"Scarlet Letterman" is a pun and a metaphor. The pun is the dual "scarlet letter" + "letterman jacket" One is forced on someone in shame, the other is worn proudly. The first verse is about someone having a grudge and showing it, contrasting it as something they're proud of but is a bad thing to have, like a crown...of negativity. The idea is you're wearing your grudge on your chest like the letter on a letterman jacket, but it's the scarlet letter, it's not a good thing and you shouldn't be proud of it. That's what the song's theme continues with, a person who is holding onto a grudge, clutching it like a cornerstone, etc. The song ending with screams of "Let go" (of the grudge).
Reflection is what it feels like when you get mugged by 4 Wizards. But they don't take anything, rather they give you this... Feeling... -unknown RUclips commenter-
It’s believed that when Saturn ascends, it is returning to the same point in its orbit as your birth and marks a major change or milestone. The first return marks the youth from adult. We have to choose to let grudges in the past go. Let go of the stone thats weighing us down, and let the ocean wash it way. Choose your happiness on a scale of 1 to 10, one being unhappy from the grudges and your mistakes of the past or 10 being letting go and find peace and a new path. This is one of my all time favorite songs. Not just Tool!
Agreed. About once every year. I sit with headphones in the dark close my eyes, and just listen to the entire album and woooosah. That day this year was actually today. Came here to watch this and try and relive it for the first time again.
Excellent job analyzing. I love when a reaction video actually has someone intellectual enough to dissect and give a great explanation for others. Thanks
I have been listening to TooL for 30 years and I still to this day say "Holy Shit" when the Grudge ends.....you said something in the reaction......"Just Live life & Experience"....REMEMBER that....this sentiment will be reflected....so here is what I believe from interviews and experience.....First off at this point in time and by the end of this song Danny Fucking Carey put the world on notice.....Grudges hold and weigh you down (like an anchor or a stone) but can also become permanent and instead of eroding they drag you down, the Maynard scream btw was not studio influenced and he hit it for decades live, they brought the grudge back into the touring set this year and he went for it night after night but shortened it to about 16 seconds from 24, it has also been said that this song was the lead off on this album of cerability to let us know that he was dropping that old grudge holding full of hate person he was, the lyrics on the balance of these songs and even the songs themselves show TooL as a group of men developing and moving into the next phase, right before the DC murdering of the drums at the end Maynard is saying Let Go, Let it Go, Let Go, Let it Go........the scream was him letting go....fucking band of a lifetime.....trust me there are some of the most cerebral and life defining messages on this album, remember your quote....cause you nailed it! Fucking A brother!
Hahaha!!! I still say "holy shit" when it ends also! Ever since I first heard it after buying the CD in May of 2001, I say that and exhale...and then finally seeing it played live last January was amazing.
At about the seven minute mark you said’”it’s hard to let go of that”. Good instincts. Knowing what’s coming, I just smiled…. For me, this album is Tool in their prime. Every song is the best song on the album.
I cant wait to see how many times you say "this is one of my favorite TOOL songs so far" while listening to this album. Youll have like 20 favorite songs by the end of 10000 days and the more you listen, the more favorite TOOL songs youll have, and eventually every one of them will become your favorite. "Whats your favorite TOOL song? Whichever one Im listening to.." On another note, as far as the "Saturn comes back around" part of this song, every 27-29 years Saturn completes an orbit and its referred to as your "Saturn age" in astrology. Its a time to either decide to change and grow into the next phase of your life or continue to live the way you have been and not grow. In this case, letting go of grudges or baggage that you may be holding on to and should let go of so you can grow. Or at least thats my understanding of it. Im not big in astrology so Im sure someone will correct me if thats wrong. Keep it up man!! Cant wait to see the next one!
Be humble, or get humbled! The scream represents Maynard's experience with finally letting go. It hurts to admit when you are wrong. The instincts reject the idea of surrender. But when it happens there is an explosion of emotion. When you finally give up the grudge and let go, your whole world changes. The "transmutation" of pain, regret, hate, and anger into relief, joy, peace, and freedom are overwhelmingly worth it when you finally LET GO OF THE GRUDGE! That is why that scream is so significant and powerful. We get to choose to be humble by letting go, or to BE HUMBLED by the pain of holding on!
Yea its not even close. Easily the greatest album ever made. I had to purchase the cd 12 times from beating the shit out of it over and over and over again.
Danny Carey was interviewed right after this album dropped and he was worried that people wouldn't know what to think because it did so many crazy experimentations with the music can't wait to see reactions to the rest of these songs.
Has anyone informed you the the next two tracks go together? Aeon blue apocalypse and The Patient must be listened to together As well as Mantra and Schisim As well as Parabol/parabola And last but not least the Holy Trinity was intended to be one song but is the last three tracks on the album Disposition, Reflection / Triad. Three songs = holy trinity
@@Skullzrapper yeah the only 3 minute tool songs are on their first Lp Opiate. Albeit not what your used to sonically, definitely still get the Tool experience. Can’t wait for your reaction to those songs. Maybe that could just be a one or two video reaction since the tracks are so short
inb4 me 😉 exactly this. Eon Blue Apocalypse -> The Patient Mantra -> Schism Parabol -> Parabola Disposition -> Reflection -> Triad ... and lastly Faaip de Oiad is a noise track and could be listened to at the end of the Holy Trinity.
