concert reviews firsthand, immediate, from the heart
10/12/2001



Review written by: Senior Spiral (Keep Going@spine.net)
Review posted on: 10/13/01 00:08:58 ET

This was this reviewer's 5th Tool show

With pussy cum dripping from my lips I write....So I’m in the first row about 15 feet away from Justin and Danny. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. If you did acid you could experience what T O O L brings to the show. The long version of Pushit was….. Wow. Incredible. Wow. Fucking stupendous. Wow. Great! The visuals were different and better than Charlotte and the early ATL show. Very mind bending. Adam was fucking the man! Justin was beyond what a Bass player should be. Danny is the love child of Jon Bonham and Satan. Maynard was blue with orange spots and he yelled to the soul. My bones ache from the waves of sound reverberating through them. Wow. Wow. Wow. (Wiping drool from my chin). MJK had on Speedos and you could see his microphone. He told us to be safe and positive. The drummer for the Melvin’s helped out on Triad which was SOOOOOOOOOOOO much more intense than in Charlotte. Wow. I am/was in heaven. T O O L never disappoints. I always have high expectations and they deliver every time. Sell your soul and see them as many times as Jesus will let you. The sex after the show ain't bad either....... A, D, J, M... Thank you for another great night of expanding myself ............

Review written by: Dan (JackMehoff@excite.com) Review posted on: 10/13/01 04:12:55 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

Here ya go (there may be one or two out of order) Grudge Stinkfist 46&2 Parabola (no Parabol) Pushit Reflection Aenima Schism Triad Lateralus I was in second row (gen ad. Floor) directly behind Justin and Danny. I’m hoping the couple I was behind was not the guy who wrote the previous review (his reference to them having sex just gave me a fowl visual). I only have Coachella to compare this show to. California, mountains, outdoor festival, rage opening for Tool, Sunset, rolling, good sound, that my friends was Coachella. Nothing could top that. I was a little disappointed with the sound, the acoustics were horrible. Maynard’s voice seemed slightly off. He played the guitar for 3 of the songs, I don’t remember which ones. I didn’t care too much for that. The artsy special effect dancers were amazing!! Never could see Maynard…only his black shadow against a screen. Visuals were mind blowing!! Nothing off Undertow or Opiate, I didn’t mind that too much though…they play 10 or 11 songs, to me every song isn’t even fair for me to label as music, more like an optimally enhanced stimulant that takes emotions to an unspeakable realm (heh, I say the darndest things when I’m stoned, that’s a joke dumbass). One thing I really did enjoy seeing, was after the show. They all came to the front of the stage…smiled and waved for awhile…threw things into the crowd….huddled for a 20 second group prayer (you could over hear Maynard reciting the Our Father)…then more waves and good buys…it was nice to see that. Overall, if I had to rate this Tool performance based on my one other experience, in addition to the hundreds of reviews I’ve read, I would say for Tool, this was a 8. I gotta go pass out…See you guys in Birmingham Take care Matt, I hope your first show was everything you hoped! Dan

Review written by: Chris Scott (daehwot@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/13/01 11:19:08 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

Despite falling for Tool after the Sober video debuted on MTV, this was my first Tool show. Based on other reviews, their setlist was consistent with this Tour, no surprise Sobers, Ticks, etc... Although Phillips Arena is a great new venue with an excellent sound system, there were some defects. For instance, Justin's bass tended to be washed out, a shame given how melodic his playing really is. I personally found it odd that although the band has gone to lengths to create an awesome visual show, Maynard has not taken extra time to program additional background harmony vocals. That said, the show was great! I was seated at the opposite end of the arena from the stage, off to stage right. I was glad to be seated too; while I agree everybody absolutely needs to stand for the last songs, for the middle part of the show (Pushit, Disp.-Refl.-Triad, The Patient) it felt more appropriate to sit and take it in. Here the visuals blow you away. Aside: Did the toilet graphic during Pushit remind anyone of Trainspotting? As a 22 year old drummer, the last ten years of my life have been a constant comparison to Tool albums. I spend three- five years trying to copy Danny's beats, only to be blown away by the next album. I absolutely wish I was closer to the stage, just so I could watch Danny play. To me, listening and watching him made the show for me. An absolutely positive experience.

Review written by: Martyr (martyr_x@mindspring.com) Review posted on: 10/14/01 15:10:29 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

October 12 Atlanta Phillips arena. Another wonderful moment wilth TOOL. I always tell my freinds, "you need to see a TOOL show." So I took about 9 of my freinds. Again, TOOL never lets me down. The most artistic creative music and stage show I've ever witnessed. I also went to the Atlanta Tabernacle show and was much closer but , this was more enjoyable. Every thing was perfect I couldnt beleive the contortionists could hang upside down that long! It was just incredible. The few words maynard spoke before they played lateralus hit home. He said somthing along the lines of " We thanks all of you for coming, and we want everyone to have a safe trip home. But in doing so we also want you to remember you're experience tonight, remember how it made you feel, remember all of it. Then remember its just music. After the show, My freinds all came up to me and said " I understand now." and I said yip. Thanks TOOL, and Kabir Akhtar for this site.

