Culture

Maynard James Keenan, the eccentric frontman and chief songwriter of the band Tool, perches on one of the platforms set up for Tool’s performance at the U.S. Bank Arena on November 5, 2019. (Emily Votaw/WOUB Public Media)

PHOTOS: Tool’s ‘Fear Inoculum’ Tour

By: Emily Votaw
Posted on: Wednesday, November 6, 2019

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Earlier this year divisive and often genre-defying cerebral rock act Tool released their first album in 13 years, entitled Fear Inoculum. To say that the release was highly anticipated is quite the understatement, and if one knows any members of the Tool Army, explanation is not really necessary.

Although Tool fans have been derided by many, including the band’s intense frontman, Maynard Keenan, one thing that cannot be questioned is their devotion to band and it’s few, yet very complex releases. On a Tuesday night, the U.S. Bank Arena was packed, the concert serving as one of the band’s few stops in the midwest.

Tool’s music is incredibly dense, although perhaps most stylistically categorizable as metal — without the signature goofiness that is associated with that genre. Tool is serious, and so is their live show. The group utilizes a plethora of shifting and undulating psychedelic video imagery, and while the Alex Gray work associated with their discography is certainly utilized during the show, so are numerous other artistic styles that are as varied as the aural palette the group crafts their music from.

Check out WOUB’s photos below for a glimpse into the unique experience that is a Tool performance, five albums into the band’s career.

KillingJoke1 — Jaz Coleman of British post-punk band Killing Joke brought some theatrical moves to his opening performance for Tool at the U.S. Bank Arena on November 5, 2019. (Emily Votaw/WOUB Public Media)

KillingJoke3 — The hard-churning heavy metal of Killing Joke opened up for Tool on the band’s “Fear Inoculum” tour on November 5, 2019. (Emily Votaw/WOUB Public Media)

KillingJoke2 — Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke really provided some photogenic poses during the band’s opening set for Tool on November 5, 2019. (Emily Votaw/WOUB Public Media)

Tool3 — Tool’s Maynard Keenan provided an intense aura for his band’s performance at the U.S. Bank Arena. (Emily Votaw/WOUB Public Media)

Tool2 — Tool’s performance at the U.S. Bank Arena on November 5, 2019 was rife with impressive stage decorations, such as this fringe curtain, which brought an abstract sense of dimension to the band’s elaborate light show. (Emily Votaw/WOUB Public Media)

Tool1 — Tool brought an elaborate, colorful, and intense show to the U.S. Bank Arena on November 5, 2019. (Emily Votaw/WOUB Public Media)