Parabola is a song by the rock band Tool, released on January 2002 as the second single from their third studio album Lateralus. Initially released in 2002 as a promo only, the single was re-released on December 20, 2005, which includes the song and a DVD containing the music video and an optional “dual” audio commentary on the video by Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys. The dual commentary consists of two separate recordings of Biafra‘s voice, one playing in each stereo channel. The DVD was released alongside a DVD single for “Schism” as well. The song uses a modified drop-B tuning for the guitars.
Parabola explores the Heideggerian concept of life subjectively experienced as “feeling eternal” in the moment by the consciousness held within its mortal physical body.
In support of this promo single, a music video was released – clocking in at over ten minutes because of the inclusion of the song “Parabol” (a separate track on the album set right before “Parabola”. Like all of their other videos, it was directed by Adam Jones.
The song is featured on the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. The song was played onboard Space Shuttle mission STS-130, as a wake-up call for astronaut Robert Behnken.
Tracklist:
- Parabola (radio edit)
- Parabol
- Parabola (album version)
Tool
Danny Carey: drums
Justin Chancellor: bass
Adam Jones: guitar, art direction
Maynard James Keenan: vocals
Production
Produced by David Bottrill
Mixing by Lustmord
Art direction by Adam Jones
