| concert reviews firsthand, immediate, from the heart |
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07/25/2001
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Review written by: Butts (greentool@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/24/01 07:17:36 ETThis was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Boys this was fuckin fantastic! Best band ever!
Review written by: Goose (ahaynes1@bigpond.net.au) Review posted on: 07/24/01 09:27:31 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Just to let you all know... the tool concert isn't for another 24+ hours, and the above reviewer is a wanker.
Review written by: Woj (jonathanshire@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/24/01 10:30:36 ET
This was this reviewer's 2st? Tool show
This concert hasn't actually happened yet, but when it will, I'm sure it will be definitely worth the 27 hours we spent freezing our gentials off outside the Elizabeth St Ticketek office to get floor section tickets for it. Why in the blue devil don't Shihad support them like they did at the 1997 Hordern gig? Prising open my third (penal) eye with a toothpick in anticipation. Rock and Roll, Woj
Review written by: FBLEAGH (fbleagh@usa.net) Review posted on: 07/25/01 14:16:36 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Ok Peoples, the concert finished about 40mins ago and if was fuckin awesome :) caverd lots of old fav's plus lots of new stuff, i tried to keep track of what had been played but got too caught up in it and forgot about 4 songs in :) wow talk about energy :) i've been to quite a few concertsat many different venues and i dont hink ive even seen the SEATED crowd move so damned much!! The sound was pretty good but some of it sounded like the mixing was a bit off. The speaker system handled the humungous amouts of bass being thumped thru them quite well indeed ! The friend i went with got thru the first 3-4 songs and then lulled into a trance - mesmerised by the music and the visuals - mind blowing stuff. for those of you thinkinhg hmm $70 for a concert ? i cant afford it. LISTEN TO ME - sell your kids whtaever but goto the concert. The biggest mindfuck avaliable sober/straight/by yourself.
Review written by: DefoBryso (bryson_black@bigpond.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 14:21:54 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Just got back from an absolutely unreal experience. Tool are such a unique and powerful live act nobody even comes slose to comparing. First of all here's the setlist, i think its right, correct me if im wrong: The Grudge (-)Ions Stinkfist Forty Six & 2 Prison Sex Schism Eulogy Disposition Reflection ============== Schism Video ============== Sober Parabol Parabola nema Pushit Lateralus I love this band simply for the fact that they have so much power and melody and pure emotion its like nothing else you can listen to. Watching and listening to these guys do what they love is such an unbelievable experience. Adam and Justin spent the whole show out front, both playing so effortlessly and calmly and still pull off such amazing sounds and rhythms. Adam was pretty much motionless for most of the concert but Justin moved around a bit. I had the best view of danny and i have to say he is one of THE BEST drummers in heavy music today. Seeing him belt the hell out of his drumkit and produce such mad rhythms, grooves and atmosphere was jaw dropping. He had a cool basketball singlet too, with CAREY 22 on the back. Maynard spent the whole first half of the show in nearly complete darkness, wearing a black suit or outfit you could barely see him, but knew he was there. He didnt say much at first only "Good evening" and "Are you prepared?". During the second part, TOTAL different story. Just wearing little black shorts he was much more energetic and open. He moved around a lot more and said things like: "You all look a bit different? Did you cut your hair? Looks good." And one thing we should all do before the next show "Get naked! Except for the guys." "Nothing does it for us more than young boys, shirtless, rubbing up against each other" And finally, "Think for yourself, question authority. Think for yourself, question authority. And get naked!" And the video screens! Fuck they're trippy! They go so well with the music its not funny. Anywayz........ Top Show! \m/ \m/
Review written by: Adam (parabola@iprimus.com.au) Review posted on: 07/25/01 14:35:48 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
I just got home from the Sydney Tool show. It was absolutely amazing. The Cosmic Psychos were hard to get into taking into consideration that Tool were to shortly follow. Personal highlight of a flawless performance was hearing Eulogy. Interesting to note however that no songs off Opiate appeared in the set.
Review written by: HakeldamA (hakeldama@blistering.net) Review posted on: 07/25/01 14:38:43 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Thanx to the brother who dropped a bag of budz in front of me!!! Oh YEAH TooL are the best, with some of the film clips behind them this gig waz the best ive seen outta all bandz , looking forward to the next gig in Aus! Maynard thought a guy in the front row should get naked along with all the girlz cause he waz cute.PRAIZE HAIL TooL AND SAtAN
Review written by: Tokes (mtokar@bigpond.net.au) Review posted on: 07/25/01 14:41:23 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
12:30am - It is over. It passes but there is still a rage inside me, a desire. It is more that I want. The SetList was pretty much the same as the Melbourne show: The Grudge (-) ions Stinkfist Prison Sex (with extra verse) 46 & 2 [ I think Eulogy goes in here... it was somewhere in the first half ] Schism Disposition Reflection - INTERMISSION - SALIVAL SCREEN, SCHISM VIDEO Sober Parabol Parabola Aenima [ Pushit (studio version) ] Lateralus This in the [ ] I am unsure of where they went... I cant believe I dont remember... it was only a couple of hours ago. Notice the absense of Opiate... It's the strangest thing... on my way home I didn't even hum tunes or anything... its like its left my system completely... TOOL, your powers of hypnosis and control have taken me. The music was like sex for the mind - the seed has been finally impregnated into my brain, leaving a strange numbness. Maynard said the usual greatings, made a comment about he hopes to see us all tomorrow night (2nd show), and then said that until then we should remain naked (well, just the women he said). Like the Melbourne show, he was in his underpants for the 2nd half of the show. Also, I didn't know Maynard played the guitar... Danny was absolutely brilliant... nothing topped his performance. Adam on the other hand could have done slightly better... I did witness a couple of mistakes he made. Still, it was the best show i'd ever seen... Even though i haven't seen many... THe only one that could compete would be the Foo Fighters at the Big Day Out in 2000. A big fucking sell out crowd would be pleased... Oh, and the supporting act were quite... inadequate. I'll leave it at that. Fare Well - Tokes
Review written by: Tokes (mtokar@bigpond.net.au) Review posted on: 07/25/01 14:47:32 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Sorry just a question for anyone on the floor with me... These people around me kept holding up their hands and forming a triangle with their thumb and index fingers. Could someone please tell me what this means? Email it to me or something... address is above. Damn I wish I going tomorrow nite... but in a seat... that would be so cool. Ahh well... I'll never remove this wristband.
Review written by: Chris Leonardi (chris@cfd.mech.unsw.edu.au) Review posted on: 07/25/01 15:45:54 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
This was one brilliant show! The setlist changed a little from the previous shows as we got Eulogy but Opiate wasn't played. They finished with Lateralus instead on Anema which was awesome. A great show and the crowd was good too!! Except from some stone idiots with small dicks.
Review written by: Kezza (kezza.sonia@bigpond.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 15:47:03 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
There is nothing that can descride the intense and emotional rollercoaster ride that u get when seeing Tool Live. The highlight of the show has to be Eulogy I'm still in shock it was played. This band showed tonight what music should be about Raw Emotion, not sitting around talking or bouncing around centre stage. Having Maynard postioned in front of that screen doing what he does best while Adam & Justin are at the front of the stage playing their guitars with such passion but with so little effort and Carey, What a drummer. The only down side to this evening was having to go straight to work after it. Bring on tomorrow night. TOOL ROCKS
Review written by: joanna (joanna@bigpond.net.au) Review posted on: 07/25/01 15:58:05 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
The show was painfully and indescribibly unreal. It was like a prolonged journey into a piece of beautiful, passionate and violent art. Push it was most definately one of the highlights for me, along with Aenema and then Parabola & Eulogy. Would've loved to hear Third Eye and Ticks and Leeches, but I'm more than happy to take what I could out of what just happened then, and leave it at that... It seriously blew me away. Can't wait til tomorrow nights show. Thankyou so damn much, Tool.
Review written by: grug (grug@sexintheass.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 16:04:01 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Best. Concert. Ever. It went off. Support act sucked (as you might have gathered from Melbourne review) but once The Grudge started, man, the bass in the room was simply amazing. Presuming we had the Melbourne/NZ/everywhere else setlist, I was pretty psyched when Eulogy started and everyone who wasn't already standing pretty much got up and joined in. Only problem was the intermission wasn't long enough, people were running back from the toilets and outside and candy bar and whatever else to get back in to see 'Sober' Pushit, Eulogy, and Parabol(a) would have to be highlights, the energy was just fucking amazing.
