I took the line “I was so young and vestal then” to not be literal. I figured the protagonist (is that what you call it in a song?) was victimized when he was first incarcerated can’t relate to his old self anymore. “Blood and flesh can’t be trusted” could mean family but it comes right after the first verse that shifts from the victim to perpetrator perspective. I think “blood and flesh” means humanity and he’s relishing teaching a victim a lesson he himself learned the hard way. “People suck. They made me suffer. I’m going to enjoy your suffering now because this is all we are.”
I’ve been a Tool fan for a very long time and picked up bits and pieces of this song over the years but needed this reaction to have a better understanding of it. When I was 6 years old (insert the worst thing that comes to mind that a dude can do to a little boy) happened to me. I have had anger and rage issues most of my life and I’m now 45 years old. I have just recently learned to let go a little bit and just let shit be what it is but if there is ever a situation where I need to unload the evil I have buried down deep it is there cocked and loaded, ready to go.
This is the one Tool song I really avoid listening to 
Since you like progressive rock/metal I highly highly highly suggest checking out any song from Circa Survive’s second album On Letting Go. It’s a concept album about eliminating pain. Circa is one of if not the most underrated rock band ever.
This song is so honest. Im breathing so i guess im still alive. Its so sad and it hurts. I have had so many friends who had no idea what was happening and had no Idea how wrong it was intell we were old enough to realize it was so wrong. I appreciate his honesty. Maynard will never know how much he made us feel not alone.
This is my first time commenting on this channel. I attempted to do some “research” by visiting the channel, seeing what it was about, and viewing a list of “therapist reacts” videos. If I understand correctly, this channel is part of a larger public service organization, with Taylor being involved with the “therapist reacts” portion.
Apologies to folks reading this outside of the “HeartSupport” organization as my text will be on the longer side and is mostly inquiry-based as opposed to me offering much in the way of contribution. Basically, I am new here and desire to learn more about the channel.
My first experience was watching Taylor’s reaction to Tool’s “Stinkfist” video. At first I will fully admit that I was skeptical as to how well the breakdown of the meanings and messages of Tool’s music and lyrics would go when I saw Taylor’s methods of nonverbal communication expressed by her body and face while listening. So, at this point I will admit to being a bit of a curmudgeon at 53 years old and having first seen Tool in concert in the mid-90’s. But throughout the video, Taylor kept making salient points and insightful connections that, I am ashamed to say, missed all these many years. And her epilogue putting the song, in its entirety, into a summary that I feel both made sense and was succinct was most impressive.
I followed up with watching her reaction to Tool’s “46 and 2” in which Taylor does an excellent job interpreting through Jungian archetypes, the “collective unconscious”, specifically the “Shadow” in this case. And here I am on Tool’s “Prison Sex” post, where Taylor’s analysis was spot on when referring to the “cycle” of repetitive behaviors and actions by the abused becoming the abusers.
I believe in my “research”, I did see a reaction to a Chester Bennington, “Linkin Park” song. I am very curious to watch this video and hear Taylor’s reactions/thoughts, as it is my belief that Chester was one of the most overt singer/lyricists by his ability to to convey exactly what he was feeling and presenting it in a form that others (with similar feelings), could relate to. Someone else who I believe to possess a similar skill set, again that of bringing extremely personal struggles into his music that allow others to attach with, is Eminem. I hope that in the future, some of his work will be dissected by Taylor.
In conclusion (I know finally right? Heh). I apologize for my premature judgment of Taylor. I am so glad I was proven wrong by watching/listening to the complete video.
Thanks.
It’s very much also about indoctrination into religion. He describes a person in the position of one who is praying…which could also be considered abuse.
The live extended version mentions the cycle:
“Thought I could make it end,
Thought I could wash the stain away, thought I could break the circle if I sink right into your skin, so sweet was your surrender, we have become one,
I have become my terror for you my precious lamb and martyr”
I like how you adress the reptition from abusee to abuser it is classic. As somone that was abused sexually i understand “do unto others what has been done to me” because i was compelled at a young age to continue the cycle hence said sentence. As i grew older i understood my abuse and what happened. Nowadays i couldnt stand the concept of said abuse. Happeneing to anyone. The song is so perfect iN Conveying what a victim feels even at their lowest
Why did you edit the lyrics? I feel that was disingenuous to the artists that made this song. I think your analysis was spot on. But if you are going to do a song this dark, this heavy, do it in its entirety.
Hands bound, head down, eye’s closed, throat wide open. He’s praying 
If mental gymnastics was a real event. I think you would make the podium.
On your stinkfist video I commented that I was surprised to see it show up on the playlist.
I can’t believe this is here too, but I guess it’s the logical next step.
A 5:45 into this video I didn’t want to see what her to have to see the famous line from this song and I think she really watched the edited version which butchers that line. That one line really messed me up the first time I read the lyrics
This one hit me…
I fight every day to break the cycle and sometimes the obly thing that feels like an answer is absolute
Intentional work, yes! You change your mind, you change your life.
So now you need to do the next step from this… 4 Degrees, see if you can figure out what the reference is to 4 degrees warmer
Please do every single tool song!
I’m heavy into TOOL and it still boggles my mind how this music can even exist. So next level.