Summer 1998 Tour Reviews

Date: 0808


Review written by: Aaron Davis (atdavis@flash.net) Review posted on: 08/23/98 00:24:24 Having seen Tool perform last year at Lollapalooza, I went to see them again expecting alot, and they refused to let me down. Despite the lackluster sound characteristics of the Fair Park Coliseum, the sound turned out pretty good. It all started out a little annoying by listening to satanic verses about 7 times through (it only took once for me to get the message). Once the Melvins came on everyone forgot about it and moved on to enjoying the show. Strangely, they only played one song and then came Tool. Not being a big Melvins fan myself, I couldn't have cared less. Tool then proceeded to tear through their set like a hurricane bearing down on the florida coast. One break occurred during a percussion solo where Maynard appeared to meditate and then play Sony Playstation. By this time Maynard was out of the t.v. evangelist (no pun here) outfit he started out in and was down to his trademark shorts and bra. And for all of the idiots who thought the tits were real, he proved otherwise. Overall, the show was awesome. I did have some friends however who could not get over the dark, satanic message at the beginning of the show. One even left before it started. Leave to a friend of mine to take something out of context at a rock concert. The venue is not the best. They sounded much clearer at the Starplex which is the outdoor venue across the parking lot which happened to be occupied with thousands of overly roudy Elton John fans the night of the Tool concert. This made for a very interesting time getting out of the parking lot that night. ( AD )

Review written by: Morpheus777 (Morpheus777@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/14/98 12:27:32 I agree with everyone who disliked the satanic intro to the Melvins. I admit that it was kinda funny the first two times and we got a good laugh chanting "Hail Santa" but will people ever stop trashing other bands just becuase they don't like them? They obviously have some talent or else they wouldn't be there. I've seen the Melvins twice and I think they are a great opening band. I just wish they had played longer. Does anyone know what that song was? I went out and bought 'Honky' and it wasn't on there. When the Melvins want to they can really kick some ass. Anyways that was just me venting at all the people who posted Melvin hate mail. On to Tool. I don't have to much to add. Someone in a review said that they played Opiate and I definatly know they didn't. I couldn't believe that they played Cold and Ugly. I was telling my friend before Tool went on that I would love to hear that song and he said it would never happen. I like the new version of Pushit better then the one on the album.(Kabir, talk to Tool and get them to release that song on a single.) Anyone who doesn't like it because it's different should know that Tool changes every single song when they play live. They change tempo's, throw in a different parts, make a really amazing intro(Like Sober for example), and add lyrics like they do for Prison Sex(which they unfortunatly didn't play). I also really enjoyed the version of Stinkfist they played. The mosh pit was rather tight. I had no control of where I was going and getting out to get a drink was rather tough. Getting back in wasn't a problem though. Please, if you are going to crowdsurf please don't wear boots and please don't kick your legs around. Is Maynard amusing or what? Always the hip dresser(cross) and he always has a witty coment. -=Morpheus777@Hotmail.com -=www.tripod.com/~Morpheus777/

Review written by: Jake (jakec@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/14/98 01:18:40 To start off I would just like to say that It only took me twenty minutes to get in the door. I can't believe so many people actually wait in line. Although Tool is one of the most talented and creative bands on the market right now, I would just like to comment on the irony of the entire show and especially of Eulogy. Think about the lyrics "Standing above the crowd,He had a voice so strong and loud and I wallowed his facade cuz I'm so Eager to identify with someone above the ground": is this not Maynard just completely mocking us? He doesn't give a shit about his fans and he has openly admitted to this several times in interviews. Are they really doing this for the sake of music or merely to make a buck with some added shock value? In this aspect I see Tool barely apart from the other freakshow hardrock bands. For God's sake listen to the music but don't worship the guys.

Review written by: RACHAEL (alvine31@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/11/98 13:41:14 Well, I drove 8 hours to see TOOL and it was so worth it. I was a little pissed that they told us the doors would open at 6:30 and they lied. It was hot standing out there. I was also pissed at the satanic bible stuff. What's up with that? actually I just got a good laugh out of it, especially when people started chanting "f*** this shit" I could care less about the melvins, although i though their singer had the coolest afro that i've ever seen. i didn't even recognize maynard when he came out to introduce them. he was all dressed up in a white 70's suit with a nasty white wig on. he kinda looked like a vampire but who knows. all i know is that he has the most sexiest voice in the freakin' universe. i'd take him. the visuals that TOOL had wer e very nice i thought. and i agree with whoever said that the people of dallas are nice. i was down in the pit (remember i'm a small girl) and i didn't get too hurt. the dudes were impressed with my ability to stay on my feet, and i even body surfed w ithout getting my shirt ripped off. one dude saved me from the pit and went and bought me a drink. how nice is that? anyways, this was my first TOOL concert and i thought it kicked some serious ass. i love TOOL so much. danny went off and played like a master. my favorite song was aenima of course which they saved for last. i really didn't like the way they did "pushit" starting it out as a ballad. and i got kinda bored when maynard decided to sit down and play a video game. i was also mad th at after he stripped he had tits. i would have liked it better if he looked a little more masculine. i still think he's sexy though. TOOL is the best band in existence right now and anyone who thinks otherwise is just plain stupid. the dallas show ro cked. i could see them play every night and never get sick of it. it was trully an orgasmic experience.

