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Theory you are all sheep to the shepherd
you are indians to the chiefs
you are tools in the toolshed
not a voice to break the peaceThe Name: According to the band. The name TOOL means a TOOL to understanding lachrymology (the study of crying as a therapy). I think it also makes sense if you simply say TOOL is a TOOL to understanding. Since much of TOOL's message seems to deal with outside forces and authorities having to much control over our thoughts and actions, perhaps TOOL is a TOOL to understanding we are all TOOLs of society.
The name also has evolutionary implications. Being able to use tools is one of the things that sets man apart from nearly the entire animal kingdom. TOOL in turn sets itself apart from other bands. In songs such as forty-six and two and the discussion inside the liner notes of Aenima they discuss future evolutionary directions of mankind. However there is no natural reason for humanity to continue physically evolving. Technology has taken over natural selction. In fact you can say that our TOOLS evolve for us. Perhaps by calling themselves TOOL they are saying that they are the catalyst for a new form of human evolution.
Schism: The song Schism seems to refer to a split between ideologies that were once one. The Great Schism was the split between the Roman and East Orthodox Church. This is probably TOOL's commentary on the state of religion. All religions had the same goals at one point; to explain the unexplainable and to preach compassion. At some point people became attachted more to the dogma than the actual message and things fell apart. TOOL is trying to tell the world there is no reason to split at such petty differences. We must instead rediscover message that brings us together. But that's just one interpretation...
When I first heard the line "mildewed and smoldering, fundamental differing" I thought it didn't make sense. How can something mildew and smolder at the same time as is a fungus that grows in damp enviroments and something smolders after it burns (meaning it would be dry)? Then I thought that perhaps one piece is mildewing and the other is smoldering; one is wet and one is dry respectively. This would make sense if the song was about the relationship between a man and a woman. In eastern religions woman is identified with that which is dark and wet and man that which is light and dry. Perhaps the pieces represent Maynard and a former lover.
