TOOL are without a doubt one of the most successful, most important, forming and influencing Rock bands of the new century. After being massively on the road in support of Lateralus the band was indulging in a deserved break, and took even much more time for a new record. After 5 years 10,000 Days got released, and of course, this fourth album of the California dudes is scooping everything possible. As exceptionally gifted and ingenious Maynard James Keenan (voice), Adam Jones (guitar), bassist Justin Chancellor and drummer Danny Carey are musically, as egocentric they are personally. A bitchy bunch of control-freaks… ;)

The new album gets now supported in Europe at some of the biggest summer festivals like Rock am Ring and single shows, of course sold out for weeks. That I actually could see TOOL performing live for the very first time is due to Sony/BMG – thank you very much!

About 6pm I arrived at Philipshall in Dusseldorf with approx. 1500 fans waiting in three huge lines. Under a sunny blue sky and a growing variegated crowd I got the first reports from recent shows to hear. On time the doors got opened up to let in the masses but not without having checked up every single person in the fussiest way. Even the boots got checked… I have never experienced such safety precautions before a concert. I guess Dubbya Bush would have been jealous… As a result I even had to give away my small digicam (other ones their belts with tiny rivets on it). Pen and paper was allowed, nail file as well… ;) However, there were some mates smuggling their cams in but they got hunted afterwards by the watchdogs (coz of the flashes...).
Inside the usual crush was reigning. Philipshall was sold out and around 7500 people tried to get their stuff at food and drink stands and merchandise, where one had to pay exorbitant prices for poster, shirts and pants. Myself was finding me a nice place to sit down anywhere on the upper echelons, where I got a good sight on the stage… and descried Axel Jusseit, photographer for Rock Hard for example. For a second a little hope was raising that I maybe could get a live picture of TOOL, but adhesion contracts shoot it down… Damnit!

With a discreet delay of 10 minutes TOOL kicked of their show without any support band. After the intro they arrestingly got in with Rosetta Stoned from the new album 10,000 Days. While Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor stand at the front edge, Keenan und Danny Carey curled up upon a platform behind. In the background were 4 huge screens with light-pillars dividing them.
What came to ears pulpily at the first moments turned out to be the most grandiose sound picture that truly captivated everybody listening. As I said: musically TOOL are above everything. After a short “Hello Germans” the band got frenetically celebrated with thousands of voices singing along. A mighty choir that made the hair stand on end. What a feeling! TOOL went on with Stinkfist and Fourty Six & 2 from Ænima (‘96), back to 10,000 Days with Jambi and Right In Two and then Shism from Lateralus (2001). It followed an interlude marking the first hour of the show. Keenan entirely disappeared from the stage after plying with a bottle and a towel all the time. With a naked upper part of his body and a Stetson he actually has worn his “known” outfit. Likewise known was his minimal movement radius. The band didn’t fall either. While the four-stringer at least rocked out a little bit, the axe man seemed to be nailed. And that, although the songs appeared live downright heavy. What a contrast! After Sober from the debut album Undertow and Lateralus were played the band put their instruments aside, sat down on the platform… um… exhausted?… and were joking around. Animated audience chanted for more pushing TOOL to play Vicarious and Ænema. And that’s that! After just one hour and 40 minutes Keenan and his mates went off stage with „Thank you Germans, see ya next time“ and the lights went on. What was left was the impression of having experienced a fantastic show that was way too short. Let’s face it: no matter how daft and shitty I find their behavior and attitude, musically TOOL are just breathtaking! You must have been experienced such show!

Setlist: Rosetta Stoned, Stinkfist, Forty-Six & 2, Jambi, Schism, Right In Two, (Interlude), Sober, Lateralus // Intro, Vicarious, Aenema

Ok, show ended early, but those who thought, they could get back home early too, erred. When 7500 people want to leave the parking ground chaos is preassigned. As for me, I had all time in the world, since my car not even hold a micro-ampere of electricity anymore. The battery was empty as fuck. Fortunately a car helper was just around the corner, so it didn’t take long time (except to get on the parking ground) to get me car fixed and running again. With the new TOOL album spinning I went towards my first good night’s rest for ages…

story © Dajana