First Listen - "The Grudge" by Tool

[@thegoatchild3545]

Even after over 2 decades this song still floors me. Astonishing piece of music.

[@vincegedeon6583]

Yes it's just mind blowing stuff 💯🔥🚒

[@shortbus6560]

Neat fact: if you add the reverse echo and the scream,the length in secs is the orbital period of Saturn in years. 29. 4 years

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Wow that’s mental. Pretty cool though.

[@isaacmalthus3542]

29 years... Man's still screaming

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@isaacmalthus3542 lol

[@50NewEyes]

Yup Maynard is a friggin freak…. Or just a coincidence. But I don’t believe in coincidences…..lol

[@50NewEyes]

@@isaacmalthus3542 well said fam

[@chriswebb7822]

The opening track on Lateralus...really sets the stage for what's to come!!

[@ryanb7665]

Great to hear another Tool reaction. It's been WAY too long. This track is absolutely insane

[@GimmeJimmy23]

Someone told me once, that grief is like having an omnipresent stone in your pocket. You never really get rid of it, you just get more used to having it, and are eventually slightly more able to lug it around. Maynard's eloquent description of a grudge, illustrates grudge-holding in a similar fashion.

[@deanlillee3231]

This comment. So true and definitely seem accurate to this song.

[@MrGmonkeywillruleyou]

That was the bass played high up not Adam jones at the 250 mark

[@olibertosoto5470]

The Angels & Demons of the music world. 👍🏼

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

Not really versed in astrology, but I think Saturn ascending has something to do with ones personality or path in life. I freaking love Tool.

[@vojkanjovanovic7940]

And also important, Saturn was a god in ancient Roman religion, who ate his own children.

[@EKDupre]

​@@vojkanjovanovic7940 IMO, this makes way more sense than the astrology take. "The one, the ten", "lifts you up like a child, drags you down like a stone"? I mean, cmon. It's more tasteful too, considering that astrology is bs and ancient mythology is at least pretty interesting.

[@vojkanjovanovic7940]

@@EKDupre I wouldn't throw away interpretation through astrology either, because... In astrology, it is recognized that Saturn is planet ruler of the zodiac sign of capricorn. It is considered that people born in this sign are prone to be, on the positive side: rational, practical, hard-working, persistent, wise, fair, patient, but on the negative side: too rigid, cold, selfish, and also can easilly fall into impatience and irraitonality when they are under the tyranny of some grudge, and thus so can be quite bitter and even cruel. It is considered that capricorns tend to be very stubborn. According to that, it is not in their nature to give up, to let go, whatever is the case. That's why they also tend to hold on grudges. Their (ir)rational aspect tends to be overbearing on their emotional aspect, (resembling, so to speak, the arcetype of tyrannical father ~ Saturn), thus so consuming it. Probably needless to say, that is very selfdestructive tendency.

[@tee4222]

Saturn lines up with the earth in its path around the sun approximately every 27 years. In astrology, it’s said that Saturns timeline marks the growth into adulthood. It’s the opportunity to leave your past behind and grow into the next phase of life. Maynard uses a lot of references to different philosophies, it doesn’t really mean he believes in every philosophy and religion he references. It’s just a neat way of expressing his views through different mediums.

[@adamboone3565]

My favorite tool song, musically and lyrically.

[@vincegedeon6583]

Yes it really is incredible 💯🔥🚒

[@constantine15]

10:38 yes that is indeed an alchemy reference. I would suppose you would recognize that with the alchemical symbol of the Philosopher’s Stone on the wall behind you haha

[@horoldo77]

Great reactions, just found you today, went back and watched your other Tool reactions first. Hope to see more Tool reactions soon.

[@joeadamczak]

The CD's graphic looked similar to a buzz saw. When you pop it in and hit play, it looked and sounded like a buzz saw starting up.

[@edrueter9]

The sound at the beginning is the turning on of a circular saw. The cd art featured a spinning saw blade around the outside of it, and that is the start to the album.

[@duanem.5738]

Always thought it was a projector. Thanks for the info. Spiral out

[@dxmxged_lotus_-9033]

So everything on the higher pitched end at the beginning of the song is actually the bassline.. it finally drops to the lowest octaves at 3:04. It resumes with the high pitched bassline at 10:30 and cuts back down after the bass "solo" at 10:53. Justin Chancellor is Tool's Bassist.

