Imagine hearing Lateralus for the first time again...

Last time I listened to Tool with one of my kids in the room my four year old daughter looked at me and said, "Dad, I feel like I am going somewhere."

Why am I hooked on watching people react to Tool?

Ken: What time signature is this? Tool: Yes.

This helps: 1 Black 1 then 2 white are 3 all I see 5 in my infancy 8 Red and yellow then came to be 5 reaching out to me 3 lets me see 2 there is 1 so 1 much 2 more and 3 beckons me 5 to look through to these 8 infinite possibilities 13 As below, so above and beyond, I imagine 8 drawn outside the lines of reason 5 Push the envelope 3 Watch it bend

"Out of sync, but perfectly in-time" - you just summed up the rythm of Tool

"Overthinking, overanalysing? Tool, this was your idea."

KZfaqr: tries to explain Lateralus Tool fans: yes we know

This video should be called: "A listen of Tool coaches a vocalist"

wow how has no one commented on the fact that this song just made this man have a damn near DMT trip. fractal kaleidoscope geometry images??lol

Lol, this was great! Spiral out. Keep going 🤘

"I feel like I've got all these memories that aren't my own...that are flooding into my brain." Wow...honestly, best description of Tool songs I've ever heard. Ever. I just subbed. I sincerely hope you do WAAAAY more Tool songs. Seriously. You clearly have the ear and mind for what they create. It's a glorious rabbit hole to fall into. I only wish I could re-experience it all anew. Been a fan since I was 16....21 years ago.

"There was some... sort of polymetric... rhythm going on" Yup, that's Tool.

Audio engineer here - he's layering different tones and octaves and not fixing the slight timing inconsistencies that are usually (over)corrected in most radio mixes in pop and rock. One normal track, one breathy, and one an octave lower is what I'm hearing in that section. Possibly a slightly time modulated quick "slapback" delay that goes in and out of alignment with the original as well. You can also do this with the early reflections of a room reverb too. Usually pop/rock and even hip-hop doubles try to have the double sound as exact to the original as possible, whereas this is more like two different guitars playing the same line to sound bigger.

Watching singers trying to nod along and find a quarter note is hilarious, it never gets old.

My whole body tingles whenever I hear this song. I've heard it 10000 times and it always does. I hope it never stops

Oh god, we've created a monster.

This was deeply satisfying to watch. Not everybody who I talk in to listening to tool reacts to it with actual open-mindedness. Seeing someone hearing laturalas the first time and really paying attention and feeling the song is so nice to see.

"I've got all these memories that kind of aren't my own flooding into my brain" that would be the collective consciousness Tool speaks about in their music

'Overthinking, overanalyzing... Tool, this was your idea!' has me dead.

Tool is an experience. “It feels like there are layers upon layers.” Oh, yes! You’re beginning to get it.

one doesn't simply listen to Tool. one experiences Tool.

I literally cackled like a witch when he said "Tool this was your idea. I don't understand!" Don't understand, just feel it.

I love seeing the reactions of people who are open to new things to songs from this seminal album. The little crooked smile, the eyes going everywhere, the moving with the unknown rhythm... It's everything, man.

"Tool, this was your idea!" Still laughing my ass off at that 😂

For me, this song is their magnum opus. It is incredible musically and lyrically. It's a song that both asks you to delve into the secrets of the universe and everything there is to find, while also warning you that going too far can make you detached from reality and your everyday life. And them you have all these polyrhythms playing, and all the instruments aren't in time with each other but they all weave around each other and meet back again at various points. A few people have discusses working with Tool on music around this time, and how their studio was just covered in whiteboards and documents detailing mathematical formula and other scientific references. I know Maynard now talks about the whole affair like it was a juvenile attempt at being deep, but I can't imagine how much time it took for them to actually get this to come out the way it did.

