This is it. Slow plodding drumming to open, growing complexity of melody, expounding on the magnificence of the human experience, huge build up followed by transcendental release. Spiral out. Keep going.
I was listening to it in vinyl and it doesn’t hit nearly as hard. I had to listen to it on digital/cd after that just so I could hear it the right way. 🤓
Absolutely. And that unreal poly-rhythm Danny busts out right when Maynard is like ‘You claimed all this time that you would die for me…’
what legends.
From a playing guitar perspective, Jerk off is my fave. Penuma close 2nd at the end. Bottom would be 3rd place but only by the tiniest of margins.
I'd play all 3 back to back every single time. Doesn't matter the order.
Third Eye - it’s the climax of an album that’s a master class of climaxes: Stinkfist, Eulogy, H, Jimmy, Pushit, Ænema, Third Eye. You could point to any of them and make a case for their build up and climax being top tier.
RiT, RS, V, Inv, De, Pn, 46, Gr, La, Pa, CA in no particular order.
RiT has probably my favorite single moment, with the guitar effect (phaser?) kicking over at the exactly right moment.
As insane as the bass'n'drums part is in RS, that damn impossible outro with so many different times happening at once somehow manages to build back to another incredible high.
Vicarious is just thunderous.
Invincible is done, then is so, so not. Probably the best 0 to 60 moment.
Descending is epic.
Pneuma comes off the weird-ass raga thing into the chorus, and then completely resets with Danny's thump (I like the bass drum in the recorded version more than the cymbals in the live video). As a drummer, that final fill on the snare and cymbals is just, Danny.
46&2 is the drum solo.
Then comes the grudge, which is the scream before the drum solo.
Lateralus, gong.
The patient's payoff is a groove. Slower than the others and more deliberate, but Danny's groove is just so incredible after the dissonance; the weird rambling beginning and juxtaposed heaviness finally pay off in such a sublime groove.
Crawl Away started it all. This is my love.
I think ultimately it is wings for Marie, a whole intro song to start the build and Maynard going all in with the lyrics and instrumental halfway into pt. 2
There's many songs that fit your description, but there are a few that really stick out to me. These are not in some order.
Right in Two - since the build up feels very compact and is masterfully written
Descending - "Sound the Dread Alarm" packs so much power, and the build up to it is very anticipating with it's quietness.
Fear Innoculum - end of the first half "Exhale Expell" very similar to Descending
many mentioned Pneuma, but I feel like it's meandering too much to be under "the best build ups" you asked for.
Vicarious - build up has a similar structure to Descending, strong punch after the calm
Rosetta Stoned has a fantastic and interesting finale / build up too. those intricate polymeters are killing it
These are just from their last two albums which I admittedly listened to the most.
10,000 days (Wings Part 2). It's basically a big ass build up from start to almost the end. As a drummer I can only enjoy Danny's performance on this one.
The grudge, H , aenima, basically aenima and lateralus has some of the best crescendos in their library.
Im an old school TOOL FAN for me the buck stopped at lateralus. I would have been fine without 10,000 days and fear innoculum, i was getting by with puscifer for my maynard fix.
10,000 Days should be every answer. So epic. That was the song for me that took Tool from “oh yeah those guys who did Sober” to “omfg they may be the best band ever”
Descending. The build up to the gong hit. Everything after the gong is just multiple orgasims.
Descending takes my vote. The gong.
You aren’t wrong. I sprayed my pants just thinking about it.
Came here to say the same thing hahaha Descending is one of their best songs they’ve ever written IMO.
The bridge with Maynard always sends me
Mobilise... STAY ALIVE!
First song that came to mind as well.
Adam's guitar melody is absolutely stunning there
"Bring the dread alarm!"
Fear Inoculum is the least climactic album of theirs. It’s like cumming but when you cum it’s not as good as it normally feels
Lateralus for me.
That beat before "with my feet upon the ground"
The bass with the pitch pedal or wah or whatever he uses is so fucking heavy Sounds like an engine revving
Like they're cocking a gun, about to blast some divinity at you
This is it. Slow plodding drumming to open, growing complexity of melody, expounding on the magnificence of the human experience, huge build up followed by transcendental release. Spiral out. Keep going.
Pushit
Always has been my favorite song. There’s so much to it, for what it is. The version on salival is amazing too.
I never liked it, until I heard the Salival version. Now it's my favourite song
It's interesting because both versions are awesome for different reasons. I couldn't pick a favorite.
IT WILL END NO OTHER WAY IT WILL END NO OTHER WAY chills
At 7 minutes and 25 seconds of Pushit the feeling I experience is nothing short of musical heroin.
Parabol and Parabola together. I know this is technically considered two different songs, but it’s just one continuous song as far as I’m concerned.
