After catching the band at the Big Day Out two days earlier, and having seen the last show at Myer Music Bowl four years ago, it was always going to be hard not to be interested to see what Tool had to offer us this time around.
After catching the band at the Big Day Out two days earlier, and having seen the last show at Myer Music Bowl four years ago, it was always going to be hard not to be interested to see what Tool had to offer us this time around. With reviews criticising the last side show (most unhappy with the band’s lack of interest in the audience and very long break in which the band stayed onstage in the dark), I was upbeat knowing full well that Tool aren’t the most ‘chatty’ of bands, and in any case, I wasn’t there to hear them talk shit. Opening with a stellarThird Eye, I was already sure this time around was going to be different. The band were in amazing form, taking us straight in to Jambi, and Vicarious before Maynard uttered a "Hello" that had the crowd in spasms of joy.
Taking the tone down for the long and winding haunt that is the Intention/Right In Two duo, this was what Tool fans wanted to see. The band seemed more into the set than in the last few shows and, even with a couple of hiccups, they came across more human than ever, laughing at their mistakes and getting on with business. Maynard again took the microphone to address the willing audience, informing us, "This is another song we don’t play that often", before the Salival track You Lied was dusted off to a crowd that were split between those trying to figure out what it was, and those who appreciated the rare cover’s inclusion.
From here however, the set was a replica of their Big Day Out list, in the same order. Minus The Patient and Flood, we again heard the usual suspects including Schism, Ænema and Stinkfist. Although this performance eclipsed the show at Big Day Out, and the last tour, it was a little disappointing that they didn’t delve further than the festival songs for the sideshow. That said, we knew were in for extra treats when during a break, a second drum kit was brought on.
Lateralus came next, and included the same open jam section as BDO that snuck in elements of Metallica’s Orion…
however we then bore witness to a three-way drum off between Danny Carey, Jeff Friedl (of Puscifer, sporting a mankini) and Jason from support band Jakob. This section was a great way to catch Danny interacting with other drummers, and although one was on a smaller kit, and one on a djembe, Carey’s talents were on display as his contributions were like thunder on the mountain. Maynard gave scores throughout the piece, and after it was over dedicated next track Ænema to "…the crazy shit that’s going on." As the song began, our thoughts turned to North Queensland, where at that exact time, Cyclone Yasi was hitting the mainland, and the song’s lyrics were more poignant than ever.
Promising to be back soon, Tool closed with Stinkfist and left us all with nothing more to do but wait for the next album. An album that is reportedly due sometime soon, although in Tool time, that could be a while…
You can view pictures of the night by visiting our Snaps page.