The Fibonacci sequence follows a pattern where each successive number in the sequence is the sum of the preceding 2 numbers so it starts with 0 and 1 which equals the next number, 1 making the next number the sum of the preceding 2 numbers which are 1 and 1 so the next number is 2 which is added with the preceding 1 to make 3 which added with the preceding 2 equals 5, so the sequence goes 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, and on and on. It's a commonly found pattern in nature which represents a pattern of exponential growth but most interestingly this sequence is found to be intimately tied to the golden ratio which is a ratio found by dividing a full line into a longer and shorter line such that the proportion of the full line to the longer line is the same as the longer line to the shorter line with the resulting golden ratio which is 0.618... or 1.618.... Also known as "phi" and commonly written as the Greek symbol phi it is an irrational number that never ends nor repeats similar to "pi". The odd relationship between the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio was discovered by dividing any 2 successive numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. The further down the sequence you go you will notice that by dividing any 2 successive numbers the closer the sum approaches the golden ratio. In fact if you follow down the sequence and divide every 2 successive numbers the sums oscillate slightly higher and slightly below the golden ratio, getting closer and closer to the actual value of the golden ratio but never quite reaching it. The golden ratio is found throughout nature, art and architecture and is considered to be an aesthetically pleasing proportion. The golden spiral derived from the golden ratio is also found throughout nature from the growth of nautilus shells, in galaxies, in growth patterns of plants so the concept fits in with the overarching theme of the song which is about personal development, striving, evolving, discovering and feeling interconnected with the world. You'll notice the lyrics "as above so below and beyond I imagine" equals 13 syllables as the vocals follow up and down the Fibonacci sequence, best exemplified in the 2nd verse which goes "black (1) then (1) white are (2) all I see (3) in my infancy (5) red and yellow then came to be (8) reaching out to me (5) let's me see (3) there is (2) so (1) much (1) more and (2) beckons me (3) to look through to these (5) infinite possibilities (8) as above so below and beyond I imagine (13) drawn beyond the lines of reason (8) push the envelope (5) watch it bend (3). So the syllabic formula of the vocals swings up and down the Fibonacci sequence, a sequence intimately related to the golden ratio/golden spiral, as the lyrics urge listeners to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human and spiral out, keep going, spiral out, keep going.

“Over thinking, over analyzing” isn’t talking about you listening to the song, it’s about life in general. It’s saying that we’re too much in our own heads and we need to connect to things other than ourselves. The world, nature, other people. We need to think outside our boxes, move away from the center of our spirals, branch out, evolve and become better.

It never gets old seeing people discover Tool for the first time. Give Fear Inoculum a try.

He’s like: “It’s very trance like...” and we’re all like (in the State Farm guys voice) “well it’s tool so...”

Yeah that bass pulsing still gives me a shiver down my spine and goosebumps. Been listening to this album since it came out, this is one of my favorite songs EVER. I can't count how many times I have listened and it still gives me a spine tingle.

First time watcher but when you said "I feel like there are memories that aren't mine that are flooding into my brain".....you completely and utterly nailed it.

I’m sorry brother but it looks like you just had your first toolgasm

first... you are a good egg. don't ever change. you do human well. second... as a musician... one of the best reaction channels i've come across. prob the best. i'll watch more for sure. keep it up.

9:20 Here we can admire his first toolgasm

Next Tool reaction should be "Schism" Rick Beato did an amazing breakdown of it on his "what makes this song great" series, with meter and notation breakdown. Amazingly insightful!

Watching someone elevate to the Tool plane, when they aren’t ready, is my favorite thing in the world. And this dude gets it.

Ken: "It feels like there's layers upon layers..." Tool fans: "Buddy..."

DUDE! I've listened to this album hundreds of times... and I've NEVER noticed the doubling of the vocals and the whispering before :| That might be the absolute magic of this band (and this album particularily). Even after years of listening to it, there is STILL new things to discover!

Goosebumps. Still goosebumps after nearly 20 years.

Please listen to "Wings for Marie Part 1&2" off their 10,000 Days album. Even if you dont make it a video. Just do yourself a favor, clear some time to lie down with your eyes closed and a good pair of headphones. Both tracks, uninterrupted. Trussssst.

I was so amused that you used the phrase "spiral out" a few minutes before that part of the song. I was over here like "Well boys, he's ahead of schedule" - Also, I vote 46 & 2 for the next Tool React. Lateralus is my favorite - but that one is a close second.

You, by far, have put the best description of Tool into words. This is exactly what I felt like listening to Lateralus for the first time, except I couldn’t explain the beauty of it in words.

This song and parabola are the two songs where you can really lose yourself without having to use narcotics or psychedelics. In my opinion his voice is like a siren's specifically designed to entrance and ensnare

"im seeing this constantly evolving and changing yet, perfectly symmetrical..." Almost like a perfect circle? I wonder if he knew....

Tool fans" They're geniuses. They used Fibonacci sequence. Maynard: It was an accident.

"I embrace my..... desire to.... 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 to, Swing on the spiral to, Swing on the spiral of, Our divinity and, Still be a human......"

People are so lucky if they've never experienced Maynard and Layne before.. those guys just give me chills every time I listen

10:20. It’s ok to cry, here. I am moved to tears almost every time.

I am thrilled to see someone primarily versed in the classic musical traditions enjoying and appreciating the multi-faceted layers of a Tool song! Bear in mind - Maynard, while he takes his art seriously, is also a major jokester. Don't put too much stock in the seriousness of his lyrics - there is a lot of fun as well! Happy I subscribed! I enjoy your reactions to other bands as well!

