Ok I am personally an avid fan of tool, and i'm assuming that there are a few of you out there just like myself. I saw somebody do this with NIN, and i wanted to get some opinions about the meanings of Tool songs. I'd like to know what everybody thinks the songs mean personally and what they mean to Maynard. I dont' really know where to start so I'll just join in when there are replies :D

Well, basically, a schism is a separation, used more or less for the division of someone from a church or a religious group. From the lyrics, one can tell that the guy's talking about breaking away from someone ("Pure intention juxtaposed will set two lovers souls in motion", "The light that fueled our fire then has burned a hole between us so/We cannot see to reach an end crippling our communication") or something ("watch the temple topple over"), and how he doesn't feel anger about the breakup, because it's something beautiful in itself ("Finding beauty in the dissonance.")

Schism


I know the pieces fit cuz I watched them fall away
Mildewed and smoldering. Fundamental differing.
Pure intention juxtaposed will set two lovers souls in motion
Disintegrating as it goes testing our communication
The light that fueled our fire then has burned a hole between us so
We cannot see to reach an end crippling our communication.

I know the pieces fit cuz I watched them tumble down
No fault, none to blame it doesn't mean I don't desire to
Point the finger, blame the other, watch the temple topple over.
To bring the pieces back together, rediscover communication

The poetry that comes from the squaring off between,
And the circling is worth it.
Finding beauty in the dissonance.

There was a time that the pieces fit, but I watched them fall away.
Mildewed and smoldering, strangled by our coveting
I've done the math enough to know the dangers of our second guessing
Doomed to crumble unless we grow, and strengthen our communication.

Cold silence has a tendency to atrophy any
Sense of compassion
Between supposed lovers/brothers

Well, this song is pretty much self-explanatory. Journey of self, discovery of the world ("Black then white are all I see in my infancy/red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me/lets me see"), the ever-shifting and expansion of mind and thought ("Spiral out. Keep going..."), and the acceptance of everything ("I embrace my desire to feel the rhythm.......and still be a human").

Tool's lyrics are such beautiful poems, eh? Other lyrics pale in comparison. :)

Lateralus


Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me.
lets me see.
As below, so above and beyond, I imagine
drawn beyond the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.

Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must
Feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines.

Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me.
lets me see there is so much more
and beckons me to look through to these infinite possibilities.
As below, so above and beyond, I imagine
drawn outside the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.

Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition leaving all these opportunities behind.

Feed my will to feel this moment urging me to cross the line.
Reaching out to embrace the random.
Reaching out to embrace whatever may come.

I embrace my desire to
feel the rhythm, to feel connected
enough to step aside and weep like a widow
to feel inspired, to fathom the power,
to witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain,
to swing on the spiral
of our divinity and still be a human.

With my feet upon the ground I lose myself
between the sounds and open wide to suck it in.
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out.
I'm reaching for the random or what ever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.

Spiral out. Keep going...

<a href="http://www.toolband.com/album/index.html">Here</a> is where you can find the lyrics to the songs, but I'm sure you guys knew that.

I actually didn't know what this song was about until my then-girlfriend told me. Suffice to say that the borderline has to do with a certain female body part? I like the <i>("Not enough, I need more")</i> because that speaks to me about how sometimes I do things just because of a need to feel alive. That and the riff change (?) towards the end really builds the climax they were evidently trying to put into this particular song.

<b>Stinkfist</b>

Something has to change. Undeniable dilemma. Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear. Constant over stimulation numbs me and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's not enough. I need more. Nothing seems to satisfy. I don't want it. I just need it. To feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive. Finger deep within the borderline. Show me that you love me and that we belong together. Relax, turn around and take my hand. I can help you change tired moments into pleasure. Say the word and we'll be well upon our way. Blend and balance pain and comfort deep within you till you will not have me any other way. It's not enough. I need more. Nothing seems to satisfy. I don't want it. I just need it. To feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive. Knuckle deep inside the borderline. This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to. Relax. Slip away. Something kinda sad about the way that things have come to be. Desensitized to everything. What became of subtlety? How can it mean anything to me if I really don't feel anything at all? I'll keep digging till I feel something. Elbow deep inside the borderline. Show me that you love me and that we belong together. Shoulder deep within the borderline. Relax, turn around and take my hand.

Impossible Love

Pushit

I will choke until I swallow...
Choke this infant here before me.
What is this but my reflection?
Who am I to judge and strike you down?

But you're
Pushing and shoving me.
You still love me and you pushit on me.

Rest your trigger on my finger,
bang my head upon the fault line.
Take care not to make me enter.
'cause if I do we both may disappear.

But you're pushing me,
Shoving me. Pushit on me.

Slipping back into the gap again.
I'm alive when you're touching me,
Alive when you're shoving me down.

But i'd trade it all
For just a little bit of
Piece of mind.

Put me somewhere I don't wanna be.
Seeing someplace I don't wanna see.
Never wanna see that place again.

Saw that gap again today
As you were begging me to stay.
Managed to push myself away,
And you, as well.

If, when I say I may fade like a sigh if I stay,
You minimize my movement anyway,
I must persuade you another way.

There's no love in fear.

Staring down the hole again.
Hands upon my back again.
Survival is my only friend.
Terrified of what may come.

Just remember I will always love you,
Even as I tear your fucking throat away.
But it will end no other way.



...and our relationship with God:

Third Eye

Dreaming of that face again.
It's bright and blue and shimmering.
Grinning wide
And comforting me with it's three warm and wild eyes.

On my back and tumbling
Down that hole and back again
Rising up
And wiping the webs and the dew from my withered eye.

In... Out... In... Out... In... Out...

A child's rhyme stuck in my head.
It said that life is but a dream.
I've spent so many years in question
to find I've known this all along.

"So good to see you.
I've missed you so much.
So glad it's over.
I've missed you so much
Came out to watch you play.
Why are you running?"

Shroud-ing all the ground around me
Is this holy crow above me.
Black as holes within a memory
And blue as our new second sun.
I stick my hand into his shadow
To pull the pieces from the sand.
Which I attempt to reassemble
To see just who I might have been.
I do not recognize the vessel,
But the eyes seem so familiar.
Like phosphorescent desert buttons
Singing one familiar song...

"So good to see you.
I've missed you so much.
So glad it's over.
I've missed you so much.
Came out to watch you play.
Why are you running away?"

Prying open my third eye.
So good to see you once again.
I thought that you were hiding.
And you thought that I had run away.
Chasing the tail of dogma.
I opened my eye and there we were.

