Concert Review
Tool
Blue Cross Arena
Rochester, NY
Tuesday May 30, 2017
Review: Joseph Suto
If you listened to some of the fans before Tool’s sold-out show at The Blue Cross Arena Tuesday night, you’d think you were in for a religious experience. Many who had seen the band before said it was the best concert they’ve ever seen. The concert only took ten minutes to sell out the day the tickets were put on public sale. Tool’s last area appearance was at the arena in Buffalo back in 2002. All this as the diehards are still awaiting the arrival of the band’s fifth studio album. They have not released an album since 2006’s 10,000 Days.
The band had their traditional set up with singer Maynard James Keenan and drummer Danny Carey on risers near the back of the stage with guitarist Adam Jones flanked to one side and bassist Justin Chancellor to the other towards the front. Strange to see the lead singer of the band in seclusion but the focus of the show were the huge screens behind the band displaying images and objects throughout the near two-hour set.
From the first note of “The Grudge” you just knew you were in for a memorable experience. The band tore through classics such as “Schism” and “Ænema” with full force as Keenan’s signature vocals resonated throughout the arena. From the pulsating sounds of bassist Chancellor to the dynamic riffs of Jones all coming together with the powerhouse drumming of Carey, these guys delivered a dynamic show.
Though the band does not currently have a new album out they did play the hypnotic “Descending”, a new song that should be on their new release whenever it sees the light of day.
Tool is a very unique band. They do not rely on social media as they tend to shy away from the norm of other bands. To be able to tour and sell out venues wherever they go without the strength of a new release in over a decade goes to show how dedicated of a fanbase these guys have. Now having one of their live shows under my belt I can see what all the fuss is about. One thing you will not be at a Tool show is bored.
Set List
Set 1
The Grudge
Parabol
Parabola
Schism
Opiate
Ænema
Descending
Jambi
Third Eye
Forty-Six & 2
Set 2
Drum Solo
Vicarious
Sweat
Ions (Tape)
Stinkfist