How cool, he really understood tool in a way that takes many listeners like myself years to grasp. It was fun seeing him embrace the experience, and you can tell it's not his kind of music but he says "ok I can see why you guys love tool so much". Awesome dude

The only thing that comes close to listening to Tool is watching other people listen to Tool.

Danny Carey enough said

I randomly got my mom to buy this CD for me when it came out just based on the box art. I was 15 at the time, and listening to it really redefined music and artistic expression for me. Yes, it was hard and heavy, but it was also meticulous and thoughtful and so far outside my box at the time that I didn't have any real way to describe its effect. Needless to say the album stuck with me, and I even managed to seem them live on the Lateralus tour which was another expansive experience. I remember towards the end of the show, Maynard exhorted us to live in this moment of pure art and creativity, and I tried really hard to do so; I was a bit of a mess at the time, and living in the moment was something I was not at all good at. I think that's what hit me so hard about Tool. Tool's not something you listen to casually. Their music absorbs you as you absorb it, creating this connection that pulls you from the hyper-vigilance that a trauma-based society forces you into and enables you to just feel that moment with that song you love so much. It's so much more than just experiencing this one band's artistic expression - it's art that lets you experience yourself, which is what every masterpiece in any medium does.

I can see the enlightenment just pouring into his soul.

I love when someone tries to describe the journey of listening to a tool song. "I feel like I'm looking into a kaleidoscope ", "words don't make much sense right now", "intensity but you're not meant to focus not it", etc.

This song is an all time favorite of mine, not just of Tool's, but generally. One of the few that literally brings me to tears and fills me with an optimism as rare as innocence. Pure masterpiece.

I do love the dualities of this song. On the one side they create a song that is built off the formulas that show so much of nature is built in a mathematical way and just begs for you to study it, but at the same time the lyrics challenge you to not get hung up on that. To break out of the formula of life and not get stuck in analyzing things where you limit what you can do or even perceive to just what you expect to be possible. There are those lines there, but you've got to color outside of them. Also, love your reactions. Keep them up!

20 years old and sounds like it was written yesterday timeless album 💿

Your Tool reaction videos are quickly becoming my favorite. I so enjoy watching your discovery and exploration of one of my favorite bands, and I argue, one of the greatest compilations of musically artistic geniuses of all time. Seeing the pleasure on your face when you are genuinely moved by the greatness reminds me of my experiences listening to this band. As a vocalist with a moderate amount of music theory knowledge, I’ve always found the complexity of their compositions most interesting. Over the past 20 years or so, I’ve find it so fun to listen to a song I’ve heard a hundred times and suddenly “discover” a new bass line, guitar solo, drumming sequence, etc., that I had yet to hone in on. It keeps my mind engaged and enhances the experience that is “Tool.” I’m quite jealous that you have so much Tool left to explore. What I wouldn’t give to go back and hear their songs for the first time again. It makes my heart happy for you. Enjoy! 😊

I love watching intelligent people listen to tool for the first time, you’re not alone with how you feel bud! Great video

Mind expansion continues: Pushit from the Salival album is a must.

"Overthinking, overanalyzing ... Tool, this was your idea!" Don't know how many times I've heard that line and it never hit me that way. But yeah.

H is the first song of tool that I listened to, other than on the radio. I listened while watching the sun set sitting on a beach, listen to them while in nature. Tool means something different to every listener, it's part of their beauty. Take time to listen to them when you're alone, don't hold yourself accountable to us and think you can only explore them here with us. They should be personal to you, we're just glad you're listening at all 🙂💗

If your looking for a vocal song by Tool, try Pushit-Salival Version

'Holy mugglenuts' may just be the whitest thing anyone has ever said 😂😂

"Holy muggle-nuts!" I just picked up a new catchphrase. I love seeing people's reaction to TOOL. It's like showing your favorite band to your best friend. Thank you for sharing this. Spiral out my friend, keep going.

“I feel like I’ve got all these memories in my brain that aren’t my own” this is how I feel having been a tool fan for 25 years 🎉

You rode the spiral. Welcome to Tool Army, brother! Really enjoying your reactions.

Cracking reaction, so many hidden Easter eggs in this song. “Ride the wave”, waves when breaking have the same spiral geometry, there’s a great KZfaq video on it all, worth finding it. Next up, polyrhythms masterclass by Danny Carey in Pneuma live, one man, four limbs and seemingly a separate brain for each! Saw tool live last year, 100,000 people, one band, one song but all nodding their heads to their own individual groove, epic.

I love watching people realizing what Tool is. Welcome to The Army, my friend.