So good to see you once again
I thought that you were hiding from me.
And you thought that I had run away.
Chasing a trail of smoke and reason.

Prying open my third eye.

Shoulder deep within the borderline.
Eep. :eek: lol :D It's not really that deep is it? :eek: I wonder why it's called Stinkfist though? Is it because of the action it's doing, or ...?

Hey, another insight to Lateralus. I just discovered it's not even English, it's Latin. (sp=Lateralis) It means of or relating to the side; situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side; extending from side to side <lateral axis of an airplane>.

How that relates to the lyrics? Because of the lateral movement, it spreads itself out. I guess the singer (what's his name?) means that his thinking has extended beyond the simple "Black then white" of his mental "infancy", and is beginning to see multitudes of colour, so that "Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind/Withering my intuition leaving all these opportunities behind" doesn't happen.

This part -"Push the envelope. Watch it bend."- is about coming out of the envelope/classification, and separating himself from conformity. "Watch it bend." reminds me of the Matrix, with the little boy bending the spoon. So maybe the singer's talking about his growing insight and mental ability, and how he's able to bend a spoon with just the power of his mind.

I thought that Stinkfist was about getting a fist up the arse to at least feel something.

Nothing to do with girls...

And I explain the stink part better :D

EDIT meant stinkfist all along. Pushit is impossible (or very difficult) Love.

Nah, I think Pushit's about resent with love. Like when my mum berates me, I resent her, but I know it's for my own good. Though...the stink part is better explained. :D

Oooh, I like Third Eye. :) Especially:

"Prying open my third eye.
So good to see you once again.
I thought that you were hiding.
And you thought that I had run away.
Chasing the tail of dogma.
I opened my eye and there we were.

So good to see you once again
I thought that you were hiding from me.
And you thought that I had run away.
Chasing a trail of smoke and reason.

Prying open my third eye."

*buzzing bluesouls mailbox*

edited my post.

Oops, did you just edit it? Because I'm having problems with SciForums lately...seems like the new posts never seem to make it when I hit Refresh, so I'm a bit behind.

Well, I'll just repeat: I think stinkfist is about getting a fist up the arse as a symbol of extreme measures to at least feel something.

Nothing to do with girls or their specific parts...

Explains the stink better too.

There you go!

:D

Thanks :D

I stand corrected, <b>A4Ever</b>. Your interpretation, I admit, does fit better with the song. Especially the part where: "<i>Relax, turn around and take my hand.</i>" That part doesn't necessarily need to deal with women, but it does go with some of Tool's other themes in their songs, namely <i>Prison Sex</i>.

Thanks!

prag

You're welcome.

:cool:

:)

That part doesn't necessarily need to deal with women, but it does go with some of Tool's other themes in their songs, namely Prison Sex.

This?

It took so long to remember just what happened.
I was so young and vestal then,
you know it hurt me,
but I'm breathing so I guess I'm still alive
even if signs seem to tell me otherwise.
I've got my hands bound,
my head down, my eyes closed,
and my throat wide open.

Do unto others what has been done to you x2

I'm treading water,
I need to sleep a while.
My lamb and martyr, you look so precious.
Won't you come a bit closer,
close enough so I can smell you.
I need you to feel this,
I can't stand to burn too long.
Released in this sodomy.
For one sweet moment I am whole.

Do unto you now what has been done to me x2

You're breathing so I guess you're still alive
even if signs seem to tell me otherwise.
Won't you come just a bit closer,
close enough so I can smell you.
I need you to feel this.
I need this to make me whole.
There's release in this sodomy.
For I am your witness that
blood and flesh can be trusted.
And only this one holy medium brings me piece of mind.

Got your hands bound, your head down,
your eyes closed.
You look so precious now.

I have found some kind of temporary sanity in this
shit blood and cum on my hands.

I've come round full circle.
My lamb and martyr, this will be over soon.
You look so precious.

Disturbing, no? I think it's one of the few songs about child abuse that have become semi-popular.

Wow, that's an entirely different take on the song than I <i>used</i> to associate it with. Hmm, may have to rethink some things.

Korn has one called <i>Daddy</i> off of their self-titled album that deals with sexual child-abuse. But his vein of singing is about how no one was there and all his trust was shattered and such. I don't think he's trying to glorify it the way that Tool apparently is?

In <i>Prison Sex</i>, this line: "<i>I've come round full circle.</i>" seems to indicate that he recognizes that what has been done to him he now perpetrates on others. The cycle of child abuse, yes, but the cycle of any bad habits committed by parents on their children.

I was using the example of <i>Prison Sex</i> for something very different, although I suppose I should actually ponder the lyrics of the music I listen to.

I personally think that stinkfist has the obvious meaning of fisting. What i think is more meant by the song is that it has a metaphorical meaning. "This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to." I think that it is aimed at society, saying that we need to change. It may suck for some of you at first but you'll get used to it....

The Patient

A groan of tedium escapes me,
Startling the fearful.
Is this a test? It has to be,
Otherwise I can't go on.
Draining patience, drain vitality.
This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little old.

But I'm still right here
Giving blood, keeping faith
And I'm still right here.

Wait it out,
Gonna wait it out,
Be patient (wait it out)

If there were no rewards to reap,
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now.
Gonna wait it out.

If there were no desire to heal
The damaged and broken met along
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away by now.

And I still may ... (sigh) ... I still may.

Be patient.
I must keep reminding myself of this.

And if there were no rewards to reap,
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now.
And I still may.

Gonna wait it out.


i love this song. Talks about the choices he's made and that he knows that they will work out all the time fighting off the urge to quit. dunno that' just what i think

"Aenima"

Some say the end is near.
Some say we'll see armageddon soon.
I certainly hope we will.
I sure could use a vacation from this

Bullshit three ring circus sideshow of
Freaks

Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA
The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.
Any fucking time. Any fucking day.
Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

Fret for your figure and
Fret for your latte and
Fret for your hairpiece and
Fret for your lawsuit and
Fret for your prozac and
Fret for your pilot and
Fret for your contract and
Fret for your car.

It's a
Bullshit three ring circus sideshow of
Freaks

Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA
The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.
Any fucking time. Any fucking day.
Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

Some say a comet will fall from the sky.
Followed by meteor showers and tidal waves.
Followed by faultlines that cannot sit still.
Followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits.

Some say the end is near.
Some say we'll see armageddon soon.
I certainly hope we will cuz
I sure could use a vacation from this

Silly shit, stupid shit...

One great big festering neon distraction,
I've a suggestion to keep you all occupied.

Learn to swim.

Mom's gonna fix it all soon.
Mom's comin' round to put it back the way it ought to be.

