TVD Live Shots: Tool with Elder at Crypto.com Arena, 2/15

WORDS & IMAGES: CHRIS LOOMIS | Progressive metal juggernauts, Tool made a triumphant return to their home base in Los Angeles for back-to-back nights at Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center). The band delivered a 2-hour masterpiece each night with the Tool Army packing the world-famous venue from the floor to the rafters.

For those who don’t know, a live Tool show is a sonic experience not soon to be forgotten including cutting edge music coupled with an incredible visual journey taking fans through each song in its entirety (via large video screens and killer laser arrays). Band members have little to no stage lights directly on them, allowing the fans to fully absorb the visuals and sound without focusing on the band members themselves, resulting in the ultimate band encounter that is truly second to none.

Tool is out on the road once again supporting their critically acclaimed fifth full length studio album Fear Inoculum, released back in August 2019, with this run most likely being the last in this touring cycle. Opening the show were Massachusetts based progressive/psychedelic rockers Elder. They dropped a killer 30-minute set that gave Los Angeles a sonic-boom of musical soundscapes. These guys are super tight and should definitely be checked out—a perfect fit to open a Tool show.

After a brief intermission, it was on to the main attraction, Tool. Continuing to open the show with the title track “Fear Inoculum,” the band took the stage and the song’s slow haunting beginning eased the crowd into the show as the song builds into an intense, pounding rocker as Maynard James Keenan was his ever-elusive self, prowling the riser behind the stage, belting out his vocals—sporting a blonde mohawk and blacked out eyes—sounding magnificent. At the end of the first song Keenan reminded the fans about putting their phones away for 2-hours and stay in the moment and to be connected with the live experience. Most fans complied with the request, and it was certainly a nice change to see a live show without a sea of cell phones in the air all night.

The band played five songs from Fear Inoculum and sprinkled in some gems from their back catalog including “Sweat” from the “Opiate” EP. Center stage and tucked behind a wall of drums, percussive magician Danny Carey put on a master display of progressive drumming like none other (except maybe the late Neil Peart, RIP). Carey along with bass player Justin Chancellor are one of if not the premier rhythm sections in heavy music as his thunderous bass is a standout in every Tool song.

Guitarist Adam Jones adds his many unique guitar techniques completing Tool’s trademark sound with a highlight being his “talk-box” solo during “Jambi.” The result of all this is a distinctive sound resulting from unique time patterns and experimental/non-traditional approaches to their instruments, topped with anger driven lyrics that makes Tool what they are—to this day there is nobody that comes close to matching the uniqueness of this band.

Every song was a highlight during this performance, with most songs being over 6 minutes long and many over 10 minutes in length, resulting in a smaller, more intimate setlist. There was a brief intermission about halfway through the show that allowed fans to refill their beverage, use the restroom, and stretch their legs. The second half of the show began with “Chocolate Chip Trip,” then into “Flood” from the Undertow album.

Once the band began the last song of the night, “Schism,” fans were reminded they were allowed to pull out their phones and film the end of the show. Again it was amazing to have no cell phone distractions during this performance—kudos to Tool for this approach to their shows. Tool, one of the elite live bands performing today, left their mark on their hometown Los Angeles crowd at Crypto.com Arena—a night most fans will not soon forget.