We'll here we are early into 2022 and all the Covid pandemic ghosts of 2020 and 2021 that stopped the original "Fear Inoculum" album tour are creeping back with the new 2022 Omicron variant. Seeing many of the smaller tours in 2022 being delayed already, I was getting worried this show wasn't gonna happen again.
The original May 29, 2020 Tacoma Dome show cancelled due to the pandemic. So many of the 18k+ fans in attendance have been holding on to their tickets since then and were sooooo ready after the long wait! You could feel the vibe in the air. Did you know in between that time Maynard battled Covid not once, but twice since then and the 2nd time it landed him in the hospital and took him a good 8 months to recover.
The show kicked off with the only song I was allowed to photograph in the pit (View KISW Photo Gallery) and the current album title of "Fear Inoculum". Tool played behind a sheer stringed curtain, it made for a difficult situation from a photography standpoint, but made it a great moody opening visual for the more importantly fans in attendance.
Once the band warmed up more and got deeper into the setlist the curtain opened, the lights got more creative, the lasers went crazy and video screen visuals were crazy on "Pneuma". A progressive metal track featuring lots of power drum work from the incredible Danny Carey.
Danny's real highlight came later after the intermission where he soloed and played around with his synthesizer, drum machine and drums on the track “Chocolate Chip Trip”. The full Tacoma Dome setlist included:
Fear Inoculum / Opiate / The Pot / Pushit / Pneuma / The Grudge / Right in Two / Hooker With a Penis / Descending
{Intermission}
Chocolate Chip Trip / Eon Blue Apocalypse / The Patient / Invincible
I always find it interesting how Maynard (as the front man) has taken the backseat onstage with the band. He floats back and fourth on the sides of Danny's drums on backstage risers that are never spotlighted and only lit by stage light overflow. He's like a moving silhouette half the time. Musically Tool is just a massive groove machine with Adam Jones on guitar, Justin Chancellor on bass and Carey on drums. The real heroes of Tool live experience out front and center.
Visually one of the best shows you will see in the rock/metal world. So moody, spiritual and atmospheric. Supporting their #1 Billboard top charting album "Fear Inoculum", the Tool tour continues tonight in Boise Idaho and if all goes well on the Covid tour bubble trail, till March 20th in the USA and then overseas to Europe for a month long tour April 23 - May 24th. Please head to www.toolband.com to stay on top of all news and tour dates.
Photo Gallery: https://www.audacy.com/kisw/latest-from-kisw/gallery/tool-tacoma-dome-fear-inoculum-tour-1-11-22