Words really cannot describe the emotional High I'm experiencing right now. Everything has been so amazing recently that It all seems so unreal. I've found a job in my field that I can make good money at which will aide me in the moving process. The overtime, although difficult, is very rewarding. I've finally found a brightside to being single. I can work more hours. Which is nice. But the root of this amazing high has nothing to do with work.

It has everything to do with Kelly.

She said that out of everyone she knew, no one was more deserving as me. And for my birthday, she presented me with my very own ticket to finally see the Greatest show on Earth.

Yes.

That's right.

Sept 23rd '06.
Over 5 years since I last saw Tool live in Concert.

I finally got to see my beloved band play. And needless to say, it was well worth the wait.

They opened with an extended version of Stinkfist which was absolutly Mindblowing. Although we cheered them onto the stage, when the song exploded over the amplifiers, it seemed as if they magically appeared. As if they walked on stage as people, then suddenly became something so powerful that comparing them to God might not be a heresy.

From there they seamlessly floated into The Pot which (pardon the pun) was smokin'. Everything was so tight and crisp. Hearing the thousands of voices in unison "You must have been High" while pumping fists in the air to the rythm made the song hit harder than ever before.

After The Pot, Maynard spoke a few words commenting on the current strength of the Canadian Dollar. "I encourage you to Buy our Country while you still can". I smiled. Maynard, you're an ass.

After a very breif musical teaser that got everyone reeling in their seats, the band erupted into 46 & 2. I remember them playing it back in 2001 but this was something completely different. Something maniacal. At this point of the show, the Intensity meter couldn't keep up with the sweat, spit and adrenaline surging through the crowd. And Maynard began to dance as 46&2 suddenly became Jambi.

Oh... My... God... I thought my head was going to explode. This was a side of Tool I'd never EVER seen. Maynard was literally raping our eardrums and fucking LOVING IT!!!

And the song everyone seemed to be waiting for, Schism rocked on harder than ever. It was tight. Perfect. They played the music video on the screens and anyone who knows the video well enough witnessed them Play the song live in perfect unison with the video.

Happy Birthday was next! Yes thats right. Maynard coaxed the audience into singing Happy birthday to someone who was celebrating her sweet 16th at the Tool show.

Kelly you are so awesome. Thank you for wishing me a Happy Birthday aswell.

With Lost keys picking up where our sorry excuse for a birthday anthem trailed off, Maynard commented again this time saying "Cleveland is louder than you guys... And we haven't even played there yet..."

The onslaught of voices was deafening.

Maynard looked pleased.

Pleased enough to pull out a Megaphone (Yes Megaphone) and bleed Lost Keys into Rosetta Stoned which he ranted the lyrics over a crunchy distorted sound wave that sounded so amazing. He managed to get it to sound the way it did on the album. I was impressed. But the best parts are still to come.

Yes.

STILL TO COME!!!!

After they finished the Epic Rosetta Stoned...

Everything got very quiet. The lights dimmed. The smoke machines began smoking out the stage (outdoor stage keep in mind). And one of the stage crew placed a stool (a stool?) down where Justin was playing his bass.
At this point I was starting to freak out.

"What the fuck is that? is that a Stool? No fucking way... Justin doesn't play sitting down. Unless... No fucking way. They're fucking with me... This isn't fucking funny"

*Twang*

The first note (On Bass) of Wings for Marie.

My knees gave out right then an there and I collapsed. I guess for the first time in my life, I was actually "floored". After I climbed back to my feet I was able to watch them play (through tear filled eyes) what I believe to be the greatest Tool song ever written. Yes. I was tearing. They were playing the only song that actually made me cry the first time I heard it. But that's not all. I became short of breath when I realized that they weren't stopping. They continued right into 10,000 days (Wings pt.2). And that was too much. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I cried My fucking eyes out. I sang along with Maynard through sobs watching him with my eyes burning with tears. To this moment, I can't believe they actually played it. When my sister saw them earlier this year on their pre-tour, they didn't play it. But i was wishing and hoping through out the whole day. "I hope they play Wings. Please Play Wings...". I've never been elevated to that emotional state before. Maynards haunting voice was so penetrating that there was no way I couldn't have connected with the music the way I did. I don't know if anyone else cried but quite frankly, I don't care. Call me a pussy or a pansy. I don't care. I know I deserved to see Tool play. But this was lightyears beyond my expectation. I wasn't ready for this at all. And they fucking KNEW IT!!!

After the last notes died out there was an Ominous silence for a few moments before the crowd began to cheer again. Even though everyone was screaming, the eerie atmosphere was maintained as Adam interluded for a moment then slipped into Lateralus. My face was still burning but I regained my energy and got right into the song. It was incredible. After the song drew to a close, Something happened that only a musician could ever dream of wanting.

Everyone except Danny left the stage. The lights were all off except for a spot on Danny. He held up his hand in the air and sparked a lighter.

I felt the tears well again as I watched from where I was.

at least 10,000 lighters illuminated the Molson Ampitheatre. And the entire venue was silent. As everyone looked around in Awe. I know it sounds cheesy, but there is something fucking Magical about Tool. When they take the stage, the world disappears and you are at their mercy. Tool never ceases to amaze me with everything they do. And something so simple as flicking a spark, became something to beautiful at the hands of Danny Carrey. The only thing I could have wished for at this point is Being in Dannys shoes when the lighters all lit up. That must have been absolutly incredible to see.

At the end of the intermission, The boys geared back up and the entire place went black.

We heard Danny and Adam fucking with their instruments a little until they began playing the intro to Vicarious. And leave it to Tool for a dramatic Re-Opening. The stage (THE STAGE!!!) literally EXPLODED into a kaleidoscope of lights and laser effects. THis was a lightshow that Pink Floyd could only DREAM of!

And once again, I was mesmerized.

They aren't fucking Human.

They Can't Be.

Vicarious ended and it looked as if they were about to pack up and take their bows.

But Maynard had something else to say. or rather say over and over again

"Hey"
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Hey"

Aenima.

Oh. My. God. Wow.

I 46&2 was intense.

Aenima really IS their Juggernaut. If the crowd got any more intense, It would have been one giant Riot. Thousands of fists in the air. Thousands of Voices screaming along. Tool had finally invaded the psyches of every single person at that concert. They had us all begging them to never stop. Literally begging.

And when the house lights came back up. All I could do was stare at the empty stage in absolute astonishment when it hit me.



I just had the Greatest night of My Life.



Thank you Kelly.
You are amazing.
Thank you so Much.

I Thank everyone I was with aswell.
For a night that I'll never forget.

And of course.

Thank you Tool.

Thank you for never ceasing to be Larger than Life.





~Zakk.