Learn to swim.

Fuck L Ron Hubbard and
Fuck all his clones.
Fuck all those gun-toting
Hip gangster wannabes.

Learn to swim.

Fuck retro anything.
Fuck your tattoos.
Fuck all you junkies and
Fuck your short memory.

Learn to swim.

Fuck smiley glad-hands
With hidden agendas.
Fuck these dysfunctional,
Insecure actresses.

Learn to swim.

Cuz I'm praying for rain
And I'm praying for tidal waves
I wanna see the ground give way.
I wanna watch it all go down.
Mom please flush it all away.
I wanna watch it go right in and down.
I wanna watch it go right in.
Watch you flush it all away.

Time to bring it down again.
Don't just call me pessimist.
Try and read between the lines.

I can't imagine why you wouldn't
Welcome any change, my friend.

I wanna see it all come down.
suck it down.
flush it down.

I like this. Most "pop-culture sucks" songs, well, they suck. But this sort of nausea is just perfect.

i really like ur takes on their songs. especially blue souls. what do u guys think of Eulogy?

I think it's pretty self-explanatory but I always liked this song.

Opiate

Choices always were a problem for you.
What you need is someone strong to guide you.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow,
what you need is someone strong to use you...
like me,
like me.

If you want to get your soul to heaven,
trust in me.
Don't judge or question.
You are broken now,
but faith can heal you.
Just do everything I tell you to do.
Deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow.
Let me lay my holy hand upon you.

My God's will
becomes me.
When he speaks out,
he speaks through me.
He has needs
like I do.
We both want
to rape you.

Jesus Christ, why don't you come save my life.
Open my eyes and blind me with your light
and your lies.

i really like ur takes on their songs. especially blue souls. what do u guys think of Eulogy?
:D Thanks, man. I'm special. *cheesy grin* Lemme go find Eulogy...

All right, from this song, so aptly named "Eulogy", the singer is talking about Jesus on the cross. He finds little meaning in His death ("He had a lot to say. He had a lot of nothing to say."), and he thinks that Jesus was a poser, and not the Son of God ("He had a voice that was strong and loud. We'll miss him. Ranting and pointing his finger, At everything but his heart."). The singer has a cynical side to him; just look at all the times he has repeated "We'll miss him.".

He can't believe that Jesus was really that saintly ("Don't you step out of line. Don't you fuckin lie."), and how Jesus was nothing but a two-faced liar, who preyed on man's insecurity to raise his own image ("I, Swallowed his facade cuz I'm so, Eager to identify with, Someone above the ground, Someone who seemed to feel the same...").

The singer obviously takes little from Jesus's crucifixion, because the very title is a contradiction to what he says. A eulogy is a commendatory formal statement or set oration or high praise for the dead, yet here he is, crushing everything that Jesus's death stood for.

Eulogy

He had a lot to say.
He had a lot of nothing to say.
We'll miss him.

So long.
We wish you well.
You told us how you weren't afraid to die.
Well then, so long.
Don't cry.
Or feel too down.
Not all martyrs see divinity.
But at least you tried.

Standing above the crowd,
He had a voice that was strong and loud.
We'll miss him.
Ranting and pointing his finger
At everything but his heart.
We'll miss him.

No way to recall
What it was that you had said to me,
Like I care at all.

So loud.
You sure could yell.
You took a stand on every little thing
And so loud.

Standing above the crowd,
He had a voice so strong and loud and I
Swallowed his facade cuz I'm so
Eager to identify with
Someone above the ground,
Someone who seemed to feel the same,
Someone prepared to lead the way, with
Someone who would die for me.

Will you? Will you now?
Would you die for me?
Don't you fuckin lie.

Don't you step out of line.
Don't you fuckin lie.

You've claimed all this time that you would die for me.
Why then are you so surprised to hear your own eulogy?

You had a lot to say.
You had a lot of nothing to say.

Come down.
Get off your fuckin cross.
We need the fuckin space to nail the next fool martyr.

To ascend you must die.
You must be crucified
For your sins and your lies. [sic]
Goodbye...

I disagree with you on Eulogy, Blue. I think it's about a prophet who wasn't much of a prophet.

He believed this prophet, then realized how shallow the things the person said. It might be about Jesus, but I think it's more general.

He had a lot to say.
He had a lot of nothing to say.
We'll miss him.

His prophet had a lot to say, bitter denunciations of everything under the sun and wild proposals to fix things, I imagine. But in the end, nothing that the prophet said was new, groundbreaking or meaningful.

So long.
We wish you well.
You told us how you weren't afraid to die.
Well then, so long.
Don't cry.
Or feel too down.

He consoles the martyr. Such sweet irony!

Not all martyrs see divinity.
But at least you tried.

The prophet thought he was more than he really was. But at least the prophet tried to be someone. I like the derision here.

Standing above the crowd,
He had a voice that was strong and loud.
We'll miss him.
Ranting and pointing his finger
At everything but his heart.
We'll miss him.

He amused the singer with his hypocrisy, obvious enough here. The prophet tried to be more than he was. He thought he was better than everyone else "standing above the crowd" - and this amused the singer.

No way to recall
What it was that you had said to me,
Like I care at all.

"Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." as Shakesphere puts it.

Standing above the crowd,
He had a voice so strong and loud and I
Swallowed his facade cuz I'm so
Eager to identify with
Someone above the ground,
Someone who seemed to feel the same,
Someone prepared to lead the way, with
Someone who would die for me.

I think this is about the Marliyn Manson, "pop-culture sucks, we love pop-culture" types who simply want to feel superiour to someone.

Will you? Will you now?
Would you die for me?
Don't you fuckin lie.

Don't you step out of line.
Don't you fuckin lie.

You've claimed all this time that you would die for me.
Why then are you so surprised to hear your own eulogy?

But the prophet falls short of what he needs to be. The prophet isn't enough.

You had a lot to say.
You had a lot of nothing to say.

I think this is the thesis of the song.

Come down.
Get off your fuckin cross.
We need the fuckin space to nail the next fool martyr.

Reminds me of a old put down:

"Should I bring your crown of thorns now?"

To ascend you must die.
You must be crucified
For your sins and your lies.
Goodbye...

The prophet might be something if he is willing to be a martyr.

im an avid nin and tool fan, for various reasons. one being, no doubt, the subtle, almost ambiguous poignancy of their lyrics.

nin and tool are about defining the human condition, translating the overwhelming emotion that you feel all over your body at any given moment (from any number of situational contexts) into poetry. i think their foci are more upon what we feel in a situation, or the threads and webs we weave out of a string of those situations, than trying to ground human emotions into concrete, real-world experiences that we all can relate to.

its all supposed to make you think, not think about what they're thinking.

