In the dynamic world of live music, few performers stand out as uniquely as Maynard James Keenan, the enigmatic frontman of TOOL. Known for his powerful vocals and mysterious stage presence, Keenan has long intrigued fans with his unconventional choice to sing from the back of the stage during TOOL’s concerts.
In an interview with Kerrang!, Keenan explained that his position at the back of the stage allows him to both take and give cues to the rest of the band.
“With TOOL, Danny [Carey]’s drums are so loud, he has like 17 arms and 15 legs, and then you’ve got Adam [Jones]’s row of amps and Justin [Chancellor]’s wall of bass. It just makes it way harder for the front-of-house to have a mix if [I’m] down front. And the position up top is also great, visually, because I can see what’s going on, we can connect with each other by looking at each other. If I was facing the audience, my back would be to what’s happening, so I can’t take cues.”
Keenan also addressed the subject of new music from TOOL, remarking that the band cannot afford to take their usual extended time.
“We can’t fucking wait 14 f**king years to release a thing! That’s insane! So we just have to figure out a different way,” Maynard said. “With the other projects it’s easier, but we still have to set the time aside. Aside from your children and your wife or husband, the next priority has to be writing. Otherwise this is not going to get done.”
“But ask yourself: if you’re writing a book and you spend an hour a week on it, how the f**k is that ever going to get done?! If you’re only working on that thing for five to six hours a week, then it’s not a priority for you.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.