Review written by: David Orr (dismas211@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 03:33:27 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

I made the trip to ATL from New Orleans, and the show was worth every mile of that mind-deadening drive. I find it difficult sometimes to see a favorite band live. One always wonder if the experience will live up to expectations. Often, its satisfying to have a band meet a half of the requirement. Tool blew expectations out of the water and drove home their message of pushing the envelope with their performance. All aspects of the show were tight. Acoustics, clarity, and volume were perfect. They had been set well to account for both sides of Tool's sound-the heavier rifts and the softer moments. All band members gave stellar performances. Danny makes it look easy. A good part of that is due to Justin. who doesn't get the credit he deserves for making the rythym meld wonderfly. Maynard mixed in his sense of humor (?) by slipping choruses from Oldie love songs into the instrumental parts of "Stinkfist". He also changed some of the words in the "Fret for your..." section of "Enima." I couldn't hear all of his changes, though I did catch "Fret for your modem." Some other songs had extended instrumental sections. Adam seems to be able to make the physics of sound bent. Adam also played with the Melvins for a song, and the Melvins' drummer joined Tool for "Triad" The visuals on the screens behind the band were suitible dark and fit the music quite well. There were portions of the show when the music, band members, and the video screens melded into an inseperable experience. The music was not seperated from the theatrics. (In other words, the show ceased being a "I'm at a concert with a band onstage" It became a complete, rounded experience). And then there's the Schism performers. If you've seen the Schism videos, you have half the idea. The rest was incredible. How they didn't pass out after hanging from the rafters for 15 minutes is beyond my understanding of anatomy. Setlist (I'm about 99.9% sure): the Grudge Ions Stinkfist 46&2 Pushit (Salival version) Schism (Schism performers joined the band on stage) (intro to Parabol) Parabola Reflection Disposition (second appearance of Schism performers) Triad Aeon Blue Apacolypse The Patient Enima Latalerus

Review written by: Marty Silbiger (slodeth@iname.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 07:08:12 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

This was my first Tool concert, and I think it will stick with me for a long time. Here's just about everything I can remember...hope it's in the right order. I know Schism was before Disposition/Reflection/Triad, because Maynard played guitar for only those songs. The only songs I'm not sure about are The Patient, Parabola, and Pushit. Also, mix in some of those weird interludes... The Melvins mostly sucked...but Adam Jones did join them on stage with his guitar for the last few songs. After a relatively quick set change, I ran back into the Arena from the bar. The whole set had changed - two giant screens above the stage, two strange Lateralus graphics to the side, a drum set on the right, and a raised stage with a smaller screen to the left. THE GRUDGE - As the first riff broke through the silence, the crowd went wild. The place lit up with white light, then returned to darkness. On the screen, I can remember that sideways clock/pendulum from the Schism video. Maynard could barely be seen...he was but a shadow against the screen on the left. STINKFIST - Clips from the video cycled on the screen. The song had an extended bridge right before "I'll keep digging," but was the same otherwise. FORTY-SIX & 2 - This was my favorite of the night. I don't like the song that much, but the video was amazing. In the beginning, there was this worm crawling around on the ground. As the camera zoomed in, you could see a face imposed on it, with desperate eyes and awkward braces. It then evolved into a standing worm, wearing a suit. It then joined some other worms and slowly evolved into a naked couple in the water, hurling themselves violently into sexual positions. THE PATIENT - Agh, I can't remember anything about that one...but they did play Eon Blue Apocalypse in the dark right before it. PARABOLA - Adam and Justin switched guitars for this one. They cut the intro (PARABOL) short...they only played enough for us to recognize the song. The video showed a bunch of cycling geometric patterns, but strangely, no parabolas. PUSHIT LIVE - This one really scared me. Two naked women, or perhaps the same one twice, were walking in a circle, with their left arm extended to the turning mannequin in the center. That's it...with a few stange effects added, like static and polarization, for the entire song. Frightening. SCHISM - Maynard picked up a guitar during this one, and I never knew he played! I didn't notice his playing much, except the part during the bridge/solo - you could hear when they play E and A on the fourth note instead of just one or the other. Of course, clips from the Schism played during the song...and a pair of osseus labyrint began walking around on the stage, with their heads swinging like pendulums. DISPOSITION/REFLECTION/TRIAD - This was incredible. The first bass harmonics began, and Maynard and Adam slowly mix in their own parts. Some weird bright flares showed up on the screens, and for the first time, I could see the faces of the people around me. We Tool fans are such a varied bunch - Weezer, Slipknot, Spinal Tap, Staind, and Radiohead shirts, just to name a few. Hair of every color. Bodies of every size and shade. As the song moved into Reflection, the screen changed scenes. It was that scene with the bugs in the bathroom, where the camera moves sideways through it. The camera switches from a view of a skeletal portrait on a wall, to mirrors and sinks on the bathroom wall with bugs on the floor, to a headless man in a suit, to the inside of a toilet. This scene cycled, and began to speed up toward the end. Soon, it was going so quickly that you couldn't tell what was what. As the song slowed down in the end, the scene also slowed down until it was only going a few frames a second. Adam played that ending riff for a long, long time - at least four minutes. Everyone left the stage except for him, and the only lights left were on him. Something descended from the ceiling, and the pair of osseus labyrint appeared again. they attached themselves to the harnesses in the center of the stage, then slowly rose in darkness. At the top, red and purple lights bounced off their skin. They started doing weird acrobatics. They grabbed each other, and the crowd cheered. They released, and the crowd cheered. They started swinging like human pendulums, and the Salival guy appeared on the screen, rotating. Another drum set appeared on the stage, along with the drummer from The Melvins. After a long drum solo, the music finally cut into Triad for an amazing finale, with the osseus labyrint still swinging above the stage. ĆNEMA - Maynard changed the lyrics for the verse where he says "fret for your hairpiece," etc...he threw in a few lines like "fret for your fruit bowl" instead. Other than that, the crowd sang along with every word, until we were screaming "flush it down" at the very end. LATERALUS - A perfect ending song. From the video, I remember some helixes spiraling around, with a big red eye in the center. I also remember that naked girl from 46&2 reappearing. It was beautiful. "Now, when you go home and reflect on this experience, I want you to take the feelings, the good, the bad....and use them to create something positive."

