MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif--Popular prog-rock act Tool [ tickets ] shuns the spotlight and the ego-centric flavors of hard rock in order to put the emphasis squarely on the art. This isn�t a new concept, but Tool takes the anti-rock-star bit further than any other major mainstream act. And it's working for them.

The group�s highly anticipated show at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View on Saturday night (11/3) was an intriguing mix of heavy theatrics and heavier music that seemed both progressive and retro. Visually and sonically, it seemed light years ahead of what most hard rock acts are doing in concert these days. But it was also reminiscent of the daze of art rockers like Pink Floyd.

Starting with the percussion-driven "The Grudge" and ending 11 songs later with the raw "Lateralis," the band let the music and visuals do all the talking. The four musicians remained in the darkness, with lead singer Maynard James Keenan performing in the back of the stage by drummer Danny Carey. It is basically unheard of for the singer to position himself behind the guitarist and (especially) bassist, but Keenan stayed well in back of guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor all night.

Instead of big personalities, the show was visually dominated by disturbing video segments and graphics that depicted everything from nude women floating in water to people peeling skin off their arms. Most images were vaguely industrial, and even Orwellian, as homogenized humanoids stalked starkly futuristic lands.

It was the exact opposite of what we have come to expect from the usual ego-driven rock spectacle. And that�s just the point.

While most pop bands these days have the shelf life of cottage cheese, Tool has slowly built a career for itself over the past 10 years. Constantly refining a sound that lies somewhere between metal, industrial and art rock, the band has gone from being an opening act on the Lollapalooza tour in 1993 to drawing a capacity crowd at the cavernous Shoreline. Tool�s latest album, "Lateralus," sold an astounding 555,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at No. 1 on the charts.

One would have to say that the well-cultivated sense of mystery and intrigue has helped the band develop a loyal (and large) fan community.