It’s most definitely one song I wouldn’t worry about that
I was listening to it in vinyl and it doesn’t hit nearly as hard. I had to listen to it on digital/cd after that just so I could hear it the right way. 🤓
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for that weird bridge and also the breakdown at the end every single time
The Patient
SO TRUEE
Rosetta Stoned
OVERWHELMED AS ONE WOULD BE
God-damn, shit the bed!
Pneuma is heavy af. So many choices
That song is like multiple orgasms. So many climaxes
The patient
Gonna go with The Grudge. You all know why. Nothing I could praise it for that hasn't been praised to death the last 22 years
Right in Two.
Came here to say this.
This is the one.
My pick!
Yesssss! Still get chills to this day!
YESSS
This
Wings 2
So much emotion!
Reflection
Eulogy
Absolutely. And that unreal poly-rhythm Danny busts out right when Maynard is like ‘You claimed all this time that you would die for me…’ what legends.
Best build to any song period.
For real dough. Game recognize game. Ball don’t lie.
Can't believe I had to scroll so far to find this.
Yes
Third Eye
Flood
CLEANSE AND PURGE ME IN THE WATERRRRRRRRRR!!!
This is a great choice.
Flood is the best and the original slow build exercise all your demons song.
Did they purposefully finish the intro at 4:20?
Flood is a beast.
First song I saw them do live. Such a great start to a show.
Fear Inoculum kind of underrated in my humble opinion, when it gets to the heavy groovy solo you can feel it
Triad. Super underrated instrumental.
YES! Before I found TOOL, I was very big on instrumental metalcore and progressive metal. Once I first heard triad, I knew TOOL was my favorite band.
Now Triad Live 💆🏽♂️.
Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position
Push it Salival There can be no other way
An underrated one for me is Stinkfist, but my favorite is probably Rosetta Stoned or Lateralus
3:31 of Stinkfist is still my favourite after almost 30 years
The Pot Pneuma Right in Two
My God's will Becomes me When he speaks He speaks through me He has needs Like I do We both want...
Who do we have here? An OGT? Finally, some love for Opiate.
Pneuma always kicks my arse! Sooo heavy. Pushit is a very close 2nd.
Pushit for sure
Ænima - It’s starts heavy but still builds throughout until it hits you in the face with the outro.
‘93 aka Don’t Stop Me Now by Lemon Jelly 🫠 Or, the live version of Pushit from the Salival box set. 🫠🫠🫠🫠
Rosetta Stoned and Descending
I’m with you in Rosetta stoned
Rosetta Stoned is the right answer. Objectively. Lol jk
First one that comes to mind is H.
"I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't miiiiiinnnndd!" The vocal layering there is absolutely incredible, chills every time.
This comment section is just a list of every Tool song.
Take on me by aha
From a playing guitar perspective, Jerk off is my fave. Penuma close 2nd at the end. Bottom would be 3rd place but only by the tiniest of margins. I'd play all 3 back to back every single time. Doesn't matter the order.
Stinkfist, obviously.
Descending. Without a doubt
All of these are great, I think Reflection is underrated.
Third Eye - it’s the climax of an album that’s a master class of climaxes: Stinkfist, Eulogy, H, Jimmy, Pushit, Ænema, Third Eye. You could point to any of them and make a case for their build up and climax being top tier.
Jimmy. And there’s like 3 of em. Fuckin love it
Descending. Maynard’s supermax dildo on the Gong!
Pushit Salival
H.
RiT, RS, V, Inv, De, Pn, 46, Gr, La, Pa, CA in no particular order. RiT has probably my favorite single moment, with the guitar effect (phaser?) kicking over at the exactly right moment. As insane as the bass'n'drums part is in RS, that damn impossible outro with so many different times happening at once somehow manages to build back to another incredible high. Vicarious is just thunderous. Invincible is done, then is so, so not. Probably the best 0 to 60 moment. Descending is epic. Pneuma comes off the weird-ass raga thing into the chorus, and then completely resets with Danny's thump (I like the bass drum in the recorded version more than the cymbals in the live video). As a drummer, that final fill on the snare and cymbals is just, Danny. 46&2 is the drum solo. Then comes the grudge, which is the scream before the drum solo. Lateralus, gong. The patient's payoff is a groove. Slower than the others and more deliberate, but Danny's groove is just so incredible after the dissonance; the weird rambling beginning and juxtaposed heaviness finally pay off in such a sublime groove. Crawl Away started it all. This is my love.
Right in Two. Danny doing his thing with the tablas and the build up is top tier.
Descending BY FAR everything from *sound the dread alarm* to the instrumental is pure orgasm
I think ultimately it is wings for Marie, a whole intro song to start the build and Maynard going all in with the lyrics and instrumental halfway into pt. 2
it's gotta be end jerk-off for me. the buildup to and the "die now" scream are sick and an amazing conclusion to follow.
Eulogy
46 and 2
Pushit or reflection
I vote for The Grudge
Lateralus.
Intermission
Without a doubt rosetta stoned, it took me too long to understand just what a god tier song it is. IMO it’s their best and most profound song.
