1998.08.07 - Houston, TX, USA @ Houston Arena

Source: Unknown Audio Recording Equipment

Notes: Although this is not the clearest, sharpest or balanced recording; it is an excellent performance on Tool's part. Performance wise, this would've been one hell of a show to be at. They are spot-on. Good stuff. Relatively rare, this recording has decent sound that some would give a 'C' or a 6 or 7 in grading. I do, however, recommend this show but could be best for collectors. At this stage of Tool's existence, having recently completed Ozzfest & nearing the last few weeks of the AEnima-era after almost 3 year of touring in some form or another, the band just seems to be feeling each other and going in musical directions that lead some collectors to propose that this was Tool's most creative, as a band, in performing. Perhaps there is a fair amount of truth to this, many people that I have spoken to about this feel the same way. More so than other recordings, this is a capture to really listen to for the sake of performing. Believe it or not, Maynard may be one of the most talented or interesting singers since, well, Joni Mitchell. All in all, for the people that will actually listen to an excellent performance then I, for one, could not think of a better suggestion then this.

CD 1
Time: 46:05

"Wake Up!'

Sweat

'So wonderful to see you again. Welcome to our world.'

Eulogy

'How many card carrying, certified lesbians here tonight? Go girl. It's the way to go, trust me.'

Prison Sex

'So earlier on I was going on about something like how many opened minded, compassionate, experimental humans are here tonight and I have the response of <<gestures with body>>. So you'll have to prove it now. Here's what we want to do for you tonight, we want you to forget that we are even up here. We want to be your little background music, your little soundtrack. What we want you to do is find a consenting adult and start having sex. Because there are a lot of problems in the world and what we want to do is generate the most positive energy in the whole Universe, fucking, and patch it all up, what do you say? So, grab a pole, fill a hole, do what you got to do. The Reverend Buzz Melvin.'

Stinkfist

'This next song we don't normally do but we're gonna do it special for you. Because we love you so much and because you are such a considerate, compassionate audience, give yourself a round of applause. Actually, I'm lying. This song goes out to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones who came down to watch the show tonight. It's a Ted Nugent song but it won't really matter because we can't play a real cover.'

Stranglehold
(Ted Nugent Cover)

'The Reverand Buzz. King Buzzo. Master of the woman. You're not supposed to be paying attention to this, you're supposed to be fucking, what the hell is your problem?'

Forty Six & 2

CD 2
Time: 44:03

Merkaba
Sober
Opiate
Flood

'Ok, ?. This is a song about, ?, psychological water sports. It's about smart, real things ? But it's mostly about compassion. It's mostly about remembering your connection with each other. Remembering that pool of collective unconscious. It's about diving back into that pool of the collective unconscious and learning to swim again. How long's it been since it's rained here?'

Ænema

'Thank you, good night.