TOOL Trolls it's most dedicated fans, again.

It's like they are trying to see how much they can alienate fans.

Kabir from toolshed has even turned on them.

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"Hey guys. Kabir from Toolshed here. I haven't written a review of a show in a really long time, but after a few of you asked, this thread seemed like the perfect place to do it. (also there’s no tour page on t.d.n to post reviews anymore...)

"This was my 24th Tool show, and I'm sorry to say it was the worst one I've seen. "Granted, tool at their worst is still a lot better than most bands, but perhaps because I've seen them a lot, or because I saw them play in the 'Undertow' / 'Ænima' days, this show was just objectively not them at their best.

"This isn't about 'having been promised something special,' mainly because I don't follow Tool news much anymore, so i have no issue with there being some kind of promise undelivered. "From a technical standpoint, Adam and Justin and Danny are wizards, like they always are. still one of the tightest units around. But as a guy standing next to me said, 'they're just going through the motions.' i.e., as someone else in this thread said, they're playing the songs like a touring band, or like an excellent Tool cover band - without much emotion.

"And I hate to say it, but obviously MK's heart isn't in it. We already know this because he's so busy creating so much non-Tool stuff (other bands, other endeavors), but what used to be a fiery and emotional performance was anything but.

"The last big scream in 'The Grudge'? He didn’t sing any of it. The final lyrics in 'Vicarious'? ('Vicariously I, live while the whole world dies')... he didn't sing any of it. the final 'miiiiiiiiiiiiind' in 'The Pot'? he got a few beats into it and then pitched down, which anticlimactically let the air out of an otherwise solid performance.

"The band did shine as a collective unit on a few songs ('Opiate,' 'Ænema,' 'Forty-Six & 2,' 'Sweat,' 'Stinkfist'), with all four of them delivering inspired performances. was interesting to note that this level of commitment and emotion only peaked with songs written before 1997. One wonders how much more powerful the set would have been with even one song from 'Undertow.' Or, for that matter, if the setlist had included any of a dozen songs not played in years. 'Lateralus,' last played 3 years ago. 'Right in Two,' last played 6 years ago. 'Prison Sex,' last played 16 years ago. 'Crawl Away,' last played 19 (!!) years ago.

"All in all, pretty disappointing. This band used to deliver incredible live versions of their music, but after eleven years of not creating anything new together, Tool felt less like a band and more like four brilliant individuals playing the same songs for an aging yet dedicated fanbase who were left wanting more."

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At what point will sycophantic TOOL fans wake up and realize that Maynard and crew are milking them for everything they can? I have and always will love TOOL the music, but I recognize that the people in the band are not out for their fans' best interest. They are strictly a business outfit trying to maximize profits.

There was a time when TOOL would have 2-3 setlists rotating between shows. They have become lazy and roll with the same setlist not only for each show but for each tour. You'll maybe get one or two song swaps between tours.

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Must have been a long time ago. I've seen them 3 times I think...after 10K days was released. On 3 different tours, the setlist was pretty much identical with the exception of 1 or 2 songs. Honestly, the shows are just boring with the exception of the visuals, which are always good. But Adam and Justin just kinda stand there motionless the whole time and Maynard is hidden in the back, just doing his job. If you are lucky, he might acknowledge the audience once between songs. Maynard used to be this super charismatic frontman that owned the stage. Even when he moved to the back, he still seemed to really get into it and was passionate. Now that's nowhere to be seen.

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The second Aenima tour had 3 setlists (I believe this was the case, but I know 2 for certain). I saw them both in Houston and then here the very next night, and there were maybe 3 songs that were repeated. The rest were all different. MJK dressed in drag at Houston and as a preacher in NOLA. He worked the audience, and these were two of the best shows I have ever seen. I have seen every NOLA show of their plus a few Houston ones, and starting after his APC involvement he became a dude hiding in the shadows for every concert.

The rest of the band have always been statues on stage.

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They just don't seem to care any more and seem to do shows simply for $$.

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this is exactly it. they tease "new record" every so often to keep fans invested and interested, and then they do a tour every couple of years to sell out boring shows and rake in the dough. Then fans clamor about how amazing that show was, because they believe it to be for no reason other than it was TOOL. The truth is this: the music is spot on, the stage show is amazing, but the performers are statues playing the same songs every damn tour.

I'd venture to guess that playing exclusive material for the last show of your tour would be a far greater FU/troll to the fan base. That is to say, anyone with any real sense wouldn't expect them to deliver new music to just one audience.

undertow was brilliant

Tool has become the George R R Martin of (genre).

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TOOL Trolls it's most dedicated fans, again.

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Not really their most dedicated fans. They're my favorite band but I don't really keep up with them. However, even I know from hearing a few interviews with MJK that they don't give a shite if they are pleasing their fans.

MJK has a negative view on the overboard fans who fawn over them and act like needy baby birds wanting to be fed.

That said, I also think Maynard is having trouble with his vocal chords in regards to screaming these days. I think he's reigning his vocals in to keep from having more serious issues down the road. Probably another reason he'd rather work on Puscifer or APC material.

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Saturday night, which featured Primus, Melvins, Fantomas, Clutch, and The Crystal Method.

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You get to see all of them and THEN Tool and you go home and bitch and complain? frick you.

I'd kill to see Tool again.

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You get to see all of them and THEN Tool and you go home and bitch and complain? frick you.

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Right? I would have gone just to see Clutch.