I bought this CD on the way to work...it's the opening track...and ran into the office to find the other two Tool fans waiting for me. "OMG DID YOU HEAR THAT SCREAM?"
As with almost everything lyrically with Tool, the Saturn not only is in relation to the planetary revolution of Saturn and the esoteric associations involved with that, but also Saturn is the Roman name of the Greek god Chronos, who ate his children "Saturn lifts you up/spits you out like a child", it is also associated with Satan in some esoteric circles. So there are multiple connotations, sometimes differently in different verses.
I have "Give away the stone" tattooed on my arm to remind me to not focus on my past. This song is incredible as is the whole album. One of the most substantial album openers in the genre. Like many other subscribers, I have been waiting for this one and I have no idea how you manage to restrain yourself from cranking a whole album before reaction time comes haha Thanks mate, always nice to relive this with someone who gets what they're about. Cheers from NZ!
Cheers! Honestly I enjoy reflecting on each song and watching the story unfold. The waiting makes me appreciate the songs more while I wait for the next one. Patience is a virtue for me lol.
Yeah, I don't know if "softer" is the right term. It's more musical maybe? Less traditional metal with the heavy, repeating bass and really gets into the engineering.
This song as an opening track... I still remember being mind blown the first time I heard it in 2001. 21 years later, it still hits as hard as ever. Tool at the height of their powers.
I'm glad you mentioned Adam and his progression through the years. Adam is the epitome of a guitarist/musician who serves the song. I feel like Justin's playing is a big part of Adam's evolution over the years.
Cool thing about the saw noise at the start. The CD art looked like a saw blade, so when you put it in it started spinning and the saw noise started. Always thought that was so cool. Just a little detail that's missing in the digital age.
WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!! SO excited for you! You're cute that you think Aenima was complicated....Tool just said "hold my beer"...hold on to your butt. At about 3:15 you realized you ate crow for saying that Aenima was complicated lol. I am laughing out loud jumping up and down watching your face lol. My understanding is that Saturn's cycle around the sun is about the same amount of time that it takes us as humans to reach another major stage of development, which we choose the direction that development heads in...we can choose to hang on to our grudges or...
20 years plus later this song (and entire album) still leaves me speechless. The arrangements, the lyrics, the production and mixing are absolutely mindblowing. Greatest album ever made.
One thing to note, and I'm sure someone has already told you this, but the way that they write their albums is : The band writes the music, all of the music 100% first. Then after it is completely polished, they give it to Meynard and he hears it for the first time, gets his inspiration from wherever it comes from and writes the lyrics. He doesn't hear ANY of the music until it's complete. Just thought that was pretty fascinating. Also there is a lot of sacred geometry in his lyrics, this might help explain some of the odd parts that don't seem to make sense.
Glad you're back with us! This is the Big One, the Big Kahuna, the one that reveals The Matrix, the one where we spiral out. Enjoy and thanks for sharing! This will be fun...
Welcome to one of the greatest works of musical art and genius in the entire history of music, and The Grudge is one of the best opening tracks ever. Enjoy the ride.
The Grudge is better than a series of counselling sessions. The significance of the release of resentment and resultant catharsis set to music. Genius.
Nailed it as always bud. Adam's guitars tone is so huge! Ya gotta see them live some day. Such a sonic and visual experience. My understanding of Saturn comes back around is referring to the 27(?) years it takes Saturn to orbit the sun. I think it relates to 27 years and you're fully into adulthood and it's time to grow and let go. Nicely done Skullz. 🤘👁️👁️👁️🤘
Listening to this album: Eon Blue Apocalypse + The Patient, Mantra + Schism, Parabol + Parabola (two parts of one song which lead into each other so better to find them on a single track!!), Ticks & Leeches, Lateralus, Disposition + Reflection + Triad
Jeez, to hear Tool again for the 1st time would be awesome. 30+ year listener and they are my all time favorite band. You have an interesting take for sure.
The journey continues! So excited! Hearing these songs again, but with you for the first time, is as close as I can get to that feeling the first time you hear a new Tool song. Thanks bro!
I love the use of metaphor in this song. Everything nuanced. For instance, during what I'll call the bridge, Maynard says, "Give away the stone. Let the oceans transmutate this cold and fated anchor. Give away the stone. Let the waters kiss and transmutate these leaden grudges into gold." The stone and anchor being a weight, like a grudge can be. Grudges are leaden, dense and heavy. What happens to lead when it is put under intense weight and pressure? It's transmutated into gold in the the belly of stars that then explode under their immense weight and pressure. I like to think Maynard likens the release of a grudge to a supernova. Violent and destructive only to create beauty and wonder in it's wake.
