WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN

Of all the issues we’re forced to think about on a daily basis in this ever-turbulent world — the shaky world economy, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, political unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, illegal immigration, climate change, Rodney King — surely one of the most burning questions on the forefront of your mind is “What is like to be Maynard James Keenan preparing for a show and walking out onto the stage?” Thankfully the frontman of the best band in the world knows our pain and decided to take matters into his own hands by filming a video that answers this very question.

And uh, the answer to the question is, “It’s pretty fucking awesome.” You start by doing some kind of pow-wow with your bandmates before warming up like a boxer. Then you walk out onto a platform in front of thousands of adoringAustralians, and you’re standing next to one of the best drummers in the world. And then, presumably, you rock.

Will 2011 be the year we finally get new Tool? It’s been 5 years since 10,000 Days, and 5 years is usually how long Tool take between albums. A man can hope.

-VN