This whole album feels like "Maynard's Guide to Enlightenment". Lesson #1 - Let go of your grudges before they drag you down.

@SolZer

2 жыл бұрын

spot on!

@MostlyCloudy

2 жыл бұрын

yeah this

@hank35682

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly it’s about climbing the tree of life a journey of enlightenment to go from darkness into light each song is a step

@HackNeyedOne

2 жыл бұрын

haha! Yes. This song is my mantra. This whole album is a Guided Meditation.

@PeteOliva

2 жыл бұрын

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".

@DusteyeMC

2 жыл бұрын

applicable for me as well.

@Desertdogs13

2 жыл бұрын

Yup!

@fixxxt

2 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@mattbreese0144

2 жыл бұрын

Yep. Not my favorite band, my favorite thing. 🖤

@JasonSmith-we5ls

2 жыл бұрын

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

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 💯🤘

@Element_y

2 жыл бұрын

Good call on that Brad gj

@buffandgrind

2 жыл бұрын

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 KZread commenter-

@TheNewAmericanMedia

Жыл бұрын

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!

This Album was the soundtrack for my Awakening. Been at Peace ever since.

@amusive-8557

2 жыл бұрын

Same

@heatherodonnell7655

Жыл бұрын

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

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!

@MostlyCloudy

2 жыл бұрын

Nicely said

@Humanipathic

2 жыл бұрын

I said holy shit when it started ! Lol

@dan.j.boydzkreationz

2 жыл бұрын

Ditto. OGT93

@matt51180

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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!

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Love the way you articulated that! Appreciate it 🤘

The vocal change when he sings, "choose to let this go" is amazing. That alone brings tears on most listens

Sonically, Spiritually, Verbally, Intellectually - This album is among the best of all time.

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!

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Appreciate the info! I'm no good with astrology either 😂

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.

@hank35682

2 жыл бұрын

Best album ever made

@shiznitshnitzel4

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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.

@Skullzrapper

Жыл бұрын

So far I'd have to agree! I find myself going back to this album more than the others 💯

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

@Aaronsolnelson

2 жыл бұрын

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.

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

2 жыл бұрын

Appreciate that! I've been figuring it out based on the time stamps so far lol.

@johncarpenter3751

2 жыл бұрын

@@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

@13lueBerryBluntz

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@AtrolinK

2 жыл бұрын

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)

@johncarpenter3751

2 жыл бұрын

@@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

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

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!

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@tyranid05

2 жыл бұрын

I have Mom's gonna fix it all soon on one leg and Learn to Swim on my other leg if that says anything

@horbags1181

2 жыл бұрын

I have "There's no love in fear" on my forearm

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.

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.

This, The Patient, Parabola, Ticks and Leeches, Lateralus, Reflection. This album is nonstop bangers

Here we Goooo! This is going to be great!

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.

@Spudz76

2 жыл бұрын

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_return

@LudusAurea

2 жыл бұрын

Kronos was a titan not a god. Chronus is neither. But Saturn was conflated with Kronos I guess.

OMG. Let's go. This LP will blow you away. ✌️

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...

One of the best outros in metal history! Danny is not of this world! Love your break downs. Keep it up!

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.

Man, that fresh look of hearing the unknown on your face is priceless. What's that like? Brings back so much.

this tour blew out Maynard's vocal cords. between this song and "Ticks and Leeches" he was never the same.

@Garden-bu2if

9 күн бұрын

We thank him for his sacrifice. Unnecessary but definitely respected.

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.

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.

🤘🏼🔧🔧🤘🏼😎 ENJOY the RIDE Brutha, Great Album

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.

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! I also see "stone" as judgement towards someone or ones self. "Casting the first stone." So many cool subtleties 🤘

@lauramoyer5721

2 жыл бұрын

It's about "the church." Letting go of being wrong.

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. 🤘👁️👁️👁️🤘

@stephenh79

2 жыл бұрын

I think it also refers to rebirth in astrology

@theuhh814

2 жыл бұрын

And a 27 second scream too

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Appreciate it brother! 🤘

Commenting before the video has started. Thanks man, I absolutely love watching your journey. I clicked so fast….lol

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Lol Thanks bro! Hope you're doing well 💯🤘

This album is probably my favorite of all time. Glad we have arrived. Great reaction as usual.

So difficult to pick a favorite Tool song but always seem to go back to this one.

@marklaymon6698

Жыл бұрын

Yep. This one and "Forty-six and 2"

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...

Excellent job analyzing. I love when a reaction video actually has someone intellectual enough to dissect and give a great explanation for others. Thanks

You're going to love this album. Can't wait.