Wish I could go back to 2001, and hear Lateralus again for the first time. I would savor each and every song. I was so excited when the album dropped I rushed out to my car, popped in the cd and let my mind be blown. I cant wait for you to experience Disposition, Reflection, and Triad, but I will be patient! Insightful review, as always!
Personally I think this is his Grudge toward established religion (and the roll it played in his mother's life). His discussing Saturn ascending is reference to the 27 year (orbital) cycle leading up to him being reborn. More on that in the next album. Lots of symbolism here. More technical for sure but the imagery is spooky after you listen to all of their work then go back to here. Amazing music for sure. This is when we mere mortals realize just how good Tool is!! One thing overlooked in this song is Adam on the vocal "talk box". He is performing the synth sounds you heard in the first part of the song. LIVE - This song is epic.
This song has more to unpack on re-listens. Particularly what Adam is doing after the scream fades out and they all switch time. It sounds like he is just doing a muted chug on the open D string, and online tabs of the song reflect that. But there is something more going on there and when you hear it, the transition from the scream section to the chugging section makes more sense. Truly a masterpiece.
I still remember buying this at midnight at Tower Records (we used to have t go to the store at midnight on Tuesdays kiddos lol) & running out to the parking lot. Sat there with my coffee and cigarette & thought oh damn. If this song is any indication, this one will take a minute to digest. Mind kinda legit blown. Looking forward to the rest of the journey!
@@Skullzrapper totally! It was part of the overall experience. I had 4-5 friends who I met up with that night at the store & what felt like the couple hundred of us in line had a great time.
Late to the party, but the reference to Saturn "coming back around" refers to astrology, or at least I think so. The "Saturn Return" happens roughly every 29 years where Saturn returns to the place in the sky where it was when you were born and those are supposed to mark the point where you leave youth behind on the first time(age 29) and when you reach maturity on the second one (age 58) and wise old age on the third (87). In the song it's there to judge your progress and "lift you up like a child" if you have let go of your "leaden grudges" or "drag you down like a stone" if you are still holding on. This is a song to live your life by. LET GO.
I'm just happy for you and with you as you're going through this journey Skullz. I was there, already a devoted fan, when Lateralus came out and hit me harder then anything earlier. The Grudge was also the very first song they played when I saw them first live in Poland, 2001, I simply lost my shit. It has a very special meaning to me. 21 years (omg) and 6 Tool shows later I heard The Grudge live again three weeks ago and it was as intense as years ago. Enjoy the ride!
For me Ænima will always be my favorite for personal reasons, its rawness and darkness are just my thing but this album, this album, man. This is an absolute masterpiece, you're in for such an intense spiral trip. The third eye is open now. I'm sure you'll enjoy it from start to finish and will be left wanting more. Let's ride that spiral.
Ænima is my fav too. I was 16 when it was released.. My first car, first sexual experiences, LSD.. etc Lateralus is such a beautiful, perfect album though. It was a little too much to process at that age. 😜
You still need to do Opiate at some point.. it is only an EP but an essential step in both the musical evolution as well as the lyrical/spiritual story told
seeing this live, TWICE this year was a game changer. I'll never forget it.... right before the huge scream, me and this one chick locked eyes, and I could tell she was like "is he going to do the scream???" man what a night!
I love Tool and your breakdowns are awesome Fella, i am like a child playing in the sound scape that Tool creates......Maynard's truth is compelling and the depth and scope of the mind trip that the these masters create is a Tool, a gift , their legacy! thoughts from a grateful human.
To kick off the album with this gem - I remember the first time listening. What a great album. I didn't like it when it came out, but it really grew on me over the years, becoming my favorite Tool album at this point. Crazy how life will change your perspectives on things.
Great reaction, reckon you nailed the meaning of the song. I've listened to this song a lot recently as I've carried around a lot of bitterness and resentment with me over the last decade and I'm only now learning to deal with it and "give away the stone".
I’m glad to see you going on this journey. I’ve always listened to tool but I’ve been on a similar one myself lately where I’m going back with a different perspective and I’m having a blast. I think you’ll really enjoy this album. Definitely my favorite tool album.
Fear Inoculum has definitely been, and will continue to be the most heady album for me. I’m 100% with you on this album being a favorite, but that’s the thing with TOOL; they evolve immensely from album to album. And Fear Inocolum, I’m not so sure it’s an “album” so much as a “gift to mankind” built upon their life’s work in the Arts.
@@dmb8624 I agree! It’s nice because fear innoculum has sooooo much to unpack. At first, Invincible really spoke to me but as a guitar player I really love 7empest; what a piece. Pneuma is maybe one of the greatest songs ever written. Still working on fear and descending, which I haven’t gotten to yet.
When I saw this come up on my feed, I dropped EVERYTHING I was doing. Hold on to your headphones, Skullz! The whole album awaits you, and with it comes all power, peace, and knowledge. They should have included the Infinity Stones in the packaging.
