LATERALUS

Disturbing and convulsed, with that mysterious halo that Tool has always made a trademark of, "Lateralus" is an exercise in overflowing and contained nuclear energy, and that goes hand in hand with the permanent sensation of balancing between the limits of sanity and madness. Where the hypnotic and claustrophobic share and exchange roles permanently.

Going into unknown territories is what "Lateralus" generates the most attractions, the uncertainty of not knowing how far the proposal can go, allows tension and suspense to be maintained throughout the album. And with very careful production, no detail is left to chance.

Just to cite a couple of examples: the raw "The Grudge" to start hostilities; the complex and intricate "The Schism"; the whispering "Parabol" that precedes "Parabola"; the fast-paced roller coaster that is "Ticks & Leeches", the perfect excuse to show off Danny Carey's solid percussion; and the volcanic and extensive "Lateralus"; all the songs follow one another unhurriedly, but consistently, with the solidity of a concrete wall. And of course, with the impeccable guitar full of distortions and artifice by Adam Jones, the perfect communion with Justin Chancellor's bass and the always anguishing voice of Maynard J. Keenan.

"Lateralus", in my opinion, is one of the great albums of the 90's from one of the subgenres furthest away from the typical epicenter of progressive; and if not the best, one of the best expressions of Tool in his very short but outstanding and intense discography.

4/4.5 stars