Kid Mero Blasts Tool’s Lateralus as ‘Torture’
Comedian and media personality Kid Mero has taken aim at Tool, delivering a blunt verdict on the band’s 2001 album Lateralus and describing the listening experience as “basically torture.” The remarks surfaced through a music-selection feature tied to Pitchfork, quickly prompting debate among fans of the progressive metal group led by Maynard James Keenan.
Discussing Lateralus in a guest editor segment, Pitchfork reported that Kid Mero rated the record a 1.5 and said he “hate[s]” the band, adding that the group’s name “says it all.”
He expanded on the criticism with an extended analogy, suggesting that being asked to enjoy Tool would be like being forced to eat a porcupine alive, and said he hoped others also gave the band a low score. His comments were framed as a personal reaction to Tool’s music rather than a broader critique of the band’s musicianship or legacy.
While Kid Mero’s take was sharply negative, Lateralus has long been viewed as a landmark release for Tool, debuting at No. 1 in the US and later earning multi-platinum certification. The album’s reputation has remained strong among critics and listeners over the years, even as it continues to attract polarising opinions outside the fanbase.
The latest backlash spotlights how Tool’s dense, progressive approach can divide audiences, particularly when the discussion shifts from dedicated metal circles into mainstream pop-culture commentary. Tool have not publicly responded to Kid Mero’s remarks.
