10 Greatest Hard Rock Basslines

Tool is a band that seems to be defined by their more methodical approach to songs. Although many of their tunes do have a poignant message behind them, the actual instrumental sections will leave more than a few listeners with melted brains. "Schism" may not be the most complex song in the band's catalog, but it is one of the most interesting from a bassist's perspective.

Unlike most other metal tunes, this song is practically driven by Justin Chancellor's bass performance, with guitarist Adam Jones practically filling in the gaps in between the low end. With a complex sense of time, this song changes meters at nearly every turn, which makes the whole track feel like you're being spun around in some sort of sonic circle. Once you think you have it down, the song will throw you another curveball that makes you rethink your entire sense of musical comprehension.

Given all of its complex undercurrents, the song still holds up as an absolute rager, as it goes from the more contemplative verse sections to some of the beefiest metal breakdowns to ever come out of the 2000's. "Schism" is not for the impatient, but this is the kind of song that makes you do the equivalent of musical calculus and has you thanking it for the experience by the track's end.