TOOL - Ænima (first time album reaction) *full cut*

[@kirawasareactor]

a feature film length... this may be the longest video i've ever uploaded. only for TOOL

[@davidellis5141]

Two Hours ! ✅️ .. 🔧

[@AreYouThereGodItsMePhil]

Story of a TOOL fan's life.

[@strykr82]

Waati until you hear or react Fear Inoculum.

[@Thunderbear69]

Check out this cover of 46 and 2 by some music students: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4qufamPfNaUeZI

[@Gideonite]

Thanks you for this ❤

[@ScapeGoat77]

This will always be my favorite TOOL album. It’s pretty miraculous.

[@ScapeGoat77]

Your reaction to H got me. That’s like probably my favorite, if I had to pick.

[@KyleCollins-ny4em]

Yer miraculous!

[@avedic]

@@ScapeGoat77 Same. Lateralus and Aenima are quite different 10/10 albums for me, but Aenima will always be my #1. The songwriting is perfect, the tonality is so fascinating...silvery, watery, metallic, staticy. Lots of diverse ideas but a unified tone. It's unsettling and weird...but hyper catchy and FULL of hooks. I also love how often they play with the stereo image. The first 3/4 of Stinkfist is basically all mono! And then it o p e n s up the stereo image. Bands don't do that enough. It's all hard panned hyper compressed stereo all the time.

[@chevy383jt]

​@@ScapeGoat77Same. H. Is probably one of the best songs ever. In my top 3 for sure.

[@ju4408]

Aenima was certainly their greatest comedic achievement. Undertow had a million anal references (the cow OMG, remember finding the hidden cow?), Opiate had a few good jokes, too. But Aenima was Tool at their trolling peak. I remember them claiming they died on April 1 that year. It was glorious.

[@timhunter5280]

I'm so fascinated, you're maybe the first person I've seen having such a visceral reaction to the greatness of H. I love this band, I know every album in and out and H might sneakily be my favourtite track of theirs, at least top 3. It's incredibly underrated in their discography. That ascension to the last chorus is so incredibly beautiful.

[@aesop2020]

It’s a crime H never gets played live. I’ve seen those sunsabitches at least 16 times and never heard it live.

[@thegoatchild3545]

​@@aesop2020it's a very personal song to Maynard, so that's probably the reason.🤔

[@egads3696]

Always loved this song and now that i know the title i can finally play it

[@GlassJAw413]

The story about "Message from Harry Manback" has to go back to the band Green Jello/ Green Jelly. Basically the singer Green Jello convinced another band member to let his Italian friend Francesco to live with him. Francesco proceeded to basically party 24/7 drinking and eating all their alcohol and food and bringing random women around. Eventually one of the band members kicked Francesco out and had sex with one of the women he brought home. Francesco a couple weeks later left those messages on their answering machine and it became a joke within the band.

[@johnrussell-bk7lv]

"Today, young men on acid realize that all matter is just energy condensed to a slow vibration - that we are all one conciousness experiencing itself subjectively. There is no such thing as death; life is only a dream and we are experiencing ourselves subjectively. Here's Tom with the weather." Thanks for that, Bill Hicks. We all need that reminder from time to time.

[@SeIbst]

Einstein

[@ardis523]

Memories of driving home from work with this CD. The cover was trippy you can tip it up and down left and right and the eyes would change and the inside sleeve was pretty interesting too. The thing I love about tool is it's danceable Hard Rock at it's finest.

[@oregonwoodelf]

Damn I love when Eulogy drops in.... SOOOOOO LOOOONNGGG!!!!🧝‍♂

[@Mr.Sidenote]

One of my favorite albums of all time. Imagine feeling "desensitized to everything" back in 1996 and here we are, nearly 30 years later.

[@TheHalo14aus]

Friend gave me the CD back in early 1997 because he didn't like/get it. His loss :)

[@jarrodsmith4405]

On the verge of WW3! Atleast we have MJK!

[@RosettaStoned462]

This album is a fucking masterpiece from beginning to end

[@sacredgeometry]

They all are

[@efwewfwef1549]

not really... pretty weak compared to their other albums. "stinkfist" "46&2" are great though

[@ihateveryone2]

@@efwewfwef1549 Nah, its their best album. A perfect balance between progressive/wanky music with heavy, dark, witty and stylish. The others after it are great but they gradually become more obsessed with the progressive stuff and sound more and more pretentious. This one truly rocks and is the favorite of the Tool fans that don't smell their own farts.