Review written by: Corey Holderman (Corey) Review posted on: 10/16/01 08:02:49 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

"WOW!!" thats all i could say for the rest of the night. The show was absolutly amazing. Everything about it was perfect. I have been waiting to see a TOOL show for 6 years, and it was everything that i hoped it would be and more. After the melvins got off stage a couple of friends and i were watching the stage change up, and after they took the cover off of danny's drums i was like "SHIT" it was the most incredible piece of equiptmet ive ever seen. the show opened up with "The grudge", it was a perfect opener song. Maynard looked as if he was on a whole 10 strip of acid, moving around like he had no backbone at all. The bass from the drums pounded through my body, i felt like i was gonna explode, it was the best show i have seen in my whole life and probably will be the best show i WILL ever go to.....TOOL FOR LIFE

Review written by: Azure (puertoricanjudo_99@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 10:14:22 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st! Tool show

The show was great. The band stayed true to form, basically making sure they didn't put on a show, but that their art was the show, either the visuals or the music. A truly mind- blowing experience, and though I wish the setlist was about 3 hours longer (Tool has far too many good songs... I mean, it's uncanny!) but it was an awesome concert and definitely worth the $1000 it's going to cost me (my car died on the way home.) Music Quality-10 Visuals-10 Overall-583,475,274

Review written by: Drew Greene (badrockerd512) Review posted on: 10/16/01 10:20:26 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

Ok. This isn't a standard review. It is instead how the concert made me feel. I love tool. Ever since I heard Third Eye in 9th grade I've loved them. What a band. To see them in concert was such a treat. You should have seen me...wit front row seats and everythng. It was ncredble. Then, the asshole n the apc shrt had to fuck t all up. You asshole! If I ever find you, it'll be message to harry manback for you. You fucker!! You should have seen how good the show was from the middle of the floor. You could see all the visuals and everything. And there was more room. You may have won the battle, but I won the war asshole!!! I watched half of the show from the front and the other half from the middle. So fuck you!!! Anyway, he pushed us out of the way and we lost our front row. The crowd was red hot that night and so was maynard. He was really moving a lot and even waved goodbye at the end of the concert. But, usually when I am around a large group of people feel nervous. But not tonight. Tool music went through my body like something I have never felt before. I was n a trance. Especially in 46 and 2, schism, reflection, and triad. I just want to thank tool for puttng on such an incredible show. I love the band so much and the world of music wouldn't be the smae without them. They are the greatest. it's arguable that the greatest rock bands ever are Led Zepp, Floyd, and Sabbath. IT won't be long untill our generation looks back upon tool as one of the premiere rock bands in the world. I know the guys in tool probably read this. So, you know that you're beyond incredible. I can see it in the way you present yourself on stage. The way you wave goodbye. With the visuals you guys show. It's just so amazing. I don't know if anyone here is affiliated with religion. But I am a very strong christian. think that tool is truely a prodigy from god. Such a blessng and they stand for all that is still good in the world. In a world full of bad and hate, tool is the beauty. I love what maynard said at the end of the show. I had read it before in reviews, but when I heard it, I felt that he really meant it. "Take how you feel now, drive home safely, and when you get home reflect on the experience you've just had...whether it be positive or negative and take that feeling and do something positive wth it." Truely beautiful words from a great man. Finally, I'd lke to say how much I enjoyed the music and the unity of the crowd, except for that one asshole. I felt like we were together. I also learned that every tool girl is hot that night. Unlike the NIN one's. Love em! Anyway, it felt so wonderful to be around people that kind of people. The bouncer was cool too. The music, the settng, acoustcally, t was all perfect. I won't post the setlist, but I will say that every song that they played was perfect and was set up just the way it should be. For instance, it starts heavy, then mellows out after reflection they do a heavy version of triad. And the show ends wonderful, my 3 favs of the night...the patient, aenima, and lateralus. My fav. point in the show was what maynard said and osseous labyrinth. I loved the Grudge!! Most of all I loved when adam played the 5 chords at the end of reflecton over and over. Everyone hates that but that is the moment of the show to me. Well you heard it all from me. Right here. Immediate, straght forward, and from the heart. Spiral out, Drew

