•
Rating: THE REVIEW
After Radiohead, Tool is my favorite band because, besides being great musicians, they are also very inspired. This CD is called "Lateralus," from Latin meaning "side by side," and it is a great work of art of eighty minutes with committed and humanistic lyrics. The band is really strong and consists of the singer Maynard James Keenan (even a friend of mine who doesn't listen to music, when he saw Tool's live videos, referred to him as: "Madonna, questo è proprio il sindaco!") and the guitarist Adam Jones, also famous for participating in "Alien" and "Jurassic Park" and for the cryptic Tool videos he makes, in addition to being a very talented guitarist. Then there is drummer Danny Carey and Justin Chancellor who plays the bass.
The CD starts with the first song "The Grudge" which has an African touch and a strong musical component, although in my opinion, it lasts a bit too long. After that, there is "Eon Blue Apocalypse" which seems to me to be too short instead, and where there's a great technical demonstration by guitarist Jones. Then there's "The Patient" which is a song, as the title suggests, very patient, and in fact, has a long calm part at the beginning before the distortion kicks in. Then there's "Mantra" which is underground and exotic and seems like one of those eastern chants in films. After that, they put "Schism" which has a very complicated bass line that goes up and down various scales, and then "Parabol" which has notes resembling those of "Parabola" which follows immediately and hits with the force of a truck heading in the opposite direction against a train, and together they form a single where in the video there are fat gentlemen cutting an apple and then floating. After these very powerful emotions, there's "Ticks and Leeches" where the voice screams like those in metal and has a more narcoelectric piece in the middle. Then there's the last part of the CD which is too long, and I always get a bit bored listening to it, but "Lateralus" is always beautiful, and it's the one where the drummer showcases his exquisite techniques.
The CD is certainly a great modern masterpiece because the cover is also beautiful and is once again made by Adam Jones who is the guitarist of the group. The CD impressed me a lot, and I want to recommend everyone to listen to it.
Loading comments slowly
Summary by Bot
Tool's Lateralus stands out as a compelling progressive rock album featuring inspired lyrics, intricate instrumental work, and a cohesive artistic vision. The reviewer highlights key tracks for their unique qualities and praises the band's talent and creativity. Despite some moments feeling lengthy, the album impresses as a modern classic worth exploring. The cover art, created by guitarist Adam Jones, complements the music perfectly.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Tool
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles known for long, complex compositions, dense production and striking visuals; their albums (Ænima, Lateralus, Undertow among others) are central to modern progressive/alternative metal.53 Reviews
Other reviews
By manikin
"Lateralus is an album that speaks for itself, between cool and warm colors, between darkness and light."
"Danny Carey is truly capable of anything and changes the sound of his drums in an entirely exceptional manner from one song to another."
By TheSilentMan
Tool is a group that undeniably has managed to create a style distinctly different from any other.
The atmospheres, the themes, the sounds, everything is perfect, and the listener can't help but be mesmerized by this CD.
By TheBlackAngelsDeath
"Lateralus opens up a new dimension to infinite rage, where the pieces fit together and where eternity grants the awareness that all this suffering is an illusion."
"Every word of the verses is syllabicated to perfectly mark the numbers of the Fibonacci sequence, through a journey of alienation and supreme detachment from one’s shell."
By Proximo
Once you get out of the store... you start opening the booklet and realize that alone it’s worth at least half the price.
The Patient... explodes into a reflective but extremely powerful chorus.
By Dreamtheater
An hour and more of music… depressing… I define it as inner suicide… a sense of sadness enters inside you… something dark… melancholic… extremely pessimistic.
The skill of an artist is evaluated by how much they can transport and excite you… and I assure you they succeed… even too much.