[@theMosen]

@@ihateveryone2 That was a bit of a "smell my own farts" reply, though

[@jeneraljax29]

​@@ihateveryone2who the hell doesn't smell their own farts?? 🤔

[@DJTransplant]

What a great album! Eulogy still hits me every time! I love it!

[@MrDuanepalmer]

Dier Von Satan is actually a pot-cookie recipe cited in German. Shows TOOL'S twisted sense of humor. 😂

[@HiJackShepherd]

The song is called The Eggs of Satan, yet over and over the vocals yell "AND NO EGGS!" ...smh

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

I was trying to figure out what "Dier" is supposed to mean in german. Then I looked up how the song is actually spelled. Sheesh people, make some effort to spell correctly. It's "Die Eier" "The eggs" not "Dier"....

[@tempsitch5632]

Small detail, but hash, not pot.

[@pepe1999ish]

I was bout to say the same thing but I think it's hash

[@SkateAnnoy-b1s]

Also good to know that "eier" means eggs in german, but is also a slang word for Testicles in german. So it could also mean "Satan's balls"

[@WorseReviews]

Your setup is beautiful! The lighting and the vibe is perfect! Also amazing reaction!

[@acousticscarab]

I just want to say that one of the best parts of your reactions to Tool is how you let your body get into it. That's exactly how I listen to this band; a full body experience. Thanks for sharing your Tool journey with us. Keep it coming. Also, I'm really glad you liked H. so much. My personal favorite Tool song bar none.

[@snax087]

definitely need to check out the salival live version of pushit. Goosebumps every time i hear it

[@yakamen]

This is a pretty universal sentiment.

[@chriswebb7822]

For many, me included, Tool songs get better every time you listen! Their music is so full of life it takes dozens of listens to absorb most of it.

[@Xenda]

This was the first Tool album I listed to back in 1996, and it's still my favorite of theirs after all of these years. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@efwewfwef1549]

nah

[@A_Music_Enthusiast]

Fr this album has a TON of great jams, Lateralus is a close second though in my opinion. Stinkfist, Eulogy, H., Forty Six & 2, Jimmy, Pushit and Ænema are all great! 🔥

[@Gary_M]

When you get a chance, check out the drum cam video for the song Pneuma, you'll get an even greater appreciating for what Danny Carey is doing on percussion.

[@thepooz7205]

28:05 most reaction channels are goaded into doing this song (Forty Six & 2) as one of the first three Tool songs, like yours. It is always too early. I’m glad you came back around for another listen, now that you are more accustomed to their style.

[@stepheng1523]

Stinkfist - eulogy - h - forty six and two: best 4 song album opener ever, fight me

[@captainvaughn5692]

incredible intro but for me it has to be Attack - Dreaming - Kill rock'n rool - Hypnotize by System of a Down

[@fleetadmiralsakazuki]

Blackwater Park

[@efwewfwef1549]

not really

[@andrewmiller218]

I’ll be fighting side by side with you on this one, brother 🌀🤘🏼🔥!

[@Robisquick]

Definitely up there. I think the first 4 from 10K is on par

[@CousinWhatIsIt]

When they came out with this, it blew me away. I've heard the later albums, and know many consider Lateralus their best, but it's the attitude and creativity of this album, along with its tribute to Bill Hicks, that makes it at the top of my favorite albums of all time. I've listened to this album a thousand times at least.

[@caretakerrr123]

same ænima is where it’s at for me. no hate for lateralus though.

[@MrHypermoto]

Especially when you consider the relatively unpolished feel on Opiate and Undertow, the detail of the soundscapes and production quality on this record was shocking at the time. They really reached beyond themselves and pulled it off.

[@nicholassims8112]

Couldn’t have said it better…I agree completely.

[@n0tk0sher]

Best albim of the 90s, bar none. When this came out I was enthralled. Great job!

[@OCRay1]

Wow. Really? Don’t get me wrong, I love it but it did have competition. Guns n Roses: - Use Your Illusion 1 & 2. Metallica: - Black Album. Pantera: -Cowboys From Hell -Far Beyond Driven - The Great southern Trendkill. Nirvana: - Nevermind - In Utero Sublime: -Sublime Pearl Jam - Ten R H Chili Peppers: -Blood Sugar Sex Magik Social Distortion: - Socia Distortion - White Light White Heat White Trash. Agent Orange: - Living in Darkness Plus: Bad Religion Pennywise Tom Petty & Heartbreakers U2 REM Green Day Smashing Pumpkins Etc…. 🤙🏻

[@n0tk0sher]

@@OCRay1 I'd put Dirt ahead of Ten.

