To date, the band has released five studio albums, one EP and one box set. They emerged with a heavy metal sound on their first studio album, Undertow (1993), and became a dominant act in the alternative metal movement with the release of their follow-up album Ænima in 1996. Their efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution continued with Lateralus (2001) and 10,000 Days (2006), gaining critical acclaim and international commercial success. Their fifth studio album, Fear Inoculum, was released on August 30, 2019, to widespread critical acclaim. Prior to its release, the band had sold more than 13 million albums in the US alone.
Due to Tool's incorporation of visual arts and very long and complex releases, the band is generally described as a style-transcending act and part of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and art rock. The relationship between the band and today's music industry is ambivalent, at times marked by censorship, and the band's insistence on privacy.
There is a raging debate about whether Tool can be considered "post-metal" or not. However, they surely had a hand in its creation as much as Neurosis. The influential act Isis was heavily influenced by Tool's music, so much that they lifted entire basslines and guitar riffing from Tool and even their iconic snare sound was inspired by Tool's style. Much has been made of both Isis and Tool's sound and influence across the years but one thing is sure, modern post-metal has their fingerprints everywhere and it would not have sounded this way without them. Additionally, Tool actually was aware of and liked Isis' music as they chose Isis as touring partners, a move that brought even more attention to Isis' music.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_(band)
Studio albums
Undertow (1993)
Ænima (1996)
Lateralus (2001)
10,000 Days (2006)
Fear Inoculum (2019)
Pneuma
Tool Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We go round one foot nailed down
But bound to reach out and beyond this flesh
Become Pneuma
We are will and wonder
Bound to recall, remember
We are born of one breath, one word
Child, wake up
Child, release the light
Wake up now
Child, wake up
Child, release the light
Wake up now, child
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
Bound to this flesh
This guise, this mask
This dream
Wake up remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, sun becoming
Pneuma
Reach out and beyond
Wake up remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, eyes full of wonder
The lyrics of Tool's "Pneuma" are full of spiritual and philosophical references. The song is about the human spirit that is bound to the flesh but has the potential to transcend it. The first two lines of the song, "We are spirit bound to this flesh, we go round one foot nailed down" suggests that we are tied to this physical world by gravity, by the limitations of our bodies, and by our attachment to material things. However, the next few lines suggest that we are capable of more than just existing in this physical realm, "But bound to reach out and beyond this flesh, become Pneuma." Here, "Pneuma" is a term that refers to the spirit or breath of life in Greek philosophy. Tool is suggesting that we are not just physical beings, but spiritual ones as well. The song encourages us to embrace our spiritual nature and reach beyond our physical selves.
Line by Line Meaning
We are spirit bound to this flesh
Our soul is tethered to our physical body
We go round one foot nailed down
Our earthly existence is limited and confined
But bound to reach out and beyond this flesh
But our spirit is destined to transcend our body
Become Pneuma
Become the breath of life, the animating force
We are will and wonder
Our essence embodies determination and amazement
Bound to recall, remember
Destined to recollect and preserve memories
We are born of one breath, one word
Our creation was initiated by a single vital sound
We are all one spark, sun becoming
All of us are connected and evolving towards enlightenment
Child, wake up
Symbolic call to awaken and become conscious
Child, release the light
Release your potential to radiate positivity and illumination
Wake up now
Take action immediately to awaken from ignorance and limitation
Spirit
The essence of our being
Bound to this flesh
Limited by the physical body
This guise, this mask
The ephemeral veil of our body
This dream
The transient nature of our earthly existence
Wake up remember
Be alert and acknowledge the truth
Pneuma
The divine breath or wind of life
Reach out and beyond
Extend your consciousness to transcend beyond physical limitations
We are born of one breath, one word
Our existence is initiated by a force of creation that unifies us
We are all one spark, eyes full of wonder
All of us emerged from a single unified source, gazing in awe at the universe
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Jones, Daniel Carey, Justin Chancellor, Maynard Keenan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
no
Doctor: you have 10 minutes to live any last requests?
Patient: Play Pneuma...
Doctor: but that is 11 min
God: I will allow it......
no
luv this song "BECOM PNUEMA" Rock on
@withallduerespect4223
We are spirit bound to this flesh
We go round one foot nailed down
But bound to reach out and beyond this flesh
Become Pneuma
We are will and wonder
Bound to recall, remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, sun becoming
Child, wake up
Child, release the light
Wake up now
Child, wake up
Child, release the light
Wake up now, child
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
Bound to this flesh
This guise, this mask
This dream
Wake up remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, sun becoming
Pneuma
Reach out and beyond
Wake up remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, eyes full of wonder
@ibraheemitani
Lyrics
We are spirit bound to this flesh
We go round one foot nailed down
But bound to reach out and beyond this flesh
Become Pneuma
We are will and wonder
Bound to recall, remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, sun becoming
Child, wake up
Child, release the light
Wake up now
Child, wake up
Child, release the light
Wake up now, child
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
(Spirit)
Bound to this flesh
This guise, this mask
This dream
Wake up remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, sun becoming
Pneuma
Reach out and beyond
Wake up remember
We are born of one breath, one word
We are all one spark, eyes full of wonder
@dirklerxstprof2112
I'm 60 yrs old, and tonight is the first time i've listened to this amazing band, I raised My two Sons on a strict diet of Rush, Heavy Rock, and all Music in between. They have went on to become talented musicians . My eldest Son, through the music of Rush, has become a great fan of DREAM THEATER and TOOL. Me being a devout Rush fan, never considered these other Bands, I should have known better. Thank You Adam for introducing Your Old Man ( Me ) to this tremendous Band. Listen through Your Headphones People, Hear everything xxxx
@Newbport849
Good shit
@lucyland
Almost 61 here. This is the first Tool song I've ever listened to (thanks to reactors Jamel_AKA_Jamal and Lost In Vegas), for the first time yesterday, and it's absolutely brilliant. On repeat and not a song but a journey. It nudged out my Robert Fripp/Daryl Hall, Joe Pesci, and Albert Ayler jags of last week ;-)
@highlow25
You're cool dad
@telephonic
Better late than never.
@dirklerxstprof2112
@@highlow25 Thank You, if your interested, check out this video of My eldest son playing drums with His band Armortura. Keep on Rocking : ) www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbgxLKHQBkg
@infidelbiker818
I'm 52 from the UK. Tbh I'd never heard of tool before. I heard them on Spotify a few weeks before the new album came out. Where have I been? This band is like my new drug now, always on where ever I am. What a time to be alive and finding this musical art.
@droptherapy2085
I am 15 from the US and I've been listening to this band since I was eight or nine. It's kinda cool and funny seeing all of these new people come in and being like "wow, what's this new band on spotify and how are they already at #1?"