Review written by: Dj TaviTavi (TVance@BCM.edu) Review posted on: 08/11/98 04:47:08 Ok. Where to start. For starters, I AM a melvin's fan, and i thought that they did just fucking fine, for all of you who wrote reviews that trashed them. They only played for 20 minutes because Tool had to go on by 9:30, or else the traffic from Tool would mix-up with the traffic from Elton John, who was playing next door (literally) at Starplex. However, i thought that the stuff from the Satanic bible was great, because every single time the Melvin's come to town, Dallas treats them like shit; it's a fact. So they played all of the stuff before they played to piss everybody off; I completely understand. Every time the Melvins have come to town (with NIN, Helmet, and once by themselves last September), they get booed and hissed at, while people decide that Buzz's fat ass is a good target. Anyway, so that's my theory on the stanic bible stuff. One other thing though....my buddy James who was with me, said that the voice talking during the Satan stuff was Johnny Cash, but I don't know. On to Tool. Well, they were just great. It was a totally awesome show. I was around or in the pit throughout the whole show, and it was probably the best seat in the house. the pit ranged from 20 to 30 feet from the stage and I could see everything. Maynard started the show as a preacher (presumeably Southern Baptist) and had a few insightful Maynardisms to spout off for the first part of the show. One thing that I will say about Tool is they are a bunch of fucking machines! They basically played 3 individual 30 minute sets. Once they got going, they would jam forever, nonstop it seemed like. It was a great psychadelic show because the screen behind them had some interesting shit played on it. Here's a list of stuff i remember seeing on it: 1. 2 naked women huddling themselves, standing up, and being poked and prodded by what my drug fogged mind thought to be a long, robotic arm. Fucked up shit. 2. Timothy Leary saying some stuff that was unfortunately lost on me, because i was plenty high from the smoke in there, along with my own doobage. 3. The fire-square thing from the Aenima album cover, flames billowing. it then turned into a sort of sci-fi spinning circle with a spiral on it. even more fucked up shit. 4. Every review that i've read so far has mentioned the talking vagina from Hooker w/a Penis, so I shant mention it again. 5. Some more Fucked Up Shit that I can't remember too well, but i can I promise it was Fucked up. So that's what i remember from it. Anyway, the show rocked and I will always remember it. Peace in the Mid-East Tavitavi

Review written by: Kerm (kermit2416@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/11/98 00:58:34 ok, i know i have already done this before but i was just too rushed. i just cannot get over a second of the concert. it is definatley a huge highlight in my life. although i had downloaded the other versions from tdn, i was still amazed. there is just no other way to put it. amazing. wow, well, if anyone would like to email me i really would like to chat. btw, if anyone wants to know, i will have some of the things that maynard said put on to mp3 if anyone found what he said interesting. later kermit

Review written by: Mike (JarsOGlaze@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/11/98 00:15:10 Oh my God. What an awesome show. Two days later and I'm just now recovering from it. Two of my friends and I arrived about 2 hours before the doors were scheduled to open. Already a line was forming, but we knew the music wouldn't start for another 4 hour s.We snuck off away from the prying eyes of security and police and burnt some doob. We got into line right when the dorrs were scheduled to open, so we were about halfway across the park from the stadium. Everyone started to bitch at the guards and ticke t takers so they finally brought out some water which they sold at pprices ranging from 2 to 5 dollars a bottle. We drank over 20 bucks worth of water before we even got inside. When the doors opened after an eternity in the hot Texas sun, we went to the bleachers and stayed there until the Melvins finished their one, 20 minute song that blew like a big dog. At this point we had started to sober up, except for Dan, who had traded his doob for some beer and couldn't even stand. Matt and I ran into the floo r and worked our way towards the front. by the time Maynard had stripped off his clothes we were close enough to get a really good look at all of the band members. They powered through an incredible set of hard and soft songs that ripped through the audie nce and left them begging for more. The highlights of the evening were the redone version of Pushit, Aenema and You Lied. The sound was incredible from the floor, but in the bleachers the treble reverberated off of the cieling and walls and made Maynards little comments and witticisms almost impossible to make out. When they played Stinkfist, Maynard skipped about 2 verses and I think he may have added a new one. They closed with Aenema and for an Oncore, although we were screaming for Opiate and Flood, t hey played jerk off. Holy Shit it was sooooo awesome. Afterwards, the band left the stage and on the video screen this wierd picture of a naked chick with her legs spread came on. But instead of a pussy she had this talking mouth that sang the words to Ho oker with a Penis in an almost lounge jazz disco type music. We returned to Dan's house tired, trashed and really really really amazed at the best show we had ever seen. When Tool comes around again you can bet we'll be there.