I'm glad you're feeling better, mate. Another great breakdown of another fantastic track. I'm thoroughly looking forward to reliving this album with you.
It's all been said here in the comments already, so I'll just add, your reaction didn't disappoint. It was worth the wait. I'm glad you're feeling better. 🤗
Clutching on to the negative requires less risk. You'll never be disappointed if you have no expectations. It's the safe route. Clutching on to hope, there's risk of being let down.
I've been waiting for this, and you made my day. Thank you so much! This is a powerful song, and one that I held tight while in recovery. Is about letting go of our grudges. Forgiveness. Holding on will only bring us down and kill us in the end. Regarding, "Saturn ascends"... "Western astrologers believe that, as Saturn "returns" to the degree in its orbit occupied at the time of birth, a person crosses over a major threshold and enters the next stage of life. With the first Saturn return, a person leaves youth behind and enters adulthood. With the second return, maturity." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_return
![PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE 🙌 TOOL - THE PATIENT [REACTION!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AwBvdBCyzjM/mqdefault.jpg)
![PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE 🙌 TOOL - THE PATIENT [REACTION!]](/img/tr.png)
![HEARTBREAKING.... TOOL - 10,000 Days [REACTION!] (Pt 2/2)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uFEkwPQUPRc/mqdefault.jpg)
This whole album feels like "Maynard's Guide to Enlightenment". Lesson #1 - Let go of your grudges before they drag you down.
spot on!
yeah this
Exactly it’s about climbing the tree of life a journey of enlightenment to go from darkness into light each song is a step
haha! Yes. This song is my mantra. This whole album is a Guided Meditation.
Yes it's like a loose concept album about the path to enlightenment.
Ah yes, the tipping point in Tool's discography where they went from "one of my favorite bands" to "the only band that matters".
applicable for me as well.
Yup!
Well said.
Yep. Not my favorite band, my favorite thing. 🖤
Accurate
"Scarlet Letterman" is a pun and a metaphor. The pun is the dual "scarlet letter" + "letterman jacket" One is forced on someone in shame, the other is worn proudly. The first verse is about someone having a grudge and showing it, contrasting it as something they're proud of but is a bad thing to have, like a crown...of negativity. The idea is you're wearing your grudge on your chest like the letter on a letterman jacket, but it's the scarlet letter, it's not a good thing and you shouldn't be proud of it. That's what the song's theme continues with, a person who is holding onto a grudge, clutching it like a cornerstone, etc. The song ending with screams of "Let go" (of the grudge).
Just note with this album:
Parabol/Parabola
and
Disposition/ Reflection/Triad
MUST be listened to as one song
Thank you! 💯🤘
Good call on that Brad gj
Reflection is what it feels like when you get mugged by 4 Wizards. But they don't take anything, rather they give you this... Feeling... -unknown RUclips commenter-
Agreed
It’s believed that when Saturn ascends, it is returning to the same point in its orbit as your birth and marks a major change or milestone. The first return marks the youth from adult. We have to choose to let grudges in the past go. Let go of the stone thats weighing us down, and let the ocean wash it way. Choose your happiness on a scale of 1 to 10, one being unhappy from the grudges and your mistakes of the past or 10 being letting go and find peace and a new path.
This is one of my all time favorite songs. Not just Tool!
The vocal change when he sings, "choose to let this go" is amazing. That alone brings tears on most listens
This Album was the soundtrack for my Awakening. Been at Peace ever since.
Same
Agreed. About once every year. I sit with headphones in the dark close my eyes, and just listen to the entire album and woooosah. That day this year was actually today. Came here to watch this and try and relive it for the first time again.
The beginning of an absolute masterpiece album. It only gets better from here
Excellent job analyzing. I love when a reaction video actually has someone intellectual enough to dissect and give a great explanation for others. Thanks
I have been listening to TooL for 30 years and I still to this day say "Holy Shit" when the Grudge ends.....you said something in the reaction......"Just Live life & Experience"....REMEMBER that....this sentiment will be reflected....so here is what I believe from interviews and experience.....First off at this point in time and by the end of this song Danny Fucking Carey put the world on notice.....Grudges hold and weigh you down (like an anchor or a stone) but can also become permanent and instead of eroding they drag you down, the Maynard scream btw was not studio influenced and he hit it for decades live, they brought the grudge back into the touring set this year and he went for it night after night but shortened it to about 16 seconds from 24, it has also been said that this song was the lead off on this album of cerability to let us know that he was dropping that old grudge holding full of hate person he was, the lyrics on the balance of these songs and even the songs themselves show TooL as a group of men developing and moving into the next phase, right before the DC murdering of the drums at the end Maynard is saying Let Go, Let it Go, Let Go, Let it Go........the scream was him letting go....fucking band of a lifetime.....trust me there are some of the most cerebral and life defining messages on this album, remember your quote....cause you nailed it! Fucking A brother!
