i have loved this album since it debuted way back in the 90's. The combination of severe guitar and prophetic lyrics allows for you to totally get lost in the music and prevents it from being just background static during your casual day. Download it to your iPod/MP3 and commence with your days events!!

This is arguably my favorite Tool album. It still holds the anger and heaviness of "Opiate" but the songs are structured much better, not to mention they're longer too (the songs on "Opiate" were pretty much short and to the point). The production is top notch. The music itself is nothing short of amazing. Same with Maynard's lyrics. Absolutly, hands down the best lyrics he's ever written. If your a Tool fan obviously you already own this. If you don't, pick it up. I have owned this album since I was a sophomore in high school and it still holds its own.

This CD is like taking a journey forward in time. Tool has the creative ability that lacks in the music Industry. Maynard plays his role well in this awesome CD by Tool.

Tool's debut album was good, but this follow-up is great. What genre of music does Tool fall into? Nu-metal? Metal? Does it matter? Nope.

It's thick, heavy, primitive rhythms and drums. It's African beats on meth meets modern music technology in the form of distorted guitars, with angry yet controlled vocals.

Where speed metal and hardcore metal often goes wrong, Tool goes right - which evidently puts them into the nu-metal category. Guitar and drum parts that are played too fast make a song sound tinny and weak, which is what most speed metal suffers from. Tool finds a balance between speed and tone which makes the music sound so much heavier and potent. Secondly, the vocals are not cookie-monster type growls or noises; they're clearly a human voice enraged and full of venom. Death metal and the like often sound silly because singing over a really sweet riff is a guy howling like a barnyard animal. It's just ridiculous because it makes a parody of itself by pushing stupidity to the max. Tool once again stays on track here with human vocals that sound good, are audible, and deliver sometimes disturbing themes.

This album is thicker than their debut album but it's more sparse than the albums that came later. One could make the case for one of the albums to come to be their best, but it's a matter of taste. Quite frankly, this album is A+ material from start to finish.

I miss this sound. These were the scariest punk rockers around at the time. Maynerd Keenan meant every word of what he said, and the lyrics are still more visceral than most anything you'll hear on the radio today. Adam Jones' guitars were scary, strange, and felt like the groan of human body parts. This whole album sounded like the bottom of a soul being scraped; we need more of it.

The Cd came in a timely fashion, which was great because I got it for my boyfriend's birthday. The CD case did come to us cracked though, this was probably a mistake of the postal service, but the CD could have been wrapped better. The crack didn't effect the CD though, and we didn't feel a need to return the item.

THE BAND: Maynard James Keenan (vocals), Adam Jones (guitars), Paul d'Amour (bass), Danny Carey (drums & percussion). Guest artist - Henry Rollins (vocals on "Bottom"). Band origin - Los Angeles, CA.

THE DISC: (1993) 9 tracks clocking in at approximately 53 minutes - plus an additional 60 track selections - 59 of these at 1 (silent) second each, plus one 'hidden' last track lasting just under 16 minutes. Included with the disc is a 5-page foldout containing song titles/credits, 'odd' photos (some including band members, as well as the pig & fork back cover photo again), and thank you's. Recorded at Grand Master Studios, Hollywood, CA. This is the band's 2nd release (and 1st full length album, after the '92 EP, "Opiate"). Label - Zoo / BMG.

