LATERALUS

First, Lateralus is thus, far, is a masterpiece of progressive metal and for that mater, impeccable display of muscianship in th eexpansive realm of modern rock as well as one of most consistent albums released in the 21st Century. Other albums, released this centurry held similar, venerated regard are: Taal's Skymind, Porcupine Tree's Deadwing, and The Mars Volta's De-loused in Comatorium, as well select others.

If you are intersted in prog metal and are searching for speed solos Grade A musicinaship, a la Dream Theater, I would not advise you to purchase this album, or other Tool albums for this matter. It is quite misleading to label Tool as a progressive metal band considering company the are with Dream Theater, Symphony X, Andromeda, Anathema, ect...

Tool is more similar to Grunge than metal. As huge fan of Nirvana, Pixies, early- Smashing Pumpkins, Green River, Melvins, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Primus, perhaps, Tool was an easy transistion, and should be and smooth transition for those who appreciate "Grunge," no pun intended as I do. However, Tool has more intellectual capacities than their similarly sounding Grunge counterparts, and thus, have been deemed progressive metal.

A couple examples of the erudite innuendos found in of Tool's music, particulalry on Lateralus, are:

"Schism" is a song about the dichotomy within the church, and how, supposedly, it has been corrupted by the peole who take part in it

"Lateralus" trhe vocals are sung in the Fibonacci sequense. Perhaps more fascinating is the lyrics "Black and White are, all I seee, I my infancy, Red and Yellow then came to be" comes from the Aborigines people of Australia who only used to paint in black and white, and found out in time, how to paint in the colors of red and yello.

^^Its these esoteric references that place them and intellectual step above their prog metal counterparts, and several floors above their Grunge counterparts.

I strongly would advise you to purchase this album if are intriguied in angst-ridden yet thought-provoking reminiscent of classic grunge.