Review written by: Chad Montgomery (eulogy@indy.net) Review posted on: 08/11/98 00:01:00 Where to begin, I really don't know. I drove to Dallas, TX from Indianapolis, JUST to see tool, and paid $55 a ticket to see them. When I purchased my ticket and asked if i came for any other reason, they asked, "So you came JUST for this?" Well of course I did, and after seeing the show I was not disappointed after driving 13 hours to see them, not a bit and would do it again. The show included so many of the songs I wanted to hear, all of them except Flood. That was the one song I wanted to hear that I didn't get to. I was in the pit, a bit to the right and about 6 people back, it was great. During "Pushit", the new version that Maynard is doing in concert, 2 people turned and looked at me and told me I sounded just liek Maynard. This was one of the highlights of my night to hear that. The moshing was at the right times, and wasn't violent, and the crowd I enjoyed more than I can say. I probably talked to 30 people and had conversations with people I had never talked to in my entire life, but they were friendly. Stuff that wouldn't happen in Indianapolis. Just for the record, you Dallas people rock. I could go on and tell you more and more about how amazing Tool was but I'm sure most of you are tired of reading, so email me if you wanna talk more about the show. Oh, and if anyone saw me, I had a type-o negative shirt on and I was bigger than 95% of you with red hair heh. I had a great time, thanks Maynard, you and the rest of your group have brought me more than I can ever put into words. Chad Oh and I've proclaimed myself the world's biggest Tool fan because i truly believe it ;)‰

Review written by: Willy Evans (thebigworm@netscape.net) Review posted on: 08/10/98 18:11:07 OK-----I'll be totally honest, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT F***ING LONGER. That being said, after waiting an hour and a half in the hot TX heat; being stripped searched by a bunch of BUBBAS;listening to the satanic bible for 30 minutes; and watching some half ass ban getting pissed off by a HOT, IMPATIENT CROWD----TOOL finally played. OH YEAH, they kicked ass, but for a band that comes to town about every two to three years, YOU THINK THEY WOULD PLAY MORE OF THEIR FAMOUS SONGS WE ALL LOVE!!!!!!!! WE ARE THE FANS WHO SUPPORT THEM AND YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD DO ALL THEY COULD TO IMPRESS US WITH AN OVER THE TOP, NO-HOLDS BARRED, LEARNING TO SWIM YOUR ASS OFF SHOW!!! never-the-less i loved the show, but i hardly ever see them live and i wish they would have played more and played longer. THAZZIT !!! live on tape, don't f**k wit us

Review written by: Zack (ppennal1@flash.net) Review posted on: 08/10/98 17:40:26 I was reading some of the previous reviews and I thought i'd add something... Everyone was right, Tool definatly some wicked kicked ass. I don't know how the Melvins did(wtf do I care about them anywayz?). It was definatly worth the money we shelled out, the lines we waited in, the 5 car wrecks we saw, and my shirt that was completely drenched from my sweat and everyone else's sweat and all the beer flying through the pit. Only thing bad was the big fat drunks without shirts that got all their slober and sweat everywhere. Also, the "Fire mushroom clouds" you people keep mentioning was some little man running around with a bottle of alcohol, clearing out a little space, spitting the alcohol out with his lighter in the air. He was pretty cool, I saw him do it a few times. (I wonder if Maynard put him up to it). If you get a chance to see Tool, don't miss it. 'Go grab a pole and fill the hole' Laidher All (Email Welcome)