Review written by: Lukeage Tension Experiment (ljc@mindless.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 16:10:17 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
HOLY FUCK!!!!!! I just go home from the most awesome concert I have ever seen. After the supporting band finally got their fat arses off the stage, and then a short break, on came the GODS!!! They were magnificent. The videos were great, music was mind blowing and the atmosphere was excellent. If ya missed it I hope you are going to the next one or you gonna miss out big time!
Review written by: Hu Man (deanjenson28@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 16:52:51 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
2a.m. post tool concert. Just a passing thought... Pretty bad show from beginning to end. Only Sober hit the spot. This band has no stage presence, Maynard hiding up the back facing the wrong way - hey man we're over here, all 8,000 or so of us, behind you! Maybe he accidently popped an eden that a security guard gave him or something before the show and spazzed out. The other guys in the band seemed distant, withdrawn, and high strung. Didn't want to stuff up i guess, but you see i wouldn't have minded, if it meant some interaction with the audience. The playing was flawless though...perfect infact. But i would've enjoyed a bit of imperfection, some improv. I got bored and then i thought of Tonight, Live, Sold Out (video release by Nirvana) I felt better. Now that's a band that knows how to let go and be free on stage, make mistakes but still be vibrant and inspiring. Tool is definately a recording band but not a performing one. Now that I'm on a roll, the audience was real stiff as well. I'll blame that on the weather... maybe one day real soon we will "watch the weather change". You think! Sounds a bit predictable though. I scroll through all these reviews from New York to New Zealand and they are all singing their praises. It's telling because it proves that we are truly deprived of any real talent these days so people grasp at anything they have left. A music show on tv recently said tool is the last band standing from the bands that gained fame in the early grunge period. I think this is sad. It was my last dime, Bie
Review written by: Eric (evenflow85@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 17:02:10 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!! It' 1:58 am and I just got back from the first Tool show in Sydney. Setlist: The Grudge (-) Ions Stinkfist Forty Six & 2 Prison Sex Eulogy Disposition Reflection Intermission: Salival thing flashes on the screen for a minute then the video clip for Schism plays More greatness: Sober Pushit Parabol Parabola Aenema Lateralus This is definitley a must for anyone, even if yuo've only heard Stinkfist at your friends house.You have to see Tool live. Justin moves around more than I thought he would.I've been hearing that he stands still the whole show but he moves his body back and forward and stomps his feet, and I watched him almost as much as Maynard. Maynard has a little podium he stands on just across from Danny's drum kit.And there is a little screen behind him and hardly any lights on his face so all you see is his silhouette against the screen.Its so cool.And all the time he's doing his little Maynard dance where he hunches over then leans back and hops from side to side, whereas Adam only moves when he needs to press a pedal, get a drink or say something to someone.But I don't care, and I don't think anyone else does either.He is too good.I don't give a fuck about where he moves. Danny I saw fairly well because I was side on to his drums.His hands are just......fast.Like real fucking fast.He is so good to watch.But its not that,What about the huge extended flurry at the end of Eulogy? Or the offbeat thing he does with his hi hats? I wish I could drum like Danny. Now onto the songs. I missed the first "Wear the Grudge like a crown," part because I was screaming at the stupid fucking idiots with too much make up and dyed blonde hair were trying to fing their seats.The doors opened 2 hours ago dumbass!!!!Get the fuck out of my way!!!!!!! But then The Grudge went off.Absolutely off.Oh yeah. (-) Ions was used while Adam tuned his guitar, then he went into the feedback intro of Stinkfist.Everyone, even us poor people in the stands, were going off. Maynard was the stand out, I think. Forty Six & 2 was all Justin.The spotlights shined on him at the start and he shined without them for the rest of it. Prison Sex had a little extra thing before the "I have found some kind of temporary sanity," part, which was cool.No, really cool. Schism was all Justin again before Adam started Eulogy, and the walls dropped.I wasn't expecting it at all,I don't think anyone was, but it was traded in and Opiate was traded out. Now, at the end of Eulogy, I was expecting the studio version and it was kind of, Adam Justin did the same thing but Danny went int some kind of overdrive and had smoke coming off his drum skins.It made the song about a minute longer and about a million times better. I must apologize to Tool and the actual music fans there tonight.When the boys started Disposition some dickhead behind me yelled out "Play a real song," and I think someone hit him.The crowd didn't really appreciate the song but I loved it, and so did all the actual music fans there.Then at the ends of Reflection, Adam played that one riff for about 5 minutes and got a massive cheer for it. Schism plays. Band come back, with Maynard wearing only his black underwear and start Sober.Yes.Fucking Yes. I was worried that maybe Pushit had been bumped for Eulogy, but thank god it hadn't. Adam started that song and the roof flew off the Entertainment Centre.Maynard was going off.Danny was on fire.Justin was stomping his feet and realy getting into it, as was every motherfucker in there. Parabol/a was another favorite.Then Maynard dedicated Aenema to the sweaty boys up front. Lateralus couldn't have been better.Its the perfect closer.Plus its my favorite Tool song. Maynard speaks(not entirely accurate,it was dark and I was in the moment) After Stinkfist: "Good evening. Are you prepared?" After Pushit(not sure): "Thank you, it's been a while.You look different.New haircut? It makes you look older.Its good.I like it.Don't worry.It'll grow back." After Parabola(not sure): "Think for yourself.Think for yourself.Live for yourself.Except this guy right here.Right here in the front with the black hat.Mmmm.There's nothing better than a bunch of young sweaty, shirtless boys rubbing up against each other.This song is for you.(Starts the breathing thing for Aenema.) I'm not quite sure when he said this: "Thank you.For everything.For coming here.For listening." Thats about it.I'll remember more once I get some sleep.E- mail me if you want.
Review written by: chris nietzsche (astound0@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 17:22:41 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
A rainy Sydney night arrive to door people body searching me. I feel welcome. Seated next to some young very depressed guys. I didn't mind it too much. Some old rockers put me to sleep. At 9pm Tool come on stage. The video effects on the two screens are designed to gear my gaze away from the band. Tool members stand stiff on the stage. The front man Maynard stands at the back of the stage [all ruddy night] hiding. This reminds me of the brave old days of Chris Cornell and Kurt Cobain who stood in the front and even threw themselves onto the audience guitar and all. Times have changed where even bands like Tool who have something to say ... say it in the dark corners of the stage. Maybe they were trying to be Brechtian though I doubt it! it's 3.24am and I am listening to ions ... so much nicer in my little room with a heater on. I might as well have stayed home and listened to Tool right here. I went to the concert for a difference ... a different sound from my cds here. Too much to ask for I would guess. Yes sober was great live! Only that and nothing else. The sound system and their new guitar effects just didn't work. Hope they fix the sound system for thursday night's show. I am not going. I was hoping it would be great tonight. It ended with a dash for the cloak room with hours of waiting for a jacket. Hang it all! We ate in China town. At least we ate! What happened to charisma? It may cost more then $74 bucks.
Review written by: Ben (iamahippopotamus@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 21:55:03 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Shit, Shit Shit! What a bloody corker. Totally speechless, I don't know what to say. No words can come to my mind to help me out. THE MOST amazing show I have ever seen. 46 & 2, eulogy and Anema were the highlights for me. Played to perfection. Loved maynards words "Think for yourself, question authority" beautifully said. "You look different, did you cut your hair? It looks good" "Tomorrow everyone should get naked, just as a statment......except for the boys". Maynard you are a genious. That throat must be killing him today. And yes as previously confirmed Danyy does have just two arms and two legs. Anyway I have posted a full review here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toollive If anyone has any pics, reviews, sounds or anything from this show, can you please post it up there. I need to see that I didn't dream it up. This show just created Toolgasm after Toolgasm. TOOL, you are my religion. Thankyou for the experience.
