lateralus

Lateralus is the third studio album by American rock band Tool, released on May 15, 2001, through Volcano Entertainment. It followed the 1996 album Ænima and was produced by Tool in collaboration with David Bottrill. Recording took place in 2000–2001, and the project is noted for its expansive, progressive metal sound, complex rhythms, and dynamic contrast between spacious passages and heavier sections.

Musically, Lateralus emphasizes intricate instrumentation and unusual rhythmic structures. The album combines improvisational feel with precise studio craft, exploring themes of personal growth, spiritual exploration, and cognitive expansion. The title track, a long centerpiece, is particularly noted for its shifting time signatures and a structure sometimes associated with the Fibonacci sequence, reinforcing the album’s idea of growth and ascent.

The tracklist includes several notable songs, among them "Schism" and "Parabola." "Schism" was released as a single and won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2002. The title track, also a focal point of the record, showcases Tool’s signature interplay of Mayer James Keenan’s vocals, guitars by Adam Jones, bass by Justin Chancellor, and drums by Danny Carey. The album as a whole balances aggressive passages with melodic, contemplative sections, highlighting both technical proficiency and emotional resonance.

Commercially, Lateralus achieved substantial success, debuting at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and earning multi-platinum certification. It solidified Tool’s status as a leading act in progressive metal during the early 2000s. The album’s artwork and visual presentation feature imagery by Alex Grey, aligning with the band’s recurring collaboration and its thematic focus on consciousness and transcendence.