Nicely said
I said holy shit when it started ! Lol
Ditto. OGT93
Hahaha!!! I still say "holy shit" when it ends also! Ever since I first heard it after buying the CD in May of 2001, I say that and exhale...and then finally seeing it played live last January was amazing.
Sonically, Spiritually, Verbally, Intellectually - This album is among the best of all time.
At about the seven minute mark you said’”it’s hard to let go of that”. Good instincts. Knowing what’s coming, I just smiled….
For me, this album is Tool in their prime. Every song is the best song on the album.
So far I'd have to agree! I find myself going back to this album more than the others 💯
I cant wait to see how many times you say "this is one of my favorite TOOL songs so far" while listening to this album. Youll have like 20 favorite songs by the end of 10000 days and the more you listen, the more favorite TOOL songs youll have, and eventually every one of them will become your favorite. "Whats your favorite TOOL song? Whichever one Im listening to.."
On another note, as far as the "Saturn comes back around" part of this song, every 27-29 years Saturn completes an orbit and its referred to as your "Saturn age" in astrology. Its a time to either decide to change and grow into the next phase of your life or continue to live the way you have been and not grow. In this case, letting go of grudges or baggage that you may be holding on to and should let go of so you can grow.
Or at least thats my understanding of it. Im not big in astrology so Im sure someone will correct me if thats wrong.
Keep it up man!! Cant wait to see the next one!
Appreciate the info! I'm no good with astrology either 😂
Another fun thing is 27 years is about 10000 days…
Be humble, or get humbled!
The scream represents Maynard's experience with finally letting go. It hurts to admit when you are wrong. The instincts reject the idea of surrender. But when it happens there is an explosion of emotion. When you finally give up the grudge and let go, your whole world changes. The "transmutation" of pain, regret, hate, and anger into relief, joy, peace, and freedom are overwhelmingly worth it when you finally LET GO OF THE GRUDGE! That is why that scream is so significant and powerful. We get to choose to be humble by letting go, or to BE HUMBLED by the pain of holding on!
Love the way you articulated that! Appreciate it 🤘
This album in my opinion is by far their best, and the song Lateralus is their best track. One of the greatest songs ever written. It's perfection.
Best album ever made
Yea its not even close. Easily the greatest album ever made. I had to purchase the cd 12 times from beating the shit out of it over and over and over again.
Danny Carey was interviewed right after this album dropped and he was worried that people wouldn't know what to think because it did so many crazy experimentations with the music can't wait to see reactions to the rest of these songs.
Man, that fresh look of hearing the unknown on your face is priceless. What's that like? Brings back so much.
Has anyone informed you the the next two tracks go together?
Aeon blue apocalypse and The Patient must be listened to together
As well as Mantra and Schisim
As well as Parabol/parabola
And last but not least the Holy Trinity was intended to be one song but is the last three tracks on the album Disposition, Reflection / Triad. Three songs = holy trinity
Appreciate that! I've been figuring it out based on the time stamps so far lol.
@@Skullzrapper yeah the only 3 minute tool songs are on their first Lp Opiate. Albeit not what your used to sonically, definitely still get the Tool experience. Can’t wait for your reaction to those songs. Maybe that could just be a one or two video reaction since the tracks are so short
inb4 me 😉 exactly this.
Eon Blue Apocalypse -> The Patient
Mantra -> Schism
Parabol -> Parabola
Disposition -> Reflection -> Triad
... and lastly Faaip de Oiad is a noise track and could be listened to at the end of the Holy Trinity.
Yes, and particularly parabol/parabola, they have to be listened back to back and attached as if they were one unique track (which in fact they are)
@@AtrolinK I really wish they would have just made it one track. It’s annoying when Parabol comes up on my Pandora and Parabola doesn’t play next
I bought this CD on the way to work...it's the opening track...and ran into the office to find the other two Tool fans waiting for me. "OMG DID YOU HEAR THAT SCREAM?"
😂😂😂 That's so cool! Yeah, that's the scream of legends 🤘
This, The Patient, Parabola, Ticks and Leeches, Lateralus, Reflection. This album is nonstop bangers
As with almost everything lyrically with Tool, the Saturn not only is in relation to the planetary revolution of Saturn and the esoteric associations involved with that, but also Saturn is the Roman name of the Greek god Chronos, who ate his children "Saturn lifts you up/spits you out like a child", it is also associated with Satan in some esoteric circles. So there are multiple connotations, sometimes differently in different verses.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_return
Kronos was a titan not a god. Chronus is neither. But Saturn was conflated with Kronos I guess.
Sheer brilliance the way they built this song to build up and let you release all that anger, all the grudges with that legendary hair raising scream
Here we Goooo! This is going to be great!
I have "Give away the stone" tattooed on my arm to remind me to not focus on my past.
This song is incredible as is the whole album. One of the most substantial album openers in the genre.
Like many other subscribers, I have been waiting for this one and I have no idea how you manage to restrain yourself from cranking a whole album before reaction time comes haha
Thanks mate, always nice to relive this with someone who gets what they're about. Cheers from NZ!
