Aenima The Song example essay topic

SE CERTS BEHIND AENIMAMike Tully 4/6/2004 English 4 TOOL, a both controversial and influential band, is considered to be one of the most unconventional in the music industry. They introduced themselves in 1992 with the album Opiate. The album contained an alternative rock sound with a lyrical content that seemed to be somewhat meaningful as well as containing the personal thoughts and opinions of the band members. As they progressed to more albums such as Undertow in 1993 and Aenima in 1996, the lyrics became deeper in meaning and the music became even more influenced by opera elements and tribal beats. After the release of Aenima many believed the band was through when lead singer Maynard James Keenan mysteriously disappeared and joined the band, Perfect Circle in 2001.

The band shattered that theory when they came out with the album Lateralus. It is considered by many fans and critics to be the crowning achievement of Tool. Lateralus contains excessive elements of tribal and opera and is some of the most inspiring and unorthodox music of this generation. The album with the clearest meaning for research is Aenima. Listening to it, one will notice that there seems to be a common theme behind all the songs, each showing different aspects of a main theme. Aenima's main theme is of a message witch combines two words.

The two words, anima witch means the inner self, ones soul, and the word enema witch means the injection of liquid into the rectum through the anus for cleansing. It stimulates and evacuates the bowels, as well other therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Implying that the word anima means the cleansing of ones soul of filth, garbage, and of the ignorance of society, by the injection of knowledge and the understanding of ones self to ascend to a higher level. The album itself is the tool, or (enema) to cleanse you inner self, the (anima) of the imperfections of society. TOOL BACKGROUND First, one must understand the background of this band, "TOOL was formed in 1989 by vocalist Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Paul D'Amour, and drummer Danny Carey. They are a contemporary American rock band whose music includes elements of heavy metal and art rock.

Indicative of their varied and far-reaching influences, chiefly King Crimson, their music features complex harmonic structures, unconventional time signatures, and borderline New Age subject matter. They may be the only popular musical group to have recorded songs about the mutation of DNA and geometric plane curves. Just as important as the content of the albums is when basest D'Amour left the band in 1995 and was replaced by Justin Chancellor of the UK band Peach in time for Tool's 1995 album AEnima. D'Amour bought a new dynamic atmosphere to Tool. Tool has long clashed with conventional television and radio due to their dark musical content and dry disposition: Their first single from AEnima was at first shortened for radio play by broadcasting companies until overwhelming fan response compelled them to play the track uncut.

The music video for that single, 'Stinkfist,' was consequently renamed because of the title's suggestive nature to 'Track #1. ' Though their AEnima singles received heavy radio play, their 2001 release Lateralus featured songs that averaged six and a half minutes in length, unwieldy for even the most pioneering of commercial radio disc jockeys. Additionally, the length of their most recent music video for the song, 'Parabola', clocked in at an unheard of ten and a half minutes, almost condemning it from being aired on mainstream music channels. Compounded with their aversion to appearing in their own music videos, these aspects of their collective personality make the band's popularity especially peculiar. (web (band) ) STINKFIST Stinkfist is the first song on Aenima and is known for its sexual content. You may refer to the entire lyrics on page 1 of lyrics reference section. This song explains the numbing of ones senses by over stimulation.

In the song it is understood in a mainly sexually sense but it can be broadened to encompass numbing of our senses to anything weather it be to sex, violence, drugs or life in general. The song gives an example of this". Constant over stimulation numbs me and I wouldn't have It any other way. It's not enough.

I need more. Nothing seems to satisfy. I don't want it. I just need it. To feel, to breath, to know I'm alive". (Pg 1 lyrics) Sex is perhaps one the most sensory orientated activity humans take part in and to become numb to this is a great taboo among many cultures.