Review written by: jesse Brede (aenima@arn.net) Review posted on: 08/10/98 16:43:22 well here is the best set list i can come up with cold and ugly eulogy crawl away you lied (mp3 on s.d.n) stinkfist timothy leary video instrumental to sober explanation of delay and question to go to quiet place pushit aenema jerk off hooker with a penis disco style i drove six hours to see tool it was worth every second. well i broke the rules and got a camera in. i will send those pics soon. the satanic speech in the loop was from the satanic bible read by antone levey. maynard came out and asked us if we were going to be cool. the melvins played what sounded like just one song maybe im wrong. maynard was dressed as the evangalist who was actually from dallas. you lied was fucking great. third eye was unusually powerfull. the tshirts were more expensive than last year but the sound and screen equiptment were more advanced. during aenema i saw a guy holding up his cell phone and letting someone listen to that. how ironic. after that dana maynard and justin all sat on danas drums and waited for an encore. i was taking pictures the whole time. during jerk off instead of kill you myself he said fuck you myself and grabbed his crock by this time he had undressed and was just wearming some grey cottom short and his lycr bra with prostetic boobs with nipples and all. i was talking a picture of him grabbing himself and a security guard jumped from the front railing and took my camera which was a houndred dollar camera. he took the film which i didnt see and then gave it back. im a lucky bastard because i had just changed rolles. all in all they were the tightest i have ever seen them. the vocals fucked up bad during sober but it wasnt maynards fault. i loved the unusuasl set up of the stage. dana was in front. is it just me or does maynard glow blue.

Review written by: Angela (angelapark@texoma.net) Review posted on: 08/10/98 14:08:22 I just thought I would add a few little comments about the show. And after reading everyone elses opinion I would just like to add that to myself and my friends we thought the Melvins were surprisingly good. Most opening bands suck but I credit the Melvins on two accounts, one they didnt suck and two they kept it short. Obviously the performance by Tool was life changing as I knew it would be. I enjoyed every second of the concert and took to heart his comment "Find a pole and fill a hole.". Thanks for the advice Maynard. The crowd had alot of energy and the constant groping and drunks falling on didn't cause a shock reaction. Kudos to the fire balls. Also to that guy in the wheel chair that cussed me out for being in the way; just because your handicapped doesn't give you an excuse to be an asshole. Also I don't know how many of you witnessed the guy that got arrested at the very end of the very last song (there probably isn't even one guy that got arrested) but to the cops that attacked him and drug him past me: cussing at him and treating him like a peice of shit in general made a real shitty impression. Also I have to add that the version of Pushit that was played kicked ass. I loved it. Overall the concert was better than words can describe and I'll see you all at the next show.

Review written by: I can't hear a fucking thing, Indiana. (taosd@oaktree.net) Review posted on: 08/10/98 09:14:06 Well I'll be damned if that simply wasn't the most AWESOME thing I've ever experienced. The people in Dallas are great, I personally drove from Indianapolis to see the presentation and I am still in awe, and here it is, 8am on monday morning, i just got home and all I can seem to pull out of my brain is Maynard screaming.."And fuck you myself!!!!!" God, I love it. I really actually enjoyed the music they were playing before the bands... ;) They were playing Skinny Puppy and Download and stuff. It rocked. Only things that really made the evening memorable in a bad way the the whole chanting satan thing. there was this girl standing next to me.. screaming and crying for them to turn it off. And one more thing off the tool subject, cars on the way to texas, they just stop working. There's nothing wrong with them, they just stop.

Review written by: George Davis (davisgeorge@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/10/98 08:59:34 yet another amazing tool show. the new version of pushit was as good as it could be. Yeah to the little ladies who stuck it out in the pits. And to the little chic-a-dee who took one of my forearms to the chest...think about who you decide to blindside in the pits...cause no matter what you think...your not indestructable.

Review written by: Kermit R. (kermit2416@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/10/98 02:09:51 the show was definatley the best i have ever seen. this was a crazy crowd. before we had even gotten inside the fukin place people were crowd surfing in line and throwing bottles all over tha fucking place. it was crazy inside. i just have one question. to those poor girls that crowd surfed and came down without a damn thing, have fun? (specially you in tha red ;) anyways, it was worth my 65 dollars spent on a ticket. i did readord the concert. now i know how to record, don't ask for a copy its just way to shitty, cept for maybe the spoken words maynard had to say. well, feel free to email. kermit

Review written by: Lisa (lisal@cyberramp.net) Review posted on: 08/10/98 01:59:20 By the way, saying that the Melvins were the best opening band means that they rocked because they didn't play but one song... I usually hate opening bands because they take so much of my time when I just want to hear the band I came to see. During AEnema, I was standing so I could see Maynard's back from right stage... it was an awesome shot of his tatoo.. what a beautiful back.

