I can tell you the reason why people are disappointed with it. They've been stuck with Tool's discography for 13 years. Each new year that went by with rumors of an upcoming album. A new update. They kept listening to the songs that they loved over and over again. They created an EXPECTATION in their head about how it was supposed to sound. That expectation was high. Anything less would be unacceptable. When their expectations weren't met, you had some people trashing the album. I've been a Tool fan for a long time, and I love their music. Its more than music to me. It touches me in the very depths of my soul. I spent many years in anticipation, just waiting for that new album to drop, because as the years went by, all those songs that I kept listening to changed in their meaning, just as my life had changed. I interpreted them differently than I once did. I had an expectation for years. When I finally got a hold of Fear Inoculum, I told myself to drop any and all expectations I had before listening to it. I'm glad I attempted to do that. On first listen I liked it, but I didn't love it. Upon further listening I fell in love with it. It's one of their best albums imho, and all of their albums are great. There's no anger in this album. A lot of people wanted angry screams from Maynard. Dude has some pipes, but I understand he's getting older, and more mature. He's used the music to grow and get through the pain. Curb the expectations. If you had never heard this band before and listened to this album and then I told you all these guys were over 50+, would that make a difference? I bet it would.
Completely agree. The only thing I would change, for myself, is in the 'anything less would be unacceptable' whereas I think it's 'anything different would be unacceptable'. Just because I don't think this was in any way a 'lesser' album. I think they mature remarkably over the course of their discography, in terms of content, musicianship, production quality, etc. That doesn't mean I don't like their older stuff, I do. I dabble on guitar and I couldn't fathom playing this or any song on this album live, it's incredible.
The complaints don’t even have much to say about the quality of the album. Just the style. You’re right, it’s not the style they wanted. You’d think people would know by now that these guys are much older.
I actually didn't get into them until shortly before they released digitally...I had only first heard of Tool about 5 years ago when I got introduced to Maynard by way of APC and, later, Puscifer. APC's Mer de Noms just blew me away. I had heard a few Tool EP songs, but that was about it. They were ok. But in anticipation of Fear Inoculum, which I ate up the moment that single was first leaked by Tool, I became fascinated. Fast-forward to the present, and I love every track on every album of theirs...I also got to see them live in the last US show before social distancing began. We were allowed to record Stinkfist, which I have linked here: ruclips.net/video/jfKUH7uEWJE/видео.html If you would also like to see my TOOL reactions, the link to that channel is in the comments section of that video. I'm working my way through it chronologically (although the first 11 or 12 had to be taken down and will eventually be re-recorded and uploaded). I plan to start in on Aenima this weekend. However, in my case, I actually started with Fear Inoculum and worked backwards. I still can't pick out a weak link...maybe some of the original EP, but even that has at least 3 gems on it. My favorite album has constantly changed. My favorite track has been Wings Part 2, but even then, my top 5 or 10 tracks change like crazy. Originally, I wasn't too crazy about Culling Voices, yet now it is amongst my top favorites. Ditto for Rosetta Stoned, especially with the Lost Keys opening pairing. It's a masterpiece. Oh, and I'm 51.
Certain Tool songs are awesome the 1st time you hear them (i.e. Sober, Stinkfist, Schism, The Pot). That's how they sell records. Others take time to grow on you. I wasn't a big fan of 10,000 Days. But now that I listen to the songs I didn't really care for 14 years later, they've grown on me. There's only 1 Aenima. And most Tool fans would agree Aenima was their best album. That's also because Aenima was so unique when it 1st came out. We were also much younger, and everything seems better when your younger. I'm 39 years old now. I haven't heard new good music in a LONG time. This album is phenomenal and so was seeing them live again last November. When we look back on their entire discography, it was one hell of a ride, and it will stand the test of time. Greatest rock band ever.
@@TheOneGates Sorry to piggy back on an old comment, but yeah; hardly any two Tool albums have the same sound. They all sound distinctly tool, but I can go listen to Swamp Song, then H, then Lateralus, then Wings for Marie, then Invincible and not only see their evolution, but be able to tell that these are the same people with the same goal that they have stuck to. They make music that is meaningful to them. To them, one of the few that I feel it is an honest expression of art. All of the talent, and hard won skill aside. Ticks and Leeches shows that when asked to pander, well they aren't about that. Ironically, Ticks and Leeches is an amazingly kick-ass song, and even when being angry and sarcastic they can't not write an amazing song. Hooker with a Penis is even their first overt statement like this. And this was on their SECOND album (If I'm remembering correctly) I think people definitely lock into their last album, and expect more of that, forgetting that the evolution between each album is palpable. I've been a tool fan for 25 years, and am really at a point where I just want to hear anything they create. Call me a fanboy or whatever, I don't think it's like that. But I've yet to be disappointed.
"free fall through our midnight" to me is a reference to the Doomsday Clock. Where "midnight" represents an end to our existence. The folly and hubris of mankind is causing us to sail into our own extinction. Heedless in our slumber. This song is a warning that if mankind continues on its current path, we are basically paving the way for our own ending.
And Adam using the slide and ditching it right into the solo is so freaking sick.. he just tosses it on the ground and rips into the solo when played live. So bad ass. 😎
Adam Jones, slaps the roof of Descending: "This bad boy can fit so many tasty riffs in it." Justin Chancilor, slaps the roof of Descending: "This bad boy can fit so many deep, complex bass grooves in it." Maynard James Keenan, slaps the roof of Descending, leaves half way through for you to work it out on your own Danny Carry, slaps the roof of Descending song: *says nothing, but continues slapping in polyrhythmic time*
I think you touched on it during the "Invincible" reaction - each of these songs is so full. I think Tool has more individual guitar picks and drumbeats in one song than many bands have in an entire album! Especially on this album! Strap in for "Pneuma" and "7empest"... "Culling Voices" is no slouch either.