COMMENTS: This "Undertow" was my introduction to California's band, Tool. It didn't hit me at first, but decades later I hear the brilliance in it. First and foremost this is a heavy metal album. Secondly, it's a progressive album. The music is heavy, dark, grinding and complex. Having played drums myself, listening to Carey's mastery behind the kit is a near religious experience for me. No tom-tom is safe and I bet he's cracked even the best Paiste cymbals. I put Carey up on my top tier of drummers - next to the likes of Neil Peart (Rush), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Ian Paice (Deep Purple), and Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree). d'Amour hammers his bass guitar with style - like no one I've heard before. Keenan's vocals are unique. The emotional anger/lust/disgust fit the songs perfectly. Adam Jones' guitar technique is brilliant. I really admire a musician that brings his own style/sound to the table. Need an example? Try to channel out the other instruments and tune in to Jones' guitar work on "Sober", "Intolerance" and "Bottom". Also check out "Swamp Song" (dancing in quicksand - "I hope it sucks you down") and the slower "4 degrees". For me, Tool's sound is so uncommonly different than anything else out there (not including the imitators that came after the fact)... and that still holds true today. The songs "Sober" (#13) and "Prison Sex" (#32) were well received - both made the mainstream rock charts. "Undertow" peaked at #50 on Billboard's best albums of 1993. Several publications ("Pause & Play", Classic Rock", "Raw", etc) rate this release among the best albums of the entire 1990's. The album cover - Jone's rib cage sculpture - is my favorite Tool cover. The only thing negative about the disc are the blank tracks after song 9 ("Flood"), as well as the hidden last track 69... 5-minutes of tribal chants/drums/percussion followed by 10 minutes of electronic crickets. I guess I've missed the (inside) joke or the statement here for years and I just find it bothersome (eject!). Tracks 10-69 should not take away from the album experience though. As "Opiate" found the band in raw form with a ton of promise, "Undertow" showed them perfecting their craft. Albums after "Undertow" have come close to matching the intensity of this one, but with a little less wow-factor. For me, you found out how remarkable and mighty the band was on "Undertow"... so you came to expect it on future releases. Brilliant album - start your Tool collection here (5 stars).

Let me admit right now- this band isn't my thing.

The opening song called "Intolerance" features a loud, grungy guitar riff to open the song. I can tolerate it. I understand it was somewhat original back in the day (even though the idea of opening an album with a loud, heavy grunge rocker has been beaten in the mud in todays world).

Many of the guitar riffs sound like they're recycled from old Black Sabbath records and songs such as "Sweet Leaf". The looping guitar riff from that song finds it way on numerous occasions on this album somewhere, and I simply won't tolerate that.

The lead singer has an annoyingly overbearing "nervous" angry sound to his voice that I have trouble accepting as good. All the vocal melodies sound the same. It's like falling in a big pot of grunge riffs and vocals and having a big spoon come down and stir you around and around for over an hour. That's my experience with this album.

Perhaps the best hard-rock band extant, all of their albums to date play like a pretty respectable "Greatest Hits", churning out one 4-star rocker after another, interupted only by the occassional 5-star doozie. Hall of Fame sure-shots, it's quality material that will hold up well over time, making all of their albums to date almost mandatory purchases. Yeah, that good!

The riffs are good and simple with low driving bass lines, and the drums are decent, the pictures in the album are pulp fiction to me and the song "sober" is probably the most offbeat and power-ridden song on all their albums. I gave the album 2 stars because of my doing research into their band and found out that they are a bunch of intellects-- they are way too smart to be in heavy metal rock prog... blah blah blah. Ultimately I threw the album away.

Even though I can speak from personal experience that fans of Tool can get uber-defensive to the point where it's kind of creepy, for the most part they at least have reason to have much praise. In many ways similar to Rush, each band member offers an element worthy of being in the band without having dispensable members. Before they hit a bigger plateau with their next release "Aenima", Undertow was the best Tool record and for some it still is. While for me, it's arguably Lateralus, it's still hard to throw anything negative towards Undertow, their first full-length (with the EP Opiate coming out first).