Review written by: mr. thingy (plastikfuk@mailcity.com) Review posted on: 08/10/98 01:06:05 One other thing which was left out of the other reviews that I've seen: before The Melvins came out, the frothing crowd (already surfing before either band took the stage) began throwing a barrage of objects at the stage (one of which smacked the tam-tam at center stage. Nice shot.). T-shirts, lighters, key chains, etc. Anyway, Maynard came out to introduce The Melvins, and while he was speaking, people still kept throwing things. A piece of ice came pretty close to him at one point, prompting him to say, "Hey, why are you throwing things? We haven't even started playing yet. What the hell is your fucking problem?" You know, Maynard really seems to be able to think well on his feet. I noticed that he has quite an acerbic wit. Also, this was the f irst real "heavy" or even remotely metal-related show that I've ever been to, so I have no clue if this sort of thing is typical or not, but I was front and center for the whole thing, clinging onto the barricade, and those around me were begging the boun cers to hoist them out of the crowd the whole night long. I ended up with a pair of glasses frames at the end of the thing, sans lenses. Thanks, folks. I mean, hey...I'm all for moshing and surfing, but with a band whose music is even HALF as interesti ng and attention-getting as Tool's, why bother? You get more for your money if you actually watch and listen. IMHO. Anyone else who was at the very front and center during The Melvins' set knows how kick ass the bouncers were. Spraying water on us, giving us ice, etc. They ruled. Sorry to the girl who wanted my spot during The Melvins' set. I _REALLY_ couldn't budg e. And to that other bald guy who I snapped the picture for (of The Melvins' bassist), I hope you made it out alive with that camera. Illegal and annoying as they might be, live pics rule. Oh, and one of the bouncers told us that pic-snapping and reef- smoking were cool with him. So there you go. ...And the beat goes on. So to speak.

Review written by: Eddveddhead (eddveddhead@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/10/98 00:36:22 This show rocked...we all knew it would...I had to wait in traffic so long I missed the Melvins...I guess that was a good thing from what all of ya'll are saying...Maynard is a great showman...loved the Tiltonesque costume and then the change to some hot lingerie...he's got killer legs =9...i was in the center the whole time and so I had a great view of the video screen...these two naked girls holding a square block in front of them kept appearing, in this trippy acid psychadelic color thing...I don't know how else to describe it...I disagree with whoever said that Maynard sounded muffled...I thought his voice was incredible...he sounds better than he does on CD...even if people don't like Tool, they have to acknowledge he has a beautiful voice...gave me goosebumps during Pushit, which rocked in its more mellow form...grab a pole and fill a hole...it's nice to have a guy on stage who can actually think...one of the more intelligent singers I've seen...also, I missed the Satan thing so I have no idea what that is about...I got there at just the right time, I guess...oh, and to the girl that I fell on...sorry about that...the pit got crazy...especially during Aenima...I can't think of one bad thing to say about the concert...it seemed short, but I think that's cause they played fewer songs cause they are so long...that's my guess, anyway...to all of you there, I think we did a great job of scaring the shit out of all the Elton John fans...it was a little too obvious what concert you were there for, and I don't know what the Fair Park people were thinking when they scheduled the two together at the same time...was Maynard playing the Intellicube game??...I thought Adam rocked and he was so mellow the whole time...I saw the guy making the big mushroom fire things...he did just what that guy said, swallowing butane and then blowing it up with his lighter...he was just walking around the floor, doing it all over so I guess it seemed like alot of different people...but it was just one short guy that had his shirt off...they better play that video on MTV that they showed at the end =9...mail me eddveddhead@hotmail.com goto: http://www.angelfire.com/tx/eddveddhead/index.html

Review written by: A, Holt (ACH@Wans.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 18:53:12 This was an awesome concert. *****(There's no other concerts out there Ect. the Toadies) But: boy, you know your geting real creative when you play >>.. This is the age of Satan. The god(S) play the devil's game just to fill their tabernacles... HAil Satan! This thing did'nt matter but, the Tool concert was freakn' @!! I had no complaints on the sound mix, but I was on the floor the whole time. Feel FRee to Email me W/ cOmenTs @ ACH@Wans.net

Review written by: hush (hush4@swbell.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 18:12:59 Um oneMore thing When they Walked off Stag they had a Almost ELAVATOR/DISCO Version of Hooker With a Penis Playing..... Then afte that Wich Lasted about 20 Sec. they Had a song that Goes like this (Welcome To our world ,Welcome To our World, Welcome to our World of Toy's) It Was kewl Too after awhile it started Getting al Messed up like Crazy it Rocked =Messed with your mind...Later...