This is the best song on the album and it really rewards you for your patience. Your average person would never sit through the long intro of the waves crashing and the slow beginning but once it hits, it's a beautiful and brilliant song.
This is currently my all-time favorite song. When Danny hits that gong, it’s like I feel a beam of energy tear right through my soul and pull me from my body. You’ve got to go watch a live video of this song so you can see Adam use the slide and then draw it and dig right into his solo. He does it so flawlessly.
"This is currently my all-time favorite song" That's exactly my feeling about Pneuma. But then when I listen to this one, I think "How can any song be better than this?" They're both so great, in fact, the whole album is just brilliant.
I personally really resonate with this song. I think it's about all this shit that has been piling up on us, from climate change to corrupt governments, and our collective apathy as a species.
This album is so good. I think of Ænima as a hammer, lateralus as a machete, 10,000 days as a knife, fear Inoculum is the scalpel. Every tool serves its purpose. FI is So precise and every song sounds so whole, from the production to the melodies, it’s refined to a whole other level and you can tell it took 13 years to make.
It only took 13 years because of legal issues the band had, Maynard doing Puscifer / A Perfect Circle on the side plus other issues etc etc ruclips.net/video/fMjz6g75JSE/видео.html
Cristian-Henri sure, but I believe they started working on this album a few years after 10k days and even after the legal issues I think they were still working on it. So maybe 9 or 10 years, but still.
I honestly can’t pick a favorite track from this album. It changes every day for me. But this one is just so epic. And even more amazing live. U must see then bro!! Tool shows are life changing experiences.
@paula Sorry, but you're crazy. He's just as good, just not as angry. He replaces the anger and yelling with the clean singing we see on tracks like Invincible. Not worse, just different.
I love the intelligent, well spoken, reactions that you give. It feels like you really enjoy the music while trying to interpret the twisted thoughts and polyrhythms that this band produces with every song. Keep them coming!!!
On the Joe Rogan podcast Maynard implied that there would have to be a cataclysmic event like a giant meteor striking Earth and causing a significant loss of life and turmoil for people to wake up from their apathy and divisiveness. Similar to how people kind of united after 9-11. In my opinion this song is based on that. Maynard is calling out to some abstract god or the universe itself to intervene to stop humanity from destroying itself. I picture the waves in the beginning as the sound before the meteor strikes. That drum that you are speaking of in the beginning may be the Korg Wavedrum.
Kevin Mosley Agreed, I cant help but see the whole album through the clear lens of that interview, but having seen the themes Maynard writes about over many bands and years I think I would’ve thought the same without hearing that interview. And yes when Coronavirus got bad those comments he made in that interview about some big event to bring us together were something that quickly came to mind.
it's basically a species wide call to save ourselves from our own destruction, (likely self inflicted) but true to Maynard's open ended lyricism you can apply it to endless scenarios that affect you personally.
I didn't care for it because he took it so electronic, computerized. I wanted him just banging away on the drums with the multiple time sigs. personal preference from a guy who grew up with Bonzo, Moon, Ward and Peart. If it's your cup of tea good on you. enjoy it.
If you fall from a sufficient height, it can feel like you're flying or floating. It's the sensation of skydiving. But you aren't flying or floating. You're eventually going to splat on the ground, so pull the frackin' ripcord while you can! That's what it means to me.
The reference comes from the book Ishmael. Someone on Reddit posted the passage once, and it's incredible. Refers very much to our self destructive ways... and our blissful ignorance to the damage we're doing. Pretty fitting right now...
I really appreciate your reactions. You consistently have great insight into both the storytelling and musicality. As a huge fan of both Tool and Nightwish, it's been a real pleasure seeing your progression with these two bands. You will only fall in love with them more and more as you listen to these songs again and again. I also don't get the "mixed reactions." It's everything a lifelong Tool fan could want...evolved, refined, modern, but still very much Tool.
The swells and crescendos in this song are really amazing. As it progresses it just gets more and more epic. To me, it's a call to action for all of humanity to do everything we can to prevent our own destruction. To just hang on and keep existing as long as we can.
For me this song is my gem in this album. Album is awesome, but Descending has such an atmospheric power it takes me places. The imagery it paints in my head is making me get tears and yet calmness. If there is ever the end of humanity comming within my lifetime, I will surely listen to this in those last moments :D If you want to react to Daney you should definitively check out "Triad" Drumcam, it's not the best quality, but it's pure magic.
PNEUMA . Culling Voices , and Tempest last . Definitely watch the master doing Pneuma live . Shows you how accurate they are live .. Like Neil Peart in Rush
Just finished watching. Really enjoying your thoughts on these new album cuts. And very happy that you decided to save them for last, I believe it really gives you perspective on the journey of the band, having gone though all of the old stuff beforehand. Just like you’ve mentioned. Good stuff, Cheers’
SuperJersh after Pneuma you have to check out the Vic Firth drum cam of Danny playing Pneuma. The production value is top notch. Multi camera. It's mesmerizing watching him.
Very thoughtful reaction... this has become one of my favorite Tool songs. I thought at first it needed a punchy Maynard finish, but I realized very much like you said that the interplay of the instruments at the end tells a story, and is more than enough.
