Tool @ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (27/04/2013)
Photo by Rebecca Houlden
Readers, allow me to coin a new phrase within this piece: The Maynard Trinity.
I've seen a lot of bands. More than I can count, and more than I could probably afford to see. But I have to admit, I never thought that I'd have the opportunity to witness all three of Maynard James Keenan's primary acts live, let alone all in the same year.
After watching both Puscifer and A Perfect Circle at their respective Melbourne Soundwave shows, it was only logical that I complete The Maynard Trinity by seeing Tool perform live.
Various sources have stated that Maynard James Keenan despises the "rock star" label that the media have willingly given to most musicians these days. It's a term that is thrown around so often that it has practically lost all meaning.
While none of these sources could actually be verified, because let's be honest, people can say all kinds of shit on the internet, it's widely accepted amongst music fans that Maynard is a fairly private person who takes his work very seriously.
So serious in fact, that upon request from his management, every patron attending Tool's performance was metal detected at the entrance by security for cameras, recording devices and whatnot.
Theories abounded in the line as to why this was so. Would we be privileged with new material at tonight's show? Would our cameras steal Maynard's soul? Or realistically, does the band just hate the sight of thousands of music fans paying top dollar to watch a performance through a tiny screen?
Maybe Maynard just likes his privacy? He's only human. But there's no denying that there's a cult following behind all outlets of his music. That said, I still wouldn't call Maynard James Keenan, let alone Tool, rock stars.
In fact, when Tool finally appear, the band are spread so far apart from each other that there isn't a shred of personal interaction between them all night.
Maynard performs nestled towards the back of the stage, hidden in the shadows without spotlight. Similar to his performances with Puscifer and A Perfect Circle, he's in the zone, but with Tool I found him to be at his most reclusive.
He barely utters a word in-between songs, bar for one question to the audience between opening numbers Hooker With A Penis and Vicarious.
"Who here is on drugs?"
A large portion of the crowd responds to Maynard's question enthusiastically.
"… that's illegal", he replies.
So if Tool aren't rock stars, what are they? I'd go as far as to call the band performance artists. Together they work on stage to create an audio/visual show like none other. Supposedly, it's a different experience every night, with the audience's eyes wandering to the screens scattered around the stage, while a very impressive laser set-up that worked in time with drummer Danny Carey was truly a sight.
As guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor led us through the night with their intricate guitar work, combining the visual material that accompanied Tool's performance was simply like listening to the soundtrack of your worst nightmare as it unfolded before your eyes.
It's an unorthodox approach to performing, but it works. With the eye firmly focused on the visuals, the intoxicating music takes over and engulfs you. It's hypnotising; a trance like state where you can see, hear and feel everything the band are conveying with their performance.
And much like the formerly mentioned nightmare, it stays with you long afterwards. From the faceless humanoids pulling bloody tree-like veins from their necks, to the infinitely repeated life-cycle of a grotesque creature, it's truly disturbing to watch, yet impossible to look away.
As for the music itself, there was not one new song to be heard within the set. And to be honest, I'm not surprised. Tool are perfectionists. We probably won't hear any new material until they have practiced and perfected it a thousand times over. Even then, we as a collective audience probably wouldn't be ready for it.
Schism and Lateralus proved to be the most crowd responsive songs within the confines of the main performance, while a somewhat odd twelve minute intermission bridged the main set and the encore.
With a looped backing beat melting into Jambi as the band took to the stage for their encore, the finale treated the crowd to a triple bill of Forty-Six & 2, Ænema and the almighty Stinkfist.
It goes without saying that a Tool live show is a one of a kind ordeal. It's harrowing, and uncompromising. But for those fans that watched and listened with an open mind, it's a rewarding and somewhat moving experience too. There's no doubt that you'll be thinking about it for days to come, but regardless of how you interpret it, it's an experience that won't be so easily forgotten.
Luke Sutton
@lukesutton
I've seen a lot of bands. More than I can count, and more than I could probably afford to see. But I have to admit, I never thought that I'd have the opportunity to witness all three of Maynard James Keenan's primary acts live, let alone all in the same year.
After watching both Puscifer and A Perfect Circle at their respective Melbourne Soundwave shows, it was only logical that I complete The Maynard Trinity by seeing Tool perform live.
Various sources have stated that Maynard James Keenan despises the "rock star" label that the media have willingly given to most musicians these days. It's a term that is thrown around so often that it has practically lost all meaning.
While none of these sources could actually be verified, because let's be honest, people can say all kinds of shit on the internet, it's widely accepted amongst music fans that Maynard is a fairly private person who takes his work very seriously.
So serious in fact, that upon request from his management, every patron attending Tool's performance was metal detected at the entrance by security for cameras, recording devices and whatnot.
Theories abounded in the line as to why this was so. Would we be privileged with new material at tonight's show? Would our cameras steal Maynard's soul? Or realistically, does the band just hate the sight of thousands of music fans paying top dollar to watch a performance through a tiny screen?
Maybe Maynard just likes his privacy? He's only human. But there's no denying that there's a cult following behind all outlets of his music. That said, I still wouldn't call Maynard James Keenan, let alone Tool, rock stars.
In fact, when Tool finally appear, the band are spread so far apart from each other that there isn't a shred of personal interaction between them all night.
Maynard performs nestled towards the back of the stage, hidden in the shadows without spotlight. Similar to his performances with Puscifer and A Perfect Circle, he's in the zone, but with Tool I found him to be at his most reclusive.
He barely utters a word in-between songs, bar for one question to the audience between opening numbers Hooker With A Penis and Vicarious.
"Who here is on drugs?"
A large portion of the crowd responds to Maynard's question enthusiastically.
"… that's illegal", he replies.
So if Tool aren't rock stars, what are they? I'd go as far as to call the band performance artists. Together they work on stage to create an audio/visual show like none other. Supposedly, it's a different experience every night, with the audience's eyes wandering to the screens scattered around the stage, while a very impressive laser set-up that worked in time with drummer Danny Carey was truly a sight.
As guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor led us through the night with their intricate guitar work, combining the visual material that accompanied Tool's performance was simply like listening to the soundtrack of your worst nightmare as it unfolded before your eyes.
It's an unorthodox approach to performing, but it works. With the eye firmly focused on the visuals, the intoxicating music takes over and engulfs you. It's hypnotising; a trance like state where you can see, hear and feel everything the band are conveying with their performance.
And much like the formerly mentioned nightmare, it stays with you long afterwards. From the faceless humanoids pulling bloody tree-like veins from their necks, to the infinitely repeated life-cycle of a grotesque creature, it's truly disturbing to watch, yet impossible to look away.
As for the music itself, there was not one new song to be heard within the set. And to be honest, I'm not surprised. Tool are perfectionists. We probably won't hear any new material until they have practiced and perfected it a thousand times over. Even then, we as a collective audience probably wouldn't be ready for it.
Schism and Lateralus proved to be the most crowd responsive songs within the confines of the main performance, while a somewhat odd twelve minute intermission bridged the main set and the encore.
With a looped backing beat melting into Jambi as the band took to the stage for their encore, the finale treated the crowd to a triple bill of Forty-Six & 2, Ænema and the almighty Stinkfist.
It goes without saying that a Tool live show is a one of a kind ordeal. It's harrowing, and uncompromising. But for those fans that watched and listened with an open mind, it's a rewarding and somewhat moving experience too. There's no doubt that you'll be thinking about it for days to come, but regardless of how you interpret it, it's an experience that won't be so easily forgotten.
Luke Sutton
@lukesutton