>>PREVIEW
TOOL
Thursday, August 24
Saddledome
Since their inception some 16 years ago, the band Tool has produced some of the most provocative, volatile and intellectually stimulating work to come from the field of progressive rock. Spanning genres and capturing the attention of a diverse fan base, singer/songwriter Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Paul D’amour and percussionist Danny Carey masterfully weave together nihilistic lyrical content with unique riffs and haunting imagery.
Tracing the evolution of Tool’s meteoric rise, it becomes evident why this enigmatic powerhouse has won over music critics (armchair and otherwise) across the globe.
Title: Opiate E.P.
Released: 1992
Label: Zoo
An all-too-brief 23-minute glimpse into the twisted minds behind the name. Opiate planted the demon seed that would eventually morph into bigger and better things for the band that would come to epitomize the sound of modern death metal, thrash and grindcore.
Title: Undertow
Released: 1993
Label: Zoo
Undermining the radio-friendly disintegration of the term "alternative," Keenan and company veer away from the tartan grip of grungedom and embrace the less-than-popular trappings of heavy metal and progressive rock. Drawing inspiration from classic bands like Black Sabbath, they unleash a sonic assault peppered with harsh yet hypnotic vocals and devastating guitar solos.
Title: AEnima
Released: Oct. 1, 1996
Label: Volcano
Erupting from their new home base on Volcano Records, Tool ventures into previously unexplored territory. Once again their painstaking attention to details pays off big time, both from an artistic and musical perspective. Garnering comparisons to the work of legends like King Crimson, Rush and even Pink Floyd, AEnima unleashes a bevy of aggressive yet philosophical tunes that propel Tool into the hardcore stratosphere.
Title: Lateralus
Released: May 15, 2001
Label: Volcano
Tool enthusiasts rejoice after a five-year drought. After a long and drawn out legal battle with their label’s management, Tool re-emerges to issue forth their much-anticipated fourth album. Lateralus delivers as much as it demands – requiring listeners to lean in to their speakers and whip out the headphones to fully appreciate its subtle complexities. And lean in they do – sealing Tool’s status as the current torchbearers of alternative metal.
Title: 10,000 Days
Released: May 2, 2006
Label: Volcano, Tool Dissectional
The crown jewel in the Tool discography, 10,000 Days is one album that is as beautiful to look at as it is to listen to. Now quite accustomed to considerable time lapses between albums, Tool devotees can rest assured that each new one has been carefully constructed and lovingly produced to perfection. Once again, Tool’s patience and attention to detail has paid off. Paying homage to their roots, they revel in epic-length songs that unfurl themselves with a delicious air of suspense. Creating an expansive musical landscape in 11 movements, 10,000 Days balances serious introspection with biting satire. |
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