Album Rating: 4.0

but what would a Romanian woman think

I've never met one but she would probably worship this

Album Rating: 5.0

Who wouldn't

Album Rating: 4.5

The song that single-handedly turned every Tool fan into a self-proclaimed mathematician, philosopher, and spiritual guru. It’s not just a song; it’s an experience, a lesson in sacred geometry, a Fibonacci-sequenced roadmap to enlightenment, and probably the closest thing prog-metal has to a religious text. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re unraveling the secrets of the universe while headbanging, congratulations—Lateralus is your anthem.



The Fibonacci Sequence: Because Regular Time Signatures Are for Mortals



Right off the bat, Tool hits you with a sequence based on the Fibonacci numbers, because playing in 4/4 is apparently beneath them. The syllables in the opening lyrics (“Black / then / white are / all I see / in my infancy”) follow a pattern that mimics the Fibonacci spiral, which means that by simply listening to this song, you are now technically an advanced mathematician. Your high school calculus teacher would be so proud.



This is also the part where Tool fans get to feel intellectually superior. “Oh, you just listen to music? I prefer mine with mathematically derived cosmic significance, thank you very much.”



2. The Lyrics: Deep or Just Vague Enough to Seem Deep?



Maynard takes us on a journey of color, emotion, and higher consciousness, urging us to “spiral out” and embrace the infinite possibilities of existence. What does it mean? Who knows. But it feels profound. • Is it about breaking free from the constraints of linear thinking? • Is it about embracing the chaos of life? • Is it just a poetic way of saying, “Hey, don’t get stuck in a rut”?



The beauty of Lateralus is that you can interpret it however you want. Maybe it’s a sacred lesson in enlightenment. Maybe it’s just an elaborate way for Tool to remind you that they’re smarter than you. Either way, you are now part of the spiral.

Album Rating: 4.5





3. The Drums: Danny Carey Summons the Ancient Ones



Danny Carey doesn’t play drums; he summons them. His rhythms feel less like traditional beats and more like an ancient cosmic force speaking through him. He’s not just drumming—he’s communicating with celestial beings in 9/8 time. If you listen closely, you might hear the sound of the universe folding in on itself somewhere between the fills.



4. The Build-Up: The Longest Foreplay in Prog-Rock History



The song takes its time, slowly building and layering, as if Tool knows you’re waiting for that release but wants to make sure you earn it. This isn’t just music—it’s sonic tantric energy. You keep waiting, the tension grows, and just when you think you can’t take it anymore—boom. It erupts.



At this point, your third eye is now fully open. You are levitating. You have officially become a Tool fan.



5. The “Spiral Out” Section: Your Brain Has Left the Chat



Then comes the moment where Maynard keeps repeating spiral out, keep going, and you suddenly understand everything. You are no longer bound by time or space. You are the Fibonacci sequence. You are the music. And then, before you can process what just happened—it’s over. The spiral continues, but you are left behind, wondering if you’ve just been enlightened or just manipulated by a really well-crafted prog-metal masterpiece.



Final Verdict: A Musical Cheat Code to Enlightenment



Lateralus isn’t just a song—it’s a spiritual event. It’s designed to make you feel like you’ve unlocked the secrets of the cosmos, even if you don’t fully understand why. Whether you’re here for the math, the music, or just the chance to say “Fibonacci” in casual conversation, one thing is certain: this song will always leave you feeling just a little bit smarter than when you started.



Now go forth, spiral out, and explain the Fibonacci sequence to someone who didn’t ask.

Album Rating: 3.0

First 3 tracks and Aenema are great, probably the best Tool songs tbh

Album Rating: 4.7

The brief section where Ænema goes major should be so out of place but it works way too well

Album Rating: 5.0

Their best

Album Rating: 4.5

By miles.

Album Rating: 4.0

[2]

Used to be Lateralus but yeah now I think this is better. 46 & 2 can kick rocks tho and no I will not be taking questions

Album Rating: 4.5

that song good tho

Album Rating: 5.0

46 & 2 is their first song that is pure esoteric nonsense and I completely understand the hate



Probably the worst song here, I don't hate it though

Def their best but not by miles for me. This, lat and then undertow is my top three order

Album Rating: 5.0

This is the only Tool album where the last track is actually good. Therefore it's their best

Album Rating: 4.0

@ocean

Fucking thank you



Here we go hot take but fuck it



Stinkfist

Eulogy

H.

Useful Idiot

Intermission

jimmy

Pushit

Ænema

Third Eye



There, chopped off 20 weaker minutes of music & filler and now you have a killer album under an hour that flows just fine

Da fuck. That drum section in the middle of the song is enough to make it great IMO

Album Rating: 4.0

3/5 song personified



It being overplayed as fuck has also always been very annoying. Even without that factor of the whole thing I still think it’s probably the worst song here. Hooker With a Penis is more engaging but still kinda meh

Album Rating: 5.0

Pushit is probably my fav tool song besides the grudge

Album Rating: 5.0

Agreed on 46 & 2 being esoteric nonsense tho

Pushit for sure my favourite song from Tool.