[@OCRay1]

@@n0tk0sher Oh ya I blanked on Alice

[@n0tk0sher]

@@OCRay1 You're right though. Many great albums in that era (and every other era for that matter). But I stand by my post. This album wasn't only just bonkers good, I consider it revolutionary.

[@OCRay1]

@@n0tk0sher It’s all good. I agree as well that from about 1965-1995, 95+% of all the greatest music ever created was contained in that amazing 30yr era.

[@vanilla_milkshake]

this is why I always recommend listening to Tool's music as a whole album

[@jams_world81]

One of my favorite albums of all time

[@PowderedToastMan420]

What a fantastic album. Actually, they are all fantastic. ✌️

[@Hatrimn]

H is the song that hooked me for life. Had to pull over the night I heard it on the radio.

[@highlanderpt1]

Heard stink fist on the radio back in the day , Bought the cd . I think I listed to it for a year straight . Hooked ever since

[@kizzlenation1947]

Never seen you before, but I think you are very entertaining, and fun to watch. Tool is the greatest, and I absolutely LOVE seeing people experience it for the 1st time. Well Done!!!

[@souhailamirouch6659]

Thank you for your reaction ^^ ! Tool changed my life for years, i would recommend you listening to pushit salival which is a beyond live track, then move to the album 10 000 days

[@nickdietrich1609]

I’m a dude, and I’ve been listening to this band since 93’. I’m 40 now, and I act the way you do when I listen to these guys today😂👌🏼💯

[@wearenotamused6455]

Absolutely loved your reaction!!! Truly EPIC, this album was on heavy rotation back when I was a much younger pup. Please keep rockin' out... we love you❤❤❤

[@mavrick6088]

Lol she says thank god the albums lightening up because it was so dark in the biggining lol. All while he is singing about Los Angeles falling off into the ocean lol

[@SamGamgee8012]

"Die Eier von Satan" is a German baking recipe, without eggs "... UND KEINE EIER!". Also while English and German are related, things get complicated with eggs and balls. Ei = egg, Eier = eggs, Ball = ball, Bälle = balls. But also: Die Eier = the balls (usually two, very sensitive...)

[@randomsasquatchwithwifi4090]

Very cool! Thank you for posting the entirety of the reaction on KZbin!

[@eja144]

It’s been so long since I listened to this album all the way through - I forgot how damn good it is!

[@antonenb]

You should revisit the song H. and really delve into the lyrics and their potential meaning. That song has some incredible depth behind it.

[@olli__]

yay big thank for the *full cut* ! :D

[@ThunderTaco206]

This record will always hold such a special place in my heart. This is the record that got me into Tool way back in 1996 when it first dropped. I was a freshman in high school, and a friend of mine brought his discman over to me at school, dropped his headphones on my head, and said, "Listen to this shit." He played me Eulogy. Changed everything for me. As a musician, as a lover of music, as a person. Everything. Then I heard H. and everything changed again. Then I heard Pushit and I was hooked for life.

[@Brandon_Beaty]

Of course it's your channel to do as you please, Kira, but I greatly enjoy your TOOL reactions. Who am I to judge stranger's motives? But I get a strong impression many reaction channels go after TOOL for the clicks, say, "That's awesome!" and move on without providing any context for their assessment. I appreciate your raw reactions with your praise and critiques. The little flashes of emotion or expression on your face while listening to certain parts are the tell you're being genuine. That or you may be in contention for an Oscar. 😉 Take care of yourself.

[@GrimrDirge]

We saw them at the Thomas & Mack center in Vegas for the Aenima tour and it was such a great show. That makes this album special for me.

[@oscarrios6048]

I just discovered you and I’ve been binging a bunch of your videos and you are quickly becoming one of my favorites ❤ love your channel keep it coming.

[@Gul-Garath]

I wish I could hear this album for the first time again.

[@alexgrindnshine2522]

Love your reaction, going through this masterpiece with you was great!! This was my introduction to Tool 28 years ago.

[@jambulance]

I’ve been listening to Tool for around 18ish years now since I was a kid, I think Lateralus and 10,000 Days were tied for my favourite for a long time, for some reason the songs were easier to listen to for me but over the past couple of years ænima has pushed itself through to maybe being my favourite, it’s such a banger to sing along to in the car, I feel like the other two records benefit from needing to listen to a handful of the songs in a row like Parabol/Parabola, or Lipan Conjuring/Lost Keys/Rosetta Stoned (actually most of 10,000 Days is just large songs split into parts), this album you can just pick a song and go with it.