Cheers! Honestly I enjoy reflecting on each song and watching the story unfold. The waiting makes me appreciate the songs more while I wait for the next one. Patience is a virtue for me lol.
I have Mom's gonna fix it all soon on one leg and Learn to Swim on my other leg if that says anything
I have "There's no love in fear" on my forearm
I love how you're like "I know they get softer" Well yes... but also no? If so, definitely The Grudge has not been notified :P
Yeah, I don't know if "softer" is the right term. It's more musical maybe? Less traditional metal with the heavy, repeating bass and really gets into the engineering.
This song as an opening track... I still remember being mind blown the first time I heard it in 2001. 21 years later, it still hits as hard as ever. Tool at the height of their powers.
You're going to fall head over heels with this album, Skullz. Tool's previous work was amazing and this album just explodes up to the stars.
I'm glad you mentioned Adam and his progression through the years. Adam is the epitome of a guitarist/musician who serves the song. I feel like Justin's playing is a big part of Adam's evolution over the years.
Cool thing about the saw noise at the start. The CD art looked like a saw blade, so when you put it in it started spinning and the saw noise started. Always thought that was so cool. Just a little detail that's missing in the digital age.
WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!! SO excited for you! You're cute that you think Aenima was complicated....Tool just said "hold my beer"...hold on to your butt. At about 3:15 you realized you ate crow for saying that Aenima was complicated lol. I am laughing out loud jumping up and down watching your face lol. My understanding is that Saturn's cycle around the sun is about the same amount of time that it takes us as humans to reach another major stage of development, which we choose the direction that development heads in...we can choose to hang on to our grudges or...
20 years plus later this song (and entire album) still leaves me speechless. The arrangements, the lyrics, the production and mixing are absolutely mindblowing. Greatest album ever made.
One of the best outros in metal history! Danny is not of this world! Love your break downs. Keep it up!
I've listened to this song 1000s of times, and I don't think I'll ever not be amazed and in awe by the end. Just a masterpiece of a song.
Saturn comes around once every 30 years. So, he is using it in a clever way to say grown/matured.
One thing to note, and I'm sure someone has already told you this, but the way that they write their albums is : The band writes the music, all of the music 100% first. Then after it is completely polished, they give it to Meynard and he hears it for the first time, gets his inspiration from wherever it comes from and writes the lyrics. He doesn't hear ANY of the music until it's complete. Just thought that was pretty fascinating. Also there is a lot of sacred geometry in his lyrics, this might help explain some of the odd parts that don't seem to make sense.
Glad you're back with us! This is the Big One, the Big Kahuna, the one that reveals The Matrix, the one where we spiral out. Enjoy and thanks for sharing! This will be fun...
Waiting for the scream .... knew it would make you do a 'wow face!
They opened with this the last time I saw them...
Commenting before the video has started. Thanks man, I absolutely love watching your journey. I clicked so fast….lol
Lol Thanks bro! Hope you're doing well 💯🤘
So difficult to pick a favorite Tool song but always seem to go back to this one.
Yep. This one and "Forty-six and 2"
Welcome to one of the greatest works of musical art and genius in the entire history of music, and The Grudge is one of the best opening tracks ever. Enjoy the ride.
The Grudge is better than a series of counselling sessions. The significance of the release of resentment and resultant catharsis set to music. Genius.
Nailed it as always bud. Adam's guitars tone is so huge! Ya gotta see them live some day. Such a sonic and visual experience.
My understanding of Saturn comes back around is referring to the 27(?) years it takes Saturn to orbit the sun. I think it relates to 27 years and you're fully into adulthood and it's time to grow and let go.
Nicely done Skullz.
🤘👁️👁️👁️🤘
I think it also refers to rebirth in astrology
And a 27 second scream too
Appreciate it brother! 🤘
Incredible album 💯🔥🚒
this tour blew out Maynard's vocal cords. between this song and "Ticks and Leeches" he was never the same.
We thank him for his sacrifice. Unnecessary but definitely respected.
Just wait till you hear The Patient. Be prepared.
“I do know they get a bit softer” 😂
Listening to this album:
Eon Blue Apocalypse + The Patient,
Mantra + Schism,
Parabol + Parabola (two parts of one song which lead into each other so better to find them on a single track!!),
Ticks & Leeches,
Lateralus,
Disposition + Reflection + Triad
Yes!
This album is probably my favorite of all time. Glad we have arrived. Great reaction as usual.
Hell yeah, LETS GOOOOOOO!!
OMG. Let's go. This LP will blow you away. ✌️
Jeez, to hear Tool again for the 1st time would be awesome. 30+ year listener and they are my all time favorite band. You have an interesting take for sure.
The journey continues! So excited! Hearing these songs again, but with you for the first time, is as close as I can get to that feeling the first time you hear a new Tool song. Thanks bro!