Review written by: Dodes (dodemontc@powertel.com.au) Review posted on: 07/25/01 22:25:45 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Hi there, I'm not gonna say much about the show. I mean come on, everyone knows how good they are... All i'll say is that the bass was the loudest/deepest i've EVER heard and well... Being a drummer, Danny Carey is my God. Quickly, the setlist (just in case noone else has submitted it.. hmm) The Grudge Stinkfist 46 & 2 Prison Sex (modified version) Schism Eulogy Disposition + Reflection They took a break here and played the Schism film clip?? Sober Parabol + Parabola Pushit Aenema Lateralus. Hmm the best song on the night i migth have to say was Pushit.. it was the normal verion and it seemed bigger and heavier than most things.. altho my fav song off Lat (Grudge) was a great way to start a concert. Anyway, i'm going to the 2nd show tonight so i may get to annoy you again like this... that's if you don't tell me not to before hand... Thanks. Dodes
Review written by: teco (t_ko25@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 22:36:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
just an addition to all the things that have already been said (mostly full of superlatives, some constructively critical) maynard's vocal chords must be strung with steel! to be able to maintain such purity in his voice and still reach the intense screams that some of the songs involve is incredible. to me that is the beauty of tool.. they're able to combine the extremes of clarity and intensity of sound in each piece. that and the structure behind their music really sets them apart. p.s the entertainment centre sucks, especially row x...thanks to the two people much closer to the stage who didn't turn up and consequently let me have their seats.
Review written by: Chris (ctheuns@wallace.adsteam.com.au) Review posted on: 07/25/01 22:45:29 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Let me start by saying it was an awesome show. They had a few sound problems during the first couple of songs but they cleared up pretty quickly. we got a slightly different setlist than usual. It was: The Grudge Stinkfist 46 & 2 Prison Sex Schism Eulogy Disposition Reflection Intermission (Schism video, blah blah...) Sober Parabol Parabola Pushit Aenema Lateralus Maynard didn't speak with the crowd much until the second half. He said that it's been awhile and that we all look different. He asked if we got our haircut, pretty funny. The he said that as an artistc statement everyone except the guys should get naked and stay that way until tonight's show. The band played flawless. I was really looking forward to watching Danny Carrey and, man, is that guy a machine! He does everything so effortlessly yet precisely. The visuals during 46 & 2 were spectacular and they really added to the show, and overall they were great. The hightlights for me were Eulogy (a pleasent surprise!), Pushit and Aenema. In fact, the songs from Aenima sounded the best out of the lot. Maybe they're still getting used to playing the new songs? Who knows, but The Grudge sounded excellent. I'll be going to the second show tonight. It will be interesting to se what they play this time. I'd really like the hear The Patient. We'll see.... To wrap it up, a brilliant show by the most talented and professional outfit around. Seeing them live has only hightened my respect and love for them as musicians becuase in my opinion, until you've seen them live then your not getting the whole point. I'm tired gotta go. I'll post a review of the second show tomorrow. If anyone wants to email me feel free, I'm always willing to talk TOOL!! Later.
Review written by: Jonathan (jonathan@secretfornow.org) Review posted on: 07/25/01 23:02:13 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
Great show, and by far the most flowing and cohesive of the ones I've seen. Just one thing to add, unfortunately there was no Opiate tonight. Maybe they'll play it tomorrow?
Review written by: Jonathan (jonathan@secretfornow.org) Review posted on: 07/25/01 23:02:13 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
Great show, and by far the most flowing and cohesive of the ones I've seen. Just one thing to add, unfortunately there was no Opiate tonight. Maybe they'll play it tomorrow?
Review written by: Hels Bels (HellsBells225@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/25/01 23:20:17 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Ok. I am really split. I don't know how to feel (mostly because it's early in the mornong, I am at work, with most of you home in bed snug as a bug.) So I am writing this in post show blues- and with time to think, not driven by passion. Does this make me more reliable? Hmmm However it was....a great show. I was slightly disspointed but I went in with the highest of expectations. Questions: What was with the sound?? I don't think Maynard was getting any fold back as he was much faster than the others. Dissapointing Would the concert have been as good without the weird and wonderful video images?? Did Maynard sing any differently than he did on their CD's??? High bits: Eulogy was absolutely incredible and a pleasant surprise as I was expecting the song list from last shows. Yes the band was detached but I think most bands are "these days." I think Maynard looked incredible on that podium (and thank god as I was on the dance floor and being 164cm doesn't get you to see alot). I liked his sillouette on the video screen-He looked like a foetus. How good was Danny!!!!!!! His arms were going so fast that they were a blured vision!!! Truely the master of the band (I originally thought Maynard was but how shit is Perfect Circle???) Another highlight was the amazing bass. I could feel it thumping in my throat. All in all it was a great show. Out of ten? 7.5. Sydney entertainment centre really needs to do something with their sound.... Back to work.
Review written by: Jake (intolerance5@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 00:46:10 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
It was very good. I liked it just fine. Most fans will know what a Tool concert is like, no longer will I waste your time. Bye.
Review written by: geek (geek@triplej.zzn.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 01:10:17 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Well fuck me! I won't go on with stuff that I can't describe in words. I'd been waiting 7 years for last night and if anything, it exceeded my expectations, not just fulfilled them! I can die happy now. Every day that I live from here on in is just a bonus. The visuals were amazing, the sound was just right (especially that fucking awesome blow you away bass) and the crowd made the atmosphere electric! People have probably already said this, but I'll reiterate it: TOOL are the best fucking band in the world. Their ideas, their music, their poetry - everything; and that concert last night just reinforced that fact. I won't bother with the setlist as it has already been posted. It was great to see them play Eulogy - especially since they hadn't played it in the other shows. What a fucking awesome experience!
Review written by: Doug (Andrews.Douglas.D@bhp.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 01:20:59 ET
This was this reviewer's 4th Tool show
Looks like I win, my 4th show. Heaps more songs than the other times I've seen them. I was a bit dissapointed they didn't cover Opiate at all. Much more visual than previous shows, made it harder to concentrate on what the band were doing. Can't wait til the next installment.
Review written by: Adam D Mills (diewalpurgisnacht@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 01:39:33 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Anticipation was high. It's been a while since I saw TOOL... To put it in simple terms, TOOL were quite possibly the siongle most amazing live band I have witnessed. They took the parameters of a rock show and blew them apart. Firstly, Maynard was situated not at the front of the satge, but alongside Danny on his own riser. This did a lot to changew the dynamic of the band (visually, not musically) - suddenly Justin and Adam became the "frontpersons" - a good move from a band renowned for their shunning of rockstar bullshit. The projections were another welcome addition. There were two projection screens, one large one behind the band and a smaller one behind Maynard (giving his small, bald frame a stunning silhouette). These screens showed animations similar to those found on the Dissectional website, as well as footage from TOOL's many fine film clips. I was afraid they may prove a distraction, but I was soon caught up in the confronting and disturbing imagery being flashed across the screens. The setlist was as we expected. Disposition/Reflection formed a definite highlight, as did Pushit (the version found on nima, not the Salival version). There were a few small changes to song structures: Prison Sex was the OTRM version, Eulogy enjoyed a longer ending (which was utterly fantastic), and as Reflection drew to a close, all the band left the stage except Adam, who stood playing that closing riff for close to an extra five minutes (or so it seemed). While this didn't impress the drunked yobbos seated behind me (who thought yelling obscenities at the band might do some good), I was spellbound. I could have watched him play it for another hour and would never have been bored. Such is the power of TOOL. Hell, I could watch the tune up and would find it the most intense concert experience ever, I think. There is more to TOOL than great music and disturbing imagery. Something that I cannot put my finger on. Something that drove me to the verge of tears as Pushit clawed its way into my skull. Something that rendered me unable to speak to answer the inevitable flood of people who must ask "What did you think of it?" I'm still somewhat speechless... text comes easy but don't ask me to verbally articulate the majesty that was TOOL's performance in Sydney last night.
