Released May 2, 2006 Length 11:11 | Recorded August–December 2005 | |
Genre Progressive metal, experimental metal Label Tool Dissectional, Volcano Entertainment Writer(s) Danny Carey, Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones, Maynard James Keenan | ||
"Rosetta Stoned" is a song by the American progressive metal band Tool. It was released on May 2, 2006, as the eighth track off their fourth studio album, 10,000 Days.
Structurally, the song contains complex fast-to-slow drum fills, performed by the band's drummer Danny Carey. The song uses 4/4, 5/8, 5/4, 11/8, 3/4, and 6/4 time signatures and is characterised by its aggressive riffs. The song also features unconventional percussion instruments and polyrhythms.
The name of the song is a reference to the Rosetta Stone. Lyrically, the song deals with a man's encounter with aliens, spiritual realizations and his state of coma after the incident. The song is written in a stream of consciousness style.
The preceding track in the album, "Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)" serves as a conceptually synchronized prologue for the song. It depicts a conversation between a patient (Albert Hofmann), a nurse and the doctor (R. Gordon Wasson), which occurs after the event in Rosetta Stoned.
The song generally received positive reviews by the critics. Nevertheless, it was criticized by some for its lyrics (which include extensive use of profanity) and Maynard James Keenan's experimental vocal delivery. It was also praised for its arranging and performing skills, especially due to Danny Carey's "multi-limbed" percussion skills and creative drumming. Critics also likened the song to The Grateful Dead's works. The similarities between this song and another Tool song, "Third Eye," also have been noted. Nick Cowen from Drowned in Sound gave a positive review to the song with appreciating its narration, intense mood and guitar work. The song was also musically compared to an extensive jam.