Review written by: jen (faaipdeorange@home.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 10:21:10 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Atlanta – October 12, 2001 Five months ago I managed to squeeze into the tightly packed pit of the Tabernacle for their first US show of the 21st century. May 15th will always reign as one of the greatest days in my history as a TOOL fan. The Tabernacle show was so intimate and perfect nothing can ever touch that. But there I was, five months later set to try Atlanta again, this time at the Philips Arena, no more than four blocks from that infamous Tabernacle. I never really considered going all the way to Atlanta again (it’s a good 8 hour drive from my hometown of Baton Rouge, LA) until I talked to Brightwell and sort of realized that a trip to Atlanta and Birmingham in one weekend was actually feasible. It just happened to be my Fall Break from school so I rounded up the usual suspects and made quick plans. We bought shitty tickets and waited. Early Friday morning, the day of the show, we all met at a McDonald’s for breakfast around 7 AM and then set out to Atlanta. After getting lost about five times, we finally found our shitty yet expensive hotel. I realize now that staying downtown, though it was only four blocks from the arena, wasn’t exactly the best idea. We got in our room with no time to spare, it was 30 minutes until show time. We scurried to get dressed and left for the arena. Security wasn’t terribly tight, just a small metal detector scan and we were in. We found our seats and settled down. The Melvins had already gotten underway which didn’t bother us much. The Melvins were the openers back in ’98 when I first saw TOOL and I didn’t enjoy them then and well, I didn’t really enjoy them this time either. According to Dave they are an acquired taste. I must agree. However, I did find “one bit” with Adam was a tad more appealing. Biased? Maybe… The Melvins finally (finally) finished and we waited again. TOOL are the masters of suspense, forget Hitchcock or Stephen King, these guys know how to make a person fidget with absolute anxiety. Finally motion onstage ceased and the house lights dimmed. The crowd broke out in hysteria as the circle of eyes featured on the Lateralus CD appeared on the omnipresent and looming screens. I was so ready to rock. We could see them onstage. Maynard began his patented “dancing” and the boys tore into The Grudge. The sound was good, and it got better, by the end of The Grudge it sounded great. “and sinking deeper… DEFINING! CONFINING! And sinking deeper…” The Grudge seemed to last forever and I was thrilled to realize that it was merely the first song. Then, suddenly, Stinkfist came crashing down. This is always an incredible live song, and this one was the extended version. I loved the brief pause that was filled with the album pre-Stinkfist twanging sound, amazing. “I’ll KEEP DIGGING! Till I FEEL SOMETHING!” “Good evening.” This elicited cheers from the crowd and they moved seamlessly into 46&2. Yet another great live song, I think the band really enjoys this one. The graphics that went along with 46&2 were some of the most startling and memorable of the night. Next were the first few notes of Parabol suddenly interrupted by the power of Parabola. One of the best, if not the best Lateralus song to hear live. “we are choosing to be here, right now, hold on, stay inside this holy reality, this holy experience… choosing to be here in…” The lyrics are a perfect description of my feelings at a live TOOL show and when I’m there I feel most… “allliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!” “be my reminder here that I am not alone” “celebrate this chance to be, alive and breathing” As if Parabola didn’t blow me far enough away, the next song was Pushit, the Salival version. I was so shocked to finally hear my favorite song live, much less to hear my favorite version of my favorite song. The first time I heard the extended version of Pushit I cried. This moment was many years coming. Amazing. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Right then and there, everything I spent, every mile I drove, every moment that expired was entirely completely worth it. “There’s no love in feeeeeeear!” There was then a slight pause and Schism began. About halfway through Osseus Labyrint joined the boys onstange and amazed us with their strange and mystifying act. After Schism Adam and Justin bent down and fiddled with their effects while Danny did the same. Maynard donned a guitar and after a few minutes of effect fiddling, they began Disposition. An amazing song, beautiful. “mention this to me… mention something, mention anything.” Then Danny played the beginning of Reflection. During this Osseus Labyrint came out again and were suspended from the ceiling, performing amazing feats of grace and skill while still mystifying. How DO they move their bodies like that? The end of Reflection continued for nearly 5 minutes with Adam continuing to play a single riff over and over. We couldn’t figure out why until we heard Danny start up on drums and we realized they were going to play Triad. With Dale from the Melvins, they played an awesome version of Triad. It was great to hear this live and see Danny tear it up. “Dale from the Melvins on drums. McDonald’s in Pasadena, Texas employee of the month, October 2000.” Heh. The Patient came next, a surprise to me, a pleasant surprise. Very good indeed. “Thank you for coming.” Along with the go out and do something positive speech. “This song is called Ćnema” (pronounced enema) Of course the crowd went berserk on this song, it had good reason too, it was unbelievable. With little pause, they then played the final song, Lateralus. It was the perfect way to end a perfect night. We all walked out reeling, excited to still have one more show to see. I wanted to hang out and try to meet the band but we walked around the Arena and couldn’t find the buses so we just headed back to the hotel. I crashed in preparation for another day of driving and TOOL. And little did I know… rain. On to Birmingham!

Review written by: Matt Hyles (VortexLs10@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 10:37:35 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

Tool kicked my ass. They were so fucking amazing I could not believe it. The power of some of the songs really took my breathe away. I just wanted to thank Tool for all the music thay have given to US, the fans, over the years. Thanks guys. -matt h.