Review written by: Graeme Shelvey (shelvey@optusnet.com.au) Review posted on: 07/26/01 02:05:38 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
To start with, I have to say to anyone who still has the opportunity to go to tonight's show, DO IT. The band really delivers live. Don't be put off if you've heard some of the live versions of APC tracks like the The Hollow or Judith and thought Maynard's voice disappeared once out of the comfort of a studio. He and the rest of the band were incredible. Onto the show, I arrived to find that the seats we had were quite awful. We were located to the rear and left of the stage, a position where no speakers were directed. Through great luck, one of our seats was unusable, as a technician had dropped a spanner when working on the ceiling. A complaint to the staff so us moved to seats that had as good a view of the action as any in the house. For me the show was something of a show of two halves, one very good yet slightly disappointing the other amazingly brilliant. The main problem with the first half of the show was with the mix, it was difficult to hear Maynard's voice at some of his quieter moments. Also, it took me a few songs to adjust to the noise level of the band, but once the adjustment was made I was in awe. The Stinkfist video remix was really good. I'm not sure if Maynard was adding a verse, during the part where he normally does his Portuguese, or was just hitting a few high notes. It was hard to tell due to the mixing level. 46+2 was amazingly played, the band was so tight and they threw in little things to make it sound different, like Maynard hitting a "My Shadow" yell and turning it into a high note. Danny's drum solo was incredible. The video to the song was fantastic, the conclusion with the naked girls battling underwater was amazing. It was good to hear the extra verse of Prison Sex, it sounded fantastic. Schism, was a disappointment, due to the mixing level, particularly during the "Cold silence..." part. Instrumental for this song was really cool though, a bit heavier in places. Having followed the set lists for the Australasian shows I felt I'd spoilt a bit of the surprise for myself. I knew 'Pushit' was up next, probably my favourite Tool track. Then Eulogy started, a huge surprise. This song was incredible, the best of the first half of the show. The conclusion to this song was fantastic, with Danny thrashing away and the guitarists keeping incredibly tight. Disposition and Reflection lost a bit due to the mixing problem. Reflection had some great instrumental differences in the 2nd half of the song, and the band was incredibly tight. Really strange finish with Adam playing a bunch of notes over and over. I thought this might have been to fill the time that it takes to get the Schism video ready to be projected. The timing of the finish was interesting as a slow clap had just started to try and get him off stage, and the finish seemed to make the applause bigger. Schism video is great, though it served as a reminder of how poor some of the sound mixing was. This was a really good way to break up the show, much better then a "we want more" chant. The incredible 2nd half was next, Sober came off so much better live, and the sound mix was much improved. I was surprised not to see parts of the Sober video used. Parabol/Parabola was brilliant, the best of the new material live. The transition between these songs was always going to be a highlight live. Seemed they held the transition up a little longer just to heighten the anticipation and effect. A great moment came next, when Pushit began, a song I thought wouldn't make an appearance, due to Eulogy earlier. This song was so incredible, slight differences to the studio version such as vocals starting earlier at the start of the song, and being delayed in other places. Maynard's vocals were perfect, and the band was unbelievable, particularly Danny Carey's drumming. Maynard's movements were really great in this song. At one stage he was standing with his back to the audience, his feet were together and he was leaning from side to side slowly, looking like he might stumble. Looked like he was being prodded by an invisible force. I thought Maynard used the line "You wounded me," in some of the choruses. After a bit of great comedic timing, which I imagine has already been written about, Aenema began. Just brilliaint live. Maynard changed some of the lyrics around. In the "Fret..." part, one of the lines was "Fret for your mobile," I found this really funny as the guy beside had been playing around with his mobile for a lot of the night. Finally, the night ended with Lateralus, which was really good but the vocal mixing was a little poor here again. Danny was interviewed on the 3 hours of power last week, saying how sometimes he can't help but laugh at some of Maynard's stage actions. It really seemed as though Maynard was trying to get a laugh out of Danny at one stage in this song. I don't think he got one though. Danny's giant gong made the hugest of sounds, it really freaked me out when he first hit it, as it wasn't expected. What was it that Danny threw at the end of the show that went almost the length of the pit? Overall, a great show that left me an even bigger fan of this band (as well as a ringing in my ears that still exists as I type this). All of the band were fantastic, particularly Danny. Maynard has an incredible presence on stage, he seemed like he was almost shadow boxing with a shadow that was hitting him back. The face paint he had on created a great effect. It was a black line down the centre of his face and around his eyes (did it extend to the top of his head or had grown a small streak of hair?). I'm not sure if he had it on at the start of the show or if he put it on in between The Grudge and Stinkfist. As Maynard was side on for a lot of the first half it looked as though he'd painted half of his face completely. It had me really confused when he'd turn to the other sideand then other side of his face appeared to be painted. I wasn't sure for a while whether he had a mask that he was switching. Maynard's 2nd half outfit, the undies, was pretty funny. One of the guys I was with thought it looked just like a person from a reality show like cops, where a pale naked white guy would be going loony and a black dot would be used to cover his genitals. In the 2nd half of the show he spent a lot of his time with his back to the crowd, it seemed like he was feeding his energy from the images coming off the projector screen. The images displayed were very surreal and interesting, hard to take it all in. I can't wait till these guys next return to the country. Thanks, to Kabir for maintaining such a deep and rich website.
Review written by: Spectre (spectre@dragon.net.au) Review posted on: 07/26/01 02:41:59 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Took a while for the sound to come together, but when it did it was solid and was a very close representation of all things that have been recorded. Most still band of this nature I have seen in a while and ALL were consumate professionals. I have never seen a guitarist who does SO much move so little. I'd like to pick his brain, what a bizarre feeling in itself to be standing in front of 15000 people who love your music while bombarding them with visuals that you also created. The visuals led me to believe that Playstation owe Tool much credit for where they sourced ideas for their own scene-scapes. MAYNARDS VOICE holds up and is ON for ALL of the concert which is more than I could have said for Richard Patrick when I saw FILTER. Thats very important I think that you bring to the people what they have heard on you rdisc and not a half-arsed bake at it. First concert worth that much money I could say honestly worth every cent. GOOD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE GLOBE TOOL
Review written by: Josh (re_entry@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 02:52:13 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Tool are the best musicians on the planet. Danny's drumming cannot be described with mere words, it must be seen. Maynards voice is everything you could possibly imagine mutiplied by a million and Adam and Justin are both amazing musicians. With that I still walked out feeling disappointed. Musicly Tool are unbeleivable, but there stage presence is not. Maynard was in darkness for most of the night and with the small video behind him it was almost impossible to see any distinguishing features. Adam and Justin barely moved the whole show, and Maynard rarely spoke to the crowd. Appart from that the videos that accompanied the music were mesmerizing and perfectly suited for each song, and the bass in the room almost blew your mind. They played for over two hours but I could have watched them all night. Best song would probably have to be Eulogy. I recorded the first half of the show and swapped discs at the schism intermission which was then confiscated by a fat usher =(.Still have over half the show so if anyone wants copies email me. Overall an awesome show, if you havn't seen them go tonight cos the floor hasn't even sold out yet...
Review written by: Lachlan (undertowe3@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 03:16:27 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Wow!!!!!!! A very tight performance they really nailed sober and pushit. Very impressive stuff. I was actually pretty far back in the seats but 2nite I have a floor ticket :) I can't wait to get up close. Hopefully maynerd will interact a little more - he spent all of last nights show next to danny's kit on a podium in the dark. Still easily the best performance I have ever seen.
Review written by: Lachlan (undertowe3@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 03:30:32 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Wow!!!!!!! A very tight performance they really nailed sober and pushit. Very impressive stuff. I was actually pretty far back in the seats but 2nite I have a floor ticket :) I can't wait to get up close. Hopefully maynerd will interact a little more - he spent all of last nights show next to danny's kit on a podium in the dark. Still easily the best performance I have ever seen. I can honestly say that no other show has moved me they way tool did last night, I am still buzzing from last night and 2nite I will be up cloase and presonal! Hopefully they will play some more opiate/undertow maybe less aenima since they played about 5 tracks from aenima last night. can't wait anyone who hasn't seen tool make sure you line up for tix next time they play near you!!!