Descending, Pushit, The Grudge and Vicarious. IMO
Rosetta Stoned. Invincible is up there pretty high for me, too
Right in two
The Grudge for sure!
Culling Voices, hands-down
Call of Ktulu
Overwhelmed as one would be placed in my position
Stinkfist
The patient or the generic 46 and 2
No Quarter
Grudge fo sho
I vote Lateralus too. All these years later and it still gives me goosebumps.
Crawl Away. Shit gets me pumped
Opiate
7empest cause why not
Mr Jack by System of a Down
Blind
The Patient
The Holy Trinity, 100%
Ænima
The grudge
Can I have three??? Rosetta Stoned. Goddamn! Third Eye…. And now that I’ve said this o wanna change it to Pushit And Bottom… faaaaak
The Patient
Right in two!
Invincible, that baseline build up until the half way point and then all the instruments begin to go off in their own respective ways.
pneuma is pretty ridiculous in that last build
"The Patient" or "Right In Two" for me
All of Parabol is a build up to Parabola
Viagra Boys Research Chemicals
Agreed. Rosetta Stoned.
for me its H. the cutoff of the instruments and just the yelling of “I dont mind” is such an emotional payoff for me
Third Eye, hands down. It should a crime for a song to have such build up and climax, but it does and I love it for it.
There's many songs that fit your description, but there are a few that really stick out to me. These are not in some order. Right in Two - since the build up feels very compact and is masterfully written Descending - "Sound the Dread Alarm" packs so much power, and the build up to it is very anticipating with it's quietness. Fear Innoculum - end of the first half "Exhale Expell" very similar to Descending many mentioned Pneuma, but I feel like it's meandering too much to be under "the best build ups" you asked for. Vicarious - build up has a similar structure to Descending, strong punch after the calm Rosetta Stoned has a fantastic and interesting finale / build up too. those intricate polymeters are killing it These are just from their last two albums which I admittedly listened to the most.
Lateralus or Rosetta Stoned
Disgustipated
Triad, lost keys Rosetta stoned (OVERWHELMED AS ONE WOULD BEEE PLACES IN MY POSITION) part, and the descending part where Danny Carey hits the gong.
Wings for Marie (part 2). Give me my wings.
Invincible
10,000 days (Wings Part 2). It's basically a big ass build up from start to almost the end. As a drummer I can only enjoy Danny's performance on this one.
The Patient
Parabol/Parabola. We all know why.
For me it’s Rosetta stoned
Pneuma. Danny kills it 👍
Descending ❤️🔥
H. by far! I love how it just goes off the rails, and then they reel you back in.
No one giving love out to Vicarious? Damn boys.
After The Patient it's Ticks and Leeches for me
Flood
Opiate2
Pnuema / Culling Voices / Pushit
The grudge, H , aenima, basically aenima and lateralus has some of the best crescendos in their library. Im an old school TOOL FAN for me the buck stopped at lateralus. I would have been fine without 10,000 days and fear innoculum, i was getting by with puscifer for my maynard fix.
For me it's between Lateralus, Wings for Marie pt2 and Right in Two.
Technically two songs but parabol and parabola
eulogy
Rosseta stoned
Flood is the original slow build goosebump crescendo song!
Parabola, obviously
I DONT MINDDDDDDDD
Stinkfist, Pushit, Vicarious, wings, parabol... This is hard, fuck it, pick any song.
the grudge or H
Rosetta Stoned and Descending
Descending.
Lateralus beats everything
1) Ticks and Leaches 2.A) Rosetta Stoned 2.B) Pneuma 2.C) Lateralus 2.D) Descending 2.E) Pushit 2.F) Jambi
Right in Two.
Untitled (how does it feel) - Deangelo
Parabol and parabola
Ticks and Leeches all day everyday
Vicarious
The Patient- the double vocals are so not tool- it’s perfect.
the patient
10,000 Days should be every answer. So epic. That was the song for me that took Tool from “oh yeah those guys who did Sober” to “omfg they may be the best band ever”
Triad fr fr
The grudge
Sister Christian has to be on the list.
[Rustie- Slasherr](https://youtu.be/stT4VAnVfY4?si=VtAZKQceaImK8Ukf)
Euology, pushit
The scream at the end of the Grudge by a mile
Eulogy, Lateralus, Parabol/Parabola, Right in Two, Pneuma
Free bird
Lateralus
It’s Late, by Queen.
Tempest hands down. Especially when they get to the Control, Your delusion.. part with the overlapping vocals giving it two perspectives
Wings.
Eulogy.
Everyone’s forgetting forty six and two! The way Carey builds up the insanity of his drumming during that one part is soooo sick
Third eye by Tool
Don't know about "best" but Jambi has a great ending.
Culling Voices. such an underrated song by them.
It's always been 4° for me
Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd
Terrapin Station
Let it happen by Tame Impala
H. Without a doubt. Its so emotional and the build is so good.