[@vincegedeon6583]

Incredible album The Grudge is an amazing starting track of the album those tribal drums are just badass 💯🔥🚒

[@costaldevomito]

Wow incredibly perceptive reaction. Impressed you got the very beggining of the probector sound turning on and consciousness.

[@alphajava761]

Musically they're a grunge version of Pink Floyd. I own all of their albums (except their last album) but haven't listened to them in some time. Definitely one of the best bands of the 90s era.

[@cjcookj85]

Definitely not grunge but yes. Progressive metal, but honestly, they are in their own genre, just like Floyd. No one can do what they do

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@cjcookj85 their own genre? Yeah maybe, they have a very distinctive sound and style, very original. I can definitely hear King Crimson albums, “Larks” “Starless” and “Red” looming large in their DNA but they build that out into a progressive metal kind of thing that is uniquely their own.

[@SantamanitaClauscaria]

That's Justin playing those high clear notes on his bass, not Adam on guitar. Tool will often flip the script and have Justin carry the melody on bass while Adam plays a harmonic rhythm with a lot of distortion. If you hear a clean and clear tone it's probably the bass.

[@ethanburgess3475]

Yes man his wal bass is something else

[@shep4life]

Every Tool song is an adventure

[@rickintx1125]

I'm hearing a very strong King Crimson influence, particularly the album Discipline.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Yes I was going to say I hear a little King Crimson but more like the “Red” era.

[@RubenRodriguez-qh2dx]

That’s not Adam Jones in the beginning when you make the comment about to guitar,,, that’s the bass player 😂😂😂

[@johncarpenter3751]

I don’t know if you’ve ever been in an old elevator, but that sound that you heard at the beginning of the song sounds like an old elevator. The metal gate closing and the motor kicking in to lower the elevator to the next floor or even further down. I always associated that sound as the sound to prepare you for the ride to come

[@eggstu]

This song seems to be pretty literal and he is telling you to not hold on to grudges because the grudge actually controls you. Your inability to forgive is really an attempt to have control. Let it go and grow. People holding a grudge will hold on and everything they do is built on that cornerstone. Clutch it like a cornerstone otherwise it all comes down. Terrified of being wrong.

[@michele-33]

When we don't forgive we are still letting the person that wronged us control our emotions. Hate and anger are low-vibration...it's better to forgive..but, we don't have to tell the person they've been forgiven. Just started listening to Tool a few months ago, I don't know what took me so long 💥

[@nathanwaibel454]

​@@michele-33 hes talking about taking your grudges and turning them into motivation. It's mostly about a grudge against religion tho.

[@michele-33]

@@nathanwaibel454 Thanks. My reply was about my experiences with grudges. I should have waited to reply since I didn't pay close attention to the song lyrics. Just began listening to Tool a few months ago - don't know why I waited so long. ps: this is my favorite music reaction channel, I rarely watch others. Syed's willingness to not stick with music he's comfortable with..but explores genres new to him is admirable. I hope he can figure a way around the copyright issues and they don't bring down his channel.

[@nathanwaibel454]

Yea. All good. I was trying to reply to the original comment tho. You're not exactly wrong tho. But to let go is not necessarily to forgive. I don't think he is talking about forgiveness just a releasing of the weight..

[@michele-33]

@@nathanwaibel454 Right, letting go doesn't always include forgiving - although a little of both would help in our day-to-day lives.. depending on the situation of course :) Peace 🕯️

[@mediocreman74]

I believe that "Saturn" is alluding to the Greek myth of Cronus (known as Saturn in Roman mythology). Contextually, I think it represents a moment of choice. It can either be a destructive manifestation of the grudge (as depicted in a famous painting by Goya) or a relinquishment of acceptance... "Saturn Devouring His Son is a painting by Spanish artist Francisco Goya. It is traditionally interpreted as a depiction of the Greek myth of the Titan Cronus (known as Saturn in Roman mythology) eating one of his offspring. Fearing a prophecy foretold by Gaea that predicted he would be overthrown by one of his children, Saturn ate each one upon their birth." - Wikipedia Also, if you haven't heard it, the title track of this album, Lateralus, is (in my humble opinion) one of the greatest rock songs ever written!