Review written by: Jilted (jubbalo@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 03:58:56 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
IT has to be said that the show was pretty awesome but I have a few points i'd like to make: Firstly i was really impressed when i walked onto the floor and found the stage down low with a riser for Danney and Maynard. It made the show really good to watch from the pit. The projected images were even better than i had expected even though i spent a lot of the night with my eyes closed just soaking up the bass as Danny's kick drum shook my insides. While the band played through the first few songs i got the impression that they weren't totally into it. For some reason they didn't project the kind of raw energy that most bands feed off during their live shows. Being my first TooL show and having read other reviews off this site i was pretty much expecting the most awesome vibe of all time to come off that stage. By the time they got to 46+2 they had got more locked in with each other and that's when things got awesome. I found that by shutting my eyes and allowing my body to move I could feel more of their energy projected through the music. So i guess what i'm trying to say is that TooL really aren't about jumping around on stage and putting on a show in that respect. If you go along expecting so see that then you will be dissapointed. The only way i could enjoy the show was knowing that i was listening to TooL's music at a volume so loud i could feel it while the band were actually in the room playing it live. Highlights were defenitly parabol and parabola, prison sex, disposition and reflection and lateralus. Seeing Maynard play guitar was unexpected but interesting. Danny................he got so tired but he still managed to pull off monster grooves and fills. I bow down to that man. He is fucking amazing. Adam made a few too many mistakes but hey, this was live right? Though his guitar tone and the emotion coming out of it was really moving. Maynard sung a few notes out of tune and he was hard to hear in the first set but he more than made up for it later. Justin pulled off some really interesting sounds with his bass. If you ever get close enough, watch him and be amazed. TO sum it up i'd say the show was amazing but not exactly mind blowing. It was worth the money though and i can't wait for tonight cause i've got a feeling that now they are used to the venue they will pull off some mind blowing shit. Atleast i hope they do.............. Oh and BTW, the best thing about seeing them live is the lingering after taste. The music induced high stays with you for a few days after :)
Review written by: Chris O'Neill (theguvner@optushome.com.au) Review posted on: 07/26/01 04:16:20 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Well here were are fellow Tool-ites! Its is indeed the next day and im hung over, drained, my ears are still ringing and im on an intense fucking high from watching the most enigmatic, beautiful and powerful band in music history...TOOL!! what can i say except for that im so grateful i was born at the time i was..in the era that is now...so i could bear witness to the masters of melodic mayhem. i loved the show. everything about it. the set was unbelieveable...when aenema came on i was almost in tears from pure joy. im STILL weraing my yellow wristband and im going to keep it on until we go again tonight...so then ill have TWO wiistbands...! my legacy to tool! the floor section was intense...it was crazy yes..but you could just FEEL the vibes off everybody...they were lost in the music aswell. we saw pantera a few weeks ago...and, while the music is entirely different...the people there i think didnt give a shit about the music..they just went there to crack fucking heads and damn near kill everybody. to me thats not a concert. EVERYONE at the tool concert was IMMERSED in the music...we were on floor and when you looked around in the stands, you could just see them all....floor people too...in a complete trance. THATS how a concert is meant to be. i read one review earlier from one dickhead who criticised the concert...every minor detail he had a cry about...he even went to say that tool had no talent and they were "sad". WHY THE FUCK DID YOU GO THEN BUDDY!!? shut your cakehole and fuck off. in my (and 10 000 other sydney siders opinions) it was a life- changing experience. adam was in great form...his guitar cranked out some serious bass when he did his little solo/intermision. he's not very animate, no. but he doesnt have to be. so who gives a fuck if they dont jump around like limp dick bizkit. its the MUSIC we were there for. i like justin with his longer hair too...and he got some serious headbanging going too. GOOD ON YA JUSTIN. speaking of which...peach..(his old band) are releasing a new ep soon..be on the lookout. danny was just (in my opinion) by far the best performer. he didnt put a beat wrong...his double kick was floorless, and he just nailed every single song. before the set started and they tool the curtain off his drum set, everyone just froze. it was the biggest, most dynamic kit we'd all seen. WAY better than igor cavaleras! MJK was a force to be reckoned with wasnt he? jeez the grudge got everyone pulsating. when he stomped his foot down for the chorus...we were in business. the place erupted. me personally i likd him in his boxers better..and i agree with a lot of the fans too when they say that he was a lot more open in the 2nd half of the show. the "haircut" remark was funny as shit! so..all in all.....an awsome show. they dont need shock tactics and swearing every 2nd word to win an audience over. its just TOOL. and im forever grateful to tool for allowing me to listen and be taken by their music. thankyou tool! for everyone who wont be going tonight..hope you all enjoyed yourselves last night! and to those who are....ill see you all there! =) "WE ARE PREPARED"
Review written by: .synchronicity. (synchronicity_music@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 04:26:41 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
I know alot of reviews have been posted already, but as it was my first TOOL concert ever, I just have to write something about it... letters and words aren't adequate to describe the feeling felt through the entire expierance...the screens, the immense crowd, my nice location and..TOOL, made it a night i hope i never forget... TOOL are an inspiration for artists and thinkers everywhere...Jung would have been immensley proud. Especially since they haven't just rehashed his work, but expanded on it even further...immensely spectacular, everything about the show. Thank you TOOL .synchronicity.
Review written by: Lonx (brendenw@beckers.com.au) Review posted on: 07/26/01 04:41:40 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Well what is left to say? They've been, they've played, we've experienced. Thankyou. And I hope Carey was serious on the 3 Hours of Power when he quoted that we'd be seeing them again soon. The amount of people that give you strange looks when you mention just the word 'Tool' is unbelievable, yet last night I believe we all found ourselves surrounded by ourselves. And it was good. My only disappointment being that I didn't have floor tickets. While we did our best, Tool cannot be experienced from the restriction of a foldback seat. Thankyou Tool.
Review written by: Mick Cromagnon (mmmick@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 04:42:01 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
(................) That would be the word, if I could think of one, which describes what I witnessed last night. I want to point out highlights, but I feel that would detract from the rest of the experience!!!! In the first breakdown of Lateralus ("I embrace my desire to feel the rhythm ..... to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human."), I cried. If you're after a serious endorphins-fix, go to a TOOL gig.
Review written by: Ben (asphinctersayzwot@telstra.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 04:49:47 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Unsurpassable. Words cannot describe what we all experienced on Wednesday night, and thats exactly what seeing TOOL is all about. It is an EXPERIENCE on the highest possible level. You thought you had an experience when you found that wallet with over $1000 cash inside??? TOOL's experience is 1,000,000 times greater than that. It all starts with a shit support band with a shit sound who are literally booed off the stage. the only applause they received was when they left. Then to our surprise, the house lights come on and the whole centre is alight. The lights remain on for over half an hour while the road crew get the shit band's shit off the stage, test Adam's & Justin's guitars and remove the cover from Danny's remarkable drum setup which in turn got a welcoming applause and cheer from the gathering audience. At exactly 9:03:44PM the lights turn off followed by the roar of the crowd. Sillouhettes appear in front of the small screen & stage where Maynard remained all night. Ear piercing roars & whistles bellow as the first notes of "The Grudge" pump through the centre. Each beat as pounding as the other. Both screens producing mind altering images, which are synchronised with the music... Which one do we look at? TOOL or the images? Here was a dilemma, but an easily fixed one. Maynard's stage in front of a screen as big as a small house wall produced mirror images of the larger screen. Two birds with one stone. Also, the longer you stared at Maynard, the more certain you were that he looked to be "inside" the screen and performing in relation to the images. The contrast of the light show also added an extra brain warping level of stuntedness as the heavy purple to ocean blue to blood red lights shone in circles on the stage and in the audience. Maynard didn't have one light on him. Next on the setlist was "Stinkfist", powerfully executed flawlessly. Maynard's voice was starting to warm up enough for his ferocious lyrics to come alive and vibrate through your body and shake your eyeballs. Danny's precision drumming awed the audience to a level of incomprehensibility that he is looked at as a kind of Drum God. I know I think of him in that way. Adam's guitar screamed effortlessly & Justin just plain KICKED ARSE. Next was "Prison Sex" followed by "Eulogy" The rest of the setilst is lost in my memory. I know which songs were played, but have no recollection of the order. Below is the song list in no particular order. 1. The Grudge 2. Stinkfist 3. Prison Sex 4. Forty-six & 2 5. Schism 6. Parabol 7. Parabola 8. Eulogy 9. Sober 10. AEnima 11. Lateralus 12. Reflection 13. Pushit My conclusion is this, If you had the chance to see TOOL play live and you DIDN'T go, you have missed the best experience of your entire life. If you dont believe me, then ask any of the thousands of fans who shared TOOL last night... I can guarantee you they will agree.
Review written by: Lachlan (undertowe3@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 04:52:17 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
I already posted a review but I just have to say that it is an amzing feeling after reading all of these reviews that everyone seems to have had the same reaction to last nights preformance. I don't think many bands in history have been able to pull that off. ie totally amaze everyone there and put them in the same state of absolute joy - to the point of bringing grown men to tears! We are so lucky that these 4 guys were somehow brought together. Bands like 'Limp Bizkit' could never bring there fans through such a broad range of emotions like tool do. I'll see you tonight guys... PS For all those going 2nite, wasn't it a good feeling when Maynard said 'maybe I'll see some of you again tomorrow, thats about 22 hours from now' its 2:55pm and I can't wait for 8pm!