Once again absolutely love the way you interpreted the story just from the Instrumentals, I had a similar visual myself at 24:05 when that last solo kicks in it’s like the part where you think humanity’s lost the battle and then just when all hope seems lost you hear a battle trumpet in the distance and then suddenly all the reinforcements come riding over the hill to the rescue for the final offensive to push back the “evil” and make it retreat back into the depths of the 🌊 I was picturing like a LoTR or GoT battle scene! 🤘🏻⚔️
This song man, fantastic. And you are spot on with that message I think, again. I am not gonna lie but if I could I would really drink a beer or two with you. You are a great person I feel.
I really needed this right now. I lost a good friend yesterday. He was only 43! He was a big Tool fan although wasn’t a big fan of this album. That’s okay, I still loved him. I’m heartbroken by it but trying to think of all the good times. Thank you (and Tool) for the distraction.
SuperJersh his mom and step-dad came by my house today. It was tough not to be able to hug them! Work has been extremely busy so that is a big distraction but on my down time he is heavy on my mind. FYI the reason he didn’t care for this album is songs are too slow for him. I also think he was expecting/wanting a different sound. I personally find it different and a mature/sophisticated album. It is very spiritual for me.
Wow, what a appropriate song for the times were going through presently. Love your reactions, would like you to do Right In Two. Great song, like every Tool song 😁
This song actually predates the album (at least the music does). they played an instrumental version of this during the 2016 tour. it was about 12 minutes long.
The neat thing about 'that alien sound vs. the guitar' is that it's Adam Jones playing both, at the same time, even live. He plays the synth part with his foot (while playing the guitar part with his hands of course.) If you listen for it, you can also hear it on the The Grudge & Rosetta Stoned (to name a couple.)
So much analysis of this album and it’s songs - simply...they are all exceptional music compositions. It’s silly to say different...I do enjoy your interpretations-I hope you can get a chance to review “Culling Voices”...Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but it is really excellent, most underrated song on this album. You will be super-surprised
I somewhat get the sense that they are saying that this is not the end for the band. They are not done, they are not stopping. Look at what they are, behold their might. Even if this is the last they do, even if they are falling from their place, they will be magnificent and their fall will be glorious. In the end, we are left in awe.
The segue before this is called Legion Inoculant. The only lyrics are "bless this immunity" with a ritual type sound going on. He speaks of legion in the song Jambi. Silence legion ,save your poison. Silence legion, stay out of my way". I see the song as more about being led off a cliff like a bunch of lemmings to the powers that be. Ahhmm question authority. I feel there are other characters within the songs throughout the album, I think Maynard said it could be seen that way in an interview.
From a different perspective, Descending means Ascending, also. When they started to play Invincible, Descending, they wrote them in the list like that. It is very long to explain whole story. But, whole album is a concept (like all the other albums), Ascending/Descending is at the middle of the album, you can go every way you like.
This album is epic. Its prophetic, timeless, and moving. A journey through sound and imagination. Will we choose attainment? Cant wait for the movie...
Descending was the first song they completed off the Fear Inoculum album. They would debut instrumental sections of the song dating back to 2012.. it continued to develop over the years. PS - Jersh you have trouble keeping track of Wednesdays! 😜
To me, the album is kind of about where we are as a country or even planet right now. With politics and the huge division going on in the country right now. Basically, if things continue as they are now we’re doomed. We need something to happen that is so horrible or jarring that it brings people back together.
This is far and away my favorite song on the album. My pre-COVID interpretation of the song was that it was implicitly about global warming, though certainly the generalized approach of the lyrics means it applies nicely to any global threat to humanity.
So glad you saw the parallel to coronavirus . This whole album can be compared that way . Fear Inoculum... it’s almost like he knew it was coming . And this one , mitigation our ruin , it’s all so crazy
I think your interpretation of the lyrics are spot on. However, I feel the rest of the song, though beautiful, is ultimately somber, which leads ME to feel that humanity ultimately fails to get our shit together. As for Danny's drumming, what you outlined is what I feel is key to "Tool's sound." Sure, everyone in the band is Fing amazing, but the drumming is ultimately what makes Tool, well, Tool.
Don't be deceived, Ben. He hasn't even recorded those reactions yet, but you can bet your sweet ass they'll be there when you go to look...He's not one of us...I think he's Crab people, Ben! And Crab people is NOT good people, Ben. BEN!!!!!!!! AM I GETTING THROUGH TO YOU!? IT'S SO MUCH BIGGER THAN SUPERJERSH!!!! ITS ALL REACTORS!!!! AND IM PRETTA SURE LIBRARIANS, TOO!!!! THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO KILL THEM IS PEGGIN 'EM WITH PEAS FROM AT LEAST 35k ft., so you're going to have to commandeer a commercial jet. I've tried cracking them from many stories up with massive boulders, but it doesn't do any real damage. They just scuttle up the side of the building faster than I could finish my sardines, and, phew, all I'm saying is thank God for those ziplines some kind soul left for his fellow man, LOL, OK GOOD LUCK BUDDY!!!!
I've been a huge Tool fan since about '97, I had Undertow and Aenima and listened to them back to back too many times to count. Then Lateralus came out and Salival and I had four amazing CD's to listen to over and over and over. One thing you have to understand is that as Tool diehards, we listened to those albums and memorized almost every detail. So it was going to be hard to match the anticipation. When 10,000 Days came out it didn't meet everyone's expectations either, I found it lacking at first due to my own biases. After a few listens, it's still not my favorite album, but it has a few of my absolute favorite songs. I think a lot of Tool fans found 10,000 Days and Fear Inoculum a bit too far away from the Tool we grew up with (I'm not saying it's right). With Fear Inoculum there are a few tracks that just tend to go on too long in certain areas; it almost seems like they spent too much time making the song sound intricate and long just for the sake of making it long and intricate. Invincible is a good example; the transitions are jarring and not as well delivered as in other albums. Also, the between tracks just aren't as enjoyable as on other albums, at least to me. Maynard even talks about how the band members spent too much time refining the tracks. Most consider Fear Inoculum to be a good/great album, just not the best Tool album
I don't understand how 12 minute (for example) song is too long. In symphonic music the movements are generally just as long. It seems to reflect an impatience, and short attention span - probably coming out of our fast paced lifestyle. I just want to say relax. Enjoy the ride without anxiety about the passage of time.
