Maynard James Keenan Reflects on the Spotlight Around Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 Tool Playlist

The buzz around Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 Tool climbing playlist has Maynard James Keenan calling it “actually depressing.”

The Climb and the Music: A Perfect Duo

When you think of high-stakes rock climbing, especially scaling one of the world's tallest skyscrapers — Taipei 101 at 1,667 feet — you might picture sheer focus, adrenaline, and silence. But not for Alex Honnold. The American rock climber recently broke records by free soloing Taipei 101 without any ropes or safety nets, all while listening to a carefully curated playlist featuring the iconic band Tool among others.

This impressive feat, completed in just one hour and 31 minutes, was broadcast live on Netflix, allowing fans and thrill-seekers worldwide to watch in awe. What caught many by surprise was the playlist that Honnold chose to pace himself during the climb. As he revealed in a chat with Variety, "It was mostly Tool […] I made it months ago while I was driving. I’ve been training to it a bunch – it’s basically rock music that I’ve liked my whole life."

Music wasn’t just a background soundtrack—it was his timing mechanism. “Part of the appeal of music is that actually it helps me with pacing. Each bamboo box had been taking me about five to six and a half minutes. I just know how long the songs are. So it gives you a sense of if you’re going fast or slow,” Honnold explained.

Check out some of the best moments from Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 free solo climb here:
https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=KkVZm5UuXIs

Maynard’s Take: The Playlist Overshadows the Climb

The spotlight on Honnold’s playlist caught the attention of Tool’s frontman, Maynard James Keenan, who recently opened up about it in an interview. While he expressed pride that Tool’s music was a part of such a historic feat, he admitted that the overwhelming focus on the playlist rather than the climb itself was “actually depressing.”

“I’m sure we’ll run into each other or something. I’ll be the one falling off the building and he’ll be the one climbing up it. But yeah, I definitely got some thunder off of him saying he was playing Tool songs. It’s actually depressing that what gets the attention is not the fact that this idiot is climbing that building, which is still impressive, it’s the playlist,” Keenan said.

“My God, man. The balls to do what he did. When I get up from this chair, I’m going to have to take a minute before I take a couple steps, then I might have to do yoga before I hit the stairs. But for him, all his accomplishments get overshadowed by a rock band that can’t put out records in a very timely fashion. That’s pretty weird.”

The Playlist That Rocked Taipei 101

The playlist Honnold crafted wasn’t just a random mix; it featured a powerful lineup of songs that have resonated deeply with fans of rock and alternative music.

Tool tracks on the list included fan favorites like:

• “Lateralus”
• “Schism”
• “Forty Six & 2”
• “Parabola”
• “Pneuma”

In addition to Tool, the playlist included “Choke On This” by Senses Fail, “Hands And Faces” by The Used, and “The Emptiness Machine” from Linkin Park’s latest album. Honnold also featured six songs from NOTHING MORE, including “If It Doesn’t Hurt” and “Spirits.”

This blend of intense rock anthems and emotional tunes reflects not only Honnold’s musical taste but also serves as a sonic backdrop to his daring climb, helping pace each section perfectly.

Maynard’s Own Music and Artistic Mindset

Apart from reflecting on Honnold’s feat, Keenan also shared insights on his own musical journey, particularly about Puscifer’s new album, Normal Isn’t, the follow-up to 2020’s Existential Reckoning.

He explained how pushing creative boundaries remains crucial: “With any music that we’re doing, there’s an element of trying to challenge yourself and break your own mould. I think it helps as an artist to, instead of just settling into a process, find a way to throw yourself back to the beginning and start over.”

Fans can also look forward to Puscifer embarking on a US tour later this month, promising new music and live experiences that challenge the norm.

Final Thoughts: The Music-Moment Connection

There’s something undeniably poetic about a rock climber scaling dizzying heights while a band like Tool echoes through his headphones. It’s a fusion of physical audacity and artistic spirit. Yet, Maynard James Keenan’s reflection reminds us that sometimes the headlines miss the essence—the sheer grit and bravery of the climb.

Still, the playlist undoubtedly adds a fascinating layer to the story—melding two passions into a soundtrack for an extraordinary human achievement.

FAQ

• What made Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 climb so historic?
  He free soloed the 101-floor skyscraper without ropes or safety gear, setting a new urban free solo record.
• Why did Alex Honnold use a music playlist during the climb?
  The playlist helped him pace himself by timing the climb to the length of the songs, aiding his rhythm and focus.
• Which Tool songs were featured on Honnold’s playlist?
  Notable tracks included “Lateralus,” “Schism,” “Forty Six & 2,” “Parabola,” and “Pneuma.”
• What was Maynard James Keenan’s reaction to the playlist’s attention?
  He found it “actually depressing” that the playlist overshadowed Honnold’s incredible climbing achievement.
• Is Puscifer releasing new music soon?
  Yes, their album Normal Isn’t follows up their 2020 release, with a US tour kicking off later this month.

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