User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 641 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 580 out of 641
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Mixed: 3 out of 641
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Negative: 58 out of 641
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JamesMDec 19, 2007Lateralus stands up as one of the greatest accomplishments in modern prog. With it, Tool have created new sound which is mimicked by musicians across the globe, and it will be listed as a key influence by the prog heroes of tomorrow. One look at the professional reviews is proof that you can't always believe what you read.
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SunShineJan 22, 2007By far the most amazing song I have ever heard, can never get bored with it. Tool is the God of inteligent music.
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ChadM.Aug 14, 2007the people who don't give this cd a 10 must not comprehend the in deep meaning of every song and cd as a whole i could listen to this cd all day and never try understand it so it stays fresh and knew everything you listen to it youtae just a little more from it it is a amazing work of art and music
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CianHDec 26, 2008Quite possibly the greatest album ever recorded, it takes time to find the sweet spots but it's oh so worth it. Genius.
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ShareefS.Nov 12, 2001could not have been better -- takes a minute to get use to -- but when you listen to the words and zone out makes so much sense and it pulls you into the world of tool -- all you can do is let go and be free and just let it take hold of you ...
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JimG.Nov 28, 2001As late 30s, long-time Rush and Pink Floyd fan, its been awhile since I've heard new music to get excited about. Not any more. Lateralus opened the door for me to find Aenima, Undertow, Opiate and Salival. Where was Tool when I was 21?
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SteveStevieNov 15, 2003Its Too Long To listen to in 1 session but its a totally incredible CD
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JoeNov 26, 2004Excellent. The closest thing a band can come to perfection.
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JamieB.Dec 22, 2004Lateralus the album is by far the best album ever created. I love the album and the songs esp. Lateralus and Schism. Maynard has an awesome voice and the song lyrics are deep.
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stevemNov 23, 2005go figure it out your self people they have broke through on those music chains that have let most people wana link bands to one another when tool cant be compared to another, they stand alone with their own sound,
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AliPNov 23, 2006Simply put, the greatest, complex and most beautiful album ever made. Anyone who hates this seriously must be crazy (ie Pitchfork and the other retards who gave this less than 10).
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AlanDDec 11, 2006This is what music is missing from now a days tunes that are being produced. 100% of amazing went into this.
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MattDDec 14, 2006Im sorry but Lateralus is perfect in every way. If you didnt score this album AT LEAST 8 then you obviously dont like any music of this genre or you are a completely retarded 13 year old nu-metal punk b*tch who frankly shouldnt be reviewing it. Full stop.
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JustinDec 29, 2006Lateralus is a work of Art.
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DamienLNov 14, 2007Lateralus is Tool's best album, HANDS DOWN. It's the most beautiful, inspiring piece of work ever. Keep in mind though, Tool's music has always been an acquired taste. Don't listen to some of these idiotic critics (especially pitchfork.)
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PatrickS.Dec 27, 2008About as perfect as an album can get. There isn't much on this album that could really change for the better, and it's not often that you can say that about an album.
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Sep 17, 2010The record of the decade! Simple as that! Tool have their unique way of improving every time. It's not always easy paying attention to their message, but after all, Tool is for everyone, but not everyone knows about that.
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Jun 21, 2013An awe inspiring spiralling spectrum of sound. I still can't get over the standard of writing and musicianship on this album. All 4 members are firing on all cylinders like relentless mathematically precise art explosions The grudge, parabola, schism and the title track are just perfection. The chilled out ending is fitting also.
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Oct 3, 2011
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Sep 22, 2011Hypnotic and raw would be the two words I'd use to describe Tool's best and most ambitious album. The build up and payoff is worth every bit of your time. This is you ideal metal prog album.
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Jul 31, 2011Dont leave a bad review because you dont like the music/genre... its all about the lyrics retard. Which are amazing if you would listen and pay attention and not just sit there and think about how much you would rather be listening to people sing about money, hoes, cars, and clothes...
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Apr 16, 2020Not as good as Animæ but still an awesome record. The complexity and melodies are nothing short of mindblowing. Animæ by the way is 11 out of 10. Go buy them both. It demands a lot of the listener, but the reward is amazing, if you are patient.
TOOL just dont give a **** to what other people think and that makes them very special. -
Jun 4, 2012I still remember first listening to this, not liking it at all.. Huh.. Then it just started rewarding every listening, again and again. Probably their best, and obviously demanding your attention.
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May 5, 2021The album that set the rock canon at the beginning of the 21st century. The album that smashes into the floor from the beginning and leaves us there until the very end, and even longer.
It's an amazing album. Great, clear sound, Musicians in great shape. Progressive rock has reached a higher level. Tool is in a class of its own. A record that will never get bored. -
May 17, 2013Greatest album in the history of music. Perfect 10. Tool at their absolute best. I've listened to this album hundreds of times and I am still discovering hidden gems. Don't forget to listen to the Holy Gift version.
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Jul 27, 2013
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Mar 10, 2014Excelente trabajo de la banda underground Tool, como no olvidar esos pasajes largos de guitarra y alternandolo dando asi un sonido psicodelico, esas canciones excesivamente largas y a la vez obras de arte, simpelemente genial.
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Feb 5, 2014
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Jun 21, 2014Supreme musicianship and lyric writing make this already fantastic album even better. The technicalities, the intense guitar riffs, poly-rhythmic drum patterns and a mixture of deep and low sounding vocals delivered by Maynard, at the peak of his vocal career. Overall, a fantastic, complicated and interesting album capable of a thousand replays. 10/10
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Feb 2, 2015
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Mar 15, 2017One of the best albums ever, certainly the best 21st century album for me. And I can't see why critics are bashing metal albums so much here, there's certainly much more talent in this band than any acclaimed pop act today
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Aug 29, 2019
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Dec 12, 2018
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Aug 28, 2019This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Jan 2, 2020The Patient is a mediocre song, but the rest of the album is something out of this world
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Feb 7, 2020Anyone who gives this under a 9 is on crack. We need to stick a pitchfork in Pitchfork because this is one of the handful of legendary albums they've dissed. For new fans, start here with Lateralus
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Sep 4, 2021One of the best music experience you can ever have. It discovered full potential of Tool as a band.
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Apr 2, 2020
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Mar 17, 2021This is an album that's best to here in its entirety no distractions.
Legit masterpiece in its entirety. -
Dec 14, 2020This is probably Tool’s greatest released. Every song is great with the intensity of the opening track “The Grudge” to one of their most iconic songs “Schism” to the absolute banger of it’s title track. Lateralus is definitely one of most influential albums of the 2000s that’ll go down in history.
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Sep 6, 2021Good album but tool has better albums than Lateralus so I give this album 9 points, btw this album is first album I listed to from Tool
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Sep 5, 2022I love the odd time signatures, the hypnotic, and meditative dark vibe to specific songs such as Stinkfist and Eulogy and Forty Six & Two. This is a creative and intriguing metal album and I just love it.
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Jul 29, 2023Yeah it's maybe one of the most iconic albums in Prog genre. Those musical ideas and performance techniques are breathtaking with their deep message to the listeners, allowing them to feel this atmosphere,Bravo!
Awards & Rankings
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A 79-minute sonic sojourn of hard rock delivered with an arty, fusion-conscious sensibility rooted most obviously from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Jane's Addiction.
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Q MagazineUltimately, it's Tool's experimental, borderline progressive, edge that proves most rewarding. [Aug 2001, p.141]
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It is dense, it is long, it is complicated. It is also a magnificent triumph of artistry over blind anger.