@@zoniekat Now, I never mentioned length, that has never been an issue for me. Believe me, impatience and short attention span is not something that describes me. 7empest is an example of what I'm describing. The intro goes on for over a minute without anything substantial happening and for me the drum/guitar combo starts to sound like a leaky faucet while trying to relax. The rest of the song is amazing and it could have gone on for another 5 minutes and I'd thoroughly enjoy it. It's a small complaint and doesn't really detract from the album as a whole, but was a part of a response to what JershReacts was asking in his video. Which is "Why were people critical of this album?" The simple answer was that it just wasn't as good as other Tool albums, even though it's far better than most of the "music" out there these days.
One thing people fail to realize: tool fans reacted poorly to the major switch in direction in lateralus, and if you look online many tool fans thought 10000 days was a fake joke album and tool was gonna release the real one after. Those albums are amazing. So is this one.
Todd Gersh I meant initially when it came out. Yes. Most would agree on this now. But when it first came out many people had VASTLY different expectations because it was much different from Ænima
Thomas Jackolin gotcha, only album I felt that way about was 10,000 days. I felt it was subpar for Tool. Then at some point I listened to it again after a couple years and I had a change of heart.
I feel that it is sad when Maynard stops signing and I just want to start the song over. That said, I think it represents the end of humanity... And life goes on with or without humans. Adams guitar riff after "the end" in words speaks "the world will still be beautiful".
Like you mentioned, it's hard to look at a piece of art without it acting as a reflection of what is going on around us. Looking at this song alongside the title track (in addition to others yet to come), in my eyes this album can very much be interpreted as a discussion / viewpoint of our current political atmosphere. Fear Inoculum could be 'someone' in power, trying to persuade the masses by fear-mongering and lies... and the listener finally sees though the BS and becomes immune to the vitriol. This track could be in interpreted as we out ourselves into our current position by putting a the wrong person into power, and now the disillusioned followers are seeing the light and beginning to "sound the alarm" to wake up and fight to make change - there is hope if we come together instead of letting someone / people divide us.
![Tool - Live at Aftershock Festival, Sacramento CA - 2023-10-06 [Full Show]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5vNswwXq4RM/mqdefault.jpg)
I can tell you the reason why people are disappointed with it. They've been stuck with Tool's discography for 13 years. Each new year that went by with rumors of an upcoming album. A new update. They kept listening to the songs that they loved over and over again. They created an EXPECTATION in their head about how it was supposed to sound. That expectation was high. Anything less would be unacceptable. When their expectations weren't met, you had some people trashing the album. I've been a Tool fan for a long time, and I love their music. Its more than music to me. It touches me in the very depths of my soul. I spent many years in anticipation, just waiting for that new album to drop, because as the years went by, all those songs that I kept listening to changed in their meaning, just as my life had changed. I interpreted them differently than I once did. I had an expectation for years. When I finally got a hold of Fear Inoculum, I told myself to drop any and all expectations I had before listening to it. I'm glad I attempted to do that. On first listen I liked it, but I didn't love it. Upon further listening I fell in love with it. It's one of their best albums imho, and all of their albums are great. There's no anger in this album. A lot of people wanted angry screams from Maynard. Dude has some pipes, but I understand he's getting older, and more mature. He's used the music to grow and get through the pain. Curb the expectations. If you had never heard this band before and listened to this album and then I told you all these guys were over 50+, would that make a difference? I bet it would.
Completely agree. The only thing I would change, for myself, is in the 'anything less would be unacceptable' whereas I think it's 'anything different would be unacceptable'. Just because I don't think this was in any way a 'lesser' album. I think they mature remarkably over the course of their discography, in terms of content, musicianship, production quality, etc. That doesn't mean I don't like their older stuff, I do. I dabble on guitar and I couldn't fathom playing this or any song on this album live, it's incredible.
The complaints don’t even have much to say about the quality of the album. Just the style. You’re right, it’s not the style they wanted. You’d think people would know by now that these guys are much older.
I actually didn't get into them until shortly before they released digitally...I had only first heard of Tool about 5 years ago when I got introduced to Maynard by way of APC and, later, Puscifer. APC's Mer de Noms just blew me away. I had heard a few Tool EP songs, but that was about it. They were ok. But in anticipation of Fear Inoculum, which I ate up the moment that single was first leaked by Tool, I became fascinated. Fast-forward to the present, and I love every track on every album of theirs...I also got to see them live in the last US show before social distancing began. We were allowed to record Stinkfist, which I have linked here: ruclips.net/video/jfKUH7uEWJE/видео.html
If you would also like to see my TOOL reactions, the link to that channel is in the comments section of that video. I'm working my way through it chronologically (although the first 11 or 12 had to be taken down and will eventually be re-recorded and uploaded). I plan to start in on Aenima this weekend.
However, in my case, I actually started with Fear Inoculum and worked backwards. I still can't pick out a weak link...maybe some of the original EP, but even that has at least 3 gems on it. My favorite album has constantly changed. My favorite track has been Wings Part 2, but even then, my top 5 or 10 tracks change like crazy. Originally, I wasn't too crazy about Culling Voices, yet now it is amongst my top favorites. Ditto for Rosetta Stoned, especially with the Lost Keys opening pairing. It's a masterpiece.