Review written by: Jeremy (Heliotropic@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 11:37:32 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Hmmm, where should I begin? Me and 6 of my friends drove 8 hours from Baton Rouge, LA to see this show and the Birmingham show. We got there about 10 minutes after the Melvins started, sitting to the right of the stage. I have seen Tool a previous time when the Melvins have opened for them. It was about the same, buzz with his bushy hair, long drawn-out songs, and lots of guitar feedback. They weren't terrible by any means, I just couldn't really get into it. It was really cool, however, when Adam came out and played the last 2 songs with them. The Melvins got off stage about 8:20 or so, then we had to wait. The wait wasn't actually too bad because it gave me a chance to feast my eyes upon Danny Carey's new Bronze drum kit. It was truly amazing, I have never seen anything like that. The stage setup was similar to the Tabernacle show with the exception of an additional big screen in the background. After about a 25-minute wait, the lights go out and it is now time for the greatest band on earth to give us 2 hours of their time. Everyone pretty much went crazy. Tool opened with "The Grudge." The sound was slightly off at first, but it sounded great by the end of the song. After that they went into an extended version of "Stinkfist," which really kicked ass. After “Stinkfist” I think it was the Salival version of “Pushit,” followed by “Parabola,” then “Schism.” After "Disposition," and "Reflection," was played some Contortionists came out and did some cool stuff. After about 15 minutes of that, Danny Carey and Dale from the Melvins (Dale, who according to Maynard was the October 2000 McDonalds employee of the month) came out and started playing "Triad." It was great. After that it was "Eon Blue Apocalypse" followed by "The Patient." "Aenema" and "Lateralus" finished the show. After it was finished the 4 guys participated in a group hug. I thought that was really cool. Altogether It was probably the best show I have ever seen, it was just outstanding. I'd have to say that the highlight of the evening was the Salival version of "Pushit." It was truly one of the best experiences of my life (as any other tool show). It was certainly worth the 8-hour drive, and I would do it again to go see the band that has inspired me over the last 5 years.

Review written by: Alex Hoff (Bonko the Talking Mime) (stephenbleeds@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 12:52:33 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

First off, I think it should be known this is my first concert...ever. Well...there were two others, but they don't count (Michael Jackson when I was 3...I only remember falling asleep...Kris Kross when I was 10, I left after 20 minutes. I'm 18 now.) And now for the actual concert review... Oh my god. Although I've never been to any other concert, I can safely say that no other concert will ever top this one. The way I felt that night was so amazing...it was better than the night I lost my virginity or rolled for 8 hours with my girlfriend. When they launched into Parabola, I was misty. I went with my girlfriend and my friend Matt...he was decked out in full-drag...pink wig, black vinyl vest with a stuffed bra, and a black vinyl skirt. But yeah...I see the setlist was posted and people's opinions of it. I wish they would've played H, but that's really my only complaint. That was the best night of my life.

Review written by: TooLChickY (toolchicky@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 13:14:58 ET

This was this reviewer's 8th Tool show

THE BEST TOOL SHOW THUS FAR... HOLY SHIT... that's all i can say... i just woke up from the long trip home from Atlanta to Gainesville, FL.... I cant remember the entire setlist..my pen stopped working in the middle of ithe concert.. and so i jumped up and down on it in the pit and destroyed it.... but here's as much as I can remember... not in order either.. Grudge Ions Stinkfist Parabola Pushit w/ TABLA PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 46n2 Schism Disposition Relection Triad The patient Aenima Lateralus I THINK that's it.. but dont count on me for the setlist... i was pretty fucked up..THIS WAS BY FAR THE BEST TOOL CCONERT I'VE BEEN TO yet.. and i've been to many of them... i was in pit and i had pretty good view.. but i was just so fucked up.. and every beat was AMAZINg.. and HELLO>>>> PUSHIT w/ TABLA PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!! OHM Y GOD.. i started to cry.. that song..its so fucking amazing.. maynard's voice.. how he carries out the notes.... just fucking amazing I've heard it live once before.. and that was back in 1998 in Maine.. but i had no idea they were going to play that again on this tour.. i just cant fuckin believe they played it.. and i'm soooooooooooo happy they did.. this was my last stop on the tour.. after four concerts.. and what A FUCKING SETLIST to end my little tour with...=) BY THE WAY... for anyone who was driving home going SOUTH on Route 75 right after the concert.. at around 11-11:45pm... That chikc on the side of the road being tested for alcohol by the cop... THAT WAS ME... and GUESSSS WHATTTTTTTT....... hahah i got off with a Blood Alcohol Level of .079... YES I m ean literally .079 i was lookin at the red digits myself on the breathalizer... i watched it go from .078 to .079... i was ONE Thousandth away from going ot jail that night.. that is equal to like.. a sip more of beer... or ten more seconds that i didnt stall the cop from giving me the breathalizer... Yeah.. so i'm countin my lucky stars today.. so for everyone who was honkin at me driving by.. .079 Bitch!! haha and let me know if you've ever known ANYONE who's gotten closer than that and still drove away without being escorted in a cop car!!!! AND SO... my own little personal TOOL tour has ended =( four shows in four days (anyone else been an aspring tool groupie?? email me haha)... over 2300 miles on my car... barely eating... barely sleeping... broke as all hell....BUT ITS ALL BEEN WORTH IT.... and i'd do it all over again in a second if i could.... but i had the best ending to it all by hearing pushit-salival version... ..... Its not enough... I need more... NOTHING seems to satisify...... ........ToolChicky........ [Am I the only person that thinks the .79 story would be really cool if it wasn't about driving drunk? -- Kabir]

Review written by: Zach West (zwest99@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 14:44:13 ET

This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show

Words cannot describe this experience of tool. this show left me breathless, speechless, and broken down to a level that only allows rebuilding. the set was incredible. "push it" (salival version) brought me to tears. i have never been brought to that level of emotion by any other band. these guys are truly talented performers and are blessed with the gifts of art and music. very powerful performance. seems like the version of "46 & 2" was mixed a little bit differently. all that can be said is thank you tool.