The first step in the anima cleansing process is to rethink ones opinions on the world to ask the question "am I numb to life" and once we see what has become we can take the steps to change. EULOGY Eulogy clearly speaks of a martyr, or a leader of a country or religion. After hearing the song for the first time one might think it refers to Jesus, with lines like "Get off your fuck in cross" and "Someone who would die for me". However, if you look closely into the lyrics, you see in lines such as "Ranting and pointing his finger At everything but his heart". and "Would you die for me? Don't you fuck in lie". These contradict the Christ theory because, for one, Christ's heart was pure and without sin.

There would be nothing to point at, and Christ was willing to and did die for his beliefs. The person in this song however clearly had no real intention of dying for his cause. "Contrary to popular belief, this song is not about Jesus but merely uses him as an analogy. The band has stated in several interviews that this song is about L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology". (Keith - Phoenix, AZ) (web) Another theory is that the song is an analogy between Hitler and Christ.

Both use enthusiastic and charismatic speaking to sway the masses. This example specifically emphasizes Keenan's views on organized religion. Regardless of the specifics, the song is critiquing the leaders of different causes and nations who are hypocritical and do not hold true to their dogma. In the end the song indirectly suggests we should become the leader and teacher of our religion rather then being swayed by a false prophet or would be martyr. 46+2 46+2 is perhaps the most meaningful of all the Aenima songs. 46+2 (pg. 3 lyrics) From the lyrics at first glance, it seems to speak of a journey or an inner struggle of some kind.

It can clearly be seen in this portion. "I've been crawling on my belly Clearing out what could " ve been. I've been wallowing in my own confused and insecure delusions for a piece to cross me over or a word to guide me in. I wanna feel the changes coming down. I wanna know what I've been hiding in My shadow. Change is coming through my shadow.

My shadow's shedding skin I " ve been picking My scabs again. (Pg 3 lyrics) When one hears this, one cannot help but wonder what changes are taking place? What is this shadow? And why does this singer seem so confused? As the song progresses one will continue to wonder and ask more of these questions.

In the last portion, there lies a clue to what this meaning may be. See my shadow changing, Stretching up and over me. Soften this old armor. Hoping I can clear the way By stepping through my shadow, Coming out the other side.

Step into the shadow. Forty six and two are just ahead of me. (Pg 3 lyrics) The last line of the song signals that this change is soon going to take place. But what does Forty six and two mean? One explanation is that there are 46 chromosomes in the human body and that the change-taking place involves acquiring two extra chromosomes causing some sort of evolutionary change. This could possibly involve the expansion of conciseness, as well as explain the line "wallowing in my own confused insecure delusion".

This perhaps is what Maynard, views as life before the change takes place? "The major underlying principles relate to chromosomes and Jungian theory. Some of the ideas behind this song are based on the teachings of Drunvalo Melchizadek. Here's a snip of an interview with him (Leading Edge, 12/95): 'There are three totally different kinds of humans on the Earth, meaning that they perceive the one reality in three different ways, interpreted differently. The first kind of human has a chromosome composition of 42+2. They comprise a unity consciousness that does not see anything outside themselves as being separate from themselves.

To them, there is only one energy - one life, one being that moves everywhere. Anything happening anywhere is within them, as well. They are like cells in the body. They are all connected to a single consciousness that moves through all of them. These are the aboriginal people in Australia.

There might be a few African tribes left like this. Then, there is our level, comprising 44+2 chromosomes. We are a dis harmonic level of consciousness that is used as a steppingstone from the 42+2 level to the next level, 46+2... These two additional chromosomes change everything. ' According to Melchizedek, our planet is covered with geometrically constructed 'morph o genetic grids'. These grids extend from about 60 feet under the Earth's surface to about 60 miles above the Earth, arranged in geometric patterns (see 'Sacred Geometry').

Each species has its own grid, which supports life, and connects the consciousness of its particular species. Before any species can come into existence or make an evolutionary step, a new grid must be completed. When a species becomes extinct, that particular species' grid dissolves. A new grid was completed in 1989 - the 'Christ-consciousness' grid. This grid will allow humans to evolve into our next version. We " ll develop two additional chromosomes (which are really 'geometrical images' designed to resonate with our specific grid) for a total or 46 + 2.