Intolerance: One of my favorite songs from the album. From its heavy opening riff to the smooth tempo changes to it's catchy "lie cheat and steal" hook that is so fun to belt out, it's one of the better Tool songs around. 9/10

Prison Sex: If there's one word to describe this one, it's kind of "fun". It just has a great groove that you can almost dance to (some atypical dance of course). Controversial lyrics and video, it's another one of the more popular songs and worth a listen. 9/10

Sober: If it wasn't for Schism, this would probably be the de facto signature Tool song although probably people consider it to be. Structure-wise it's pretty simple which is strange with Maynard's vocals getting progressively more emotive in the chorus. 9/10

Bottom: Man they're on a roll. Another homerun with heavy riffs and a great vocals and end scream by Maynard. My only complaint is the really quiet section. Spoken by Henry Rollins, While it does set up the climax, it takes a bit too long to get to. 8.5/10

Crawl Away: To be honest, I'm not completely fond of this one. The riffs are there, vocals and musicianship but there's just something that doesn't do it for me. Maybe it's having 4 great songs in a row and while it's a listenable track, it wasn't as immediate as others. 7.5/10

Swamp Song: One of the more underrated songs on the album. One thing that's quite surprising about it is how hooky it is. A guitar riff you can hum all day to a sing-along section (if you want) when Maynard sings "I hope it sucks, I hope it sucks you, ****er, I hope it sucks you down". 9/10

Undertow: Right from the start, it's very upbeat and chockful of riffs with many tempo changes that just feels right (it's rare to find most bands who are that comfortable with jumping all over the place). Even though it's not that big a favorite, it's still an album highlight. 8/10

Four Degrees: A sitar riff opens the song with a main catchy riff you'll hear throughout the song. Like many Tool songs, there's usually an element that brings you into the songs and makes it worth remembering, unlike most bands who play for 10 minutes and you can't remember a thing. 8/10

Flood: To be honest, I'm not a big fan of this. There's nothing inherently wrong with it, it just doesn't hook me the way it should. It's not like I need poppy melodies or radio-friendly lengths but I at least need something to make the song memorable and this one took awhile. Probably a grower. 7.5/10

I'll forego trying to review Disgustipated since it's just so...weird. But besides that, this is a very consistent record and while it doesn't have the acclaim and success Aenima or Lateralus had, it's still a very worthy addition to the band's catalogue.

It's cool. I had this "tape" several years ago and it got eaten by my player. I always wanted the CD so I got it. It is as good as I remember it being.

Heavy and thick, Tool's Undertow made a fan out of me. Actually, the first Tool album I bought was AEnima (also excellent), but the first Tool song I heard was Sober (off of this album). Interesting video for that song. Anyway, Metal heads and Progressive Rock fans everywhere should give Tool a try, and Undertow is a very good place to start. I also have AEnima, Lateralus, and 10,000 Days as well. Many say that Tool went downhill with their newest offering 10,000 Days, but I'd say that it really isn't that bad. It may not beat the juggernauts Undertow, AEnima, and Lateralus, but it is worth a listen or five. Long live Tool!

I Love this CD.... Perfect Listening when you've had a $#itty Day. Dark, Desolate & Hauntingly Beautiful.

I would descibe this CD as ol' school Black Sabbath mixed with Rob Zombie and a sprinkiling of Jerry Cantrell's Degradation Trip. The bass line is exceptional thru out the whole disc. The whole feel of the vocals are dark and gloomy. Just a great great CD!!!

As a long term Tool fan I appreciate anything the band has to offer and as I was unaware of this CD imagine my surprise when I played it for the first time, I was literally blown away, I wish I had known about it sooner!! it is definately a must for any Tool fan

Tool does not fit into any genre...yes, their music is heavy, but it's much more than "heavy metal". Their lyrics have a definite intention and are well thought out. The band's education can be heard throughout each song, lyrics as well as instruments, everything is intricate and detailed. You don't just HEAR it. You're drawn in to truly listen. I strongly suggest Undertow and if you enjoy it run out right away and get Aenima, Tool only improves with age!

I know I will catch a lot of flack for such a bold statement. But I'm not a prog rock purist. The music I like leans to the more melodic. Of all their albums this is the most accessible and melodic. Other Tool albums seem to be so restrained to me. Like you're just waiting for them to cut loose and drop the hammer but they never do. They did with this one. Stand out track for me is #4 Bottom. catchy bass hook, razor sharp guitars, maynard at his best and guest spoken word by Henry Rollins, it doesn't get any better than that.