[@MostlyCloudy]

NOICE - love this album. i listened to it SO MUCH when i was waiting for Lateralus to come out.

[@billycorrigan560]

Brilliant video, felt like showing an album that you're really into to your friend for the first time and they appreciate it just as much as you do. Great fun, I love Aenima

[@eatpowder]

So happy to see this!!! I’m leaving for Tool tour tomorrow morning and I am so so stoked… SLC here I come

[@davidbaker7903]

Aenima and Lateralus are complete masterpieces. Lateralus probably being the absolute peak and pinnacle. But a huge shout out for 10,000 days, my personal favourite. Every song is epic and sonically out of this world.

[@chriswebb7822]

You absolutely must do the Salival Live album in this format!! I think it's be right up your alley! There's another version of Pushit and Third Eye and even a Led Zepplin cover of No Quarter in it.

[@djjohncawley161]

Very ambitious of you to take on such a complex LP! Dynamics, polyrhythms, & complexity for days! Keep doing what youre doing. We're all with you. Down the rabbit hole we go! Xo DjJc

[@alefnull]

still one of my favorite albums of all time. and certainly my favorite Tool album. a neighborhood friend introduced me to them with this album back in the mid-90s and they've been one of my favorite bands ever since. this album is, imho, perfect. EDIT: and yes - the drummer, Danny Carey, is absolutely fucking incredible. at some point you should check out the live drum-cam video of him playing "Pneuma" from Fear Innoculum. absolutely mind-blowing.

[@oacirferreira]

I remember the first time i heard this album. Blowed my mind completely!! It was the first time hearing Tool too.....

[@StevenPD]

It is great to see the younger generations enjoying music I grew up on. My physical copies of Tool and John 5 albums were the only ones I kept after digitizing and liquidating my collection of approximately 500 albums. I look forward to watching your other full cut reactions. Cheers from Canada!

[@parinthianquattropani9071]

"And no eggs!"

[@CousinWhatIsIt]

The "learn to swim" and comments about L.A. is from a comedy bit by Bill Hicks. He can be heard at the beginning of Third Eye. Eulogy is also basically about him because they knew each other and he died young of cancer.

[@drizel462]

This is my favorite Tool album. I will watch this in its entirety. Thanks!

[@jeremymullins1294]

8:47 the exact moment back in 1998 when I realized Tool was gonna be my favorite band.

[@Stupha_Kinpendous]

Absolutely loved your reaction to this. Made my fucking week. Drinks for you! Edit: You have such a genuine, forthright enthusiasm for what you're doing here. That's what folk want to see in reaction videos in general, of course. But as a fucking Tool fan, seeing that shit done proper just delights me. You're clearly not just ticking boxes to get the KZbin likes. You love that shit, and I feel like I just spent an hour and a half listening to music with a good friend. No creepy, I promise. Just, thanks, and well done. Please keep that up. I am very happily subscribed.

[@PowderedToastMan420]

kirawasareactor, that is some of the best CHAIR DANCING that I've ever seen. ✌

[@dan.j.boydzkreationz]

Notice how jIMMY has a slower, deeper version of Intermission's instrumental melody

[@syntheticvocalist-p472]

Damn....that's impressive -PurpleyesWTF

[@Therap1ssed]

The interludes were meant to break up the tone for a full album listen back in the record and tape days where you couldn't just conveniently select a track. Compact Discs and later MP3s brought in the digital age where you could easily select any track from an album and put that on repeat or just add a song to a playlist. The interludes on these Tool albums always struck me as homages to their what their favourite bands like King Crimson did.

[@LysergiaBandOfficial]

not really, must be why fear inoculum has interludes and undertow and opiate don't

[@LysergiaBandOfficial]

probably every tool album after undertow but especially ænima and fear inoculum have a lot of interludes

[@Therap1ssed]

@@LysergiaBandOfficial Opiate was an EP, not an album; but fair enough on Undertow. Undertow did have 7 minutes of crickets after Disgustipated, but that's at the end.

