[edit] Tool: Lateralus

Released: 2001 (Volcano II/Tool Dissectional: US)

Lateralus was released in spring 2001 as the 4th commercial relase in the Tool catalogue. It seems to move along the same musical path as the other Tool albums...but then again...it doesn't. This album has everything from small instrumental interludes to 9 minute epics.

The cd starts off with a great song in "The Grudge" and moves along through the songs/instrumentals "Eon Blue Apocalypse", "Mantra", and "The Patient".

Up next is "Schism" a tremdous song led by Justin Chancellor's bass in the beginning. A song about love/relationships. It truely (again) is a masterpiece"

Next up is "Parabol" a short instrumental prelude to the spirital cleansing that is "Parabola". "Parabola" is a song that seems to suggest living life to the fullest. Although it may mean something completely different to each person. That's the beauty of Tool songs, they can be interpreted in many different ways. Listen to Adam Jones' driving guitar riff and great use of a wah pedal in the solo.

After "Parabola" is "Ticks and Leeches" .

The title track and epic "Lateralus" is up next on the album. This song starts off with a slow yet melodic riff that seems to lull you to sleep. However then comes in the drums from a distance. Soft at first then picking up in intensity as it nears. It almost sounds like impending danger. When the drums fully arrive in comes a blistering drop-d power chord riff from Jones.

An interesting note regarding the lyrical structure and drum beat during the first verse. The beginning lyrics of the song use the Fibonacci number sequence, where each number is the total of the two before it....

Black (1) then (1) white are (2) all I see (3) in my infancy (5) red and yellow then came to be (8) reaching out to me (5) lets me see' (3)

It is widely known that Danny Carey uses complex mathematical sequences when the comes up with beats. This is why he comes up with some really bizarre tribal beats. It's been said that when Tool jams they have mathematical charts hanging up to inspire new time signatures and music.

The album rounds out with "Disposition", "Reflection", "Triad", and "Faaip diad" All of which fit nicely on the album. Musically and lyrically.

There you have it, another Tool masterpiece. I'm sure most Tool fans will be looking forward to a new album sometime in early 2005 when Maynard is done with A Perfect Circle's tour for "The Thirteenth Step".

[edit] Tracklist:

1. The Grudge 2. Eon Blue Apocalypse 3. The Patient 4. Mantra 5. Schism 6. Parabol 7. Parabola 8. Ticks & Leeches 9. Lateralus 10. Disposition 11. Reflection 12. Triad 13. Faaip de oiad

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