Review written by: Stu (lachrymology_inc@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 05:16:46 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
What a show. On the way to Sydney i realised i left the tool tix at home so we had to drive all the way back and get them. I thought we were gonna be late but we were tight on time. I sat down with my brother and there were 2 jesus look alikes next to me. When the grudge started the place went off. Although I was quite disappointed with the mosh pit's performance. pretty dismal guys. more action in the seats then down there. Anyway Eulogy was the stand-out along with sober. But lateralus was my favourite. what a breakdown it has! Just got home from sydney. good work tool. hope to see you again soon.
Review written by: Noel Gurney (nmag@start.com.au) Review posted on: 07/26/01 05:44:12 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
This was my first Tool concert and i think it will remain that way after the shocking performance of a pitiful band. I was given a ticket by a friend who was sick with glandular fever, so no I did not waste my money. I got into the venue at approximately 8pm and took my seat. The highlight of the night was to come with the Cosmic Psychos who seem like a great up and coming band with great musical prowess.. more than I can say about the headline band and that's for sure. When Tool did come out to play their first song, there was a feeling of anticipation from the crowd and perhaps a little from me as I did not know what to expect, that anticipation turned to disgust as "The Smudge" was played by the band. The old, balding pensioner lead singer was hiding in the dark in front of a screen (which projected images more entertaining than anything in the venue might I add) moving around like some retarded monkey from the 14th century, unaware that it made the aging grandfather look that badly. They proceeded to play a handful of cheap crappy songs after that and by the intermission, I knew that it was time to leave. If anyone enjoyed this concert they have a serious mental defect as this band has no clue as to music or what makes a successful performance and if a tip is what they want, all i can say is "look at your opening act for advice". And as for all you flamers: 1) I am posting here as my friend who gave me the infamous ticket wanted me to post my review here and - 2) If you have something to say, email me. Nmag.
Review written by: Brendan Ingram (pwr200@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 05:44:50 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Well, after waiting six years for Tool to visit the land down under, the time finally arrived. After a one and a half hour drive into Sydney with excitement levels at fever pitch, we arrived. Bought the official t-shirt, put it straight on proudly, and went in to grab seats. The two hour wait on the phone to get tickets turned out to be a blessing, as although we were 3/4 up the stands vertically, we were diagonally in front of the stage and lucky for me (being a drummer) had the most awesome view of Danny. As in the American shows, there was a main projector screen at the back of the stage, and a smaller screen behind where we assumed Maynard would stand. Maynard and Danny were slightly elevated behind Adam and Justin. Dannys kit was covered in a black sheet, and as it was pulled back to reveal the masters tools, the crowd errupted briefly before settling back down. Through sound check, which went pretty quick, then the lights dimmed. By this stage I was wondering why the centre hadn't filled up. There were HEAPS of empty seats. Well the lights went out, the crowd just went insane, and then there was a flash of light throughout the whole stadium. In that brief second I noticed the stadium was chockers. The people appearred from nowhere!!! Then they came out... all my dreams came true, and I was there. Don't ask me what the set list was, I was just blown away by each song. I can say that they played Pushit in place of opiate at about third last song. It was behind words. I hear the American audiences missed out on hearing Pushit... and they sure did miss out. Parabol had the audience mesmorised, and then as they broke out into Parabola, the entire floor bounced as they recognised a 4/4 beat to mosh to. All through the night, Maynard sang in darkness, while Danny sat up there like a God. And he played like it as well. They allowed a half a bar of silence during 46&2 before Danny let the solo rip. In that moment of silence the audience knew what was coming and screamed the house down for Danny. He didn't dissapoint. The whole show was faultless. There were enough 'classics' from AEnima to keep us happy, and all the awesome new tracks from Lateralus. As always, the fans were so mellow, and friendly. Nothing like the people I've seen at other concerts in Australia. It's great to see. During the show Maynard commented "it's been a while - you look different"... after six years, we're all a little bit older, but we're all still here - and we will all remain. Thanks to Tool for the experience of a lifetime.
Review written by: dan (dan_hollins@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 05:55:10 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
what an amazing experience tool released such a powerful source of energy into the crowd that words cannot really explain it i was very impressed by the setlist highlight songs were probably the grudge and pushit stinkfist and disposition/reflection were also excelent thank you so much tool 4 such a wonderful performance projections were also really cool only wish i were going again tonite
Review written by: Chris (skelton6@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 06:52:00 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
16 years old...but i feel that i've only been living for 1 day. I won't crap on by writing an essay on how good it was, all that i can say is this: Blown away....simply sensational. You havent lived until you've witnessed a tool gig. This is the correct and some what suprising setlist. But hey...tool are famous for suprises. The Grudge (-) Ions Stinkfist Forty Six & 2 Prison Sex Eulogy Disposition Reflection Intermission:(if that, very short....very clever though, Adam played the closing of Reflection for about six minutes, which gave Danny Maynard and Justin (the 3 wise men) an extended brake.) Sober Pushit Parabol Parabola Aenema Lateralus Highlight of the night was Pushit, closly followed by nema, then the unexpected presence of Eulogy(where Danny went bazerk at the ending...absolutely awsome stuff). Downsides....25 dollar keyring....i'm not Bill Gates. To some up...tool bring on show 2...yes Maynard, i'm prepared!
Review written by: Dr Benway (dshadbolt@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 07:16:04 ET
This was this reviewer's 4 Tool show
Hey you! Read reviews already posted for your show to see if somebody already posted the setlist. If nobody has, you ought to. The less duplicated info, the easier it is for everyone to read these. Especially your mom. Tool. I think that sums it up.
Review written by: Mike (wellburn@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 08:15:30 ET
This was this reviewer's fav Tool show
.......... I don't think words could describe last nights TOOL concert. I had to travel all the way from Brisbane just to see these guys, but it was well worth the trip. TOOL seem to be keeping the mystery in the music.... and this is good. Thanks to the guys who remembered the setlist, I was too entranced to recall it all and thankyou TOOL for such a great performance. and by the way, I was looking for you kate. @spiral out
Review written by: Goose (ahaynes1@bigpond.net.au) Review posted on: 07/26/01 09:07:02 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Well, what can I say. Best concert I've ever had the pleasure of witnesssing. Tool were excellent, each and everyone of them. I couldn't have asked for a better set list, EVERY song I was really hoping to hear, I heard. The band were quiet on stage, just playing the music, like it should be done, not jumping around telling the crowd to act like a pack of wanker ala the limp bizkits of the world. This is why Tool is in a class of their own. My only gripe with the concert had nothing to do with the band, but rather the people "sitting" in front of us, who felt compelled to play air guitar and air drums to every song that had a loud section. Not only were they extremely annoying as I had to keep standing to see over them, but they had great difficulty keeping in time with the music. If either of these guys plays guitar or drums in the real world (and please lord, let that not be the case), I would rather stab a pin directly through my own ear drum. I was here to see Tool, not the backs of some guys who thought they were Tool. Anyway, I read a lot of negative things about Cosmic Psychos from the Melbourne review, but really, they weren't that bad... their guitarist had that whole 80s guitar soloing going on. Sure, they were nothing to write home about, but I've seen FAR worse supporting acts (Sunk Loto who Stunk Lotso while opening for APC come to mind....). Anyway, I hope everyone else in Sydney is enjoying Tool again tonight, wish I could be there....
Review written by: big pete (pkohlhagen@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 09:40:42 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Tool were amazing. The best I've seen. My only gripe was that people were fucking ignorant. I was in the seats and when you go to see tool show them some respect. Don't still be coming in halfway through the second song. Don't get up during ions and the intermission is not designed for you to get up and try and get a beer and wander back in halfway through sober. The constant stream of people was very offputting. Have some fucking respect for the greatest band going around today. But Tool fucking amazing. I fyou have the chance see them.
Review written by: RACHEL (tool_apcfan@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 09:43:45 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
I'ts been a little over 4 years since the 1st time I experienced TOOL live on the 97 et in arcadia aenima tour.And have been eagerly anticipating their return.A damn fine show with the highlights being all songs played especially eulogy,parabol/parabola,push it and lateralus.rock on sydney!
Review written by: Mitch (useful-idiot@prontomail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 10:30:26 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Let me start off by saying HOLY FUCK! What started off as a miserable wet night in the city turned out to be the most memorable night of my life. What can be said? Tool were amazing, sound was perfect, lighting was astonishing and the visuals on the big screens were awesome, they fit perfectly with the music. AMAZING!!!!