[@LysergiaBandOfficial]

@@Therap1ssed after 59 tracks specifically designed for a cd

[@Therap1ssed]

@@LysergiaBandOfficialYes good old track 69, dude! I remember when I'd push shuffle on the CD player for Undertow you'd keep getting hit with those blank tracks. 🤣

[@tommj4365]

My cheeks hurt from smiling the whole time, such a sweet reaction to maybe my favorite album of all time. Thanks for brightening my life ❤️

[@CousinWhatIsIt]

Bill Hicks would talk about doing mushrooms and tripping on stage at a time when that was very taboo. He was a Lenny Bruce of his time. He would tell the story of doing mushrooms and "squeegee-ed his third eye clean", and later would rant "squeegee your third eye". It ties in to the theme of the album. There is an artistic rendering of Bill on the inside of the CD insert.

[@Therap1ssed]

The live version of Pushit from Salival is an epic full reconstruction of the song.

[@rubaidaallen2764]

Pushit live = MASTERPIECE PAR EXCELLENCE. I love that Maynard sings it in a different key. Gorgeous 👏👏👏👏👏

[@grimsyx6225]

Just watched your The Clash album review and find you also did a TOOL Ænemia reaction, made my day!

[@ricksundberg5659]

Ænima is kinda coming true in Los Angeles right now, just have to replace earthquakes, rain and tidal waves with fires, drought and gail force winds.

[@jedediahpelland]

Every time a listen to a Tool album it's my favorite Tool album of all time..... Also I can never seem to get my headphones to turn up loud enough....

[@RDreamer]

Die Eier Von Satan is a recipe for hashish brownies in German. "Und keine eier" means "and no eggs" because the recipe does not call for eggs.

[@JungleScene]

I agree about the tones. Adam had some of the BEST guitar tones in the 90s, along side jerry cantrell IMO. and Justins bass tone is always stellar.

[@idrinkdiesel8451]

agreed on all fronts lol

[@bakedbeast9043]

Without a doubt

[@BKJ-88]

Such a huge part of Adam's playing is his tone.

[@DizzyD850]

Well, Adam use to play bass in a band with Tom Morello back in the day, so......

[@MadCritter]

Can’t forget billy corgan on Siamese dream

[@notarobot2243]

When tool first came out you didnt know when a new album would be released. When it finally did release out of no where, the albums would hit harder then the last. It was a great experience. Now its just at your finger tips already. #1 album for me then lateralus. JS 🤘😝🤘

[@rubaidaallen2764]

This album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@silverjeffrey]

Somehow she so freaking cute 🥹I think it’s the complete lack of pretense and how she’s so comfortable being her goofy self. Anyway great reaction. Open minded, attention to detail, interesting commentary, a bit silly, and most importantly very authentic.

[@uncletaco916]

Your Third Eye sunglasses dance immediately followed by the slow sunglasses exit was everything. Adorable.

[@matttyree1002]

This album is perfect for listening to in your room on an overcast day :)

[@gumenski]

It's amazing watching this chick experience something for the first time that raised up my own life almost 30 years ago. I've listened to this album thousands of times and it's never gotten old, but there's something more exciting about watching someone do it all over again. It's a timeless album. Also props to her for calling out Danny Carey as the centerpiece of the band. GOAT rock drummer, period. He makes Tool what it is.

[@Stick-a-fork-in-Gmorks-tort]

Really appreciate this little treat. Good on ya.

[@TraditionalHippie]

16:58 Ve no mous voice tempts me draaains me bleeeeds me leeeaves me cracked and emmmpty draaags me down like some sweet graviiiiity…..

[@gandalf8216]

I used to listen to Eulogy a lot when I worked as a software engineer, in the years I hated cults and religions more than what was proportional at the time. Anyway, I love your attempts of developing dance moves to a Tool song. It's adorable, and you're doing a great job out of it.

[@thedonton]

Only way to listen to this album ! Front to back ! Great video! 👽

[@bubbasboyngirl]

Fantastic reaction to these sonic and lyrical wizards!!!

[@BrainWasherAttendent]

Ah the days when tool still played theaters. What a magical time to see them. Ya same drummer. He used electronic pads and different triggers to get unique sounds along with his drum kit.

[@RunawayOcelot]

I saw them at The Orpheum in Boston during 10,000 Days Tour. Only holds 2,700. It felt like the entire place could collapse in on itself at any moment. Everything shook! Might be my favorite concert experience ever!!

[@armyadam007]

Full listen to the music first is a must, but for a deeper understanding, giving it a second listen down the track with a focus on the lyrics and your own interpretations brings it to another level again.

[@Red-Eyed_Goose]

I 👍 your ‘Lateralus’ reaction, & now am stoked you’ve gotten to Tool’s magnum opus, IMO. Either or are usually a Tool’s favorite.

