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Lateralus
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Lateralus Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 641 Ratings

  • Summary: The band's first album of new material in five years was produced by Tool with David Bottrill and features 13 tracks.

Top Track

Schism
I know the pieces fit 'Cause I watched them fall away. Mildewed and smouldering, Fundamental differing. Pure intention juxtaposed Will set two... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Dot Music
    90
    It is dense, it is long, it is complicated. It is also a magnificent triumph of artistry over blind anger.
  2. E! Online
    83
    Lateralus takes the L.A. band over the edge with elongated musical movements that simmer under heavy-duty distortion, Middle Eastern percussion and freakish guitar-and-drum time signatures that will make musical mathematicians (i.e., prog-rock dorks) as excited as the kids in the mosh pit.
  3. Wall of Sound
    83
    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.
  4. Spin Cycle
    75
    "Lateralus" is primarily a collection of puzzling time changes, haunting vocals and beyond-intricate percussive patterns that create a theme rooted more in Eastern philosophy than in rock and roll.
  5. The A.V. Club
    70
    Tool's songs are long because the band takes its time, resisting show-offy displays of speed in favor of texture and minimalist mood, borrowing key elements from Far Eastern music and industrial rock along the way.
  6. Neumu.net
    70
    Research has led me to conclude that the correct, and possibly only, way to fully appreciate this album is at extremely high volume on a decent hi-fi whilst massively stoned out of your gourd.
  7. Pitchfork
    19
    Now, with the early new century demanding "opuses," Tool follows suit. The problem is, Tool defines "opus" as taking their "defining element" (wanking sludge) and stretching it out to the maximum digital capacity of a compact disc.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 243 out of 259
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 259
  3. Negative: 15 out of 259
  1. RicardoP
    Oct 21, 2003
    10
    MASTERPIECE. This a landmark album that goes along with The Dark Side Of The Moon
  2. BryantR.
    Jan 7, 2002
    10
    Lateralus is an emotional aray of musical and lyrical dimentions of Maynard's intelect in words w/adam's guitar melodies is a Lateralus is an emotional aray of musical and lyrical dimentions of Maynard's intelect in words w/adam's guitar melodies is a perfect match. … Expand
  4. JoeH
    Mar 21, 2009
    10
    This is the album I keep coming back to over and over and over again! My CD collection would never be complete without this album and to this This is the album I keep coming back to over and over and over again! My CD collection would never be complete without this album and to this day, it is the only album to which I continuously listen. Each and every song is a testament to how talented Tool is. Listen to this album!… Collapse
  5. ColinB
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    jaw dropping amazing.
  6. timg
    Jan 3, 2007
    10
    Before I heard this album in 2001 i wasn't a Tool fan. A friend from work really liked them and gave me this album on tape.... i Before I heard this album in 2001 i wasn't a Tool fan. A friend from work really liked them and gave me this album on tape.... i listened to it once and threw in to the bottom of my driving tapes! About 3 months later i gave it another go. Interesting. Gradually this amasing, uniquely deep and mesmerising album showed itself for what it is; a masterpiece of modern metal and my personal favorite album of all time. Buy.it.now.… Expand
  7. AdamL.
    Apr 20, 2008
    10
    Far and above the greatest drumming album ever, one of the greatest concept albums ever
  8. [Anonymous]
    Nov 6, 2001
    0
    THIS BAND SUX! IT'S SATANIC!

See all 259 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Album of 2001
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2001
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2001

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