Tool
Lateralus

THE REVIEW

The Californian band, after the undeniable success of the masterpiece "ÆNIMA" (1997), gives birth to an equally valid work, the highly anticipated "Lateralus" (2001).

The lineup led by Maynard James Keenan returns deeply evolved, both in terms of sound and conceptually. The release of the album is preceded by the single and video "Schism", a symbolic song of the album, which blends a sort of syncopated arpeggio played by the bass with an ambient guitar, which, in the chorus, reaches a zeppelin-like hard rock based on pentatonic scales. It all culminates in a psychedelic bridge, first soft, then increasingly intense until reaching a heavy metal accompanied by drum riffs of notable rhythmic complexity.
It should be considered the emblem of the new effort by Tool precisely because the entire album is traversed by variations of genre and sounds that seem incompatible but are cleverly connected to each other, creating a whirlwind of colors and emotions.

Another example is "Parabola", a track preceded by the mini-track "Parabol", a new single and video from the band, structured on a rhythmic base initially in four-four time that at times strays into literally mind-bending uneven rhythms.
Absolutely unpredictable, tracks like "The Grudge", "Tick & Leeches", "Lateralus", and "The Patient" inevitably leave their mark on the listener's mind thanks to their inimitable and "mind-blowing" guitar riffs and the vocal range of the more convincing than ever Keenan, fresh from the side project "A Perfect Circle".

The sound of Tool, compared to "Ænima", appears fuller, more cohesive, under the co-production of David Bottrill. Additionally, the album's artwork, always a key aspect in the creation of Tool's works, is meticulously crafted, thanks to the laminated booklet by the renowned artist Alex Grey and the vinyl cover personally chosen by Adam Jones, guitarist and director of the band's videos.

Particular attention should be given to the videos, genuine works of art rich in symbology concerning the introspectiveness of the soul and the vital force of the human being.
As usual, in both videos, supernatural beings created using the conventional stop-motion technique, which has always characterized the group's films, are present.

The concepts addressed in Keenan's lyrics in all the songs are infinite, from envy to the dematerialization of thought and objects... one could talk about them for hours, just as one could about the recurring rhythmic and effectual peculiarities in the whole album.
Indeed, compliments are due to drummer Danny Carey, truly capable of anything and of changing the sound of his drums in an entirely exceptional manner from one song to another. Equal praise is deserved by Jones and Justin Chancellor, authors of melodies that transcend the boundaries of imagination.

"Lateralus" is an album not easy to describe in words, it requires a particular listening and an open mind towards numerous musical genres. It is an album that speaks for itself, between cool and warm colors, between darkness and light.