Text by: Rafael Andrade
On March 30th, TOOL will make their highly anticipated debut in Brazil at the Lollapalooza ( tickets at Ticketmaster ) , bringing their hypnotic sound and intense performances for an unmissable show. But if there's something that defines the band beyond the music, it's the mystery that surrounds them—with complex compositions, enigmatic lyrics, and a legion of fans obsessed with theories and hidden meanings.
If you've always wanted to understand the genius of TOOL, but didn't know where to start, we've prepared a two-week guide to getting to know the band. Of course, you can do this journey in a single day, but we suggest spacing it out to better absorb each phase and avoid mental overload—after all, we're talking about one of the most challenging bands in modern progressive rock.
Level 1 – The Surface: First Contact
Here are the most accessible songs for those who have never heard TOOL. These are tracks that were played on the radio, had iconic music videos, and provide a good introduction to the band's sound without immediately delving into extreme complexity:
The Pot (10,000 Days, 2006) → The most accessible song on the album, with a striking groove and intense vocals from Maynard. This album was divisive for fans as it featured less complex structures than Lateralus (2001), but it is still a respectable album with tracks that remain part of the band's setlist to this day.
Pneuma (Fear Inoculum, 2019) → Starting with the band's most recent album, Pneuma is one of the most striking songs in TOOL's career, perfectly exemplifying their current moment. This song went viral on two separate occasions recently. The first was when drummer Danny Carey posted a video playing the song live in its entirety . The other occasion was when Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), invited by the Drumeo channel, tried to learn how to play it .
Sober (Undertow, 1993) → One of the band's first hits, with a dark atmosphere and an unmistakable riff. At this time, TOOL still had a much more grunge feel, with only a few "flirtations" with the progressive metal that would later come to define their sound.
Stinkfist (Ænima, 1996) → One of the band's biggest hits, with a disturbing music video and a strong groove. This album marks the arrival of bassist Justin Chancellor to the band and was the first step towards embracing a more progressive sound, while still not abandoning the grunge that defined their first album.
Schism (Lateralus, 2001) → Probably TOOL's best-known song, with a hypnotic bassline and a structure that defies traditional patterns. The time signature changes an impressive 47 times throughout the track, making it a progressive rock classic. This album is considered by the vast majority of fans to be the band's creative peak, appearing on virtually every Top 10 rock/metal album list.
Level 2 – Exploring Complexity
Now we begin to delve into the deeper layers of TOOL, exploring songs that feature more elaborate musical structures and concepts.
Forty-Six & 2 (Ænima, 1996) → The song references a pseudo-scientific concept of genetic evolution, as well as Carl Jung's "Shadow" theory. The title refers to "46 + 2 ," an idea that humans (with 46 chromosomes) could evolve by adding two chromosomes, reaching a new state of being. Although this notion comes from the writings of the mystic Drunvalo Melchizedek, in the lyrics Maynard relates it to the process of confronting one's own "shadow"—a Jungian term for the repressed aspects of the psyche. "Forty-Six & 2" blends this evolutionary hypothesis with the Jungian idea of inner transformation through confronting personal fears and traumas, symbolizing a step forward on the journey of self-knowledge.
Lateralus (Lateralus, 2001) → This track is famous for using the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13) in both the lyrics and the rhythm. The main meter of the song follows a 9/8 – 8/8 – 7/8 pattern, alluding to the famous mathematical sequence. This structure is intentional and reinforced in the lyrics with phrases like "Swing on the spiral" and "Spiral out, keep going," alluding to the idea of continuous growth and expansion.
Parabol/Parabola (Lateralus, 2001) → On the album Lateralus , “Parabol” and “Parabola” essentially form two parts of the same piece, and should be listened to sequentially. “Parabol” functions as an atmospheric and contemplative introduction, preparing the ground for the sonic explosion of “Parabola”. The two tracks connect perfectly: the final note of “Parabol” blends directly into the beginning of “Parabola”, so much so that the official music video for “Parabola” includes Parabol in the opening minutes. This smooth transition is essential to understanding the message – a contrast between spiritual stillness and the energetic celebration of physical existence. Together, the songs explore the idea that life is temporary and sacred: “We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion,” sings Maynard in “Parabola”, reinforcing that the human experience (with its suffering) should be embraced as a “holy gift” when both parts are appreciated together.