Review written by: JUSTIN WEBB (JTWEBB7@HOTMAIL.COM) Review posted on: 10/16/01 14:55:42 ET

This was this reviewer's 2ND Tool show

THE BEST FUCKING SHOW ON THE PLANET! I WILL BE LOST IN THIS SHOW FOR EVER! THEY FINALLY PLAYED MY SONG PUSH-IT. I CANT WAIT UNTIL THEY COME BACK AROUND UNTIL THEN, KEEP FUCKING ROCKING!

Review written by: Janet Callahan (xhot_kachinax@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 15:40:00 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

I came up from Valdosta, Ga. (about a 4 hour drive) to see one of the best bands ever to grace us with their mind- blowing presence....TOOL!!!! I was estatic to be there being that it was my first TOOL concert and I wasn't at all disappointed!!! The Melvins sucked (remember this is my personal opinion) ass.....but it totally rocked when Adam Jones stepped out to accompany them with their last 2/3 songs.....Finally the stage cleared and set up began of the obvious....after much anticipation, which I know for a fact I wasn't the only one, the lights dimmed, the screens lit up, and the crowd went wild welcoming TOOL as they began The Grudge. I hadn't given it any thought as to what they should have opened with but they picked probably the best song to set our souls in motion. I just knew i wanted to hear Aenema, Parabola, and 46 & 2. Which I was thrilled to have gotten my wish!!!! the setlist is as follows: (i think) the Grudge Stinkfist 46 & 2 Pushit Schism- with the freaky video performers Parabola- with a slight intro of Parabol Reflection Disposition Triad Eon Blue Apocalypse The Patient Aenema Latalerus During Schism the "freaky" video performers came out and walked back and forth around the stage in a contortionist fashion, which i thought looked absolutly amazing and very hard to do!!!! They made their second appearance by hanging suspended from the rafters for about 15 minutes which i thought would also be impossible to do. The videos shown on the big screens and upper tv's pushed the mood into everyone along with the pounding of the music, Maynard's melodic voice, and the crowd insisting more. During Aenema everyone's voice became one with Maynard's as he sang "fret for your....." but the crowd sang on as he here and there changed the lyrics. His movement (of what limited I could see due to the lights reflecting and the off centered stage of which just he performed on) was almost liquid like, typical of himself. Before performing Aenema Maynard gave his "good/bad into positive" speech and there I stood awe stricken with the thought that it was meant for me to be there and to hear those words of encouragement coming from none other than THE MAN!!! And everything that night was positive/good experience....one that I will never forget!!!!! and i'm happy to have been able to go.....thanks to a certain somebody!!!! Chosen to be here in this body, Janet Leigh Callahan

Review written by: Joe (strawberrieskickass@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 17:04:38 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

Even now... 4 days after the TOOL experience... I'm still in awe. It was just mindblowing. I can't even begin to describe it, no words in the english language possibly could. TOOL is just something you have to experience.. If you haven't seen them already yet, then you're in for an amazing trip. Setlist: The Grudge -Ions Stinkfist (ext. with added Elvis lyrics) 46 and 2 (amazingly powerful performance, highlight of the night) Parabola (a tiny bit of Parabol) Pushit-slow (another one that just floored me..) Schism (so much better live) Adam and Justin mess with the effects for a few minutes with the animation of the Undertow ribs being projected. Disposition/Reflection (having Adam extend those last 5 notes for so long... just... wow..) --Intermission with Osses Labyrint-- Triad (great performance with Dale from the Melvins) Eon Blue Apocalypse The Patient Ćnema (the crowd explodes... and everyone's singing along) Lateralus (flawless performance... one of the best songs of the night) Then the band embraces and water bottles and Danny's drumheads are thrown out into the crowd. They all wave goodbye and walk off stage. All in all... the show is beyond words. If you've already seen them on this tour, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, then prepare yourself...

Review written by: TREY (treyshed@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 17:47:07 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. It was a remarkable show. Definitely worth the money. I really liked the way Maynard didn't perform in costume this tour and just stands in front of the screen -- it adds to the mystery that he surrounds himself in. Danny rocked as always and when Dale Crover helped out for "Triad" the extra percussion just shot me through the roof. I also liked the end of "Reflection" when Adam stayed out on stage alone and played the outro for days. It felt perfect. Other highlights include the extended bridge in "Stinkfist," (It added to the tension that builds up right before the lyric, "I'll keep digging..." ) and that version of "Pushit" is my favorite. Anyway, everything sounded and looked quite good. I would've like to have heard "Third Eye" and "Flood" but I wasn't disappointed with what I got.

Review written by: Sandra (atlien7@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 18:22:39 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

After being greatly disappointed about not being able to get tickets when TOOL came a few months ago, I was definitely appreciative that they came back! WOW! Best live performance I have seen yet. Thank you TOOL for allowing all of your true fans to be able to witness your brilliance! There are no words...

