Tool
Live @ Rimini, 15/11/06

THE REVIEW

I’ll skip over the Mastodon's performance, which was clearly compromised by terrible amplification.

The Tool stage is set from left to right: synth, three guitar heads with corresponding cabinets; Maynard’s console set back next to the drums, Carey’s drumset also featuring a gong, a few electronic pads, and two differently sized bass drums, indicating they are used individually for specific tonal research rather than paired in the classic metal/progressive style; finally, Justin’s stack completes the stage. Behind the musicians' positions, there are video installations.

Around 9:20 PM, the concert starts with Jones drawing a carpet of long notes from the synth to introduce "Stinkfist". Adam picks up his usual Les Paul Silverburst. Maynard appears shirtless, wearing a mask that is halfway between a gas mask and a fetish/bondage accessory, with an opening where the mouth is, allowing him to hold the microphone hands-free. The effect is not merely scenic; the mask enriches the voice with cavernous reverberations, making it even more alien. There’s a sudden technical issue with the videos, but by the second song in the setlist, "46 & 2", everything works, and fragments of life and pulsating nerves appear on the screens, depicting a sort of evolutionary journey.

Volumes are extremely high, but at least the amplification is decent. Justin strums on the bass and a great version of "Sober" begins, featuring a brief noise interlude triggered by guitar and bass feedback.

After a short break, smoke emerges from the sides of the stage, and screens display nebulous masses in changing hues. The sound of distant thunder is heard. "Wings for Marie" starts, followed by "10,000 Days". Beautiful, very intense, and engaging. The audience responds enthusiastically. The finale is left to three gems from the Tool repertoire: "Lateralus, Vicarious, Aenema".

A 1 hour and 45-minute concert that was intense, powerful, and lyrical, accompanied by a visually captivating show balancing between psychedelia and esotericism. There is a significant chromatic change compared to the past, with less darkness on stage, now inundated with white, green, and red lights, fewer black-and-white videos, and more brightly colored animations and green lasers tracing aerial mandalas. The only criticism I allow myself is related to Maynard's choice to sing all songs with the mask; while in pieces like "Rosetta Stoned" or "Stinkfist" such timbre is perfectly functional, in pieces like "Wings pt. 1 and 2", which rely on Keenan’s warm and whispered tone, the voice is hindered.

Concert setlist

Stinkfist
46&2
Jambi
Schism
Lost Keys
Rosetta Stoned
Sober
(pause)
Wings For Marie (pt. 1)
10,000 Days (Wings pt. 2)
Lateralus
Vicarious
Aenema