Opiate by TOOL

Opiate, TOOL's first album (EP), from 1992, reissued here in 2017.

Tool is an American alternative/progressive metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1990.

The initial lineup for this first EP consisted of Maynard James Keenan on vocals, Adam Jones on guitar, Paul D'Amour on bass (who left the band after contributing to their first album, Undertow, considering "their creative process" "excruciating and tedious" and was replaced by Justin Chancellor), and Danny Carey on drums, who we recently saw performing on the wonderful project BEAT.

Their sound is a fusion of heavy metal, progressive metal, and alternative rock, resulting in masterpieces that have earned them four Grammy Awards.

A raw, heavy, and angry debut with the aggressive early sound of powerful riffs and raw, essential production.

The album consists of four studio tracks and two concert tracks. The title track features a "ghost track," "The Gaping Lotus Experience."

- "Sweat" opens the EP with great aggression and continues with a section featuring a huge double bass drum and guitar explosions.
- "Hush" has an exceptional bass groove and aggressive, provocative lyrics.
- "Part of Me" is the weakest track, repetitive but characterized by a notable heavy groove.

- "Cold and Ugly" is a very aggressive live recording, a very powerful song.

- "Jerk-Off" is also a very aggressive live track with lyrics that offer a cynical view of hypocrisy.

- "Opiate" closes the album with atmospheric guitar and echoing vocals, but the true closing track of the EP is a hidden track, "The Gaping Lotus Experience," a substantially psychedelic song.

While not as progressive as their later albums, it's a solid EP, a real banger from the first track to the last. It's borderline rock metal, very grunge-y, with raw and essential production, theatrical vocals, and a bold sound.

A great start, immature and far from the perfection of their later works, but for that reason, in my opinion, beautiful.

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.

Tracklist

1. Sweat (3:46)
2. Hush (2:48)
3. Part of Me (3:17)
4. Cold and Ugly (live) (4:09)
5. Jerk-Off (live) (4:24)
6. Opiate / The Gaping Lotus Experience (8:28)

Duration 26:52

LineUp

- Maynard James Keenan - vocals
- Adam Jones - guitar
- Paul D'Amour - bass
- Danny Carey - drums