[@sgtstank]

You need to look at the "intermission" tracks as palate cleansers. A step away from the intensity you had just experienced. A means to decompress and put your head in a different space.

[@My-Name-Isnt-Important]

Tool and Primus are almost opposites of each other. One hyper serious the other not taking their selves seriously at all. Both are extremely talented musicians though and both some of the best groups of the 90's. If you like one of them, you'll probably like the other as well.

[@Oborowatabinostk]

Two of my Favs. Primus also has some dark tones that are awesome, like Pork Soda...

[@LysergiaBandOfficial]

tool is not hyper serious

[@LysergiaBandOfficial]

they're nerds who try to fuck with people for fun, especially in the earlier days. they touch on serious subjects, but a lot of shit pre lateralus has lots of comedic undertones

[@Krikenemp18]

Third Eye might be my favorite Tool song. The structure, the dynamics, the way it plays with dissonance and repetition, the way it both lulls and shocks you. Just an incredible experience.

[@alienlifeform7490]

The "Thinker". I enjoy your insightful reactions, Kira. Tool is a trip. Thank you! ☯

[@Kevin_Fiol]

I've missed your Tool reacts❤

[@TejasRichard]

@kirawasareactor, given how much you enjoyed the drums on this album, you really need to find the live recording of them playing "Pneuma". The camera focuses solo on Danny's drum work, and it is even more amazing to watch his wizardry as you listen.

[@jgdoster]

Love your reactions.

[@corey293]

Definitely recommend their first album, Undertow, next if you're considering going further into their discography. Their earlier stuff is incredible and, some still argue, their best.

[@areyouserious7080]

Welcome to the Tool army, you're hooked. Lateralus and AEmima are very good albums as they all 6 of them are. The last one from 2019 Fear Inoculium is going to blow your mind. Can't wait for you to do it soon I hope. I suggest you learn more about the band and each person. They do many things outside the band that might surprise you. I personally believe that each member, Maynard, Adam, Justin, and Danny are Savants in the music world. There are no other rock bands like them. I like your show so I'll stick around. lol

[@Therap1ssed]

If you like their more tender moments, their old man magnum opus (or swan song) that is Fear Inoculum is a great listen.

[@tommj4365]

Yes, I just hope she listens to 10000 Days next, as that has some beautiful heart breaking stuff

[@benprice6618]

I've never seen an Aussie reacter before. Really enjoyed it as a fellow Aussie. On your TOOL journey, make sure to listen to "10000 Days". But also you must listen to it in the dark. Not great for a reaction video but shit, you will appreciate it far more. Rock on

[@BeissZang]

Intermission will be forever stuck in my brain

[@guywithalltheanswers6942]

It hurts me to hear the pauses between the intermission on this album. It was some of the coolest parts of it.

[@2EEsTunes]

it took me until 10000days b4 i really got into tool then i went back and rediscovered and loved it all. tool will keep growing on you as you find out more about them

[@jamesphillips7433]

You should give Karnivool's album Sound Awake a listen. Australian band. Not quite as edgy as Tool, but their music is probably as complex.

[@stick80]

I don't know if this has been said already. This is the first album with their new bass player Justin Chancellor. 46 & 2 was the first song he helped write with the band.

[@kirktown2046]

UGH -- I LOVE YOUR REACTION TO H.! (and everything else) Thank you! That has been my favorite song for like 25 years... When I was in highschool theater, we had a project to perform a scene with no lines, just "subtext", blocking, and pick a piece of music. I did a scene with a soviet contemplating his decisions as the morning comes where he knows he will be arrested and taken to the Gulag for speaking against the state(I'm soviet born Ukrainian). Tool's H. said everything I didn't need to. Everyone was wrapt in attention, starved for context. I paced around, looked out an imaginary window pensively, and everyone was riding the music as it quietly built up toward that first crescendo. It may've been a cheap gimmick, but I slammed a folding chair in frustration just as the crescendo hit and the audience, who were my peers, jumped, gasped, and jaws hit the floor. Red faced and goose-bumped myself, I could see my friends body languages and faces, and they were shook. That empathy gap was bridged instantaneously, people saw and felt my pain of being raised by abusive addicts from a country full of political strife. I got a bunch of nice comments, but the real difference was how some of the theater girls started treating me like a had a dark mysterious brooding side, ha! Funny how that edgelord empathy opened doors in the 90's/00's.

[@witzbold70]

I’m really liking your reactions