Oh, and I'm 51.
Certain Tool songs are awesome the 1st time you hear them (i.e. Sober, Stinkfist, Schism, The Pot). That's how they sell records. Others take time to grow on you. I wasn't a big fan of 10,000 Days. But now that I listen to the songs I didn't really care for 14 years later, they've grown on me. There's only 1 Aenima. And most Tool fans would agree Aenima was their best album. That's also because Aenima was so unique when it 1st came out. We were also much younger, and everything seems better when your younger. I'm 39 years old now. I haven't heard new good music in a LONG time. This album is phenomenal and so was seeing them live again last November. When we look back on their entire discography, it was one hell of a ride, and it will stand the test of time. Greatest rock band ever.
@@TheOneGates Sorry to piggy back on an old comment, but yeah; hardly any two Tool albums have the same sound. They all sound distinctly tool, but I can go listen to Swamp Song, then H, then Lateralus, then Wings for Marie, then Invincible and not only see their evolution, but be able to tell that these are the same people with the same goal that they have stuck to. They make music that is meaningful to them. To them, one of the few that I feel it is an honest expression of art. All of the talent, and hard won skill aside. Ticks and Leeches shows that when asked to pander, well they aren't about that. Ironically, Ticks and Leeches is an amazingly kick-ass song, and even when being angry and sarcastic they can't not write an amazing song. Hooker with a Penis is even their first overt statement like this. And this was on their SECOND album (If I'm remembering correctly)
I think people definitely lock into their last album, and expect more of that, forgetting that the evolution between each album is palpable. I've been a tool fan for 25 years, and am really at a point where I just want to hear anything they create. Call me a fanboy or whatever, I don't think it's like that. But I've yet to be disappointed.
"free fall through our midnight" to me is a reference to the Doomsday Clock. Where "midnight" represents an end to our existence. The folly and hubris of mankind is causing us to sail into our own extinction. Heedless in our slumber. This song is a warning that if mankind continues on its current path, we are basically paving the way for our own ending.
And Adam using the slide and ditching it right into the solo is so freaking sick.. he just tosses it on the ground and rips into the solo when played live. So bad ass. 😎
Adam Jones, slaps the roof of Descending: "This bad boy can fit so many tasty riffs in it."
Justin Chancilor, slaps the roof of Descending: "This bad boy can fit so many deep, complex bass grooves in it."
Maynard James Keenan, slaps the roof of Descending, leaves half way through for you to work it out on your own
Danny Carry, slaps the roof of Descending song: *says nothing, but continues slapping in polyrhythmic time*
I think you touched on it during the "Invincible" reaction - each of these songs is so full. I think Tool has more individual guitar picks and drumbeats in one song than many bands have in an entire album! Especially on this album!
Strap in for "Pneuma" and "7empest"... "Culling Voices" is no slouch either.
"Stir us from our wanton slumber" could not be more appropriate with what is currently going on in the world.
This is the best song on the album and it really rewards you for your patience. Your average person would never sit through the long intro of the waves crashing and the slow beginning but once it hits, it's a beautiful and brilliant song.
PLEASE DON'T FORGET CULLING VOICES. It has become one of my absolute favorites on this album. SO GOOD!
It’s one of my favourite tool songs, not just off the album
@@cameronreyno7175 I agree. Just listened to it on my drive home. Masterpiece!
This is currently my all-time favorite song. When Danny hits that gong, it’s like I feel a beam of energy tear right through my soul and pull me from my body. You’ve got to go watch a live video of this song so you can see Adam use the slide and then draw it and dig right into his solo. He does it so flawlessly.
"This is currently my all-time favorite song" That's exactly my feeling about Pneuma. But then when I listen to this one, I think "How can any song be better than this?" They're both so great, in fact, the whole album is just brilliant.
I like the bass the most in the new album
The bass and drums are really highlighted on this album outside of Adam annihilating the guitar on Descending and 7empest
Same with me. I love the bass so much it inspired me to buy a bass guitar even though I've never played a musical instrument in my life.
I personally really resonate with this song. I think it's about all this shit that has been piling up on us, from climate change to corrupt governments, and our collective apathy as a species.
This album is so good. I think of Ænima as a hammer, lateralus as a machete, 10,000 days as a knife, fear Inoculum is the scalpel. Every tool serves its purpose. FI is So precise and every song sounds so whole, from the production to the melodies, it’s refined to a whole other level and you can tell it took 13 years to make.
It only took 13 years because of legal issues the band had, Maynard doing Puscifer / A Perfect Circle on the side plus other issues etc etc ruclips.net/video/fMjz6g75JSE/видео.html
Cristian-Henri sure, but I believe they started working on this album a few years after 10k days and even after the legal issues I think they were still working on it. So maybe 9 or 10 years, but still.
I honestly can’t pick a favorite track from this album. It changes every day for me. But this one is just so epic. And even more amazing live. U must see then bro!! Tool shows are life changing experiences.
Thank you so much for what you do. You definitely deserve the increasing number of subscribers for your great and thorough analysis of these songs.
On there being less Maynard on this album, I feel like this album is like one big rock opera and the instruments tell the story too.
@paula Sorry, but you're crazy. He's just as good, just not as angry. He replaces the anger and yelling with the clean singing we see on tracks like Invincible. Not worse, just different.
@paula my dude hes almost 60 years old. You can't expect him to have as much power and stamina as he did in his 30s.
I love the intelligent, well spoken, reactions that you give. It feels like you really enjoy the music while trying to interpret the twisted thoughts and polyrhythms that this band produces with every song. Keep them coming!!!
