November 5 - Schism

Today's song is by a band I have massive respect for. The most artistically complete band in anything that approaches the metal genre is undoubtedly Tool. While some might argue that they aren't metal enough, typically that would be people who thinks the only metal is done with cookie monster vocals (growls), they would have to take that argument up with Manowar, whose creed always was "death to false metal" (I know, it is laughable), and whose singer, Eric Adams, can belt and scream like an airraid siren while still maintaining melody. And that is what Maynard James Keenan in Tool can do as well. However, the true hero of Schism to me is bassist Justin Chancellor. I love the bass riff that lays the foundation to this song so much that it sends shivers down my spine every time I listen to it. I hope you feel the same way. He is helped by towering drummer Danny Carey, who delivers the polyrhythms that create the complex rhythmic foundations of Tool. The video is created by guitarist Adam Jones (as usual with Tool videos), and his guitar playing is often done in ways somewhat similar to Alex Lifeson of Rush and Larry LaLonde of Primus in that he often plays whatever he wants over the chordal and rhythmic structures laid down by the rhythm section. There is lots of air here, clearly emphasizing the sense of a true Schism.