10,000 Days Tool Dissectional/Volcano/Zomba Music   •••• Sound   •••½

Aim the "stereoscopic lenses" built into the packaging of 10,000 Days at the weird visuals, and crank the music: The ultimate sound-and-vision metallurgists have returned with some of their most explosive and emotional material yet. On "Vicarious," Tool's chops hit the spot in a raw, rocking way, recalling their early period. Then, goggle time really kicks in on "Jambi," as drummer Danny Carey and bassist Justin Chancellor's elephant-stampede grooves lock with guitarist Adam Jones's carnivorous riffs. Even more ambitious: "Wings for Marie/10,000 Days," where singer Maynard James Keenan honors his mother, who died after suffering from paralysis for, yes, 27 years. Tough stuff.

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