Wings for Marie / 10,000 Days (10,000 Days, 2006) → Again, two tracks to be listened to in sequence, they form a deeply personal tribute from Maynard to his mother, Judith Marie . Judith was paralyzed by a stroke and spent about 27 years (approximately “10,000 days”) in a wheelchair until she passed away in 2003. In these songs, Maynard expresses admiration for his mother's unwavering faith and the pain of her loss. The lyrics suggest that, after a long ordeal on Earth (“10,000 days in the fire”), she finally “earned her wings” to transcend to heaven. “Wings for Marie” has a reverent and emotional feel, with verses describing Judith as a “passionate, unrestrained, and open spirit,” while “10,000 Days” culminates in a cathartic climax, almost like a musical prayer asking that she be welcomed into paradise. In interviews, Maynard revealed how personal and painful these compositions were – so intense that the band rarely plays them live, as he “never wants to expose himself that much” again. In essence, “Wings for Marie” (Parts 1 and 2) represents a son’s tribute to his mother’s faith and perseverance, closing the album 10,000 Days on a note of genuine emotion and spiritual respect.
Level 3 – Deep Layers and Controversies
Here we enter into longer tracks, enigmatic lyrics, and extreme instrumental complexity.
Lost Keys (Blame Hofman)/ Rosetta Stoned (10,000 Days, 2006) → A chaotic narrative about an alleged alien abduction and a DMT trip, with a direct reference to Albert Hofmann (the scientist who synthesized LSD) mentioned in the title. The lyrics describe how these beings supposedly gave him a crucial message for humanity… which he unfortunately forgot because he was completely “stoned” (hence the pun with Rosetta Stone and stoned). Musically, the track is complex and frenetic, full of rhythmic changes and riffs , reflecting the narrator's mental confusion. Drummer Danny Carey uses an advanced technique of rhythmic subdivisions on the snare drum, creating a sense of deceleration without actually altering the tempo of the music. On the "Study The Greats" channel, an analysis was made of this section, highlighting how Carey alternates between 32nds, sixteenth-note triplets, sixteenth notes, eighth-note triplets, and other subdivisions, making the execution of this passage a true technical challenge for any drummer.
Prison Sex (Undertow, 1993) → This track addresses a heavy and controversial theme: the cycle of sexual abuse. Maynard wrote the lyrics as a visceral representation of abuse suffered in childhood and how the victim can become an abuser in adulthood, repeating the traumatic cycle. The music video, directed by Adam Jones in unsettling stop-motion , reinforced the disturbing atmosphere with dark visual metaphors – macabre creatures symbolizing abuse and the loss of innocence. The controversy was immediate : despite not showing graphic violence or nudity, the "Prison Sex" video was considered so uncomfortable that MTV banned its broadcast after a few days. The song itself, with its dense riffs and distressing atmosphere, shocked many for its courage in addressing such a sensitive subject in the mainstream. To this day, "Prison Sex" is remembered as one of TOOL's most unsettling tracks, shedding light on a social taboo and bluntly exposing the pain and anger involved in this vicious cycle of abuse.
Ænema (Ænima, 1996) → Winner of the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1998, it became an anthem among fans who shared this cathartic yearning to sweep away the cultural hypocrisies exposed in the lyrics. In short, the track uses sarcasm and an apocalyptic image to criticize the moral corruption and superficiality of society, especially personified in 1990s Los Angeles.
7empest (Fear Inoculum, 2019) → Another Grammy-winning track for Best Metal Performance in 2020. One of the band's most aggressive and progressive songs, and a Grammy winner, "7empest" stands out as one of TOOL's most aggressive and complex compositions in their recent phase. At over 15 minutes long, this epic piece traverses numerous segments and variations, showcasing the band's progressive vein in its entirety. Compared to the atmospheric and restrained rest of Fear Inoculum , "7empest" closes the album bringing back TOOL's ferocity: it's progressive in structure and aggressive in execution , a sonic storm that confirms the band's technical ability and raw passion even after thirteen years without releasing new albums.
Level 4 – Hidden Symbolism, Philosophy, and Hidden Patterns
Right in Two (10,000 Days, 2006) → One of the band's most reflective songs, offering a critique of humanity's destructive nature. The lyrics narrate an almost divine point of view, observing humans fighting for territory and power. The reference to angels dividing human beings "right in two" suggests the loss of original harmony due to greed. The instrumental alternates between soft moments and aggressive explosions, symbolizing this conflict.
