Coverage by Chris Sturk

Tool — A Band Like No Other

Tool is a band like no other — and I genuinely mean that. If you’ve heard Tool or are a fan, you already understand. Formed in 1990, the band has released five studio albums across nearly three decades, yet they’ve never needed to put out new music every year to stay relevant. Their creativity, depth, and unconventional writing style give each album a fresh identity, allowing their work to stand the test of time.

The first time I heard Tool was in early 1993 when their Opiate EP dropped. I was hooked immediately. Then came Undertow later that year, and it changed everything — not just for me, but for music fans around the world. Songs like “Sober” and “Prison Sex” pushed boundaries and reshaped how rock music could sound and feel. Tool followed that breakthrough with their 1996 release Ænima, an album that completely blew my mind. I had it on repeat. “Stinkfist” dominated Boston rock radio, and tracks like “Forty Six & 2,” “Pushit,” and the title track cemented Tool as one of the most innovative bands of their era.

Tool has never compromised their artistic vision or tried to fit into a pre‑sculpted mold of what rock music “should” be. Instead, they created their own mold — one that countless bands have tried to emulate. Maynard James Keenan, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones, and Danny Carey combine their talents to build multi‑layered harmonies, sculpted riffs, and rhythmic structures that burrow deep into your ears before exploding with reverberating power.

I wish I could fully describe what Tool’s music feels like to someone who hasn’t experienced it yet, but the truth is this: every listener walks away with their own mind‑bending, deeply personal reaction. That’s the genius of Tool — their music isn’t just heard, it’s felt.

Tool — Live at PNC Arena, Raleigh NC (11/24/19)

Now let’s talk about Tool’s performance at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina on 11/24/19. I arrived at the venue and waited for our contact to take us down to the pit. I’d seen Tool once before, back in 2003 or 2004 when they played Greensboro, so I had a general idea of what to expect — or at least I thought I did.

Anyone who has seen Tool live knows their stage presence isn’t built around flashy theatrics or front‑and‑center showmanship. Instead, their performance is a celebration of the music itself. Maynard James Keenan rarely comes out to the front of the stage; he stays positioned behind Danny Carey, often in the shadows, letting the band’s sound and the visual art surrounding it take the spotlight. Even though Maynard’s voice is unmistakable and unlike anyone else’s, Tool’s philosophy has always been about the collective experience — the layers, the atmosphere, the immersion.

So when I was approved to cover their show, I already knew Maynard would be elevated behind Danny, tucked into the darkness, which never makes photographing him easy. But that’s part of the mystique. Tool wants fans to feel the music, not focus on any one individual. Their live show is designed to pull you into the sound, the visuals, and the moment — and Raleigh got exactly that.

When it was finally time for us to head to the pit, we grabbed our gear and joined several other photographers at the elevator, ready to cover one of the most powerful live bands in the world. We stepped out onto the first floor of PNC Arena and walked from the backstage area into the venue. As I approached the entryway, I saw thousands of fans already on their feet, buzzing with anticipation for Tool’s entrance.

We made our way through the winding pathways, passing fan after fan, until we reached the front of the stage. Once inside the pit, I turned around and looked out at more than 10,000 fans waiting patiently for Tool to melt their faces off. After taking in that moment, I turned back toward the stage — the lights dropped, and the crowd erupted. Fans who had been sitting shot up from their seats and rushed to the barricade.

A thin, almost string‑like curtain began to surround the stage. As it closed, Danny Carey stepped out first, followed by Justin Chancellor and Adam Jones. The three looked at each other, locked in, and launched into the first song. Moments later, after the first guitar strike and bass riff, Maynard James Keenan emerged. The crowd went absolutely wild.

Maynard walked up to a platform behind Danny Carey, staying completely in the shadows — classic Tool. Behind the band, a massive screen displayed visuals pulled from their music videos, along with shifting colors and abstract art. The entire arena felt suspended in anticipation, waiting for Maynard’s unmistakable voice to cut through the darkness.

When he finally delivered the first lyrics, the arena exploded again. The band was powerful and precise, every riff and drum hit synchronized as if guided by an unseen conductor. Maynard’s voice was flawless. You could feel every bass hit, every guitar note, every drum strike, and every vocal reverberating through your chest and your skull. Throughout the show, Tool delivered an incredible light display that swept across the arena, perfectly synced with each song. Maynard stayed on his platform at the back of the stage the entire night — but for Tool fans, that doesn’t matter. You’re there to experience the music, the atmosphere, the artistry, and the sheer force of what they create live.

The entire performance was powerful and sounded phenomenal. Tool played a stunning set that spanned their early albums all the way to their most recent release, Fear Inoculum (2019). If you’re a Tool fan, you will not be disappointed.

Just remember: keep your phone in your pocket. If they see you with it out, you will be kicked out. So just enjoy the show!