Review written by: Oldjar (oldjar@bellsouth.net) Review posted on: 10/16/01 19:30:51 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

Tonight's show was excellent. I did not keep up with the setlist, but it seemed on par with previous shows. They were on stage for about two hours. First, and most important, the sound was unbelievable, near cd quality. I still can't get over how crisp and clear everything was. I had heard negative things about Phillips Arena's acoustics, but tonight there was no problem. The band played great, and I think I mentioned how great they sounded. Also, the crowd was very nice. A mosh pit never really opened up on the floor. There was plenty of push-pull, but no violent bodies bangin' around. People even sat down in the back of the floor area to take in the intense visuals. The floor area was packed and sweaty. The venue was very hot!! If anyone knows what Maynard said when he was makeing the dedication,I would like to know. It sounded like he said to the band's nursemaid and my fiance' Pete Beetle. Anyone, the show was a great experience!! Props to Tool for providing a night of quality entertainment.

Review written by: chick (efasie@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 19:36:22 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

yes...twas my first tool show...not only that but my first concert with more than 500 people...and may i say i am ruined for any future concert experience...as if Adam Jones playing with Melvins wasn't enough to send my into it...Maynard in his undies...naked people hanging from the roof...and not only did they play most of the new album but some old stuff off of aenima...stinkfist...46&2...and aenima ....the melvins played a 1 hour set followed only my a 45 minute intermission before tool came on to play at 2 and a half hour blistering set...may i say that a 45 minute ntermission is nothing...nothing...the show had everything you need...an arena full of ugly freaks, some good stringed versions of some tool songs (waiting for the concert to start), a guy with big hair (you won't get that unless you have seen the Melvins), maynard in his undies, and what else but naked people hanging from the roof and great backgroung footage with maynard standing in front of it....the drummer from the melvins played with danny c. for a good bit...sigh...oh yeah...all in all a most productive evening...

Review written by: Gaping Lotus Inexperienced AKA Ben (NINFragility2001@aol.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 21:02:38 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

I have had a long weekend to reflect upon the greatest show i've witnessed in my short 17 years....and i'm still recovering from it all. What a show....where to start.... I guess i should start with The Melvins....there isn't much to say about them.....the words "boring" and "forgetable" come to mind. I enjoyed hearing the "Third Eye Open (Strings Tribute to Tool)" over the loudspeakers, much more than i enjoyed hearing the melvins.... I enjoyed the strings tribute so much I downloaded all the songs off the cd(don't worry, I plan to buy the cd too.....really i do) over the weekend and I have been listening to that since( I am listening to it as i type this very review). I recommend it to any of you tool fans who have yet to experience it. Sure there will be those who say "classical tool? WTF????" but its really well done. "The Patient" sounds like it coulda been written for a strings group. Well enough about that, you want to hear about the show right?? Well as you might expect everyone was just overwhelmed with excitement when the lights dimmed and our boys took the stage for "The Grudge". Now for those of you who aren't familiar with Phillips Arena, its not known for its acoustics but I was sitting in the the way back,Section 108 Row F to be exact,(it wasn' floor but hey it wasn't bad either, i had a good view) and damn did it sound good. I'm not going to bother to post a setlist, i'm sure someone else out there will. The performance was absolutely flawless. Every song was enhanced by the cool visuals on the big screens(the Push-It vid with the naked chicks was my fav....call me a perv but i liked it). As you might have expected Maynard didn't say much. I couldn't really see him that well, not well enough to see what he was wearing or anything but my friends on the floor explained to me that he was painted black and wore a speedo kinda thing. He looked really cool dancing around and doing his thing in front of the smaller screen. Inbetween the last two songs, Aenema and Lateralus, Maynard said something to the extent off "thank all of you for coming..... have a safe journey..... and while you are on your way home.... while you are reflecting on this experience we have shared together..... i want you to take this energy that you're feeling right now..... whether it be good, bad, or indifferent, and in the coming weeks, I want you to use it to do something positive." man he's awesome.....thats about it...i don't really know what to say.... This concert was everything i had hoped it to be and more. My only gripes were the pricy t-shirts(hey they gotta make money some how). The crowd was great, very hardcore for the most part. The lady next to me told me she really wanted to hear sober...i wanted to say "they're not a fucking juke-box" or something but i can understand that. If you are curious they didn't play anything off of Opiate or Undertow. I too would have enjoyed hearing something off the early cds but i'm not going to complain....enough of this....Thank you Tool. I am forever spoiled.

Review written by: DL (frau4bzna@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 22:00:17 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

I'm a 34 year old AA woman. Likes: The sound was so fantastic I barely enjoy listening to Tool's CDs anymore. Triad and Pushit-well all of it was great-they played everything I wanted to hear. Dislikes: The visuals were disappointing. I really don't need to pay to see the same videos at a concert I saw on MTV. I had good seats, but I couldn't really see the band-there were no shots of them on any of the big screens. For all I know Tool could've been at their hotel somewhere and I could have been watching some actors lip syncing. Why did Maynard stay in the shadows for the entire show?