Review written by: Tim (t1@fish.tc) Review posted on: 07/26/01 11:40:10 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
The show was fucking brilliant. I was sitting four rows from the front, just near Adam. It was loud and pwerful. Danny was working in overdrive, and when they suprisingly played Eulogy the crowd went wild. It was a great set, went for around 2 hours playing time, and im glad I took the oppurtunity to go see one of the greats of rock/alternatve music. Kick ass Tool
Review written by: AstralWeed (fizzzer@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 12:50:49 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
It happened last night, yet my mind continues to pulse to the drumming and bass that has indelibly synchronised with the natural rhythm of my being. Can music alone take you closer to the Divine? I tried very hard to appreciate the support band, to find something of merit in their performance... Anticipation... Swelling anticipation... Like a tsunami of sound, "The Grudge" swept over engulfing the enraptured thousands... "Are you prepared?" Can a mere mortal prepare oneself for the onslaught of Gods? The early beat-synced head jerks and physical contortions of the crowd subsided into subdued contemplation as the spiritual intensity of "Reflection" and its gargantuan bassline stirred the consciousnees into a state of self-transcendence. Maynard's classical Indian vocal replacement of the Sarangi in this song was testament to his vocal prowess. I remained in that reverie for the remainder of the night enchanted by the psychedelic visual extravaganza that raged overhead on the stage screen and my being pulsating to the bass. When you've reached the crescendo, you know the end is imminent. With "Lateralus", my consciousness had scaled to the peak of the spiral. The silence hit me as a sharp sound hits one in the solar plexus when he is in deep trance. "Think for yourself, question authority" - I'll heed those words. All ingrained in memory. Can music alone take you closer to the Divine? Certainly TOOL can...
Review written by: RogDog (roger@essig.net) Review posted on: 07/26/01 12:52:03 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
I saw tool from an interesting position, i saw their profile, it was an excellent view. Each member was equally in the proverbial "limelight" the lighting was spectacular made even more amazing by a nice dose of san pedro cactus. I felt waves of enery from the crowd and from the songs, especially "the grudge" adam put me into a trance after reflection as he played repeatingly the end. he played it for 5-8 minutes it seemed. The crowd knew we were witnessing and experiencing something unique. Visually epic, visionary art and animation. if you'd like to see it, take a sacremental dose of DMT or any other entheogen. Flower of life symbol spinning made me awe-struck. I can never forget what it did to me...shit i made it, i saw tool play live in my brief glipmse of this eternity. amazing throw by danny at the end, made it all the way into the seated crowd. interesting that maynard during aenima said "fuck your cocaine" i heard a rumor that justin uses cocaine....mmm hope im not adding fuel to the rumor-mill fire felt a wave of connectedness during "we are all one mind" to all who was there... congratulations to the guy that made it past security into the main admissions area, hope you didn't hurt yourself, it was a long way to the bottom....anyone that got my paper aeroplanes of my artwork, email me...
Review written by: Mick (newie90@hotmail) Review posted on: 07/26/01 12:53:54 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
Just got off a 14 hour bus trip from Sydney back to Melbourne after seeing Tool. After bumming around Sydney for about 7 hours I managed to scam my way into general addmission just in time to see the support band. Yes! The support band did suck, as they did in Melbourne, but the Cosmic Psychos are a pub rock band and should never have been put as the support band for Tool. I am amazed at the amount of people that have automatically thought "Fucking brilliant show": no one is willing to criticise the show in any way. That said, it was a great performance but not as amazing as all would have you believe. The major problem was the shithouse sound quality in the Entertainment Centre. It might be OK for Robbie Williams or fucking Ricky Martin but NOT Tool. AS soon as The Grudge kicked in all you could hear and feel was Justin and Danny. This was sort of fixed by the time Eulogy came along but there not a lot you can do when the accoustics are so bad. I should get to the positives. The visuals were amazing and suited the music perfectly especially the new material, and allowed me to experience Tool's music like I never have before. Tears streamed down my face as Reflection with it's amazing computer generated visuals took somewhere I had never been. That was the highlight for me. And to those who yelled "get on with it" as Adam brought Reflection to a close - why turn up at all? Other highlights included Eulogy, Pushit and Lateralus. The performance wasn't bad but I am comparing the sound quality with Melbourne's show. The Melbourne sound was better than any avenue I had ever herad, especially for one fitting 12,500 people. Melbourne was the most perfect concert ever, Sydney was good- but in a different way. Thankyou Tool
Review written by: Simon (scifi_2020@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 13:06:32 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
Well where do i start? I was looking forward to this night with massive expectation and anticipation. I first got into tool through their unique and intruiging album Aenima and have since grown to appriciate and understand the band greatly. Lateralus reinforced and also hightened my intrest and understanting of the band. I have come to think of the band as a artistic, intellige> Ah stop me there please. it does'nt matter what i think or what i gain from following this clever TOOL. What i will say is that the show last night was worth the drive from Canberra to Sydney and back. Each tool member was brilliant in there own right and they put on a stimulating and powerful 2hr show. I mean it was pretty much done in typical tool fashion, reflecting what we have seen and heard in there albums. I will also say they don't have the conventional stage presence, which i think detracts from a Live show, but can also appreciate. We are all fans of tool and to me a Live show would be good with a little more interaction with the crowd, but then again maybe not. As you can see i have mixed feelings about the show, perhaps i can put it down to being that i had hoped to take somthing a little more substantial away with me after seeing tool, than just a live rendition of there tracks and abstract visuals. I was obviosly expecting too much. Having said this though they peformed brllianlty and the music was loud, clear and moving, and the visuals where in your face, intriuging and in my opinion meant to overshadow and detract from the band itself. I did however appreciate this. Anyway i never meant to post a review, oh and by the way i got the show on video. And for those of you who bought $50+ T-shirts, don't you think Maynard could of thank'd you
Review written by: Matt Smith (artemis__e@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 13:21:30 ET
This was this reviewer's 2nd Tool show
You already now what they play played, how good they played it and how awesome Tool are, so I won't get into that, apart from to say it was a religous experience for me. I came from Brisbane to see the show. $130 plane ticket, $70 show ticket - worth every fucking cent! Would sell a kidney to do it again. My life will now involve passing time until my next Tool experience, as i'm sure will be the case for many of you. Tremendous. PS: If anyone would like a moderately alcoholicly poisoned kidney in exchange for money to fund my world Tool following trip, please email me ASAP. (Serious offers only!)
Review written by: Mark (markwhopley@aol.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 13:36:29 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
I'm writing this review from a different perspective to most of the reviewers. I'm 42 years old and have spent the last 25 years seeing a lot of performers. Some of the diverse acts I've seen are Deep Purple, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Radio Birdman, the Ramones, Soulfly, Soundgarden, NIN, the Birthday Party, the Foo Fighters, U2, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Massive Attack and many more. Last night's Tool concert would rank amongst the best 2 or 3 concerts I have seen in that time. Their ability to craft long songs where not one moment is wasted and each part perfectly leads to the next is unique in music today. Technically flawless playing but with great passion, simple yet mesmerising stage presence and visuals all added up to an exceptional show. Tool obviously work hard in making their CD's and demand it's audience to work hard in listening. Very few bands can create sounds that continue to improve beyond 20 or more plays. Tool work on two levels. They are a very good band for the casual listener but a great band for the dedicated one. Those who choose to listen on a casual basis are denying themselves some intense, brilliant and rewarding music. Don't go to Tool to mosh, save that for the Foo Fighters and their like. When you see them concentrate on every single moment and let the music take you over. There are none better than these guys.
Review written by: TraiT (diseasedchild@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 07/26/01 14:00:13 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! we got an ok veiw of maynards tat down his back * sexy boy that he is* the band seemed very cool, not like hey were gods worship us.... the atmosphere was great, there were actually a few dick heads there that whinged and shit.... why did they go??i dunno.... i dont care.... the background screens displayed twisted creative awesome tool clips....i was in seat tickets,...lol heres my personel story of how hard it was to get to tool, so u can skip it if u want.... i sustained 3rd degree burns on my right leg in the sleep out for the tool tickets, was rushed to hospital at 6 am... left monee with friends to get ticket and spent the next 2 and a half weeks in hospital, undergoing surgery and other yukky stuff like that.... every 1 has asked was the gig worth the shit i went threw to get there.... YES!!!!!!!!!!! it was amazing ... they played alot of the well known, ie sober and stinkfist, with the crowd joining in.... it was, unbeleiveable.... during eulogy the crowd wsa almost louder than maynard during the " you claimed all this time that u would die for me,,,, why then are u so surprised to hear ur own eulogy" part of the song, i cant really remember much more sorry.... i havent slept in 6 days..... take care all peace love empathy always ~trait~
Review written by: Lonx (bass@gz.com.au) Review posted on: 07/27/01 01:43:32 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Can I begin to explain it? Although I knew I'd feel this way afterwards no matter what happened... Just kinda sucked I was late and missed the first couple of songs, fairly disappointing way to start. Tool have always been for me, a band that is there for the music, and to be honest I can't personally name another that operates on the same level. Not being a religious man m'self, I'd happily say that Tool form part of my religion, or at least values that I hold in life. Its awesome to finally have an honest quality band to open people's eyes. Was also kinda surprised to see nothing special for sale at the merchandise counters, but then again maybe this just supports the fact they're there for the music, and not for the dollars.