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

🤘🤘🤘

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?"

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 That's so cool! Yeah, that's the scream of legends 🤘

Here for it!

The Grudge is better than a series of counselling sessions. The significance of the release of resentment and resultant catharsis set to music. Genius.

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

@sunshinefogleman127

2 жыл бұрын

Yes!

Saturn comes around once every 30 years. So, he is using it in a clever way to say grown/matured.

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.

Nothing is wasted on " The Grudge ". Everything is tightly directed for maximum impact.

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 my absolute favorite. It just takes me.

That outro is EPIC! This album will change your life!!! WHOOOOOOO

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

The whole song is unbelievable! 🤘

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

@arcane3943

2 жыл бұрын

I think it'll be great to listen to it right after FI

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.

Waiting for the scream .... knew it would make you do a 'wow face! They opened with this the last time I saw them...

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!

And yes,,, I actually heard Maynard do that scream when I saw him in 2002,,EPIC

@teamfingahs4907

2 жыл бұрын

He did it in New Orleans too this past February it was AMAZING AMAZING!!!

Listen to the album all the way through. Won’t be disappointed

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

I'm working my way through 💯

So jealous you get to experience this for the first time. Probably your age when this album came out too 🤘

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.

Heard this one live in Köln a month ago. Best concert I ever lived. Let GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

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!

Just wait till you hear The Patient. Be prepared.

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

@SolZer

2 жыл бұрын

"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.

TOOL IS FOREVER AND SOME

Ohhh.... this is going to be fun... lateralus is an amazing album ;) (comment before watching)

I think of the scarlet lettermen as “whether for good or ill a message being intercepted”

The drum outro is Danny letting go just as Maynard did for 27 seconds moments before.

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 brings back my high school years. Tool has been a staple between my brothers and I from the start.

I’ve been waiting for this. Best reactor on KZread reacting to my favorite band’s best album.

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Much love! 🤘 ❤️

Also, Saturn means so much in esoteric spiritual stuff. Saturn is the teacher and the judge. Saturn is the work, the deep shit, the hard stuff. The evolution.

This is my favorite album by them!

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.

Hell yeah, LETS GOOOOOOO!!

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!

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.

Maaaaan.... Welcome to Lateralus! Safe and pleasant journey! So satisfying to look at how you enjoy it!

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!

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Hoping I can see them live at some point 💯 Much love 🤘

@endriupj

2 жыл бұрын

@@Skullzrapper fingers crossed for that! You definitely need to experience Tool live if you have a chance! It’s yet another level.

Greatest album ever...Period!! My opinion of course..

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".

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! Keep growing 🤘👁🔥

Saturn's influence in astrology is that tough love teacher. universe presents you the hardest most transformational lessons through Saturn in your natal chart and transits.

This is the best tool song ending in my opinion

Oh man.. I'm so excited for your next reactions to Tool. Can't wait.

lol "that's complicated" welcome to the party pal! 😁🤘👍

Now we're into the heart of this band. Meat and potatoes. Let's go!!!

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

🤘🤘🤘

This new intro is way better than the other. Not that the other one was bad, I just like this flow a little more. Thank you again for sharing your continuing TOOL journey with us.

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.

@dmb8624

2 жыл бұрын

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.

@Moss_and_Such

2 жыл бұрын

@@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.

Saturn is the god of maturity, responsibility, discipline, stewardship, and growth. When Maynard writes "Saturn ascends, choose 1 or 10" he means that it's time to choose to grow up and do the right thing. If you don't fully embrace a mature response then you'll make the same mistake again.

"Let the waters kiss and transmute these leaden grudges into gold." Remember, that's what the alchemists were trying to do, turn lead into gold. Great metaphor...

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.

Scarlet Letterman is cool word play. It's like wearing a scarlet letter but wearing it with pride on a Letterman jacket devoid of the morals of The Scarlet Letter.

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I was thinking about that afterwards. Just wasn't exactly sure the significance. Appreciate the insight 💯

Great review as always!!!. Perfect.. Thanks. Patricio from Buenos Aires.

@Skullzrapper

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers! 🤘

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.

@mattbreese0144

2 жыл бұрын

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 gonna see...you gonna love them more and more and more xD

Saturn is in the same place in the sky every 27 years on the day you were born.

You are the definition of a friend that I want to show Tool to :D amazing

Fasten your seatbelt you honestly don’t no what a ride this will be lol. Still my favourite album of all time

Absolutely epic song, my #12 Tool track of al time. Never misses 🤘😂🤘

This is a perfect album.