Intolerance 4/5
2. Prison Sex 5/5
3. Sober 5/5
4. Bottom 4/5
5. Crawl Away 4/5
6. Swamp Song 4/5
7. Undertow 5/5
8. 4 Degrees 4/5
9. Flood 4/5
69.- ?????- crazy song and creepy as hell 5/5

This was a great CD back in the day when I was still drinking and using drugs. Now, even though it's familiar and definitely has its merits, I just can't find the excitement that I used to feel about it. Don't like this honest opinion? Get over it.

Many people came to know Tool with the latest releases such as Lateralus and made themsome kind of gods. As a matter of fact Lateralus is a somewhat weak album compared to this masterpiece (and also its followup AEnima). This album is the one that set Tool as one of the best Progressive (with every meaning of the word) metal bands. They brought a fresh sound to an otherwise stale genre and still remained heavy with large compositions which never failed to remain interesting. "4","Sober", "Prison Sex"....so many good songs in here. Listen to this album. It deserves it.

ill admit i almost gave this a four because of the Track Disgustipated, but i got a change of heart becasue Sober is a great song and beautifully written just like every song that they have ever written heres the stuff on it

1. Intolerance 5/5
2. Prison Sex 5/5
3. Sober 5.5/5
4. Bottom 4.5/5
5. Crawl Away 4.5/5
6. Swamp Song 5/5
7. Undertow 5/5
8. 4 Degrees 5/5
9. Flood 5/5
10-68. Nothingness there is didly squatt here 0/5(this dont count for the rating though)
69. Disgustipated 4/5 its just to damn long 15:47, good lyrics though

HINT: if u got parents who judge what u listen to and look for things wrong, remove the little booklet inside cause there are some disturbing pictures in there that will make ur parents say "TAKE THAT BACK NOW!!!"

I just don't understand the appeal of this album. When this debuted, I picked it up on a whim, and hated it immensely, causing me to ignore Tool entirely for the next howevermany years. After finally listening to the excellent Aenima and Lateralus, returning to this actually removes the bias I once had, but that doesn't mean this is any good. Almost totally devoid of their later prog sound, I get bored almost instantly with their 'crash and yell' style of alt rock/metal. Somehow, I sat through this whole mess long enough to pick out a few sunspots. The drumming is decent, not on par with their newer sound, and the song Prison Sex, however obvious, isn't too bad of a song. Otherwise, the spoken portion of Bottom is incredibly stupid, and the meandering Disgustipated makes me want to tear my hair out in blood soaked clumps. I can't believe the praise this album recieves when Tool's future was so much brighter. Even Opiate was slightly better than this.

On it's own merit, Undertow is a great album. It went places few bands had ever gone. Without rehashing the reasons this album is great, I will say that the unrelenting sound is somewhat numbing by the end of the album. Later releases would incorporate the ambient sounds needed to allow ideas/concepts to fully bloom, disorientation to creep in, and allow the albums to breath more. Still a great album though...

Tool has always been a progressive band right from the get go. Undertow is Tool's first major release and is by no means the "lesser" of the rest. From the start Undertow grabs you and doesn't let go. The sound is angry, dark and mixed with underlying messages towards human nature. All together it creates this atmosphere for its listeners that matches the great music. This album may not be as progressive as later Tool releases, such as the epic Ænima, but shows signs of progressiveness in the final track "Disgustipated". My song ratings are as follows...

1. Intolerance - 10/10
2. Prison Sex - 10/10
3. Sober - 10/10
4. Bottom - 9.5/10
5. Crawl Away - 10/10
6. Swamp Song - 10/10
7. Undertow - 9/10
8. 4 Degrees - 10/10
9. Flood - 8.5/10

69. Disgustipated - 9/10

Overall: 95% A-

All together it is a great listen. Even if it may not be the best release by the band it is still amazing. Like I have said before, each release by Tool is unique and I love each one for many different reasons. If you can, go out and buy this album; it's truly signs of things to come for Tool

There is no common opinion on what is the best Tool album. Some will say they got better with each release, while some others think their first two releases, Opiate and Undertow, are better and more musical. Without getting into this debate, I'll kindly suggest, if you've never heard Tool before, start right here, with their first full-length release, Undertow (their debut Opiate is an EP).