Review written by: hush (hush4@swbell.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 17:29:50 Oh i forgot Before nima Maynerd(James H. Keenan) Sayed This Song is about watersports ..Then Right efore they played He sayed THIs SONG IS DETICATED TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TINK THESE TITS ARE REAL!!! HAHA (Meaning they arent)

Review written by: HUSH (hush4@swbell.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 17:25:33 Hello i went to TooL in dallas it was Bad ass Just to Let You People Know THE LIGHTER THING WAS PEOPLE BLOWING UP THERE LIGHTERS"Takeing the Bottoms of and lighting it real fast....I was taking picture the Whole show and i will hopfully have them scanned Soon i was wereing the WHite Medacine twins Shirt if any one thinks they remember me Mail me ..... It was Bad ass The Rendition of Pushit Rocked It was like a Slow Song and then at the Very ENd it was Hard it Was So kik ass....i Met one Guy who knew about T.D.N. Becaus i Told him about the Playstation and he Knew and i asked him how and He Sayed TOOLSHED I was Like kik ass man ......Anyways IT ROCKED Third Time ive Seen tool im gonna Put The pics on my Page along With The HUSH video Soon.. if u Would Like to Visit it ...http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/beegee/215/index.html... There it Is Later: Hush...

Review written by: Sandman (sandman@newsguy.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 17:02:37 This will hopefully make up for my crappy try at a setlist last night. (My only problem with Tool is that I don't know the names of all of their songs. I just listen to all 3 CD's and go, "Yeah, they're all sent from the gods".) The fireballs, at least in the right side balcony, were from a lighter. Hold down the butane button while the end is in your mouth, let it fill with gas, pull lighter back, light it, and blow. I'm pretty sure that's what was going on on the floor too. BTW, I've seen plenty of friends burn their hair doing this, so you might want to start with your hand or something first. The waiting in line before the show was pretty crazy. No offense, but I thought all of those people in line behind us were kinda stupid for lining up all the way to the back of the parking lot. We just walked to the front, blended in, and we're in the door after about 15 minutes. If you ever go to a show at the State Fair, DO NOT stand in line. Move directly to the front by the doors. It's worked 4 times for me so far. They made us throw our lighters away, and wanted to look in any open cigarette packs. Well, I had an open pack, showed the guy what was inside and he told me to throw away my two Tool joints. Needless to say, I tossed them, as there were two cops standing behind the security guard. One of the coolest things about Tool live though, is that even if you're completely sober, once the band hits the stage, you feel elated for hours. Damn good show!!

Review written by: pEAk (h.mcneeley@worldnet.att.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 16:09:20 It was hot as hell, the lines were long, and the beer tasted like shit...but the band made it all worth while. Ok, I admit it. This was my first time to see Tool live. I was a bit nervous going into the show fearing they would not live up to their crystal clear, in total sync sound that comes across on their cd's. Fortunately I was not disappointed. The band was as tight as possible and gave an excellent show. The only downfall was the vocals. They sounded great for Maynard's mellow, sureal ramblings but when things got loud they were washed out, almost muted at times. Unlike Skillet though I feel it wasn't the venue that was bad, as much as it was the sound mix. I've seen Slayer there twice, a band whose vocals are almost always distorted, and both times the sound was excellent. The venue is wide open and is almost all concrete, so high pitches just kind of ring out and reverberate. Justin Chancellor proved to be the driving force behind the low, heavy sound that gives Aenima it's depth. The sound was reminiscent of Cliff Burton's thunder in For Whom the Bell Tolls and Orion. Danny's drumming was as astounding as ever, and Adam pounded out his grinding, mystical riffs. The ambiance was stimulating with the video screen (that could only be seen clearly from the center floor) and the random mushroom clouds of flames going off in the audience. Overall Tool proved to me that they can bring their clean, intellectual sound to the stage. I look forward to the next show.

Review written by: Skillet (skillet@cyberramp.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 13:52:57 Overall, it was a good show. Like a lot of others here, I'm curious as to what those mushroom cloud explosions where in the crowd, that was cool as hell. I wore the t-shirt I bought off some guy on here about a year and a half ago, the one with the bunn ies and carrots on the back with "This is necessary - Life feeds on life" and had people wanting to know where I got it. I didn't see anyone with any t.d.n. stuff though I talked to a few people who know about t.d.n. and that was cool. My only complaints are that those huge speakers blocked the screen (I was standing on the leftside at the very back near the bottom railing and still couldn't see much so I know everyone above me and closer to the stage on the sides had a horrible view), the acoustics in Fair Park absolutely suck, at times it was hard to even hear Maynard, and they didn't play Jimmy, 46&2 or H off of AEnima. I also wanted to hear Flood, my fav. TOOL song but ah well. I saw them in Tulsa, OK in Dec. of '96 and that one is still the best concert I've ever been to. It was the loudest yet most crystal clear thing I'd ever heard. Last night was loud (my ears are still ringing) but distorted at times, but again I think it had a lot to do with the acoustics of Fair Park. Hopefully they'll choose a different venue the next time they're in town. Anyone know what that one song was? Was it a cover or something new? I liked it regardless. I also liked the version of Pushit that they did, was slow but intense, and to open with "Cold and Ugly" just kicked @ss. Danny's drum solo was a total blitzkr ieg. I still think he is way underrated though he has been gaining respect in the last year. I just wish all the idgits here would quit calling the radio stations saying the show sucked simply because of that "Satan rules" thing they did at the beginning (granted it was annoying because it went on for so long) and thinking that TOOL promotes Sata nism. I think they weren't paying attention when told to think for themselves. /home/skillet