You gotta see this live!!! Amazing imagery!! Red lasers, pyramid, Danny’s pentagram thingy!!! Ah memories!!!
On the Joe Rogan podcast Maynard implied that there would have to be a cataclysmic event like a giant meteor striking Earth and causing a significant loss of life and turmoil for people to wake up from their apathy and divisiveness. Similar to how people kind of united after 9-11. In my opinion this song is based on that. Maynard is calling out to some abstract god or the universe itself to intervene to stop humanity from destroying itself. I picture the waves in the beginning as the sound before the meteor strikes. That drum that you are speaking of in the beginning may be the Korg Wavedrum.
Kevin Mosley Agreed, I cant help but see the whole album through the clear lens of that interview, but having seen the themes Maynard writes about over many bands and years I think I would’ve thought the same without hearing that interview. And yes when Coronavirus got bad those comments he made in that interview about some big event to bring us together were something that quickly came to mind.
🙄🙄 Dude there's so much of a coincidence with this album and what's going on right now. It's scary
I hear water at the beginning and ending of the track. It's the flood. Learn to swim!
it's basically a species wide call to save ourselves from our own destruction, (likely self inflicted) but true to Maynard's open ended lyricism you can apply it to endless scenarios that affect you personally.
Don't skip Chocolate chip trip, it's not a filler or interlude and you won't regret it.
THIS
I didn't care for it because he took it so electronic, computerized. I wanted him just banging away on the drums with the multiple time sigs. personal preference from a guy who grew up with Bonzo, Moon, Ward and Peart. If it's your cup of tea good on you. enjoy it.
Such a beautiful song! My personal favorite from this album, absolutely a Masterpiece
Danny Carey is one of the most ‘musical’ drummers out there.
And Pneuma is still to come. Arguably the best song from the album
It's between Pneuma and Descending.
Falling isn't flying and floating isn't infinite. Means to me that this descent is not in our control and we are on a crash course if we do nothing.
@@slickboyd Like that interpretation.
If you fall from a sufficient height, it can feel like you're flying or floating. It's the sensation of skydiving. But you aren't flying or floating. You're eventually going to splat on the ground, so pull the frackin' ripcord while you can! That's what it means to me.
The reference comes from the book Ishmael. Someone on Reddit posted the passage once, and it's incredible. Refers very much to our self destructive ways... and our blissful ignorance to the damage we're doing. Pretty fitting right now...
I really appreciate your reactions. You consistently have great insight into both the storytelling and musicality. As a huge fan of both Tool and Nightwish, it's been a real pleasure seeing your progression with these two bands. You will only fall in love with them more and more as you listen to these songs again and again. I also don't get the "mixed reactions." It's everything a lifelong Tool fan could want...evolved, refined, modern, but still very much Tool.
The swells and crescendos in this song are really amazing. As it progresses it just gets more and more epic.
To me, it's a call to action for all of humanity to do everything we can to prevent our own destruction. To just hang on and keep existing as long as we can.
My favourite from the album currently. The soundtrack for the end times of humanity, unless we mobilize to stay alive
For me this song is my gem in this album. Album is awesome, but Descending has such an atmospheric power it takes me places. The imagery it paints in my head is making me get tears and yet calmness. If there is ever the end of humanity comming within my lifetime, I will surely listen to this in those last moments :D
If you want to react to Daney you should definitively check out "Triad" Drumcam, it's not the best quality, but it's pure magic.
PNEUMA . Culling Voices , and Tempest last . Definitely watch the master doing Pneuma live . Shows you how accurate they are live .. Like Neil Peart in Rush
Makes me think of a submarine going below the water when the bass kicks in
Just finished watching. Really enjoying your thoughts on these new album cuts. And very happy that you decided to save them for last, I believe it really gives you perspective on the journey of the band, having gone though all of the old stuff beforehand. Just like you’ve mentioned.
Good stuff,
Cheers’
Mobilize! STAY ALIVE!
like if u cry everytime
Yip
@Dexy Chan I'm a big softie lol
Feel ya Selma.
Yep, choke up every damn time. But when i finally saw it live in San Diego this past January, duuuude. 😭😭😭
@@americanhwyflower soooooo lucky!!! They didn't play it when I saw them live :(
My FAVORITE!!
Me toooo! ❤❤❤🤘🤘🤘
I swear they predicted what was going to happen subconsciously and provided us music to get through it.
SuperJersh after Pneuma you have to check out the Vic Firth drum cam of Danny playing Pneuma. The production value is top notch. Multi camera. It's mesmerizing watching him.
Very thoughtful reaction... this has become one of my favorite Tool songs. I thought at first it needed a punchy Maynard finish, but I realized very much like you said that the interplay of the instruments at the end tells a story, and is more than enough.
Once again absolutely love the way you interpreted the story just from the Instrumentals, I had a similar visual myself at 24:05 when that last solo kicks in it’s like the part where you think humanity’s lost the battle and then just when all hope seems lost you hear a battle trumpet in the distance and then suddenly all the reinforcements come riding over the hill to the rescue for the final offensive to push back the “evil” and make it retreat back into the depths of the 🌊 I was picturing like a LoTR or GoT battle scene! 🤘🏻⚔️
This song man, fantastic. And you are spot on with that message I think, again. I am not gonna lie but if I could I would really drink a beer or two with you. You are a great person I feel.
And yes, I LOVE mass effect too. My most played series in games ever.
I really needed this right now. I lost a good friend yesterday. He was only 43! He was a big Tool fan although wasn’t a big fan of this album. That’s okay, I still loved him. I’m heartbroken by it but trying to think of all the good times. Thank you (and Tool) for the distraction.