(of course, that's just my take on it. it is by no means 'the truth.')
so, i dont really see much use in trying to establish what either maynard or trent were referring to in the real world when they wrote their lyrics.

i.e. where a fisting motif shows up in tools works. who the fuck cares? i really dont see any lines in any of maynard's lyrics that try to make the distinction of whether or not it's rape, or fisting, or whatever. bc i dont think maynard himself really cares. the music focuses on what you feel, not how your feelings stem from a given situation. it's all the same--rape/fisting/oral sex is humiliation. prison sex elaborates on the circle of hate that humiliation breeds, i feel. not whether child abuse is reprehensible or laudable.

i know tool critiques certain things. you cant separate aenima from its critique of "pop-culture" or eulogy from its critique of "the prophet." but i believe more in tying what these words mean to me, or in relation to eachother. what is maynard telling us to do? why is he right? why is he a crackpot? what influences do i see in him? one name comes to mind when i try to answer these questions with regard to maynard: nietzsche.

im sure other people see nietzsche in tool...(can anyone say lateralus?) tool focuses on the body, the spirit, what man could become...not what he is. whenever tool discusses the world as it is, it seems very critical (aenima).

i realize i have gone off the deep-end...this really isnt on topic. but yet it is...if were going to discuss tool lyrics, i think we have to establish how were going to discuss them.

and, i'll admit, ive heard discussions of both tool and nin that try to interpret their lyrics as they would any other group. i can't do that. i dont think anyone here is really doing that, perhaps this is just spilling out of me all at once...

Maynard talks a little about Third Eye, the government's take on the war on drugs etc:

http://www.auschron.com/issues/vol16/issue5/xtra.billhicks.side.html

b.

nice article.

Hi everyone...
i won't loose any odes to TOOL here as i consider it redundant...
Schism is the only song I'd dare to say I truely understand...
and what I've read here quite fits my image...
except for i think it's only about human interaction...
my actual concern is the rhythm of the song...
It represents the title...it's arranged in 12/8 time which is SPLIT into 5/8 and 7/8 - which only really FITS as you PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER
thx for listening
I'll speak my mind if there's something worth wasting your time
take care

whenever i think of schism i wanna call it their best song...
but then i think of The Grudge, Stinkfist, Opiate, Aenema, Pushit,
Lateralus, Ticks and Leeches, Prison Sex, Parabola, Hooker with a penis and so forth :rolleyes:

You know, compared to their other albums, Lateralus is a little lighter than most of their other stuff. Don't you think?? In the way of songs, don't forget Parabol/Parabola and Triad from Lateralus!!

Parabol

So familiar and overwhelmingly warm
This one, this form I hold now.
Embracing you, this reality here,
This one, this form I hold now, so
Wide eyed and hopeful.
Wide eyed and hopefully wild.

We barely remember what came before this precious moment,
Choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside...
This body holding me, reminding me that I am not alone in
This body makes me feel eternal. All this pain is an illusion.

Parabola

We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment,
We are choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside
This holy reality, this holy experience.
Choosing to be here in

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal
All this pain is an illusion.

Alive, I

In this holy reality, in this holy experience. Choosing to be here in

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal
All this pain is an illusion.

Twirling round with this familiar parable.
Spinning, weaving round each new experience.
Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing.

This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality.
Embrace this moment. Remember. We are eternal.
All this pain is an illusion.

P.S. has anyone heard Tool's variation of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter"??? It is awesome!!

Tool is cool and totally kicks ass imo. That's all
I have to say about Tool. :D

"If you don't think drugs have done good things
for us then take all of your records, tapes and
CDs and burn them." -Bill Hicks

I consider Lateralus much more of a concept-album...The Grudge...Parabol/Parabola...and Faed D'opiate or whatever these last hopefully NOT meaningful noises are called...so (to me) the heaviness was transfered from "simple" rock into interwoven meaning (ref. Schism, supposably the grudge etc...)
thx for listening
Chris

Stinkfist is about taking advantage of the one you love. Just to let you know.

Okay - I'm a first time poster, but there are some things that I really want to throw around. To me, Tool's Lateralus is the most amazing piece of music ever composed. Not because I'm a goofball that has an affinity for the rockin' hard metal, and not because I want to latch on to their (in my opinion, unfairly applied) satanic reputation, but because I can say that it is the most intellectual, inspirational, and awe-inspiring material that I have ever been exposed to. Many reviews and commentaries of Lateralus on the internet mention that it was long-awaited, often saying that it eased Tool fans' desire for more. I think it was much more than that. I think Tool deliberately wanted to give their fans something truly amazing, but wanted them to find it on their own.

"Recognize this as a holy gift..."

At first, I thought that the song Lateralus was about tripping acid - discovering true color by seperating the body from the mind. At first listen, I imagined the bending envelope as an intense visual. After becoming more familiar with the track, however, I had reformed my interpretation to something broader: think deeper. Lateralus, perhaps because it is the album's "title track", serves as the central clue for a puzzle that a friend of mine had read about somewhere on the internet. "All I know is that there is a different order for the songs - something about two spirals. Oh yeah, and thirteen is in the middle." After scavenging through endless google search results, I gave up on finding more about this 'alternate order'.

Intent to figure the album out, and very curious about the spirals - I put on the proverbial 'thinking cap'. I understood how the spirals could have a lot of significance, in that the album's title track offers the inspiring, "swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human..........And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been. We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been." In my internet scavenging, I had read one review, written by a drummer, who mentioned that Danny Carey's drum beat formed a fibonacci sequence during the song Lateralus. A drummer myself, I decided to get out the graph paper and follow Danny. I can't play like he can, but at least I can hear everything he's doing, and thus was able to construct the drum tabulature. Sure enough, Danny repeats a Fibonacci sequence through the number 13: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13. After 13, he starts again with 1. Bringing in my Algebra 2 knowledge of the Fibonacci sequence, when the equation for the Fibonacci sequence (which I don't actually know) is graphed, it forms a sprial whose vertex depends on the number at which the sequence begins. Coincidence? I began to think not.

I had already known of Danny's obsession with sacred geometry and am familiar with Bob Frissell's book, Nothing in This Book Is True, But It's Exactly How Things Are , so the significance of what I had stumbled upon had actually begun to settle in.

