Released January 15, 2001 Recorded 2000 Length 6:46 | Format Compact Disc, DVD Genre Progressive metal Label Volcano | |
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"Schism" is a song by American rock band Tool. It was the first single and music video from their third full-length album, Lateralus. In 2002, Tool won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song. "Schism" was released as a DVD single on December 20, 2005. The DVD contains the music video, dual-commentary by David Yow, and a remix by Lustmord.
Contents
Overview
"Schism" is known as a prime example of Tool's use of complex rhythms and changing meters. It is also well known for its distinctive bass line at the beginning. An extended version of the song is performed live. "Schism" peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the charts for 20 weeks. It also hit number 2 on both the Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts almost hitting number 1 on both charts falling behind Staind's "It's Been Awhile".
The song is featured in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour.
Time signature
"Schism" is renowned for its use of uncommon time signatures and the frequency of its meter changes. In one analysis of the song, the song alters meter 47 times. The song begins with two bars of 5
4, followed by one bar of 4
4, followed by bars of alternating 5
8 and 7
8, until the first interlude, which consists of alternating bars of 6
8 and 7
8.
The following verse exhibits a similar pattern to the first, alternating bars of 5
8 and 7
8. The next section is bars of 6
4 followed by one bar of 11
8. This takes the song back into alternating 5
8 and 7
8. Another 6
8 and 7
8 section follows, and after this the song goes into repeating 7
8 bars.
The middle section is subsequently introduced, consisting of three bars of 6
8, one bar of 3
8, and one bar of 3
4 repeating several times. At one point it interrupts with two bars of 6
8 followed by a bar of 4
8, twice. A single bar of 4
8 is played before the meter switches back to a set of 6
8 for two bars and 2
4 for one bar. This repeats, setting up another section: two bars of 9
8 followed by a bar of 10
8, that pattern again, and then a single bar of 9
8 followed by a bar of 6
8 and then a bar of 7
8. Next is a set of two bars of 6
8 followed by a bar of 2
8 repeated four times then a single bar of 6
8. The outro has alternating bars of 5
8 and 7
8, ending with alternating 6
8, 2
8 that one could interpret as pulsing with a 4
4 feel.
The band has referred to the time signature as 6 1⁄2
8.