I love the use of metaphor in this song. Everything nuanced. For instance, during what I'll call the bridge, Maynard says, "Give away the stone. Let the oceans transmutate this cold and fated anchor. Give away the stone. Let the waters kiss and transmutate these leaden grudges into gold." The stone and anchor being a weight, like a grudge can be. Grudges are leaden, dense and heavy. What happens to lead when it is put under intense weight and pressure? It's transmutated into gold in the the belly of stars that then explode under their immense weight and pressure. I like to think Maynard likens the release of a grudge to a supernova. Violent and destructive only to create beauty and wonder in it's wake.
That's awesome! I also see "stone" as judgement towards someone or ones self. "Casting the first stone." So many cool subtleties 🤘
It's about "the church." Letting go of being wrong.
This is one of Tools greatest songs and for sure greatest album. Love the video man.
Maynard has one of the best voices in rock..he goes from one extreme to another in a breath. This song is amazing!!! Glad you enjoyed!
🤘🏼🔧🔧🤘🏼😎 ENJOY the RIDE Brutha, Great Album
You're going to love this album. Can't wait.
🤘🤘🤘
That outro is EPIC! This album will change your life!!! WHOOOOOOO
The whole song is unbelievable! 🤘
Wish I could go back to 2001, and hear Lateralus again for the first time. I would savor each and every song. I was so excited when the album dropped I rushed out to my car, popped in the cd and let my mind be blown.
I cant wait for you to experience Disposition, Reflection, and Triad, but I will be patient!
Insightful review, as always!
Heard this one live in Köln a month ago. Best concert I ever lived. Let GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The scream at the end is letting it go. And the utter chaos.
continue to enjoy your journey my friend!
Personally I think this is his Grudge toward established religion (and the roll it played in his mother's life). His discussing Saturn ascending is reference to the 27 year (orbital) cycle leading up to him being reborn. More on that in the next album. Lots of symbolism here. More technical for sure but the imagery is spooky after you listen to all of their work then go back to here. Amazing music for sure. This is when we mere mortals realize just how good Tool is!! One thing overlooked in this song is Adam on the vocal "talk box". He is performing the synth sounds you heard in the first part of the song. LIVE - This song is epic.
This album is my absolute favorite. It just takes me.
Here for it!
This brings back my high school years. Tool has been a staple between my brothers and I from the start.
This song has more to unpack on re-listens. Particularly what Adam is doing after the scream fades out and they all switch time. It sounds like he is just doing a muted chug on the open D string, and online tabs of the song reflect that. But there is something more going on there and when you hear it, the transition from the scream section to the chugging section makes more sense. Truly a masterpiece.
I’ve been waiting for this. Best reactor on RUclips reacting to my favorite band’s best album.
Much love! 🤘 ❤️
I still remember buying this at midnight at Tower Records (we used to have t go to the store at midnight on Tuesdays kiddos lol) & running out to the parking lot. Sat there with my coffee and cigarette & thought oh damn. If this song is any indication, this one will take a minute to digest. Mind kinda legit blown. Looking forward to the rest of the journey!
I miss those days! Having to go and pick up CDs and video games! Really brought people together and generated excitement 💯
@@Skullzrapper totally! It was part of the overall experience. I had 4-5 friends who I met up with that night at the store & what felt like the couple hundred of us in line had a great time.
Late to the party, but the reference to Saturn "coming back around" refers to astrology, or at least I think so. The "Saturn Return" happens roughly every 29 years where Saturn returns to the place in the sky where it was when you were born and those are supposed to mark the point where you leave youth behind on the first time(age 29) and when you reach maturity on the second one (age 58) and wise old age on the third (87). In the song it's there to judge your progress and "lift you up like a child" if you have let go of your "leaden grudges" or "drag you down like a stone" if you are still holding on. This is a song to live your life by. LET GO.
I'm just happy for you and with you as you're going through this journey Skullz. I was there, already a devoted fan, when Lateralus came out and hit me harder then anything earlier. The Grudge was also the very first song they played when I saw them first live in Poland, 2001, I simply lost my shit. It has a very special meaning to me. 21 years (omg) and 6 Tool shows later I heard The Grudge live again three weeks ago and it was as intense as years ago. Enjoy the ride!
Hoping I can see them live at some point 💯 Much love 🤘
@@Skullzrapper fingers crossed for that! You definitely need to experience Tool live if you have a chance! It’s yet another level.
Maaaaan.... Welcome to Lateralus! Safe and pleasant journey! So satisfying to look at how you enjoy it!
You are the definition of a friend that I want to show Tool to :D amazing
The drums & change up around 9:05 get me every-fk'n-time. That beat kills
Yes!!! I know exactly where you're talking about lol. SOOOOO GOOD! 🤘
@@Skullzrapper I see you've done Pneuma, just wait until you hit Descending & 7empest (won a grammy for that one) - both over 10 mins of Tool fuckery!
and then Vicarious, the Patient & more off 10,000 Days.... Lateralus from Lateralus. 🔥🔥🔥
I'm here for it all! Every song has been excellent so far! 🔥🔥🔥
For me Ænima will always be my favorite for personal reasons, its rawness and darkness are just my thing but this album, this album, man. This is an absolute masterpiece, you're in for such an intense spiral trip. The third eye is open now. I'm sure you'll enjoy it from start to finish and will be left wanting more. Let's ride that spiral.