This is where I just had to play with Lateralus. I had doodled a few spirals in the corners of my graph paper, and in doing so made the first important connection to Lateralus. I knew that if the tracks were in fact intended to be heard in a different order, "Parabol" and "Parabola" would have to go together. In drawing my spirals, I had begun with a vertex and 'spiraled' outwards. After writing the numbers 1 through 13 linearly, I could immediately see that Parabol and Parabola would have to be the middle of my spiral (in that 13 / 2 = 6.5). I drew a simple arrow between 6 and 7 and then pondered the next pair. At first, I actually drew a spiral connecting pairs of numbers whose sum equaled 13 (the number of songs on the album). This, however, left the last track in the same position and without anything to connect to.

At this time, I had used my copy of Lateralus and Cool Edit Pro to take out the silences between tracks and put the songs in the following order: 6,7,5,8,4,9,3,10,2,11,1,12,13. The transition from Parabola into Schism blew my mind, as the plucks, probably dismissed by listeners as a drawn out rant of an ending, perfectly transition into the beginning of Schism. When you count out beats as the strings are plucked, Schism resumes with the same time signature and tempo - mirroring the progression of notes. The transition from Schism into Ticks & Leeches is equally intriguing. Schism ends with strong double-kick bass and tom smacks, and Ticks & Leeches begins with what many would call a 'tribal' drum beat. The beat at the very start of Ticks & Leeches is slightly different every subsequent time it is repeated - the measures are two beats longer. Yup - you guessed it - those two beats are ACTUALLY the last two beats of Schism.

I can honestly say that I never understood the album's fourth track, Mantra until reordering the album's songs. What I had originally heard as whale calls now had begun to resemble the worst imaginable dry heaves - or a stylized choking. Fitting, seeing as how the last line in Ticks & Leeches is "I hope you choke."

After this transition, none of those following it really seemed to make much sense. I certainly didn't like that Disposition and Reflection had been seperated - as they sound quite good when played sequentially on the album. This was the only real roadblock in my disciphering of the Holy Gift. Then I had remembered what my friend had told me - 13 was in the middle. At the time, probably just wanting to believe that there was more to this cd, I had equated this to the positioning of the song "Intermission" on the previous release, Ænema. For the song to be in the 'middle' of the album it would have to be the seventh track in sequence, here having six tracks on either side of it. So I inserted Faaip de Oiad after Lateralus, and almost peed my pants when I discovered that (ever-so-faintly) the fading tone of the last note of Lateralus could be heard in beginning of Faaip de Oiad, and how the distortion of the guitars at the tail end of Lateralus resembled, and later transitioned seamlessly into, the static at the beginning of Faaip de Oiad.

The lyrics of Lateralus justify this break in the spiral, almost instructing: "spiral out, keep going, spiral out, keep going."

I went back to Lateralus to find the next clue. In Danny Carey's amazingly competent Fibonacci sequence, he had stopped at 13 and gone back to 1. This is what I chose to do to finish the sequence. A second spiral was now constucted, and the order for the Holy Gift now became 6,7,5,8,4,9,13,1,12,2,11,3,10.

Already many of you are probably fascinated at what I have revealed to you, but I can not even begin to tell you what this new order has opened up for me.

The beauty of Lateralus is very, very fragile and has to be viewed with a very open mind. It can also be different when looked at from different points of view. Aside from the fact that the new order of the songs places them in an order where they flow together nicely - often ending and resuming on the same notes or within the same progression, and some times - in the case of Lateralus into Faaip de Oiad and The Grudge into Triad - even overlapping (though admittadly sound much better when actually electronically overlapped, this is kind of cheating. Consider this a hint, however, if you plan on doing this yourself), the two spirals help to tell a story that every Tool fan should hear.

In the interest of not boring the only casually intrigued, I will try to keep this very brief. I would also recommend familiarizing yourselves with Frissell's book (yeah - the one I mentioned earlier).

I consider Parabol and Parabola to be quite expository. Maynard wants us to know that no matter what happens, we must all know that this is not our only existance. Our very minds and the contents of our subconscious are intended to be immortal, and if we accept this into our lives (be it because of personal or religious reasons), it will be so. As such, pain is an illusion. At first, I called it "The Lateralus Prophecy" (for reasons you will soon understand), but I have since decided to call the 'reordered' version of Lateralus "The Holy Gift". As Maynard says, "Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing," I take the word "this" to mean much more than just his simple cautioning. Since Parabola is the second track of the Holy Gift, it can be considered at the beginning (esp. considering the context of it's duality with Parabol), and as such, I interpret Maynard's words as more than just clever lyrics in a song. They are a plead for his listeners to listen to everything he has to say and truly celebrate the chance of immortality offered throughout.

I would be lying if I said that each song has a specific translation. On the contrary, Tool's music is designed to make you think, not say something specific. It must be treated like great literature - much is hidden contextually. I will elude to Geometric-Drumming (http://www.sciforums.com/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=8118)'s previous post, where he explains the time signatures of Schism: "It represents the title...it's arranged in 12/8 time which is SPLIT into 5/8 and 7/8 - which only really FITS as you PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER." Where Geometric-Drumming (http://www.sciforums.com/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=8118) claims Schism as his favorite Tool song, I have heard some fans say that it was a retched pick for the album's only single - but I think it was brilliant. Not to downplay the interpretations of those who have posted before me (in fact, I agree with much of what %BlueSoulRobot% (http://www.sciforums.com/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=3869) has to say), but I think that to the casual listener who knows nothing of Tool, it can be a powerful invitation. Think about it - a lot of dingbats with MTV and a radio would walk around with the words "I know the pieces fit" in their heads. I wonder how many of them took the time to put the pieces back together to (re)discover what is trying to be communicated.

I welcome any feedback. I would love to share interpretations of the songs via email - just too lengthy to post here. I would like to offer the following advice: DO NOT use MP3s to digitally reorder Lateralus. A lot of VERY IMPORTANT information is encoded on the actual cd. Ever notice how everyone who has lost or broken that cd has IMMEDIATELY gone out and bought a new copy? I know I have. It's because there are things encoded on the factory pressing of the cd that are lost in the mp3 compression process and any direct copy onto a cd-r. If you want to do it, do it right - I can't stress how important this is. Use the cda tracks as you put it together and maintain all audio fidelity using professional mixing software.

Not to promote illegal drugs, but this album (the Holy Gift, that is) is definately something completely different when listened to under the influence of psilocybin (SHROOMS!).

I'm listening to it with my PC's CD player as we speak. you don't need to completely re-master it, just use your Windows CD Player and go to Edit Play List. I must say that I am very impressed. good job Dead! I use this site for anything Tool related:

http://toolshed.down.net/

frighteningly conclusive dead....

