"Parabola" by Tool on Lateralus

Tool is a band shrouded in mystery and mystique that hit the music scene in 1992 with their debut album Opiate. Other albums were to follow, but it took little time for these musicians to set themselves apart from the rest of the '90s grunge scene. By 1996, Tool had released two more full length albums, and had proven their superiority to others in the industry.

It was 2001 when they released, what many would claim, their magnum opus up to this point. Titled Lateralus, this album was packed full of emotional sound-scapes, vocal perfection, and delirious drumming, along with a menacing guitar/bass interaction. Parabola falls on track seven of this critically acclaimed album. To many of Tool's listeners, the messages inherent within the lyrics of Maynard James Keenan reach back to ancient times, and stretch across the veil of time reaching forever towards the future.

One important note to make about Parabola is that there is a short musical interlude accompanying it on track 6. This track is called Parabol, which seems to be a play on the notion of parable, or a story told to relate general truths. By only adding an "a" to Parabol, one ends up with Parabola; The second installment so to speak. Parabol eludes to much of what Parabola does, in that the last lines of Parabol are reused throughout Parabola, but the lyrics do not match up precisely.

"We barely remember what came before this precious moment,

Choosing to be here right now. Hold on, stay inside...

This body holding me, reminding me that I am not alone in

This body makes me feel eternal. All this pain is an illusion" (Keenan 6).

This passage seems to relate to the condition of every man. All people have bodies, and here it is stated that his body reminds him that he is not alone. There is more to this individual than just his physical body, which in turn gives him the feeling of eternity. When you can see and experience this, one begins to realize that all suffering and pain is just a physical illusion created out of the manifestation of existence. The first line states that as a whole, people don't realize the complexity of our ancient past that allowed for life in the first place. Next, Keenan seems to set himself up for an inward journey. He chooses to live in the moment of the here and now. He does not dwell in the past, but recognizes it as a part of the whole. After restating the above lines in Parabola, the middle of the song brings these lyrics.

"Alive

This holy reality, in this holy experience. Choosing to be here in...

This body. This body holding me. Be my reminder here that I am not alone in
This body, this body holding me, feeling eternal all this pain is an illusion...

Of what it means to be alive" (7).

This is purely a celebration of life. Maynard James Keenan shows his adoration towards life, and in turn created a mantra for living; Something to reflect on during mundane experiences throughout life. The close of the song sums things up quite nicely. "This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment. Remember. We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion" (7).

These are words one can truly live by, and the legacy of Tool is sure to continue. They have since release of their fifth full length album entitled 10,000 Days. Looking at and understanding even the most basic ideas in the music of Tool is sure to set your mind spinning. This is artwork at it's finest. When inspired musicians relate, to a society of lost souls, important long-standing ideas from the past, and package them in such a way as to captivate the imagination of millions, art has been created.