Review written by: Emma (opernimalus@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/27/01 06:17:23 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
Fuckin' yeah!! I got this ticket by pure chance. Straight to the barrier I ran (despite security efforts to stop us). Prime position, right in front of Adam :) Speaking of which, Justin and Adam made a nice little publicity appearance (before the cosmic suckers). As they walked out the crowd went wild to which Adam waved then put his hand up to his mouth and gestured "ssshhh". Thousands of people made silent in a matter of seconds. Such is the awesome power of Tool. The show itself ROCKED. I'm not going to waste any more words on trying to justify how brilliant a performance this was purely because they cannot fully express how awesome it is to experiance it first hand. Highlight/s of the night was Eulogy and Forty-Six & 2. The response from the crowd was amazing. After the crowd stopped screaming I yelled "Thankyou!!" to the band. I could've died happy right then! Every second, every moment, worth the 5 year wait, worth the bruised body. Waiting in anticipation for tomorrow nights' show....
Review written by: Alex (kallingdrlove@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/27/01 07:57:42 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
after waiting, so long, the time never goes as slow as those few hours before TOOL work their magic. This isn't emotional sex, drugs etc as others have described it, but an experience so forfilling it actually leaves you feeling emtpy. If you do not comprehend this feeling, than your emotion must be raw. And still i want to move closer, ten metres is too far away... For TOOL, thankyou and never stop.
Review written by: WonkA (wonka462@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/27/01 11:12:15 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
One word "amazing" gig if anyone took some photos. Send em to me! because my camera fucked up and i'm pissed!!!
Review written by: lepper zedlin (slipawayandsalivate@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/27/01 12:11:14 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
words cannot fathom the pure ecstacy i feel after experiencing the most intense two hours of my so far existance experiencing the complete numbness and twised sensation of a passion none other than music. music created by a band which has both justified my depression, mellowed my chillin, and elevated my highs higher and higher still until they reach the place betwixed the air itself. i have three things to say about this concert unfathomable unbelievable and definatley creamable....
Review written by: HinduFizz (hindufizz@mastelotto.com) Review posted on: 07/28/01 04:55:09 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st Tool show
AMAZING!!! But hey, I don't really need to tell you that. Most people got the set right except the second half went like this: Parabol Parabola Pushit Sober AEnema Lateralus The band were fantastic but I was pissed with the lack of enthusiasm for the new songs, too many people sat down! The Grudge went OFF! so did all the others. Reflection would have been great had the crowd gotten into it more. Was Adam Jones trying to hypnotise us with that 5min (?) outro to Reflection. I could see Justin seemed to be well into as in many songs he ended up in a trance on the floor in a heap. I know what he felt like because it was quite meditational in a way, almost Out of Body. Cosmic Psychos were Cosmic CRAP! They Sucked!!! They were fat beer swilling yobs that sounded like a crap punk band trying to imitate Nirvana - and what was up with those guitar solos? THis guy can NOT play! Maynard was in good fooling, werving up treats like: "It's been a long time....You look different....You cut your hair right?....No, it's good. It suits you....Don't worry it will grow back!" and: "This is just an artistic statement but everyone should get naked....except the guys....except this guy in the front. He's cute....this songs dedicated to all the sweaty little boys rubbing up against each other down there!" Then they rocked out with AEnema. Adam and Justin actually came out at the begin of the show for a small photo shoot and the crowd surged forward like a wave. THis was the bomb! Oh, and someone was smoking you- know-what in my section. Now they had the right idea!!
Review written by: Nathan Clark (limbsofthefoetustree@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 07/28/01 06:23:07 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
The lights are still up and im already sweating, my ribs are being crushed up against the fence and one of my eyes keeps twitching. These are a few of the minor sacrifices one has to make to have the perfect spot, right up the front in the middle! The croud got excited when Adam and Justin came on stage for a before show photo shoot at which point Justin satisfied the hungry crouds desire and showd his arse to the thousands. A dissapointing support act by the cosmic psychos and what could only be discribed as a perfect response from the croud (the cosmic drummer threw a stick into the croud- it was snapped and thrown back) was finally over and the lights came back up... The tech crew came out to do the routine pre-show checkup and slid the sheet off the drum kit. The Kit alone got more applause than the support! A few chords here and there testing the insruments finished and the drum tech guy came out and started testing the symbols bass drums etc. One stroke on the FX Pad to reveal the Stinkfist intro effect put us all in a frenzy- the reralisation that tool was only minutes away had hit. The lights came down and behind the roar of the crouds could thefaint feedback be heard... The band walked on stage- proudly they stood, adam in his shoes (and his becomming new haircut), Danny in his "Carey" shirt, justin smiling and... Maynard was in a full leather body suit accompanied by huge boots and black and white body paint- staring statically into the croud. That familiar sound of powerfully music started and 'The Grudge' opened The concert I have been waiting for my whole life- Maynard stamping his foot with all might intensified the whole mood of the concert. I am sure you have read the setlists in the several othe reviews so you get the idea of how it went from there. Behind the band was a huge screen and a smaller one behind maynard... these screens were used to display the amazing digital imagry created by Adam and his accociates. One screen went left to right- the other right t left. With an intermission of the Schism clip and a closing of 'lateralus' The concert was not only pleasing to hear but was a visual art-form in itself... I was blown away by the concert and if you have tickets to one in the near future you can assure yourself that you'll be blown away too. hope to see them again before i die!
Review written by: Dez (dmcgar01@postoffice.csu.edu.au) Review posted on: 07/28/01 06:48:12 ET
This was this reviewer's 1st? Tool show
I wasn't really in the right frame of mind for the concert after consuming a bottle of wild turkey on the xpt the night before and only having about 2 hours sleep. Nevertheless my mood changed when i reached the ent centre and saw 10,000 other tool fans pumped for the occasion. Cosmic Psychos were ordinary and didn't get the crowd warmed up good enough for the main event. When the band finally did come on i nearly began to cry. I had been waiting my whole life for this. The sound quality of the opening song The Grudge wasn't 100% but after a few songs into the gig the quality did improve a lot. I won't run through all the songs as it has already been done a million times. The visual effects were amazing, maynard looked great when he took most of his clothes off during the second half of the show and was dancing in front of the screen. I am still replaying the reflection visuals in my mind now, so weird. The guy with no head in the suit freaked me out. Higlights of the show: >Eulogy (best song on the night by a long way) >Aenema (i think everyone thought it was going to be the last song >Danny's drum kit (huge) and the way he played it >The tightness of the band >Maynard (second half) Things that could have been better: >The Grudge >Schism >More songs off undertow and opiate, there were none played off opiate :( >If i got a floor ticket >Better support act (rage against the machine would be nice) >The train trip from Wagga I would do this again in a jiffy even though the whole trip cost at least $300.
Review written by: Skinnerbox13 (skinnerbox13@yahoo.com) Review posted on: 07/28/01 06:59:12 ET
This was this reviewer's 3rd Tool show
So, my third tool show. I had been excited for about a month, always looking forward to seeing these guys again. I had seen them twice before in the states before I moved here to attend university. First, the opening band really sucked. They were a bunch of cock rockers. Tool was very good, but it didn't seem like they were really into the show. Frankly they were boring to watch, most of the time I was watching the video screens and that too got boring after a while. Shows I had seen before had video screens and were much more interesting, this time there was too much repetition in what they were showing. In between songs, there was a lot of standing around tuning guitars with little to listen to. All in all I would give it a 6 out of ten. Hope to see them again soon, just hope there is more energy.