Review written by: Andrew (Tool01@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 13:21:29 Here are some things that other people left out about the concert... In the very beginning Maynard came on before the Melvins and said that all these "open minded people" should enjoy the Melvins...Then he said "We have come to entertain you...you payed your money...we are here to entertain you". "We're gonna rock your s ocks off" Towards the beginning, Maynard said "take your clothes off, grab a pole, and fill a hole". Before Jerk-Off he commented on how they don't usually play this song, and how it is often misunderstood. He said that he was not encouraging to hurt your "brother or sister", and how he is getting his aggressions out in a constructive way rather than vio lence. During the Sober intro ( i think it was) Maynard sat down and played intelligentcube for playstation. That game is hard as hell, and Maynard scored perfect 2 times before he died. The game is supposed to test your IQ. At the beginning of the show, Maynard came out and said some long thing in Spanish about Tool's music. I am only in Spanish 2, so I don't have a clue what he was saying. If anyone knows, please email me. Before Aenima he said "This is for all you people who think these tits are real". In the beginning of the show they played some long, repetetive speach saying "Hail Satan" at the end. I interperated this to be similar to the theme of Eulogy. In that if you play something so many times, and it keeps getting more intense each time, peo ple will start to go along with it. Sort of like brainwashing, I guess. It got a lot of people in the audience yelling "HAIL SATAN", and othes yelling "FUCK THIS SHIT". Maynard apologised for how long it took to get in, and how the firemarshall wanted us to wear fireproof bikinis, but they weren't going to stand for that. that's about all I can think of... Other than the full cavity searches before the show, everything was cool. btw, if the guy who was telling me about the 1st tool live show he saw on video, and gave us free beer reads this, please email me.

Review written by: Lisa (lisal@cyberramp.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 04:22:36 Yes, the Melvins were the best fucking opening band ever! They only played two songs so we could hear Tool. This show kicked major ass and was well worth every single minute I spent driving and watching my friends pee in public while waiting an hour longer in the hot sun because the stupid fucking idiots in line wouldn't calm the fuck down so we could go inside...it was also the people inside's fault. You'd think that they could get enough money to open all the doors and get more people in at once then this three doors open on each side bullshit. Maynard was sexy as hell and my ears are still ringing from the excitement of it all. Too bad you weren't there with me, John.

Review written by: Faris (I6ualDv8@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 03:58:25 This concert was one of the best I've seen in a long time. The only problem was that it was too short. They didn't play that many songs but the ones they did rocked. So did the remix of the video at the very end with the pussy and dicks singing. Manyard kicked ass.

Review written by: Undrtow (Undrtow@AOL.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 03:07:19 The only thing i'm gonna bitch about is the fact that it took an hour and a half to get in the doors, even though they opened at six thrity. And the other thing that pissed me off was the fact that The Melvins licked a cock....5 minutes onstage after a ho rrible 30 minutes of some Satan bullshit.....that wasn't cool, but tha fact that Tool kicked much ass, made my night perfect. I only had one regret, that is that they didn't play 46&2, or prison sex. If you missed this show, you are a major cock lick. May nard is god.

Review written by: Joey (Maynard_Keenan@hotmail.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 02:58:46 Yeah WTF were those flame clouds during pushit? those were cool The concert was the best ive seen worth every penny (and every hour spent waiting in line in the texas sun) my only complaint? The fucking nicotine breathing ass wipes who tried their best to make the concert hall (this being 2/3 of the people there) who did their best not only to make it hard to breath but hard to see in..other than that it was fine..i was able to verify that YES that is a radio shack megaphone maynard uses during eulogy. the small black one that they offer in almost all of their stores that is it.... -joey

Review written by: sean (sashford@airmail.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 02:19:16 This post is for drummers wanting to know about the Tool show. I hope he does this in every city he did in Dallas. For 10 min. I heard the most creative explosive technical 10 min. of drums ever and I mean ever. This is the 90's Neil Pert ( i'm not comparing Rush to Tool only drummers that are on another planet ) this style of drumming will change rock drumming forever. Now for everyone else thats not a drummer the show was unbelievable. Rock drumming has finally gone to the next level. Thank you Tool !!!!!