I just got Lateralus, and Tool is quickly growing on to me. :D And if anyone's interested, also check out A Perfect Circle, a relatively "new" band working with Maynard. The sound is much much lighter, and might be more suitable to newbies, or fans who are contemplating become hardcore Tool addicts. :D

Songs like "Orestes" and "Judith" are very reminiscent of Tool's flavour. :)

I hear APC is in the studio recording their sophomore album. Twiggy from Marilyn Manson is going to be their bassist as Paz Lenchantin is working with Zwan right now.


P.S. When I have the chance, I'm gonna name my son Orestes:D

Originally posted by UberDragon
I hear APC is in the studio recording their sophomore album. Twiggy from Marilyn Manson is going to be their bassist as Paz Lenchantin is working with Zwan right now.


P.S. When I have the chance, I'm gonna name my son Orestes:D Cool! :D

I just thought i'd mention that the original name for the song "Lateralus" was "987" which refers to the different time signatures that the song progresses through, which conicidently is the 16th step of the fibonacci sequence. Very intrieging.:bugeye:

It talks about commercialism, listen to some of the brandnames Maynard throws out, then the boy he's talking to tells him that Maynard has sold out.


Hooker with a Penis I met a boy wearing Vans, 501s, and a Dope Beastie t, nipple rings, and New tattoos that claimed that he Was OGT, From '92, The first EP. And in between Sips of Coke He told me that He thought We were sellin' out, Layin' down, Suckin' up To the man. Well now I've got some A-dvice for you, little buddy. Before you point the finger You should know that I'm the man, And if I'm the man, Then you're the man, and He's the man as well so you can Point that fuckin' finger up your ass. All you know about me is what I've sold you, Dumb fuck. I sold out long before you ever heard my name. I sold my soul to make a record, Dip shit, And you bought one. So I've got some Advice for you, little buddy. Before you point your finger You should know that I'm the man, If I'm the fuckin' man Then you're the fuckin' man as well So you can Point that fuckin' finger up your ass. All you know about me is what I've sold you, Dumb fuck. I sold out long before you ever heard my name. I sold my soul to make a record, Dip shit, And you bought one. All you read and Wear or see and Hear on TV Is a product Begging for your Fatass dirty Dollar So...Shut up and Buy my new record Send more money Fuck you, buddy.

This format kinda sucks, but you can see what I mean.

recently I got in contact with many people, saying that Tool-fans regard these four musicians as godlike...and put them above all other bands....=> being ignorant
I partly have to accept this opinion...tool can indeed silence a room with people in it...I don't have a problem with that ....unortunately many people have...thus it does create tension...
I myself solve this problem excluding tool from judgement (this term is dangerous concerning the song "Push it")...
this way prevents any kind of tension...
hope i didn't bore y'all...in case i did...i can't help it :rolleyes:
:D ;)
regards
:cool:

Maybe someone posted this already, but whatever. This one is for you, reformedtopunk. What other band could write a song about themselves selling out while maintaining such integrity? Fuck you, buddy (it's a line in the song! :D).

Hooker with a penis

I met a boy wearing Vans, 501s, and a
Dope Beastie t, nipple rings, and
New tattoos that claimed that he
Was OGT,
From '92,
The first EP.

And in between
Sips of Coke
He told me that
He thought
We were sellin' out,
Layin' down,
Suckin' up
To the man.

Well now I've got some
A-dvice for you, little buddy.
Before you point the finger
You should know that
I'm the man,

And if I'm the man,

Then you're the man, and
He's the man as well so you can
Point that fuckin' finger up your ass.

All you know about me is what I've sold you,
Dumb fuck.
I sold out long before you ever heard my name.

I sold my soul to make a record,
Dip shit,
And you bought one.

So I've got some
Advice for you, little buddy.
Before you point your finger
You should know that
I'm the man,

If I'm the fuckin' man
Then you're the fuckin' man as well
So you can
Point that fuckin' finger up your ass.

All you know about me is what I've sold you,
Dumb fuck.
I sold out long before you ever heard my name.

I sold my soul to make a record,
Dip shit,
And you bought one.

All you read and
Wear or see and
Hear on TV
Is a product
Begging for your
Fatass dirty
Dollar

So...Shut up and

Buy my new record
Send more money
Fuck you, buddy.
-----------------------

And I did.

Hi all, I'm new and this is my first post. Tool is definately my favorite band, there's something about their music that I just never get tired of unlike alot of other bands.
On to the song, 46&2. The first couple of times I heard this song I really had no idea what it meant. Then I started searching around the internet for the answer and finally found it. The 46&2 relates to the number of chromosomes, right now we have 44&2 chromosomes (the 2 being sex chromosomes). Before, scientists tested Aboriginees (sp?) in Australia and found that they had 42&2 chromosomes. Some people believe that this means that we as humans are more evolved now then when we had 42&2 and that the next evolution of the human species will be acquiring 46&2 chromosomes. They also found that Aboriginees(sp?) seemed to act as one and be able to coordinate themselves easily without speech such as some swarms of insects do and they seem to act as a community or as one. Right now we are part of a community but we each act alone as our own person. The theory is that once we acquire 46&2 chromosomes
that each of our cells will have thier own will and will act individually. At least this is what I remember, it's probably not 100% exact but it's close to it.
This song also deals with the metaphysical term lachrymology. Lachrymology is the belief that through emotional and physical pain and adversity one can advance to a higher plane of being.

My shadow's

Shedding skin and
I've been picking
Scabs again.
I'm down
Digging through
My old muscles
Looking for a clue.

I've been crawling on my belly
Clearing out what could've been.
I've been wallowing in my own confused
And insecure delusions
For a piece to cross me over
Or a word to guide me in.
I wanna feel the changes coming down.
I wanna know what I've been hiding in

(Perhaps by "his shadow" he means his past, and he's been reviewing the mistakes he's made and trying to figure out what to do next)

My shadow.
Change is coming through my shadow.
My shadow's shedding skin
I've been picking
My scabs again.

I've been crawling on my belly
Clearing out what could've been.
I've been wallowing in my own chaotic
And insecure delusions.

I wanna feel the change consume me,
Feel the outside turning in.
I wanna feel the metamorphosis and
Cleansing I've endured within

My shadow
Change is coming.
Now is my time.
Listen to my muscle memory.
Contemplate what I've been clinging to.
Forty-six and two ahead of me.

I choose to live and to
Grow, take and give and to
Move, learn and love and to
Cry, kill and die and to
Be paranoid and to
Lie, hate and fear and to
Do what it takes to move through.