Review written by: haemotoxin (adamenteus@hotmail.ocm) Review posted on: 10/16/01 22:34:51 ET

This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show

Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist. here is the CORRECT setlist, which has yet to be posted: grudge ions stinkfist 46 & 2 parabola push it (salival version) schism disposition reflection intermission triad aeon blue patient aenima lateralus

Review written by: Nat (greatglad@plopmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 22:41:41 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

Let's see. How should I describe the most amazing thing I've ever seen? This show was definitely better than the Charlotte show. I remember back in May when the guy in front of me got tickets for the Tabernacle. I was so heart- broken when my friend and I walked by it prior to the show. That venue looked so intimate and I thought Philips wasn't going to have that intimate feel, but I was dead wrong. It didn't feel like an arena at all. Maybe because it was so god damn tall. I don't know. It really felt like a small venue. I was much more hyped for this show that the Charlotte one for some reason. My highlights were all of the Grudge, the extended verse of Stinkfist (I bet it's pretty gratifying to hear the entire crowd yell "I'll....."), Pushit (my personal fave), and Ćnema (which I now know how to pronounce thanks to Maynard. Another personal highlight is when I was staring at Adam and I think for one moment he was staring at me as well. Tool is definitely one of the greatest bands to walk the face of the planet. Their music is so inspiring. I hate when "arena-rock fans",who just cone to head-bang and mosh, ruin it for us that actually get Tool. Fuck all you moshing to Schism. You totally missed the meaning of the song. Anyways this was the greatest concert I have ever seen. Next time Tool is within a 5 hour drive I will definitely be there. Thank you Tool.

Review written by: Daniel Sargent (nsargen0@georgetowncollege.edu) Review posted on: 10/16/01 23:25:08 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

The show blew my mind. Those of you who were there may remember me by a guy who had half off his face black and the other red (inspired by Maynard :) ). I've spent thousands of dollars on concerts and the Tool concert far surpases any other. The creativity from Tool is a great inspiration for me as a person and as a musician. There is no way I can list my favorite song from the night. Just look at the setlist. The sound was astounding and the videos were a trip (great for those who brought "candy"). You kicked ass in Indianapolis and Atlanta and I can't wait to see the Louisville show. Tool, your music takes me to another world, hopefully one day I'll meet you. To everyone else, lets leave this pain thats an illusion. See ya later........

Review written by: zach (subzeppelime@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 10/16/01 23:31:25 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show

This was my first Tool show. I've been waiting for three years to see them and oh my god they blew me away. best goddamm show i've ever seen. the band came out first and got in their positions and then from the back of the stage maynard came out. you could barely see him, he was painted a dark maroon or something. it was really cool, he never had a spotlight on him, he was just a shadow. they didn't play anything from undertow or opiate, but my god the show was everything i could have wanted. the melvins did not suck, they fucking kicked ass by the way. anyway, when they broke into pushit, my night was set right there. i was so happy they played the salival version, i love it. maynard was fucking on key every note, unbelievable. the sound was awesome, everything could be heard. danny carey, i'm convinced now, is the best drummer in the world. i was on the floor the entire time. i went in and out of the pit, kind of at random, but when aenima came on, there was no escaping the all out madness that occured. the whole crowd went fucking nuts. energy went thru the roof. oh man, it's four days after the concert and i'm still trembling with excitement. great fucking concert! sorry if this review sucked, i just can't concentrate on any part, it was all so good.

Review written by: TREY (treyshed@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 10/17/01 01:07:35 ET

This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show

Ahhh....the show was fantastic. My girlfriend (who is not a Tool fan) even liked it! She was the one with the hot orange earplugs! She's definitely not into loudness. She likes her "O Brother" soundtrack (I'm a bit partial to it myself actually) and generally more traditional music. The visuals were great! I really liked the 46 + 2 artwork. The ending, when the film was sped up to make it look like people were slamming into each other, was my personal favorite. My wonderful girlfriend thought Osseus Labyrint were quite good, and enjoyed the artwork as well. It's nice that a non- Tool fan could even get something out of the show. Thanks to the band for creating some of the best music around. It must be nice to know that in 20 years the kids will be asking about Tool shows with the same awe that I have about a Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd (with Roger Waters) show.

Review written by: Jason McCord (hexum@bellsouth.net) Review posted on: 10/17/01 03:56:52 ET

This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show

This show was AMAZING. I've been a hardcore Tool fan for years, but this was the first show I had ever been able to make it to. They started off opening with The Grudge (the best opening song they could have chosen in my opinon). The crowd went crazy. They had 2 large screens above the band playing the same haunting videos, mirrored. Maynard sang behind Adam Jones towards the back of the stage on a platform, off to the left. He stood in front of a smaller screen which played the same videos as the 2 larger ones. Only his silohette was visible the entire show. Danny Carey was off to the right in the back, with Justin playing in front of him. They stuck to songs from Aenima and Lateralus. No Sober or Hush was played, but it didnt seem to matter. During Triad, the drummer from The Melvins came out in a smaller drum set and played along with Danny for an AWESOME drum duette. During Schism, the strange people from the video came walking out on their hands and feet with their heads swaying back and forth. It was great. After Reflection and before Triad, those same 2 painted people came out and climbed two very long ropes and hung upside down in front of the screens. When Triad was going loudly they swung around and shook eerily in the air. It was quite a show. Maynard finished by asking people to take their thoughts of the 'experience', whether positive, negative or indifferent - and do something positive. Then they close with 'Lateralus' and came together for a huddle in the middle of the stage. The whole experience was simply amazing - just having those memories enhances each and every Tool song I play, which I didnt think was possible.