Oh my gosh! So sorry for your loss! Any distraction RUclips can offer is worth trying :)
SuperJersh his mom and step-dad came by my house today. It was tough not to be able to hug them! Work has been extremely busy so that is a big distraction but on my down time he is heavy on my mind. FYI the reason he didn’t care for this album is songs are too slow for him. I also think he was expecting/wanting a different sound. I personally find it different and a mature/sophisticated album. It is very spiritual for me.
Klone - Immaculate Desire
Wow, what a appropriate song for the times were going through presently. Love your reactions, would like you to do Right In Two. Great song, like every Tool song 😁
Right in two can be found with many other tool reactions in the tool playlist, thx for watching! :)
This album needs to sit with me longer but it might just turn out to be my favourite album of all time
Looking forward to your interpretation of culling voices
Some of Adam Jones’s best work. The last seven minutes is phenomenal. His guitar tone is perfection.
Yes, they usually write the music first and send it to maynard.
Eths - Crucifere
I still feel this is an Adam Jones song! But listen to that bassline, that drums and that vocals too. Oh well!
Sopor Aeternus - Little Velveteen Knight
Been waiting for this.
Dude, I love your reactions. You are very intelligent, and really put some thought into it. Keep up the good work!
This song reminds me of Dylan Thomas, Don’t go gently into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
I literally think of that poem every time I hear this song.
This song actually predates the album (at least the music does). they played an instrumental version of this during the 2016 tour. it was about 12 minutes long.
SuperJersh I just love Danny's electronic Mandala drum pads.
The neat thing about 'that alien sound vs. the guitar' is that it's Adam Jones playing both, at the same time, even live. He plays the synth part with his foot (while playing the guitar part with his hands of course.) If you listen for it, you can also hear it on the The Grudge & Rosetta Stoned (to name a couple.)
So much analysis of this album and it’s songs - simply...they are all exceptional music compositions. It’s silly to say different...I do enjoy your interpretations-I hope you can get a chance to review “Culling Voices”...Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it, but it is really excellent, most underrated song on this album. You will be super-surprised
I somewhat get the sense that they are saying that this is not the end for the band. They are not done, they are not stopping. Look at what they are, behold their might. Even if this is the last they do, even if they are falling from their place, they will be magnificent and their fall will be glorious. In the end, we are left in awe.
My fav song right now from this album
Adam Jones makes a guitar speak and moan better than any other guitarist IMHO. This song is his masterclass in language through a stringed instrument.
The segue before this is called Legion Inoculant. The only lyrics are "bless this immunity" with a ritual type sound going on. He speaks of legion in the song Jambi. Silence legion ,save your poison. Silence legion, stay out of my way". I see the song as more about being led off a cliff like a bunch of lemmings to the powers that be. Ahhmm question authority. I feel there are other characters within the songs throughout the album, I think Maynard said it could be seen that way in an interview.
Every Tool release since Lateralus has had "mixed" reviews. Then time passes and the timeless genius of the album becomes more apparent.
I love that you also love Mass Effect and relate every damn sci fi sound to it like I do 😂
Watching someone react to this with earbuds makes me cry.
ArmchairGravy I’m deaf in my right ear as explained in the video description but I get both channels in the headset, thx for watching :)
Now: Pneuma, culling voices, chocolate chip trip and 7empest! 🤟🏻
From a different perspective, Descending means Ascending, also. When they started to play Invincible, Descending, they wrote them in the list like that. It is very long to explain whole story. But, whole album is a concept (like all the other albums), Ascending/Descending is at the middle of the album, you can go every way you like.
This album is epic. Its prophetic, timeless, and moving. A journey through sound and imagination. Will we choose attainment? Cant wait for the movie...
Interesting how the current situation changes the interpretation of all the fear inoculum lyrics
Maybe the waves at the beginning and end refer to humanity initially emerging from the sea and when we’re gone those waves will still be there...
Descending was the first song they completed off the Fear Inoculum album. They would debut instrumental sections of the song dating back to 2012.. it continued to develop over the years.
PS - Jersh you have trouble keeping track of Wednesdays! 😜
I'm commander Shepard and I this is my favorite reaction to Descending
Yeah, but, paragon or renegade? 😄😊
@@SuperJersh Paragon, always a good guy 🙂
To me, the album is kind of about where we are as a country or even planet right now. With politics and the huge division going on in the country right now. Basically, if things continue as they are now we’re doomed. We need something to happen that is so horrible or jarring that it brings people back together.
It has been interpreted as a call to arms to fight against the destruction of our environment. And our inevitable destruction.
You being a guitar player are gonna love 7empest!
You have great interpretations...we can tell your a great conversationalist
You will love Opeth! Id like you to try Harvest or Burden to start. Looking forward to the rest of this album too. Cheers
He would. Absolutely.
I’m not the first! Just felt like saying that
😂😂
All your talk about war and defending ourselves made me think the drums were machine guns at 21:51. Great insight once again.
Still gotta do No Quarter Jersh!
This is far and away my favorite song on the album. My pre-COVID interpretation of the song was that it was implicitly about global warming, though certainly the generalized approach of the lyrics means it applies nicely to any global threat to humanity.
So glad you saw the parallel to coronavirus . This whole album can be compared that way . Fear Inoculum... it’s almost like he knew it was coming . And this one , mitigation our ruin , it’s all so crazy
They love singing about water, whenever they can. "Can we get some h2o up in here?" - Maynard probably
r/HydroHomies
Mass Effect... I was thinking the same! 😂
I think your interpretation of the lyrics are spot on. However, I feel the rest of the song, though beautiful, is ultimately somber, which leads ME to feel that humanity ultimately fails to get our shit together.