[@darkhoundslobber2028]

Being against something and not for something as a character trait has it drawbacks, haha. Just hearing your thoughts on music I love for the first time, and it's cool. I enjoy your interpretations (which seem to always be spot on) and wait to hear more.

[@LanceThompsonKssooner]

The stone and anchor are burdens that weigh you down. Also, the stone is a reference to the philosopher's stone from Alchemy, which was sought to transmute metal (usually lead) into gold.

[@MrGmonkeywillruleyou]

You should definitely start at the beginning of tools carelog and go through like you do with stones n dylan

[@zpe1200]

haven't see vid yet but know he will like this one.

[@aweejobby788]

i think the whole saturn theme is about time passing and people holding on to grudges which ruin their lives in the end unless you make a change and forgive

[@heyskipj]

I think "Wear the Grudge like a crown" gives a person license to act on vengeance. As in, another person did you wrong so you get full absolution for your hatred/grudge. Power that's temporarily fulfilling, but ultimately uncontrollable and unhealthy.

[@heyskipj]

..and my vote is for "Eulogy" next

[@carbon1479]

Saturn = limitation, it's about getting ratioed. There were also some double-entente references to Saturn the titan who ate his children (the future Olympians) to which Zeus slayed his father Saturn and freed his siblings.

[@ted1976hailspiralout]

Best Outro Ever 🤘🏻🌀

[@shortbus6560]

HYPE.................................................LETS GO

[@snakebite6x6x6]

The intro to verse 1 was not Adam...it was Justin on bass. :)

[@nauseantrock532]

Amazing band .toolarmy

[@nathanwaibel454]

I think the astrological stuff is there to compare old religions to new ones. What people choose to condemn is a product of the time in which they exist. The grudge is against those who condemn. Freedom comes from releasing that grudge and turning it into fuel.

[@langedarm1775]

the only part i dont really get (but im guessing it was an accident) is the fact that he sings "transmutate these leaden grudges into gold". since gold is heavier than lead, but at the same time singing about letting go. its contradictory

[@trevorburnett825]

That’s bass guitar not Adam Jones, but a great sound indeed

[@Zach-cn4lb]

2:43 that’s the bass

[@MrGmonkeywillruleyou]

Best drums and lyrical band ever

[@joeadamczak]

Your life changes every 30 years, roughly...

[@samthompson2269]

For me… The Grudge is about forgiveness.

[@thisistheyear99]

🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀👁🤘🏼

[@salvadorcamargo237]

YOU FORGOT ABOUT US DONT LIE

[@anthonyblakely399]

Good instruments.....wish there was more mystery and agony in his vocals....

[@shep4life]

Just an almost 30 second guttural scream as well

[@anianikka]

this song is super relevant now with this woke and cancel cultures

[@thepooz7205]

Not educated on it, but is Jungian psychology really based in alchemy? That sounds like something someone made up…

[@constantine15]

Yeah. Jung literally wrote a book called Psychology and Alchemy in 1944.

[@thepooz7205]

@@constantine15 thanks!

[@thepooz7205]

@@constantine15 whoa… dude tries to bridge Christian dogma to alchemy to psychology through personal observations and 2nd hand dream recollections to support the idea of collective consciousness? I don’t think I can get behind that as a whole. Way too many leaps, right?

[@jirikrajnak9047]

are you even qualified to be doing tool reactions? what are your academic credentials?

[@constantine15]

Booooo

[@MarkChappell1]

Not a tool fan. I guess I get that the instrumentation is high quality, the lyrics and vocals are edgy, same with the guitar. My problem is that the cord progressions are simple and there's no real discernable melody. Doesn't appeal to my musical logical brain.

[@johnseward2934]

One of the great divides when it comes to ifyou connect with Tool is whether your more musically inclined towards rhythm or melody. Tool is primarily and heavily rhythmic with a minor emphasis on melody. And a huge helping of atmosphere. Some songs, esp later in their career are more melodic, but they are still mostly driven by rhythm.

[@MarkChappell1]

@@johnseward2934 Perfect response, I clearly am inclined towards melody.

[@dxmxged_lotus_-9033]

​@@MarkChappell1perhaps you have yet to open your proverbial Third Eye towards just coasting waves of the rhythm.

[@MarkChappell1]

@@dxmxged_lotus_-9033 Could be, or maybe my third ear is telling me that there's no music without melody?