The main change will be a shift to the 'unity consciousness'. Every cell in your body has its own consciousness and memory. You, the higher being that occupies your body, make the millions of different consciousness in your body works together as one being. How does this relate to this grid? Think of yourself as a cell and the grid as the higher being. We will still have individual consciousness, but will be united in the form of a higher being in order to work as one entity.

' (Landon - Effingham, IL) " (web) According to this quote from song facts there are many more interesting and complex factors involved such as the teachings of Drunvalo Melchizadek and the Jungian theory. From the above quote it is clear to see what 46+2 is referring to but what is the shadow?" In Carl Jung's personality theory, the ego represents the individual's sense of personal self. The sense of personal identity is purchased, however, at the expense of certain tendencies that are rejected as 'not-self'. According to Jung, these rejected traits come together as a kind of unconscious 'counter-ego', which he termed the shadow.

The shadow is the most powerful and potentially the most dangerous. It represents everything about ourselves that we fear and despise". (web) What do all these theories conclude? Well to ascend to this highly evolved state Keenan believes we must look into our "shadows", our inner beings and aspects of what we truly are. Being able to be at one with ourselves will then perhaps ready humans to make the change. The anima aspect is not hard to associate to these theories if one is to follow through with the cleaning of the soul and beliefs. Die Eier Von Satan The song opens with a very low, droning, and evil sounding, base background noise.

The sound is an industrial musical representation of war machinery, churning for a coming war. A man begins to speak in a persistent, persuasive, and very enthusiastic manner but it's in German. Die Eier von Satan Eine hal be Tasse StaubzuckerEin Vier tel Teel " of fel Salz Eine Messerspitze t" Haschisch (Pg 4 Lyrics) It goes on with underlying crowd noises as if a leader is speaking before a large mass of people. Suddenly the man shouts out UND KEINE EIER! And the crowd cheers with immediate enthusiasm. Thoughts of Hitter come to mind creating a vision for giving a speech to the German people.

When the lyrics are translated to English it is a recipe for hash balls. When the line "Und kein e ever" is reveled to mean "and no eggs" there are many theories on what exactly this means". It sounds kind of ridiculous because it is in German, although Maynard is American, but once you understand what he's actually saying it's quite funny and meaningful. The majority of people listening to this song are going to hear a passionate German speaker and an enraptured, cheering crowed, which they will automatically associate to Hitler and his many public speeches. The lyrics, however, are nothing but a recipe for a dessert called 'The Balls (Eggs) of Satan. ' Throughout the speech Maynard is heard saying the phrase, 'Und kine Eier.

' Which means ' And no eggs. ' This is where it gets confusing. Eggs represent the Jewish people. Eggs are an essential baking ingredient because they give the food its fullness and texture. Historically, the Jews are known to do the same for any culture they integrated themselves into. Without eggs, a recipe is flat, and without Jews, a culture is flat.

In the end it is a political statement, knocking Nazism (comparing Hitler's Jew less nation to the Balls of Satan - a recipe which fails without eggs), and a thumb at Americans, who will immediately associate a German speaker to Hitler, even without knowing the text. (Doran - Toronto, Canada) " (web) This theory is interesting, but perhaps too in depth. It is unknown if the recipe itself contains any real meaning. However the message here is in the listener's impression of the song, in relation to what is actually being conveyed. It shows that people do not really listen to and understand what's being said, they just take it for how it's presented.

This is a fundamental step in the anemia process. How is one to cleanse the soul if you cannot thoroughly listen to the thoughts and feelings of others, as well as understand what is really being said. To just look at outward appearance, emotion, and energy being put into it, would be Maynard's vision of people being as ignorant as the speaker. It is as if the crowd is one with the speaker, following the saying, all sheep and no shepherd. Aenima The song that carries the name of the album, anima at first would seem to be a song about Armageddon with the opening lines "Some say the end is near. Some say we " ll see Armageddon soon".