As for Danny's drumming, what you outlined is what I feel is key to "Tool's sound." Sure, everyone in the band is Fing amazing, but the drumming is ultimately what makes Tool, well, Tool.
Another great reaction! Definitely do regular Pneuma studio recording before drum cam though!
Cant wait for Pneuma and 7empest
This is my favorite tool song and, to me, it speaks about global warming. Thus, the waves and call for action are fitting.
Tool: "The Pot" and "Jambi" Please and thank you!
Those are in the tool playlist, thx for watching :)
Don't be deceived, Ben. He hasn't even recorded those reactions yet, but you can bet your sweet ass they'll be there when you go to look...He's not one of us...I think he's Crab people, Ben! And Crab people is NOT good people, Ben. BEN!!!!!!!! AM I GETTING THROUGH TO YOU!? IT'S SO MUCH BIGGER THAN SUPERJERSH!!!! ITS ALL REACTORS!!!! AND IM PRETTA SURE LIBRARIANS, TOO!!!! THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO KILL THEM IS PEGGIN 'EM WITH PEAS FROM AT LEAST 35k ft., so you're going to have to commandeer a commercial jet. I've tried cracking them from many stories up with massive boulders, but it doesn't do any real damage. They just scuttle up the side of the building faster than I could finish my sardines, and, phew, all I'm saying is thank God for those ziplines some kind soul left for his fellow man, LOL, OK GOOD LUCK BUDDY!!!!
I've been a huge Tool fan since about '97, I had Undertow and Aenima and listened to them back to back too many times to count. Then Lateralus came out and Salival and I had four amazing CD's to listen to over and over and over. One thing you have to understand is that as Tool diehards, we listened to those albums and memorized almost every detail. So it was going to be hard to match the anticipation. When 10,000 Days came out it didn't meet everyone's expectations either, I found it lacking at first due to my own biases. After a few listens, it's still not my favorite album, but it has a few of my absolute favorite songs. I think a lot of Tool fans found 10,000 Days and Fear Inoculum a bit too far away from the Tool we grew up with (I'm not saying it's right).
With Fear Inoculum there are a few tracks that just tend to go on too long in certain areas; it almost seems like they spent too much time making the song sound intricate and long just for the sake of making it long and intricate. Invincible is a good example; the transitions are jarring and not as well delivered as in other albums. Also, the between tracks just aren't as enjoyable as on other albums, at least to me. Maynard even talks about how the band members spent too much time refining the tracks.
Most consider Fear Inoculum to be a good/great album, just not the best Tool album
I don't understand how 12 minute (for example) song is too long. In symphonic music the movements are generally just as long. It seems to reflect an impatience, and short attention span - probably coming out of our fast paced lifestyle. I just want to say relax. Enjoy the ride without anxiety about the passage of time.
@@zoniekat Now, I never mentioned length, that has never been an issue for me. Believe me, impatience and short attention span is not something that describes me. 7empest is an example of what I'm describing. The intro goes on for over a minute without anything substantial happening and for me the drum/guitar combo starts to sound like a leaky faucet while trying to relax. The rest of the song is amazing and it could have gone on for another 5 minutes and I'd thoroughly enjoy it.
It's a small complaint and doesn't really detract from the album as a whole, but was a part of a response to what JershReacts was asking in his video. Which is "Why were people critical of this album?" The simple answer was that it just wasn't as good as other Tool albums, even though it's far better than most of the "music" out there these days.
Now do you believe Tool is from the future? ;)
Listen to the album Pneuma first before you watch the drum solo version. It's a great song for afirst listen to.
Delerium - Innocente
Masterpiece
This song is gonna blow your face off.
Worth noting, reveille (pronounced revelly, the e at the end isn’t silent) is a wake up call.
Lissie - Hero
This is what it sounds like Maynard is referring to in this track www.reddit.com/r/ToolBand/comments/d1b768/falling_isnt_flying_descendings_literary/
For me the new album at first was good, not great, but about the 3rd time through all the songs I was like this is just a master piece of work.
One thing people fail to realize: tool fans reacted poorly to the major switch in direction in lateralus, and if you look online many tool fans thought 10000 days was a fake joke album and tool was gonna release the real one after. Those albums are amazing. So is this one.
Thomas Jackolin Lateralus is there best album. Most Tool fans disagree?
Todd Gersh I meant initially when it came out. Yes. Most would agree on this now. But when it first came out many people had VASTLY different expectations because it was much different from Ænima
Thomas Jackolin gotcha, only album I felt that way about was 10,000 days. I felt it was subpar for Tool. Then at some point I listened to it again after a couple years and I had a change of heart.
I feel that it is sad when Maynard stops signing and I just want to start the song over. That said, I think it represents the end of humanity... And life goes on with or without humans. Adams guitar riff after "the end" in words speaks "the world will still be beautiful".
Like you mentioned, it's hard to look at a piece of art without it acting as a reflection of what is going on around us. Looking at this song alongside the title track (in addition to others yet to come), in my eyes this album can very much be interpreted as a discussion / viewpoint of our current political atmosphere. Fear Inoculum could be 'someone' in power, trying to persuade the masses by fear-mongering and lies... and the listener finally sees though the BS and becomes immune to the vitriol. This track could be in interpreted as we out ourselves into our current position by putting a the wrong person into power, and now the disillusioned followers are seeing the light and beginning to "sound the alarm" to wake up and fight to make change - there is hope if we come together instead of letting someone / people divide us.
very informative and current...culling voices next pls