Review written by: Adam Boyette (Grapevine, TX) (Adam0906@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 02:12:27 Here's the url for that symbol, albeit a crude rendition. Any ideas, e-mail me. http://members.aol.com/Adam0906/symbol.gif -Adam

Review written by: Adam Boyette (Grapevine, TX) (Adam0906@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 02:01:38 Oops, I forgot to mention Maynard's outfit. Televangelist again, full of Hallelujah's and "Jesus Fucking Christ!" He lost the wig in You Lied, and I think it was during the Sober intro when he stripped down to his undewear (tight hip hugging shorts and black bra). There were also some new lyrics in Stinkfist. Anybody catch these? Didn't he say at one point "You owe this to me"? -Adam

Review written by: mpw (mpw@cyberramp.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 01:58:12 I have been reading the concert reviews for the past few dates in anticipation of the Dallas show, paying special attention to the playlists. Boy was I surprised! They didn't play Opiate (my favorite) but they ended with JERKOFF!!! Are you fucking kidding me???...it was INCREDIBLE!!! Excellent show (except for those huge ass speakers blocking the damn video screen!) and an awesome, energized crowd. Even the most hardcore fan couldn't ask for more. BTW - what the hell are those flame mushroom clouds shooting up from the crowd? People spitting lighter fluid? Whatever is was it was cool as shit.

Review written by: Adam Boyette (Grapevine, TX) (Adam0906@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 01:53:51 Second show in 2 weeks, and my god they kicked ass! The Melvins came on after 5 or 6 boring cycles of some "Satan rules the earth. Hail Satan!" message. And I can't understand why, but they played 1 song and were done. Which is cool with me. There are two trends: hate the Melvins to show that you can t hink for yourself (as in not following Maynard, since he apparently likes them), or love the Melvins because Maynard does. This made the third time I've seen them, and they sucked all three times. Set list: Cold & Ugly Eulogy Crawl Away Stinkist (w/ Reverend Buzz Melvin) You Lied (by Peach, w/ Buzz) Third Eye Sober (w/ intro) Pushit nema Jerk-off (encore) Maynard introduced his fellow band members as Reverend Daniel "Lion Fucker" Carey, "Partner to Eve" Rev. Adam Jones, Rev. Buzz Melvin, and Justin Chancellor, Native American. He came out before the Melvins to introduce them, and he asked us if he was goi ng to lose a bet he had made, about Dallas being a great city for a show. When Tool came out, he said this "church" was not about fundamental propoganda, etc., but about Fucking. He said Stinkfist was about love so deep it hurts, and Pushit was about re aching that quiet place within yourself. nema was about California falling into the ocean in a round about sort of way, but more about getting back in touch with what matters. After nema, he told us "good night," sat down in front of Danny's drum set with Adam and Justin, then came back on for Jerk-off, which is an angry song about taking control of your anger and using it in a positive way (paraphrased, of course). They had that symbol again in the back of the stage. I'm gonna try to sketch it up and upload it, for those who haven't seen it yet. What the hell is it, anyway? Overall, good setlist (and good choice in You Lied, again!), good movie things in the background (especially the geometric thing during the Sober intro, with the little man running from the blocks), flat out damn good show. My third time to see Tool (fir st non-festival show), and without a doubt my favorite. -Adam

Review written by: Downcast (Downcast13@aol.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 01:33:13 What in the hell is wrong with the Melvins? After hearing some sweird poem/verse about Satan ruling the world for 20 minutes, they play one song and leave. I started to dig on it, then "Goodnight". TOOL on the other hand were masterful. With Maynard in his televangelist/lingerie costumes and Danny's amazing drumwork glorified as so by having his kit on a raised platform. They played an amazing set although I was dissapointed they didnt play Opiate or 46 & 2 (to the person who posted that Opiate was played first, it was Cold and Ugly played first.) Then they played a song I've never heard before, but was good nonetheless. And, it's gona sound really chessy, but with the slow version of Pushit, I actually closed my eyes and went to my "peace ful yet vulnerable spot", as maynard put it. The Melvins may have blown it but TOOL was amazing.

Review written by: sean (sashford@airmail.net) Review posted on: 08/09/98 01:18:34 Let me get this out of the way. Thank God the Melvins only played two songs. TOOL kicked some major ass tonight in Dallas. The sound and lights were brilliant. My freinds paid $75 a ticket for $23 face value tickets and they have no regrets as long as the Melvins didn't get any of it. The only suprise on their set list from all others shows was they did not play 46&2 or prison sex. don't let that stop you from going. Melvins suck !!!

Review written by: Sandman (sandman@newsguy.com) Review posted on: 08/09/98 01:08:19 Let's see: Opiate Pushit Aenima Eulogy Sober Third Eye Some new/cover song? Long Tool Jam I'm missing more. It kicked ass. Maynard's tits looked better than my roomate's Mom's.