Who would’ve ever thought I would one day be addicted to watching TooL gain new fans. It simply doesn’t get any better. The apex of rock and still growing. \m/\m/

I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you're going to go down a Tool rabbit hole you need a shaman and 3 months of supplies.

There are so many 'vocal coach reacting to metal' type videos, but Ken's pure and precious enthusiasm for discovering Tool are the only ones I've found worth watching.

So you’ve done Lateralus, Sober and Pneuma. You should move to something a bit heavier like Rosetta Stoned, The Grudge, Third Eye, or Jambi.

Makes me happy when I see people who actually understand music react to tool

WOW! You are the only person I have ever seen to react to this video and actually look up some of the terms used like 'As above, so below' from Hermeticism. Truly, I am so impressed with your reaction so far! Everyone else rips their genitalia off on the prospect of it being the "Fettuccine" sequence, but not you. I really like to see that the song connected with you on a level that seems very personal. Stay awesome!

I hate when people compare Maynard James Keenan to God....I mean he’s cool and all but he’s no Maynard James keenan

All these comments are effing brilliant. And yes dude, you’re starting to get Tool

"I feel like I'm looking into a Kaleidescope" This may be the best description I have ever heard of this part.

The best part, is you’ll have that experience EVERY TIME. Even on the 10,000th listen. More toooool. 🤘🏻

Watching you listen to this song was like watching a small child learn the joys of ice cream for the first time. The joy and amazement in your face. Priceless.

Always fascinating to see another soul coming to the Tool Army. Welcome man, got a sub here.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the wonder and awe in your eyes as each part came up like a giddy child watching his little brother bike his favorite hill, this warmed my soul so much. This band, this journey has changed my orbit, opened my eyes to a wonder and awe in what is right in front of you, in all of us and it all started with this song. Spiral out kind stranger.

I love the kaleidoscope reference/imagery. When looking through one, there’s this never ending, constant feeling. When you’re looking through one and everything is just reflecting off each other and it’s beautiful. I never thought about that until you said it. If you listen again, you can hear some vocals in the distance which are playing off the main vocals, kind of like an audio kaleidoscope.

Hands down my favorite reaction to Tool. There's a lot of good ones out there, but they miss it. They miss all the little details of Tool. But YOU! You focused and listened very intently to try and understand it. Like you were trying so hard to find the answer. It was very refreshing to react again to this song with you.

Just gotta say Ken, I love you, and love your channel/reactions. I follow a lot of reaction channels and you've become one of my absolute favorites.

I have to keep coming back to watch this - the best song ever... and your facial expressions... I love how much you feel the music. Its honestly the best. Seeing someone else enjoy this song as much as I do fills my heart.

ken listening to tool is always a total pleasure. he analyses the songs with a great technical foundation and then also talks about the songs emotional and mental impact on him as a listener. quality / thanks mate

You’re definitely apart of 🔥👽THE TOOL ARMY👽🔥

I really enjoy these react videos because it forces me to re-visit old songs that I've loved with new eyes/ears to understand and remind me why I love them and why they are great.

You can hear this vocal dub that Maynard does in some of his other works like in A Perfect Circle. he records the lyrics twice, once just singing them through melodically like normal, then he records the lyrics again monotone and all as one note in key with the song; generally the root note of whatever scale/ key they're playing in.

Almost every song from this band will take you on some kind of mental or spiritual adventure, you won't find many artists with this kind of depth in their work. Someone posted earlier regarding Wings For Marie, and i agree that you need to experience that song for the emotional journey it will take you on. From a strictly vocal perspective, you should look at their song Jimmy. Maynard uses some unique vocal techniques there that I think you might really enjoy.

12:12. Just remember, this is four guys. One on guitar, one on drums, one on bass guitar and one on vocals.

I love your vids man. I can tell you have a true respect for great musicians. You made an incredible insightful point about Maynard’s vocals there near the end. Those who’ve not been fortunate enough to see TooL live may not know that’s precisely how much the band respects one another’s work. So much so that for years now Maynard has actually sang from the back of the the stage. They’ve always made it about the music.

"Layers" is exactly what everything about this album is. From the artwork included in the CD, for those of us who remember those, To the actual tracks both individually and collectively. There are some pretty cool things people have found that you can do with this album. It's like a modern "Dark Side of Oz"

ARE WE DOING THIS AGAIN?.... No. No. I can't... lol nice reaction

Your third eye is awakening!

I came to the comments at the end cuz I knew you said everything a Tool fan wants to hear and they satisfied, you have fed the army well this day.

you just made my day. tool is my favorite and I loved witnessing you experiencing them! ☺️