:: Tool
:: Vector Arena, Auckland
:: Wednesday 8th May
Jakob, as usual, got the call from Tool to open for them. As usual, they were fantastic. The 3-piece from Napier have been going strong since 1998, creating music that broods along until it’s unleashed with the utmost authority.
They rock a similar boat to America’s Isis, and toured with that band years ago. Somewhere along the way, they caught the eye of Tool, and thank goodness they did, as they’re a great warm up to the main course. The crowd was left wanting more as Jason, Maurice and Jeff left the stage one by one.
By now, most of the crowd had probably discovered the unusually harsh reaction from security to mobile phone use. The crowd had all seen the “No Photos” signs (see above), but for this show there was a blanket ban on using phones… at all.
That meant no Twitter, Facebook, no texting mum. Doing so saw a light shone in your face by security, or tap on the shoulder and a telling off. You couldn’t help but feel for the security staff who had to enforce it.
It was an unusual move, but by the time Tool took to the stage it was ultimately refreshing to look out into a crowd with no glowing lights. The audience was actually watching the bands with their eyes, not through a screen.
Tool started their show with that Timothy Leary sample that’s become a bit of a motif for the band: “Think for yourself. Question authority. Think for yourself. Question authority.”
The message repeated again and again, band members eventually taking to the stage and diving straight into a blistering, soul-shattering rendition of 'Third Eye'.
I haven’t heard Tool sound this good since they graced our shores over 10 years ago to support 2001’s Lateralus. Since then, I’ve seen them play in places like Hawaii, Las Vegas and Sydney – but this show really stood out. Most of it was in the set-list: perfectly paced with hit after hit (well, as far as “hits” and Tool go), but it also saw all four band members hit their stride, and in doing so hit the show out of the ballpark. However, Vector Arena is more of a basketball stadium than a ballpark, and drummer Danny Carey reminded us by wearing a #24 Breakers singlet. The massive, grinning rhythm powerhouse is usually draped in Lakers gear, but a fan had given the singlet to guitarist Adam Jones earlier in the afternoon and had asked him to pass it on. Clearly, he had.
The stage took on the default look Tool has adopted, of late. Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor stood rather side of the stage, closest to the crowd. Behind them, elevated and at the back, is Danny Carey and mohawked frontman Maynard James Keenan. He’s not really a 'frontman', though, constantly in the shadows, and with a band that’s all pulling their weight. As they’ve always said, Tool is a democracy.
Visuals are displayed behind the band on a number of giant screens – a mixture of cuts from the band’s music videos, and fresh material for the live shows. From a pulsating spiral of naked human bodies to massive occult magick boards, it was everything you’d want and expect from a Tool concert.
The crowd was left a little stunned after opener 'Third Eye'. It’s a lot to take in – Maynard unleashing his vocals towards the end in a way I’ve missed in the last decade. By the end it’s almost a wall of noise as Maynard screamed through a megaphone: “Prying open by third eye! Prying open my third eye!”
It was huge and wonderful, and the crowd is utterly amped up to hear 'Vicarious'. Maynard appeared to retreat behind the megaphone again, but as the night goes on we hear the voice fans have all grown to love, loud and clear.
'Schism' sounded majestic, and by the time the band hit play on 'Pushit', the crowd knew they’re in for a special night.
The crowd during intermission
Most of the night was ridiculously loud. The only time the energy was brought down is during 'Intension', before things climaxed with an extended version of 'Lateralus'. The odd time signatures of this song do something fascinating to a crowd - they almost melt and come together as the song does. So by the time an extended middle jam section is over and the song falls back into play, the whole crowd is going crazy. It’s only something you’d experience at a Tool concert.
There was an intermission with a giant clock counting down from 12 minutes on the central screen, and then more Tool. The band concluded with a full-on assault from that defining 1996 album, Aenima.
Maynard opened the concert with only two words: “Good evening”. He concluded with just a few more: “This is goodnight.” There were boos from the crowd. “This is goodnight. I mean it”. The band then launches into 'Aenima' and an extended cut of 'Stinkfist' – two huge singles that still sound as fresh as ever today as they did in the '90s.
There really isn’t anyone making music like Tool’s, and the crowd last night knew it. They all sang along to lyrics and fisted the air, all grinning like maniacs.
* Breakers #24 Dillon Boucher appeared to be happy when he heard about Danny’s dress sense, stating on his Twitter account: “What an honour to have him wearing my jersey!”
Full setlist:
Third Eye
Vicarious
(jam)
Schism
Pushit
(jam)
Intension
Lateralus (with extended middle)
Intermission
Extended jam with Danny
Jambi
46&2
Aenima
Skinkfist (extended ending)
Afterword:
I wanted to make a note about another part of the evening. Tool sold VIP packages that included access to soundcheck, and a Q&A session with guitarist Adam Jones. I went along to see what it was all about –the first time a journalist had been allowed to go along for the ride.
The fans there were diehards. Many had amazing tattoos and t-shirts and were gripping various bits of obscure Tool back catalogue they hoped to get signed. One woman had painted her entire chest and neck with Tool art. These fans were hardcore.
We were let in to watch three songs be soundchecked. We were allowed to stand about 20m from the stage as Maynard, Danny, Adam and Justin belted through 'Vicarious'. In typical Maynard fashion, Maynard then left. After that, we were permitted to go up to the barrier. The three remaining members chatted with the fans, before launching into two more songs.
After this we were taken backstage for an hour-long session with Adam Jones. He was a true gentleman. Polite and genuine, he told us he didn’t have a format for the session, but would take us through some of his guitar techniques and philosophies and then open up the floor to a Q&A.
It was an insightful time, as he gave a candid chat about the writing process: how a song comes together, then an album, then the overall feeling which leads to things like cover art. He made it clear he is fan of Tool, and that the band only release stuff they’re proud of. He explains that’s why the live DVD they recorded never saw the light of day. They weren’t happy with it – so assumed the fans wouldn’t be, either.
Other tid-bits? A new album this year, hopefully. “Don’t quote me on that!” insisted Jones, however.
The next album will probably be available digitally. “It’s a hard transition to make,” explained Jones.
He was charming and self-deprecating, referencing his greying hair and age, as well as his penchant for conventions and comic books. When the session came to a close, he took the time to individually chat to each fan, and thanked them for coming. He says on stage he doesn’t get to really interact. Here, he gets to.
Tool are performing at Auckland's Vector Arena again tonight.
3 News
source: newshub archive