I choose to live and to
Lie, kill and give and to
Die, learn and love and to
Do what it takes to step through.

(Those parts obvioulsy relate to lachrymology and him being willing to experience the full spectrum of life in order to evolve)

See my shadow changing,
Stretching up and over me.
Soften this old armor.
Hoping I can clear the way
By stepping through my shadow,
Coming out the other side.
Step into the shadow.
Forty six and two are just ahead of me.


If anyone has any insight into the meaning of Jimmy I'd love to hear it.

Actually, "lachrymology" isn't a word. They made it up. If you don't believe me, look at the FAQ at Toolshed. Or try and look it up in a dictionary. Type it into google and see how many non-tool pages you get...

It's the same deal as the word "temporaryism," as used in the song Just a Phase by Incubus. He totally made it up!

Ticks and Leeches (http://toolshed.down.net/lyrics/latmaster.html)

Suck and suck.
Suckin up all you can, suckin up all you can suck.
Workin up under my patience like a little tick.
Fat little parasite.

Suck me dry.
My blood is bruised and borrowed. You thieving bastards.
You have turned my blood cold and bitter,
beat my compassion black and blue.

Hope this is what you wanted.
Hope this is what you had in mind.
Cuz this is what you're getting.
I hope you're choking. I hope you choke on this.

Taken all I can, taken all I can, we(?) can take.
Taken all you can, taken all you can fuckin' take
Got nothing left to give to you.
Blood suckin parasitic little tick/blood suckin parasitic little tick
Take what you want and then go.

Hope this is what you wanted.
Hope this is what you had in mind.
Cuz this is what you're getting.

Suck me dry.
Is this what you wanted?
Is this what you had in mind?
Cuz this this is what you're getting.
I hope you choke.

Stinkfist- Using the metaphor for Anal fisting to relate to the media and how at first we find something on TV disturbing or gross and then we get used to it and we want something else that pushes it a little further to get a reaction from us. A finger kindda hurts at first but then you get a little looser and then the knuckle then elbow and then before you know it you need to stick you whole arm up there to feel something.

46 & 2- Before I try to explain what I think the song means, it is necessary for you to know several metaphysical concepts. I got almost all of this information from a book the band recommended on their 1994 newsletter called Nothing in This Books is True, but It's Exactly How Things Are by Bob Frissell. The fine piece of literature explains that human beings are entering the next dimension or "Christ Consciousness" in which they will have 46 and 2 chromosomes. (Currently, we have 44 and 2.) This is the third level of five of consciousness according to Frissell. The fourth and fifth being 48 and 2 and 50 and 2. The book also explains in vivid detail sacred geometry and the future of earth. It is intriguing and a little unbelievable, but there is a lot to be gained if one reads it with an open mind.

The most important concept Frissell explains (He learned it from one Drunvalo Melchizadek.) is sacred geometry. Sacred geometry the path in which the creator moved in the void during Genesis. It forms the basis of everything in the universe, including mathematics. The Flower of Life, as seen in the picture to the right, includes in it all the necessary information for the creation of life. Frissell explains hows this figure is derived. It might have the capacity to form a unity consciousness which would be 46 and 2. This idea has been explored by Carl Jung for those of you familiar which his work. Currently, human beings are in the second level of consciousness, 44 and 2, but shortly they are expected to evolve in the next level.

Supposedly, ascended masters have prepared the path for humans to change. 1998, was in fact, supposed to be when the change occurred. However, it looks like it might be postponed several years due to the abominable state of the world. For one to enter the 46 and 2 state, it seems it would take a mental and spiritual change. (Opening your third eye if you will.) It would require one to have a deep understanding of the world, themselves, and their consciousness. Most people are unaware that some people have vowed to change themselves and move up a level.

After reading into such things I can only concluded that the song 46 and 2 is about Maynard's attempt to evolve into a higher spiritual being and enter the next level of consciousness. It is about looking in the shadows and discovering who he really is. An interesting line is "listen to my muscle memories". This might refer to the fact that within all cells lies to key to life, the mathematical construct that allows life to unfold in an orderly and consistent manner. I will not get through every line of the song, as I think you can make complete sense of them once aware of what 46 and 2 refers to. One interesting fact is that this song appears to take on a similar meaning as Third Eye. The Third Eye, or pineal gland, supposedly it an important point of access to the metaphysical world according to Eastern thought. It is one of the chakra points, designated the center of spirituality. "Prying open my third eye" takes on an obvious meaning once this fact is known. I apologize to the band if I severely fucked up the intended meanings of your songs. If you have read this whole thing, please do me a favor and share your comments on the bulletin board.

There are three totally different kinds of humans on the Earth, meaning that they perceive the One reality in three different ways, interpreted differently. The first kind of human has a chromosome composition of 42+2. They comprise a unity consciousness that does not see anything outside themselves as being separate from themselves. To them, there is only one energy - one life, one being that moves everywhere. Anything happening anywhere is within them, as well. They are like cells in the body. They are all connected to a single consciousness that moves through all of them. These are the aboriginals in Australia. There might be a few African tribes left like this. Then, there is our level, comprising 44+2 chromosomes. We are a disharmonic level of consciousness that is used as a steppingstone from the 42+2 level to the next level, 46+2...These two additional chromosomes change everything.

That's all I have for right now i'll have more in time.

Hey dude, great job on the copy and paste bit... "as seen in the picture to the right"..... hahaha. :D

Anyways, this was actually the thread that brought my ass to sciforums, back around Christmas. I was searching for interpretations of Tool lyrics, and this thread came up... The rest is history, and now I've got a favorite message board to frequent when I'm bored and don't feel like masturbating. Thanks for bringing back the memories, dude!

thanx i try my best. only for 46 & 2

I've read much more on it lmao just lazy i guess.

Just have to give my take on stinkfist. Of course it's about the act of getting a fist up your arse.

But I think the meaning is more metaphorical, of a person becoming more and more emotionally desenticized so that in the end you have to "shove the shoulder beyond the borderline" to feel anything at all. [Edit: like someone said, it could be a take on modern media. Or on anything at all]

On Eulogy, I agree with Xev. But I don't think the person in question even need to be a prophet, just any person stuck up enough in himself to believe himself to be better than others. This person could be someone in your crowd, a stuck-up besserwisser with no real agenda..