Ænima is my fav too. I was 16 when it was released.. My first car, first sexual experiences, LSD.. etc
Lateralus is such a beautiful, perfect album though. It was a little too much to process at that age. 😜
You still need to do Opiate at some point.. it is only an EP but an essential step in both the musical evolution as well as the lyrical/spiritual story told
I think it'll be great to listen to it right after FI
And yes,,, I actually heard Maynard do that scream when I saw him in 2002,,EPIC
He did it in New Orleans too this past February it was AMAZING AMAZING!!!
seeing this live, TWICE this year was a game changer. I'll never forget it.... right before the huge scream, me and this one chick locked eyes, and I could tell she was like "is he going to do the scream???" man what a night!
These songs are all so great, I hope you get some time to listen again. That scream is legendary 🤯 bro…you must spiral-out now!
As I’m sure you and others have previously said, with every listen there is something new that catches your ear, mind and heart with Tool.
I love Tool and your breakdowns are awesome Fella, i am like a child playing in the sound scape that Tool creates......Maynard's truth is compelling and the depth and scope of the mind trip that the these masters create is a Tool, a gift , their legacy! thoughts from a grateful human.
Oh man.. I'm so excited for your next reactions to Tool. Can't wait.
Listen to the album all the way through. Won’t be disappointed
I'm working my way through 💯
To kick off the album with this gem - I remember the first time listening. What a great album. I didn't like it when it came out, but it really grew on me over the years, becoming my favorite Tool album at this point. Crazy how life will change your perspectives on things.
I have enjoyed revisiting these albums and hearing your take on them. I have been listening since 1993 and took my son on this journey.
So jealous you get to experience this for the first time. Probably your age when this album came out too 🤘
8:10 "justify denials and, grip em to the lonesome end"
Fucken brilliant !
The drum outro is Danny letting go just as Maynard did for 27 seconds moments before.
Great reaction, reckon you nailed the meaning of the song.
I've listened to this song a lot recently as I've carried around a lot of bitterness and resentment with me over the last decade and I'm only now learning to deal with it and "give away the stone".
That's awesome! Keep growing 🤘👁🔥
Ohhh.... this is going to be fun... lateralus is an amazing album ;) (comment before watching)
This music *heals*
I don't know how I missed this 22 hours ago !! Psyched now looking forward to digging in with you !
I’m glad to see you going on this journey. I’ve always listened to tool but I’ve been on a similar one myself lately where I’m going back with a different perspective and I’m having a blast. I think you’ll really enjoy this album. Definitely my favorite tool album.
Fear Inoculum has definitely been, and will continue to be the most heady album for me. I’m 100% with you on this album being a favorite, but that’s the thing with TOOL; they evolve immensely from album to album. And Fear Inocolum, I’m not so sure it’s an “album” so much as a “gift to mankind” built upon their life’s work in the Arts.
@@dmb8624 I agree! It’s nice because fear innoculum has sooooo much to unpack. At first, Invincible really spoke to me but as a guitar player I really love 7empest; what a piece. Pneuma is maybe one of the greatest songs ever written. Still working on fear and descending, which I haven’t gotten to yet.
When I saw this come up on my feed, I dropped EVERYTHING I was doing. Hold on to your headphones, Skullz! The whole album awaits you, and with it comes all power, peace, and knowledge. They should have included the Infinity Stones in the packaging.
😂😂😂 Yes!!!
I'm glad you're feeling better, mate.
Another great breakdown of another fantastic track. I'm thoroughly looking forward to reliving this album with you.
It's all been said here in the comments already, so I'll just add, your reaction didn't disappoint. It was worth the wait.
I'm glad you're feeling better. 🤗
Great review as always!!!. Perfect.. Thanks. Patricio from Buenos Aires.
Cheers! 🤘
Clutching on to the negative requires less risk. You'll never be disappointed if you have no expectations. It's the safe route. Clutching on to hope, there's risk of being let down.
This album is going to rock your socks! You are articulate and honest. This was fun! 😄
I've been waiting for this, and you made my day. Thank you so much! This is a powerful song, and one that I held tight while in recovery. Is about letting go of our grudges. Forgiveness. Holding on will only bring us down and kill us in the end.
Regarding, "Saturn ascends"...
"Western astrologers believe that, as Saturn "returns" to the degree in its orbit occupied at the time of birth, a person crosses over a major threshold and enters the next stage of life. With the first Saturn return, a person leaves youth behind and enters adulthood. With the second return, maturity."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_return
"choose 1 or 10" is basically saying choose to hang on to our grudges or choose to let go. The key word here is CHOOSE.