It was quite apparent that the fans at Breslin Center on Sunday were there for one thing: Tool.

They were apathetic when Messughah hit the stage for a nearly two-thirds empty floor. They sat and took it as the band pummeled them with standard but adept black metal.

A mere wisp of smoke from a smoke machine, indicating the imminent arrival of Tool, was enough to whip the crowd into a frenzy.

The band hit the stage sans lead singer Maynard James Keenan and let out with a torrent of feedback. Maynard strode out to his platform at the back of the stage and the band dove into a rendition of “Sober,” to which the crowd roared even louder.

After the playing of the signature song, Maynard hopped off his platform and had a brief powwow with his bandmates.

“A quick set-change,” Maynard announced to the crowd.

The change brought a switch in material as Tool pounded the crowd with a Ramones cover. Maynard seemed to be in good spirits as he talked between songs.

“East Lansing. Hmmm,” he said, to which the audience roared, “Yeaaah.”

“Thank you, good night,” he responded.

But that was as curt as Tool was going to get - after Maynard’s comments, the band played an extended version of “Stinkfist.” The rendition included an extra verse and an elongated concluding riff.

The band continued the journey through the back catalogue with a muscular performance of “46&2.” Tool then began a trek through its latest album, “Lateralus.” The contribution of Danny Carrey adding an electric kit to his acoustic drum setup was most realized on a vivid version of “Schism.”

As the subtle “Parabol” shifted to the pounding “Parabola,” the band’s energy hit its zenith. Twin spotlights shone on guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor as they shredded through the song.

Maynard went on his longest speech of the night when he urged members of the audience to think for themselves and turn off their televisions. He said he hoped for a nice big earthquake - a lead-in for the ode to Los Angeles sinking into the ocean, “Ænema.”

After an intermission, the band played the three-part saga of “Disposition,” “Reflection” and “Triad.” Meshuggah’s drummer joined in for an explosive finale to the song trilogy. The title track from the band’s latest release concluded the night’s sonic odyssey.

But the night was not over for one lucky birthday girl.

Okemos High School student Emily Jackson celebrated her 18th birthday with a trip backstage.

“Amazing,” she said. “The best show in my life.”

As Jackson and three of her friends ventured backstage, four more in their group who did not have passes had to wait in the empty Breslin hallways

One of the friends left behind, Danil Jamalifard, called her parents to tell them that she was going to be late because her friends were backstage.

“I can’t believe this,” she said. “My friends got backstage, and I get grounded.”