Band:	Tool
Album:	Lateralus
Style:	Alternative metal, Progressive metal
Release date:	May 15, 2001
A review by:	Herzebeth

01. The Grudge
02. Eon Blue Apocalypse
03. The Patient
04. Mantra
05. Schism
06. Parabol
07. Parabola
08. Ticks & Leeches
09. Lateralus
10. Disposition
11. Reflection
12. Triad
13. Faaip De Oaid

One of the best alternative metal bands in the scene with incredible imagery, very cool, and grotesque videos. One of the best voices in the genre, high-quality production, undecipherable, and mysterious tunes. These talented musicians could easily be playing in a Progressive metal band. Everything above describes Tool, and this time Lateralus pushed all the limits of innovation, an album filled with crazy tracks, puzzling intros and amazing music in general.

The album opener "The Grudge" gives us an idea of what to expect for the rest of the album with almost 9 minutes of blasting composition, mixed with melodic parts and odd musical passages. The drumming is just insane (sometimes it even sounds like a huge heavy ball bouncing) and irregular beats are all around the track giving incredible feelings to it. The second song on the album is called "The Patient" which makes for a good interlude song because it is the slowest track on Lateralus, none the less it has great parts with a lot of irregular beats (3:27) (4:40) and incredible guitar riffs (4:40).

"Schism" is the most popular track in this album so I won't bore you with this song details and the same goes for "Parabola", we all know the quality and greatness of both songs so let's move on. Now with "Ticks And Leeches" you think you've heard cool complex drumming in alternative metal? Well my friend just check the intro for this song (and the entire song now that I remember), one minute of beating the toms and the bass in the most spectacular way, then the song starts with Maynard screaming "?Suck and suck?" great vocal power all along this song, the bridges (3:22) give the song a shivering atmosphere with wind effects and all that cool stuff, and then a blasting riff recovers the great power of the song (5:56) with a trembling scream "?Suck me dry?", this is the best song in "Lateralus" so if you want to be impressed just check "Ticks And Leeches" and you'll see what am I talking about.

"Reflection" is another impressive song, the intro is a fight between the spectacular drumming and the ultra low bass playing. It also has some odd Indian melodies filling the environment, and then the song starts after almost 6 minutes of weird but talented execution. "Reflection" pushed the music critics into giving Tool the genre of "Progressive Rock," this particular tune is not for everyone I might add and some people will hate it and others will love and worship this song. Personally I love it and I think this track is a surreal passage of mellow yet complex riffs, original bridges and great musicianship in general, but you be the judge.

I would like to talk about every track in this album and I would like to talk about the greatness of every single song in it, but that would ruin the surprise. So just take my word for it that this is the best alternative metal album ever created. Music critics catalogue this band as Progressive rock, not heavy enough to be Progressive Metal, and way better than Alternative Metal, so buy this album right now I am not kidding.