, I find myslef haunched over and pulasting from the emmense energy that Danny, Maynard, Justin and Adam create.( As always Danny ripped it up.) The thing that i was let down on was the abundance of rednecks in the crowd wanting to hear sober. And the abundance of comments such as 'this new cd sucks' and 'its too slow for TOOL'. ohh well cant please everyone. I was well-pleased and now, more than ever, i can listen to Lateralus and the numerous bootleg shows that i have and feel a deeper spiritual connection to the band. TOOL has long been my favorite and I know that many other people were touched that night. The Raliegh show was incredible as well. Good to hear Pushit and Opiate. IF YOU HAVENT BOUGHT THIS CD, YOU MUST BUY IT. LEARN THE EXTENTS OF YOUR MIND, SEPERATE YOUR MIND FROM BODY "dreaming of infinate lap-dances and cocaine to sniff out of david lee roth's asshole... with OJ" MJK 10-06-02
Review written by: Master Reviewer (bobsgr8adventure@msn.com) Review posted on: 10/14/01 21:54:37 ET
This was this reviewer's 12th Tool show
Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist.
Review written by: Tony Dixon (Eulogy162x8@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/15/01 10:33:57 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Well Holly shit.. it happened.. I saw tool.. I can die now.. The SHOW KICKED ASS it was prolly the greatest thing that ever happened to me.. I got there at 3 pm... no one was there at all.. then some chicks showed up.. they forgot there tickets LOL!!! HAHA anyways.. I was with petie.. my bassist.. we heard tool sound check stinkfist.. it was the shit.. I almost blew my load.. well anyways.. I had lawn seats which was pretty shitty but I don't care.. I would have paid 100$ to just stand outside and hear tool... it was really more of a religious experience than anything else.. anyways.. there happened to be a real nice guy there that passed me his Ticket back over and I got under the the little roof piece of shit.. that was really fucking cool, it would have been even cooler if I hadn't taken someone elses seat.. anyways.. TOOL is the greatest band.. I mean it's not right.. how do they do it? Everything they play is perfect.. I mean SHIT! I almost shit myself when they started playing.. I don't know man.. it's fucked up... Maynard is amazing.. Danny Carey is my god... adam jones is the most creative motherfucker alive.. and Justin is... well he's fucking insane on bass... so after we got ran back out into the lawn.. I wanted to get far back.. what I really needed was to smoke a joint... but I didn't think that would happened.. but.. while I was out in the lawn a dude named brain.. I think that was his name.. asked me if I had papers.. I had some but they were shitty.. but it just so happened that petie had some ready rolls so.. We smoked a joint and listened to the patient.. it was amazing... petie and I were the only ones that really seemed to be enjoying the music.. that kinda pissed me off.. so.. after that we went to get a drink... NICE $5 for a fucking cup of COke? that broke me after buying a necklace... so I just sat and watced until lateralus started.. I then rushed to the dude at the ROOF? and said.. man.. it's the last song.. and I worship the band.. so he let me in pretty cool.. so.. I stood there and rocked out to lateralus in the middle of the isle.. after the show.. we went to the hotel and got really really really really really fried.. and talked about how.. wonderful.. and amazing.. really there aren't any words to describe what I saw... but I guess that's it.. anyone who wants to talk to me.. or something. about this show.. Im me at Eulogy162x8... if I'm ever on... later P.S. for the asshole with the gay ass korn email name... SUCK MY COCK FAG!
Review written by: Sloth (jasacc24@mediaone .net) Review posted on: 10/15/01 11:06:41 ET
This was this reviewer's 9th Tool show
I'll tell you what all these big name drummers, Terry (cool new haircut) Bozzio, Dave Wackl 'it' etc... should take a good look at Danny Carey's performances and consider it a free drum clinic.