There aren’t many bands around anymore where your first step is spinning one of their records, and by the second step you’re already lost in a labyrinth of irregular time signatures and hidden tracks, not to mention researching the Fibonacci sequence.
Opening with Hooker With A Penis, followed by Vicarious, Sober and Schism, Tool drew from each of their four albums. If memory serves, this is their second tour here without a new album, and while their fan base are begging for a new release, this meant the setlist wasn’t shackled by any one particular album.
Famed for their complex, detailed approached to visual arts (Tool’s album 10,000 Days uses a folding stereoscope to display stereographic images), the backdropping screens provided incredibly haunting and phantasmagorical images to complement their music. Combined with dazzling laser effects, this is what makes a Tool performance special – there is a holistic attack on the mind and body, and each sense is given its own toy.
Lead singer Maynard James Keenan discreetly positions himself at the rear of the stage, and in doing so prevents himself from becoming the focus of your attention. Guitarist Adam Jones stands with nonchalance in the same spot all night. For the first half an hour, with the exception of drummer Danny Carey (by far the most technically masterful drummer I’ve ever seen live, quite easily beating out Thomas Pridgen), the band are virtually motionless. However, where other bands require their members to be lively in order to elicit energy, Tool can just stand idly and dominate with the music itself; the transfixion on their instruments is infectious.
And don’t be fooled – every song is positioned in the setlist with reason. The passion of scream-inducer Pushit was trailed by the calm of Intension, which led the audience into the deep trough of their dynamic set. While certainly a comedown, the track is cleverly placed with the intention to build tension for the volatile Lateralus to close the first set.
Following the intermission with a drum solo shadowed by Jambi, the inertia previously exhibited seemed to be eroding. Bearded bassist Justin Chancellor eventually began slowly submitting to the power of his own performance, particularly during Forty Six & 2, a song truly brought into another dimension live. Rising towards the crest with Ænema, Tool exploded with the finale of fan favourite Stinkfist.
Tool are the perfect band to be given the keys to world class lighting capabilities and a sound system that grabs you by the goolies. While their refusal to play an encore (which is not unique to this tour) may upset fans, you realise the fake ‘let’s pretend the roadies are packing up’ nature just doesn’t suit Tool. There’s barely no audience interaction (aside from “hands up who’s on drugs”), no encore and no bullshit. You walk out of a Tool concert feeling like every other band you have ever seen is phony.
BY NICK TARAS
Photo credit: Nick Taras
LOVED: The professionalism of the reviewer next to me. He brought a jotter pad!
HATED: That they didn’t play (-) Ions – it kills live.
DRANK: Boag’s Draught, which caused me to nearly miss the start because apparently only three people in total ever work at Rod Laver at any one fucking time.