The songs on Undertow are all significantly more simple and direct than their work on Aenima and Lateralus; it could be argued that the band hadn't matured fully while they were writing these songs yet, but still, for a 1993 release, Undertow is one of the most innovative discs ever, given how the scene was littered with a million grunge bands at the time. This is not to say Tool has no alternative elements in their music though. The second track of the album actually sees vocalist Maynard Keenan opting for a slightly grunge-styled delivery with great results. However, aside from that, "Prison Sex" is an ultimately adventurous piece and easily transcends the boundaries of grunge. Pairing a gritty bass motif with immensely powerful drum fills, the song also contains a dynamic guitar theme that soars above this combination, climaxing at the final second, suggesting there is not a single overplayed note on it.

Actually, Undertow, as every other Tool album, immediately impacts the listener with its solid rhythmic angle, the amazing Danny Carey on drums and Paul D'Amour on bass (now replaced by Justin Chancellor). Carey's drumming style is absolutely mind-blowing and his tone is to die for, while D'Amour on bass really defines the character of the album, be it with his fat bass lines on "Intolerance" (with killer guitar effects at the end) or his meticulous grooves on "Bottom", a song with a phenomenal atmospheric undercurrent that emphasizes tranquil passages filled with whispered spoken words, sporadic bass throbs, and glistening cymbal work. Guitarist Adam Jones is equally important to this album. His minimalistic yet effective guitar expressions are in a league all their own. You won't hear a million flying solos on this album (or any other for that matter). If that's what you're looking for in music, you'll have to look elsewhere. Tool simply rocks in a different kind of way. Sure, their music is riff-based, marked by plenty of visceral rock nuances, and amidst all these complex passages, it is Jones himself who chooses when and where to insert those riffs, each one having a point and purpose. The guitar work of Tool is simply one of a kind. Adam Jones' guitar lines bleed atmosphere through and through, in a very unique way. "Sober", my personal favourite off of this album, is not only a relentless attack on religious hypocrisy, but it also displays what an amazing lyricist and singer Maynard Keenan is. Just listening to this song, I can already hear how all those new bands, such as Dead Soul Tribe, have been influenced by the genius of Tool's songwriting. The chorus of "Sober" is so well-written and infectious that it won't let go days after you stop listening to it. And I really, really love Keenan's haunting lyrics. He conveys his thoughts with zero pretense, which, in my opinion, is a big plus.

I wish I could describe each track in great detail, but it would be impossible to do so without missing vital moments. Though, at face value, Undertow may seem rather simplistic and concise, repeat listens expose great details. You may be as surprised as me when you start enjoying the numbing guitar drills on the bleak "Crawl Away" or effect-laden guitars paired with oppressive instrumental interludes on "Swamp Song". The title track, besides going back to the band's grunge-infused themes, is also one of the vocal-based cuts, where you hear so many changing chord progressions your head spins; while the Eastern influence on "4 Degrees" (complete with terrific percussion) make you believe they further explored this on their following releases.

"Flood" is arguably the most brooding number on Undertow. Its slowly-picked bass guitar, Keenan's vocals echoing distantly in the background, and dense atmospherics build on through its eventless yet languid first half before venturing into a hard-hitting rock number with philosophy-infused lyrics. The last song "Disgustapated", starting at track 10 and ending at track 69, is a trippy piece of over 15 minutes, littered with odd sound effects, tribal percussion work, spoken lyrics about abuse and intolerance, and a static hammer sound that goes on and on. I'm not even going to go into the pictures in the booklet, which are equally 'different' and 'unusual', for lack of a better term.

It was incredibly difficult for me to crack Tool's music. However, once I did, I never looked back. It may take months or even years, but if you're a music fan with an open mind and enjoy innovation and musical depth as much as I do, give Tool a listen. If you heard them before and thought they were obtuse, maybe you should go back and give their album(s) a new spin. You may be grateful you did.