Vicarious (10,000 Days, 2006) → A critique of humanity's morbid fascination with tragedy and violence. The song addresses how we consume suffering through the media, passively watching wars, murders, and natural disasters as if it were entertainment. Verses like "I need to watch things die from a distance" and "We all feed on tragedy, it's like blood to a vampire" reinforce this idea that we feed on chaos without real involvement. Musically, Vicarious is one of the album's most accessible tracks, with striking riffs and an engaging structure, functioning almost as a "hook" for the listener before the denser and more experimental tracks of 10,000 Days .
The Holy Gift: An alternate order of Lateralus . Fans have discovered that by rearranging the tracks of Lateralus following an order based on the Fibonacci sequence (1-6-7-5-2-11-3-10-4-9-8-13-12), the songs flow incredibly cohesively, creating a "hidden album" within the album. Called The Holy Gift (a reference to a verse from Parabola ), this sequence supposedly reveals a complete spiritual journey, going from illusion to enlightenment. Although the band has never confirmed this theory, the cohesion between the transitions reinforces the idea that Lateralus was meticulously planned.
10,000 Days and the Hidden Track Theory → Some fans have discovered that by layering Wings for Marie (Pt. 1) , 10,000 Days (Wings Pt. 2) , and Viginti Tres , the tracks align, creating a new sonic experience. Many believe this hidden structure reinforces the album's spiritual character and its homage to Maynard's mother.
Level 5 – Connections with Other Bands and Parallel Projects
A Perfect Circle → A side project of vocalist Maynard James Keenan, the band was founded in 1999 with guitarist Billy Howerdel. The band presents a more melodic and emotional approach, mixing alternative rock and art rock. Albums such as Mer de Noms (2000) and Thirteenth Step (2003) were very successful, highlighting tracks like Judith and Weak and Powerless . They were a headliner at Lollapalooza Brazil in 2013.
Puscifer → Created as an experimental solo project by Maynard, Puscifer blends rock, electronica, and humor, exploring different styles without the rigidity of TOOL or APC. The project resulted in albums such as “V” Is for Vagina (2007) and Conditions of My Parole (2011), as well as theatrical shows and multimedia elements. They were also a headliner at Lollapalooza in 2013.
Rage Against the Machine → Maynard participated in the song Know Your Enemy (1992), providing backing vocals. Furthermore, Adam Jones and Tom Morello (RATM guitarist) were schoolmates and played together in the garage band Electric Sheep during their teens. Additionally, there are several accounts of Maynard introducing the "Drop D" tuning to Tom Morello, influencing iconic riffs such as those in "Killing in the Name".
BEAT → Supergroup formed by Adrian Belew (King Crimson) , Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) , Steve Vai , and Danny Carey (TOOL) . The project aims to reinterpret King Crimson's classic 80s albums ( Discipline , Beat , Three of a Perfect Pair ). The band received support from Robert Fripp, leader of King Crimson. The band has a show scheduled in Brazil: On May 9, 2025 , at Espaço Unimed , in São Paulo, produced by Mercury Concerts.
Level 6 – The Ultimate Experience: The Live Tool
After diving into the iceberg of TOOL, exploring their music, symbolism, mysteries, and connections, the time has come for the ultimate experience: seeing the band live .
On March 30, 2025, TOOL will finally make their Brazilian debut at Lollapalooza , and this guide was created so you can make the most of that moment. Now that you know everything from their most accessible hits to their most enigmatic compositions, you're ready to witness the band's heaviness, complexity, and immersive sound live.
What to expect from the show?
• Solid setlist → TOOL has followed a fixed pattern of songs on this tour, and the expectation is that the setlist for Lollapalooza will be the same or have only minor variations. Here is the likely setlist for the show in Brazil :
- Fear Inoculum
- Jambi
- Rosetta Stoned
- Pneuma
- Stinkfist
- Descending
- Schism
- The Grudge
- Chocolate Chip Trip (Danny Carey drum solo)
- Invincible
- Vicarious
- Hypnotic visuals → TOOL is famous for its psychedelic projections, intense lighting, and an immersive audiovisual spectacle that transforms the stage into a transcendental experience.
- Musicians at the peak of their technique → Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones, and Maynard James Keenan are perfectionists in their live performances, bringing all the grandeur of their albums to the stage.
- Maynard in the shadows → The vocalist, true to his mysterious style, usually positions himself at the back of the stage or on platforms, avoiding being the center of attention and letting the music and visual spectacle dominate the scene.
Now that you've made it this far, you already understand more about TOOL than most people around you. But the truth is, regardless of how many technical, philosophical, or hidden details you know about the band, nothing compares to the experience of feeling this music live.
TOOL is finally coming to Brazil. Are you ready?
