TOOL AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK
It would be just over a decade that fans had to wait. It would be years before seeing this band perform live again. When the time came, Tool gave their loyal and dedicated fans exactly what they had been waiting for. Fear Inoculum was released on August 30, 2019. Shortly after that, the band would hit the road for one of the most amazing tours I have seen to date.
Besides the heavy metal and progressive metal genre styles, Tool is known for their “set ways”. From long musical instrumentals, to some amazing and obscure visual art, to the visual effects and videos displayed at the concert itself, this band is unique and one by themselves. I have heard how amazing the live performances were. Watching videos online simply do not do them the justice and respect they deserve. Being able to finally see them perform live, not once but twice, in many ways leaves me speechless. These guys know how to perform, deliver, and put on a performance that will never leave your mind, body, and soul!
This show was that amazing that I need to literally break it down step by step. Let’s start with the sound. With the amount of speakers both on stage, in front of the stage facing the crowd, and those hanging from above, the sound heard from this show was euphonious. You clearly heard every drum beat, every authentic electrical piece of equipment they use, every chord from lead/rhythm guitar to the bass guitar itself, and the lyrics sang by Maynard to each drum head and cymbal hit during Danny’s solos. It was just absolutely perfect. We hear by sound waves entering the outer ear. These waves then reach our ear canal which leads to our eardrum. You not only heard ever single sound wave as our body is programed to hear, but you literally felt in throughout your body. That is how great the sound was at this show.
If you thought the music and what you heard was going to be enough, what you get to actually watch and see live before your eyes is truly something special. This is no typical show with some lighting effects and maybe even a screen behind the band playing some of their music videos as they perform that particular song live. The talent behind this band and the creators of this video material, and what they visually put on display for you as they perform is something you need to see for yourself to truly understand just how special it is. This is one wild and somewhat unusual stage setup. We have Danny Carey in the back center sitting behind his massive set and other equipment he uses throughout the show. Maynard stands on elevated platforms on each side of Carey. He is often in the dark and has one crazy hair-do to sport as he performs. Both Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor stand out front on each side of the stage. If you watch each band member, you can see the true emotions and passion they put into their performance. From the start of the show you have this stringy see through curtain that covers from stage left to the front of the stage and ending stage right. With some special lighting effects, they are able to display different designs and patterns across this curtain without disturbing what you are seeing the band do on stage. From the stage lights, the massive amount of backlighting, laser light effects from the front of the arena to the back, and the large pentagram that moves up and down as well as back and forth towards the crowd, the band truly gives a visual performance like no other. None of the clips you see being played are synced with their songs. As I said earlier - the show was simply amazing. You are depriving yourself if you have not seen this band perform live yet!
Tool is Maynard James Keenan (vocalist), Adam Jones (guitarist), Justin Chancellor (bassist), and Danny Carey (drums). “Fear Inoculum”, “The Pot”, “Pneuma”, “Culling Voices”, and “Invincible” are just a few songs to mention that are being performed on this tour. For any true music fan, and even a person with a love of art and visual effects, Tool will truly make you appreciate what goes into a live performances and have you wanting to come back for more and more!