Imagine waiting over two decades to hear your favorite deep cut live, only to have it finally happen at a tour opener halfway across the world. That’s exactly what Tool fans experienced at Auckland’s Spark Arena on Saturday (11/22), as the band kicked off their New Zealand/Australia/Asia/Hawaii tour with a setlist that felt like a time capsule. But here’s where it gets controversial: while die-hard fans celebrated the resurrection of long-lost tracks, some newer listeners might’ve been left scratching their heads, wondering why the band dug so deep into their catalog instead of sticking to more recognizable hits. Still, there’s no denying the magic of hearing “Crawl Away” from their 1993 debut Undertow for the first time in 27 years, or “H.” from Ænima and “Disposition” from Lateralus, both of which hadn’t been played in 23 years. And let’s not forget their haunting cover of Black Sabbath’s “Hand of Doom,” performed live for only the second time ever after its debut earlier this year at Sabbath’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ show.
For fans who thrive on these rarities, this was a dream come true. But it raises a question: Is Tool catering to their most dedicated followers at the risk of alienating casual listeners? Or is this a bold statement about staying true to their roots? And this is the part most people miss: by revisiting these older tracks, Tool isn’t just playing songs—they’re reigniting conversations about their evolution as a band and the enduring impact of their early work.
Below, you can watch fan-captured videos of “Crawl Away,” “H.,” and “Hand of Doom” from the Auckland show. While we haven’t spotted footage of “Disposition” yet, we’ll keep an eye out and update if it surfaces. The full setlist is also included, showcasing a mix of classics and surprises. And if you’re already planning your next Tool experience, check out their upcoming tour dates here (https://www.toolband.com/content/tour). Oh, and mark your calendars—Tool is set to headline Ohio’s Sonic Temple festival in 2026 (https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sonic-temple-2026-lineup-my-chemical-romance-tool-megadeth-offspring-coheed-and-cambria-more/).
Tool @ Spark Arena – 11/22/25 Setlist (via https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/tool/2025/spark-arena-auckland-new-zealand-2b404422.html):
1. The Grudge
2. Fear Inoculum
3. Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)
4. Rosetta Stoned
5. Disposition (First time since 2002)
6. H. (First time since 2002)
7. Jambi
8. Pneuma
9. Crawl Away (First time since 1998)
10. Vicarious
11. Intolerance
Encore:
Chocolate Chip Trip
Hand of Doom (Black Sabbath cover)
Invincible
Now, here’s the real question: Do you think Tool should keep digging into their archives, or should they focus on newer material? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some heated discussions!