You shouldn't listen to the ignorant people who post here solely to bash this highly talented band (which is underrated in my opinion, not overrated). I've listened to the best rock music from all around the world: Rammstein, Mago de Oz, Noir Desir, Oomph!, Mass Hysteria, Megaherz, Indochine, etc., and Tool is one of the few American bands that I actually enjoy listening to on a continual basis. I would venture to say that, yes, good American Rock is lacking today, but this band is an exception to the rule.

Overall, great musicianship, honest vocals, & some of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time. "Prison Sex" is my favorite guitar intro - ever. If you haven't already, go see these guys live. Great album from a great hard rock band.

Can it be 13 years ago this came out? A phone call to a friend in dispair about the lack of any decent music, his one word answer, "TOOL". No album has ever had the personal impact for me that Undertow did. The first time I heard it, I literally got chills in the middle of each song as I realized how incredibly good it was.

Listening to Undertow is like having your brain smashed in by a piece of obsidian that's been dipped in liquid crystal meth. Such perfect beautiful rage.

Best heavy metal album of my lifetime.

Undertow is one of those albums you should listen to now and again...especially if you have gotten hung up on Lateralus or Aenima, etc. Of course, if you don't own a copy yet, well, then get one. In a sense it's easy to forget how good it is, I actually get a little homesick for it on occasion and dust it off and have another inspection. The music is just so clean, so uncomplicated as other Tool albums. "Crawl Away" is a perfect example of this. Probably the top draw would be "Sober" and not for poor reasoning...it bleeds from the same vein as the band's other revocations of religious dogma. "Prison Sex" is likely my favorite of the bunch. Not only is it a great rocker (like the title track - "Undertow") but it could speak as well for the innocent as the next serial killer. Like Jim Morrison might have had a say in this, "...we could plant a murder...or start a religion."
Again let me state, it is easy to forget how clean and unsullied the sound is...crisp and driving, yeah, that's the word - driving. Gotta give it 5 stars. Looking forward to May when the new release is expected!
Oh, also keep in mind our ancestoral history. At some point in antiquity along our evolutionary path, there had to be a first...the very first artist who lay in his cro-magnan cave and decided for whatever aesthetic impulse to fling wooly mammoth crap at his cave wall. Along came a visitor who beheld this creation. Along came the critic.

Tool didn't rise up from the Industrial ranks just yesterday, but in the fall of 1993 they had a couple of clay animation vidoes to some songs that included the track "Sober" which seemed to plant them on the rock music landscape, which at that time was trying to ween itself away from big hair rock, while at the same time deal with the sudden overload of new grunge bands that seemed to be coming from everywhere BUT Seattle.

The panging bass lines and the swirling themes of loss and helplessness created a signature sound known only to them, and eventually cherished by the masses.

Undertow is the complete album. Every song is strong in songwriting, guitar work, and structure. "Prison Sex" "Sober" and "Bottom" all have varying themes and tones, and though the dark brooding bass that is so familiar with their music shines through, it doesn't pull it down to far and allows for specific crescendo's to bring it up at the right moments. "Swamp Song" is just that, a song that sounds like it can only be found, or even remembered, by thinking of a swamp, a place where few people go, and even fewer leave. "Undertow" and "Flood" are also very strong songs that are a bit broodier than others, but still have a good beat to them and are not so much something that you sing along to, but try to soak up...the band's vision and execution of their music helped them wedge their own little nitch in the industrial rock music market, and makes "Undertow" a must have for any fan of the band.

With all of the clone bands that exist in the modern rock scene these days, it becomes very easy to simply get bored and dismiss everything. However it is critical that we recognize the albums that were true landmarks. "Undertow" clearly was. Not only was the sound and style that Tool created new for its time, it also sounded fantastic. Their power was intense and the subject matter was actually disturbing while also being intellectually stimulating. This is a point where so many of the second-rate Tool clones failed.. their disturbance seems forced and the lyrics are just a snore. Tool also did a lot to rekindle many people's interest in music videos which had been growing increasingly dull over time.