The song continues in a manner that seems as if Maynard hopes that Armageddon will befall the city of Los Angeles and the Arizona Bay area hoping that California will all fall away into the sea". Freaks here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LAThe only way to fix it is to flush it all away". He clearly expresses hatred for this city and a hope that it will be destroyed. He then goes on in a manner that seems to make fun of people, who worry about worthless and seemingly unimportant things in the lines, Fret for your figure and Fret for your latte and Fret for your hairpiece and Fret for your lawsuit and Fret for your Prozac and Fret for your pilot and Fret for your contract and Fret for your car. In this bullshit three ring circus Side-show (Pg 5 Lyrics) The fact that Armageddon is coming and people are worried about these things shows that those in the modern society do not understand what is really important in life". This is based on a comedy routine by Bill Hicks, who hated the city of Los Angeles.

He thought the people were very superficial and represented America at its worst. In his routine, which is sampled in the song, Hicks talks about California falling into the ocean and creating Arizona Bay. Hicks died of cancer in 1994. Lead singer Maynard Keenan was a big fan of Hicks, and drew inspiration from his comedy routines, which often contained lots of social commentary. The album artwork contains a painting of Hicks dressed like a doctor with the caption, 'Another Dead Hero. ' Maynard spent 6 months writing the lyrics.

Though he does mention LA., he's not speaking specifically about the city. It's a conceptual song asking, 'What if everything was destroyed and we had to start over again. ' LA in this case represents what's wrong with the world in Maynard's eyes, and he's trying to get the message across that we need a catastrophe, like a city falling into the ocean before we can evolve as a race. (Colin - Chatham, Canada) (song facts. com) This song was inspired when Tool performed with L Ron Hubbard in Los Angeles. The band viewed in dismay when they came across yuppie disciples of Hubbard and recognized what they felt were the meaningless ideals they stood for. In the song, Maynard gives a list of people he can pretty much do without.

The song is a reminder about what is important and what is not in life. The song has an intense anger focused logically on ignorant ideals of superficial people, yet it has an inescapable creativity to it. (Mike - Oakhurst, NJ, for above 3) " (web) As seen in this supporting article it is clear that the song has much to do with what is important in life and speaks about modern human existence being destroyed. This is perhaps the most important and finial step in the anima process rejecting ones surroundings and turning the focus to ones inner soul. These are the main perceptions Keenan believes are required for the purification of ones self and the evolution to a higher thinking. Named Tool perhaps because they think of themselves as the tool through witch society and culture will evolve, the band is clearly making an attempt to reach out to people with this album.

It projects the concept that "there is something rough here and you can fix it". The album is supposed to be a tool to cleanse the soul and help one to not become the type of person Keenan reproaches in Stinkfist. The apathy to feeling and living life should not be taken for granted. Eulogy portrays the strong resistances to false martyrs who don't support their own dogma., Die Von Satan adds to this in the representation of past history and the habit humans have of not fully examining or understanding a movement. A sense of individuality and logical thought are its keys to unlock the next aspect.

46+2 holds the knowledge that there is a higher plain of thinking and body to ascend to. Finally Aenima is the shedding of material goods and connections to the modern world. These are the steps that lead to ascending to AEnima.

Bibliography

Hall, Calvin Springer. A primer of Jungian psychology. New York: Tap linger, 1973. Deft one web - chatham, Canada "Re Aenima" Online posting web - Oakhurst, NJ. "Re Aenima" Online posting web - Toronto, Canada "Re Die Eier Von Satan (The Balls of Satan) " Online posting web - Phoenix, AZ "Re Eulogy" Online posting web - Effingham, IL "Re 46+2" Online posting web AENIMA Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. web (band).