This post is part of a larger deep dive
Curious about the role of squaring the circle and alchemy in Schism? Check out Schism Explained!
Band: Tool
Members: Danny Carey, Adam Jones, Maynard James Keenan, Justin Chancellor
Album: Lateralus
Length: 6m 47s
Genre: Progressive metal
Year: 2001
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When evaluating a particular musical composition, there is normally several aspects to take into consideration: lyrics (if any), originality, compositional complexity and importantly, how the different musical elements fit together.
Within the genre of progressive metal, one of the bands that immediately pops into my mind which is capable of delivering all that is Tool.
Even though I enjoyed all of Tool’s albums, Lateralus stands, in my opinion, head and shoulders above all others. The phenomenal and complex instrumentation coupled with expressive lyrics is unprecedented.
I cannot count how many futile attempts I made at finding another band that could trigger a similar climax in me; in the end I resigned to the obvious – no band is quite like Tool!
In this article, I will go to great lengths to try to interpret Schism, the first single of the album Lateralus, which, arguably, epitomizes Lateralus’ mysterious realm.
If you know your way around music theory, you will immediately appreciate that this song is something of sui generis (see this excellent musical analysis video on Schism, which breaks this piece down for you).
I have been learning music theory for over 20 years now, and I still cannot get my head around some of the nuances in Tool’s compositions.
The instrumentation is undeniably challenging (particularly Danny Carey’s excellent drumming), and the ever-changing and unusual time signatures are mind-blowing, which brilliantly match the poetic expression of the lyrics.
Despite the unusual combination of musical elements, the song flows naturally, and there is not a moment in which we feel it is “out of place” – the pieces really just fit!
I must say that Schism completely altered the way I perceived music, in that it awakened me from the stupor of a naive and downright tasteless appreciation of music – you would drown in your own tears if you knew what my music preferences were prior to Schism.
The memory of listening to “Schism” for the first time is as clear as that when I lost virginity – I’m not joking!
It was sometime in 2001 and I was watching some MTV top music charts hosted by the intelligent, funny and beautiful VJ Joanne Colan (yes, yes, I might have had a little crush).
I still vividly remember how she described the song, emphasizing the originality of the bass playing the main motif, which is so preponderant throughout the entire song.
Honestly, I knew little about Tool back then – I was really just watching the show because of the VJ – but, my oh my, was I in for a treat.
The next day, I rushed to the nearest CD shop and purchased a copy of the album – a physical album, can you imagine that! – and on that same day I listened to the album from beginning to end a few hundred times. I was in awe…
The music video of “Schism” is disturbingly engaging. Two alien but rather human-like figures of seemingly opposing sexes appear to be trying to communicate with each other.
One of them is relatively passive, and is the subject of inspection of the more active figure of the two. After a series of bizarre interactions with goblins, the two figures fuse, and form a rather creepy version of Gogeta.
Like most of Tool’s videos, you won’t see band members (or any humans for that matter) playing or posing in the background with a fake absent-minded look.
No. This video has something primeval in it, perhaps showing you the importance of one of the most fundamental human needs: communication.
Whether you prefer to listen to classical, pop, rock or folklore music, it would be foolish to disparage the contribution of the album “Lateralus” to the music industry.
Schism is deservedly the embodiment of the album, and, in my opinion, ranks among some of the best metal songs made in this century. For that reason, I am giving it a rating of 4.
As with most of Tool’s lyrics, the text of the song is very cryptic, and few would disagree if I called the music video outright bizarre. Given its obvious surrealistic nature, I am giving Schism a Bizarrometer score of 4.5.
If you haven’t yet done so, check out the music video. Also check out the lyrics below.
I know the pieces fit ’cause I watched them fall away
Mildewed and smoldering, fundamental differing
Pure intention juxtaposed will set two lover’s souls in motion
Disintegrating as it goes testing our communication
The light that fueled our fire then has burned a hole between us so
We cannot see to reach an end crippling our communication
I know the pieces fit ’cause I watched them tumble down
No fault, none to blame, it doesn’t mean I don’t desire
To point the finger, blame the other, watch the temple topple over
To bring the pieces back together, rediscover communication
The poetry that comes from the squaring off between
And the circling is worth it
Finding beauty in the dissonance
There was a time that the pieces fit, but I watched them fall away
Mildewed and smoldering, strangled by our coveting
I’ve done the math enough to know the dangers of our second guessing
Doomed to crumble unless we grow and strengthen our communication
Cold silence has
A tendency to
Atrophy any
Sense of compassion
Between supposed lovers
Between supposed lovers
I know the pieces fit
According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary “Schism” is defined as “a strong disagreement within an organization, especially a religious one, that makes its members divide into separate groups“.
Given the emphasis on “religious”, it would make sense that this song was about some religious happening.
In fact, there has been some suggestions that the song refers to the events of the Great Schism of 1054, a significant historical episode that culminated with the separation between what is now the Catholic and the Orthodox churches.
Notwithstanding the definition emphasis on “religious”, I am not certain that the song is actually about a religious divide at all.
Indeed, many secular interpretations of the song abound. For example, one interpretation revolve around the idea of communication. Tool make several references to pieces not communicating, which, to some, is suggestive of some kind of miscommunication between two people, perhaps a couple.
More relevant to the present article, Tool members are also known for their interest in occult symbols and sacred geometry.
In particular, Musicologists and Tool fans have identified references to alchemical concepts in some songs in Lateralus. In fact, there is even the distinct possibility that the whole Lateralus album could actually describe a sort of alchemical journey.
But I’m jumping the gun here – I’ll review and explain the other songs in future posts, so you will see what I mean.
I interpret Schism as a metaphor for the psychic barrier that exists in our minds which is a deterrent to reach a stable personality. According to this view, the song describes certain necessary steps which are needed to bring together the two separate halves of our nature.
In Alchemy, these steps are metaphorically represented by the “squaring the circle”.
Excellent research and concise explanations, your analysis is very accurate given I was able to discern the allegories and symbolism to the same conclusions. There are many facets to the genius of this song and music video that were clearly designed to be played together as inseparable as the constituents of successful synthesis alchemy describes. The fact Maynard’s history reads like a tailored spook (he is one), he declares himself for the legion by signaling the hidden hand, plays from behind a curtain during some shows, the man does a service visualizing these hermetic principles and deep esoteric concepts though at what cost to divulge so clearly I can’t and would rather not imagine.
Hi Ellis! Great comment, thanks for sharing! Indeed, I’ve always felt that the album Lateralus is in itself a description of an entire alchemical journey. However, I also believe that the concepts present in Tool’s songs (including Schism) probably extend beyond Hermeticism and other esoteric teachings. I once watched an interview with Maynard in which he explained quite articulately the nuances of – if my memory doesn’t fail me – Saturn’s orbit, and how it related to “The Grudge”. Tool’s exceptional ability to combine these different pieces of knowledge, and create such harmonious music is truly unique in my view. Entire PhDs could be written about this 🙂