In short, I know that modern rock has become incredibly tiresome and generic but don't make the mistake of overlooking a truly epic album such as "Undertow".

This is getting closer to the perfect album; it is a step up from Opiate, no denying. At this rate, Tool will release a three star album sometime around 2058! That's progress, right?

This album is better produced than Opiate. That's about it for real improvements. It's longer, which means more mediocre garbage to wade through, with Tool's first long song, Disgustipated taking up a whole side of vinyl (!!!) Not bad for a song that consists of 8 minutes of cricket noises. But enough about that lazy piece of garbage; the band wasn't even trying there.

Tool shows what makes them world famous; one of the most amazing drummers you'll ever hear drumming his heart out on songs with two, three chords, and bass lines that go from decent, to bass chords for the hit Sober. Mark Prindle called that the "worst single ever recorded" and while I actually think it's a highlight of the album, I also can't help but agree. It is probably the most tasteless use of minor chords I've ever heard. It sounds like the incidental music in a bad horror movie; it's that hilariously over the top. Yay for that!

The rest? Cock rock with hilariously awful "intellectual" lyrics; I give props to Maynard for trying to avoid heavy metal cliches, and tackle different topics. And I mean that sincerely. However, his lyrics about said topics are JUST AS STRAIGHTFORWARD as the lyrics to say, Warrant's Cherry Pie.

At least the songs are generally under five minutes. Yay for that. One star for amazing drumming.

This album is a great tool album and I recommend it to anyone who likes metal or nu metal. Whether you be a korn fan or a black sabbath fan you won't regret buying this when you hear Maynard James Keenan sing. He's got a unique voice in metal today. You don't get that in metal today.When it comes to nu metal Chino Moreno and Keenan have the best voices. Thats why they did a song on the white pony album. But anyway sober and crawl away are the good songs on the album. When you hear tools music or A Perfect Circle it makes you to want to hear more.

This album changed my life in so many ways I could not possibly explain.Anyone who discounts this album as anything short of genius is simply not worth your time.Everything about this album is original and masterful.Dig a little deeper my friends, don't fear what you don't understand, embrace it. I have been a fan of Tool since '92. For all of you that only like Tool for what they have released post Anemia are just eating up what media hype has fed you. Opiate is an amazing album as well in it's own way. Every record Tool releases is great in it's own right.Trust me nothing they do is by chance. They are all excellent musicians with they're own styles and together they are really something special. Danny Carey is probably the best drummer in rock ever, he never just plays a basic beat. there are so many layers and beats within beats, and he only gets better with every record. Adam Jones is so original in his playing style. As a guitarist myself I can truly appreciate the subtle complexities in his movements. There really is no other guitarist I can think of that has mastered odd time in quite this way. Though he doesn't just shread out fast leads like some players that are very good his playing is an entirely different entity. There are leads but they aren't just an excuse to show his chops they actually add to the landscape of the piece. His style is something you can't quite put your finger on.And both bassist they have had are amazing and powerful, most people see the bass as an additive to the guitar but Tool definitly uses the low end to they're advantage. That low end makes they're sound very dark and haunting.indeed it is a very important piece to the puzzle. Disagree? just listen to schism for example, would that song be the same without that incredible bassline. Last but not least Maynard..........oh,maynard.a true visionary. A lyrical genius , a madman, Just his vocal style alone is enough to make him great, but hear his words and they will truly complicate you. He never seems to stop. With him nothing is at face value. He is a great writer, like Adam he posseses a subtle complexity that must be examined to be appreciated. No other band has gone where Tool goes, No other band could go where Tool goes. Music is just music but this band has made it something more something that I can't even understand. There is something very strange that happens between these people. something that reaches inside something that knows us better than we know ourselves.All I can say is that there are alot of great bands out there but they are not Tool.Thank You