I've had many a good conversation about this very subject. Has you ever had a Toolgasm? If you have you'll know when the music reaches its peak... ohhh. yeh.

hi i'm new here.. but was wondering what you guys think of H... it's one of my favorite tool songs

personally I always thought it referred to battling heroin addiction.. the "snake" referring to his conscience reminding him of his "damage".. his blood before him from shooting up.. but tempting him to do it again.. the "storm" referring to the high... "considerately killing" him as in it feels good but is slowly killing him.. dragging him down "like sweet gravity".. he is too connected to someone to completely succumb to his addiction ""too connected to you to slip away, fade away.." and "as the walls come down and as I look in your eyes, my fear begins to fade.." perhaps this person is helping him in his battle.. I suppose it could be a larger metaphor for things that make us feel good but are not good for us.. I don't know.. my best friend died from a heroin OD so I always related this song to his battle and eventual death.. thanks for listening

What's coming through is alive.
What's holding up is a mirror.
But what's singing songs is a snake
Looking to turn this piss to wine.

They're both totally void of hate,
But killing me just the same.

The snake behind me hisses
What my damage could have been.
My blood before me begs me
Open up my heart again.

And I feel this coming over like a storm again.
Considerately.

Venomous voice, tempts me,
Drains me, bleeds me,
Leaves me cracked and empty.
Drags me down like some sweet gravity.

The snake behind me hisses
What my damage could have been.
My blood before me begs me
Open up my heart again.

And I feel this coming over like a storm again.

I am too connected to you to
Slip away, to fade away.
Days away I still feel you
Touching me, changing me,
And considerately killing me.

Without the skin,
Beneath the storm,
Under these tears
The walls came down.

And the snake is drowned and
As I look in his eyes,
My fear begins to fade
Recalling all of those times.

I could have cried then.
I should have cried then.

And as the walls come down and
As I look in your eyes
My fear begins to fade
Recalling all of the times
I have died
and will die.
It's all right.
I don't mind.

I am too connected to you to
Slip away, to fade away.
Days away I still feel you
Touching me, changing me,

And considerately killing me.

In reply to the meaning of the song H. (which is also one of my favorite songs) I had always thought it was about a sexual relationship. Like the capital letter H is two lines and they're connected by a sideways bar. Whithout the bar the H is nothing (besides two lower case l's.) Like a relationship where you're too attached to the other person (Well I am too connected to you to slip away fade away....) and bc of all the time spent with the person he can still feel her changing him as a result of the relationship and killing him inside as he realizes that he's nothing without her. Also "they're both totally void of hate but killling me just the same" when you start a relationship with someone there's no hate in them but they might be hurting you as a result of your own personal past. Both-which I assume means two could mean the person from his past (like a parent or something) causing him to be hurt by the new relationship. Also the period in the song could mean that it's definitive, like this is it there's no going back I can not go back to the person I once was. There are definitely lines in there that don't fit as well and I would not be surprised if the song was about drugs either especially because I can see where that explanation is coming from too (and I also may be reading way too much into it.)

I just wanted to say...I just finished listening to the rearranged songs on the Lateralus CD, as DeadOhio had recommended, and the album flows so much better. It will take some getting used to, but everything seems to fit together better. This theory was mentioned on www.toolband.com recently. That is the what led me to this forum. Thanks everyone for the excellent read.

Here are all the meanings to all of their songs:

http://toolshed.down.net/faq/faq.html

Tool is my guilty pleasure. They are simple rock n roll stars, but I enjoy the atmosphere they put into the music (especially the whispering and moaning they put into the background). At their lyrics have some depth to them:

"What does it all mean, 46, 2, shadows?
You could write a whole FAQ for this one question alone; the major underlying principles relate to chromosomes and Jungian theory. Some of the ideas behind this song are based on the teachings of Drunvalo Melchizadek. Here's a snip of an interview with him (Leading Edge, 12/95):
"There are three totally different kinds of humans on the Earth, meaning that they perceive the One reality in three different ways, interpreted differently. The first kind of human has a chromosome composition of 42+2. They comprise a unity consciousness that does not see anything outside themselves as being separate from themselves. To them, there is only one energy - one life, one beingness that moves everywhere. Anything happening anywhere is within them, as well. They are like cells in the body. They are all connected to a single consciousness that moves through all of them. These are the aboriginals in Australia. There might be a few African tribes left like this. Then, there is our level, comprising 44+2 chromosomes. We are a disharmonic level of consciousness that is used as a steppingstone from the 42+2 level to the next level, 46+2...These two additional chromosomes change everything."

<b>deadOhio</b> mentioned the track order of Lateralus. Here's a simple numerology example with respect to his order:
6,7,5,8,4,9,13,1,12,2,11,3,10

The first six tracks [6+7+5+8+4+9] = 39
The last six tracks [1+12+2+11+3+10] = 39
The middle track is [13]. If there are, perhaps, three different sections to Lateralus, then 3 x 13 = 39.
The length of the album is 78 mins, 57 secs [39.285 x 2]
Faaip_De_Oaid = 13 chars
Tool + Lateralus = 13 chars

Here's something kind of cool, which deals with the revised track order:
If you take the first track [6] and add to it the number of the last track [10] and then work inward towards the center, you get this string of numbers:
16 [6 + 10]
10 [7 + 3]
16 [5 + 11]
10 [8 + 2]
16 [4 + 12]
10 [9 + 1]

They really thought this over (they had to cut a few tracks because the standard CD doesn't hold over 70 min), if only the music wasn't as sub-par.

I found it weird that no ones really talked about third eye much but hears the meanings for 2 tool songs and im one hundred percent sure about third eye.

Third Eye- Its based off a book written by carlos castaneda called the yaqui way. The song third eye is about carlos coming to open his eye. Im not going to give a desription about everything if you want that read the book. Anyways it talks about a holy crow which is a form that don jaun carlos teacher takes. the second sun refers to the alternete realm carlos finds when he is on mescaline. He searchs for mescalito in the shawdows and finds him. Hence phosphorescent desert buttons, which would be peyote buttons which are found in the deser, singing one familiar song, would be a power song mescalitto teaches those who find him. If you think what i say is a lie, srry to say this your wrong. Read the book then come back to me on it, youd believe me. It is a very good book i suggest reading the yaqui way if your a tool fan youll get sucked in.

H.- I was wondering if anyone who read carlos castanedas book has noticed the grim connection between H. and his first dakura trip. I wouldnt bring this up if the connection bettweem the name of the song and the girl H. wernt spelled the same. I also noticed in the song he talks about a snake hissing at him, seems similar to the lizard that whispers things into his ears. Also both of them void of hate seems similiar to how the lizards came back even after he sowed there mouths shut and the others eyes shut. They didnt hate im but the dakura still ate away at his soul. This will make no sense unless youve read the book.

Samsara is Nirvana, Nirvana is Samsara