Undertow by Tool

Undertow, the first LP by the Tool, from 1993

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

The original lineup consisted of Maynard James Keenan on vocals, Adam Jones on guitar, Paul D'Amour on bass (who left the group after contributing to their first album, Undertow, considering “Their creative process" … "agonizing and tedious” and was replaced by Justin Chancellor)  and Danny Carey on drums, whom we recently saw involved in the beautiful project BEAT.

Their sound is a fusion of heavy metal, progressive metal, and alternative rock, which has given rise to masterpieces that have allowed them to win four Grammy Awards.

Undertow is a powerful debut with heavy riffs, incisive bass lines from an excellent Paul D'Amour, hard and powerful drums, complex polyrhythms, the impactful voice of Maynard James Keenan, experimental passages, and dark lyrics that tackle heavy themes such as addiction with "Sober" and abuse with "Prison Sex," "Bottom," “Crawl Away”.  

A debut album followed by three masterpieces, raw, but which clearly hints at what would later happen: while grunge was at its peak and pop punk was beginning, this album offered extremely refined heavy metal played with remarkable precision and with clean and accurate production.

A special mention for the amazing drumming of Danny Carey, exceptional technique in complex polyrhythms with a tribal, almost primitive atmosphere.

- Intolerance, the track that opens the album, is heavy and raw and deals with criticism of hypocrisy and apathy, attacking those who lie, cheat, and steal. The complex guitar riffs are beautiful.
 

- Prison Sex addresses the thorny issue of abuse and its consequences on victims. Characterized by a dissonant bass and a driving rock sound.
 

- Sober was the commercial success of the album and is indeed a masterpiece track that deals with themes of addiction and the fact that some people show their true selves only under the influence of substances. The heavy bass part and vocal performance are beautiful.

- Bottom has a spoken-word section by Henry Rollins, a heavy, mid-tempo track that deals with violent relationships and the loss of self-esteem with an extraordinary dual vocal between Keenan and Rollins.
 

- Crawl Away is an aggressive and pressing track with great guitar and deals with the end of a violent toxic relationship. Powerful track.

- Swamp Song is an atmospheric track that introduces the title track.

- Undertow directly and explicitly addresses the theme of drug addiction. A complex track with the vocal part at the center and with continuous progressions and variations.

- 4° with oriental sensations at times thanks to a great percussion section.

- Flood is an epic track that musically closes the album, predominantly instrumental with rare vocal incursions, a track in constant crescendo. Magnificent track

-  Disgustipated is the final hidden track, a highly experimental piece that contains animal sounds, fragmented spoken sections, white noise, atmospheric sounds for almost its entire long duration, and then ends with a sarcastic message from Maynard. 

An essential album for its genre, not as complex and refined as the later albums but with a great impact on metal, progressive rock, and alternative rock. The beginning of something great.

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

Tracklist

1. Intolerance (4:54)
2. Prison Sex (4:56)
3. Sober (5:06)
4. Bottom (7:13)
5. Crawl Away (5:29)
6. Swamp Song (5:31)
7. Undertow (5:21)
8. 4° (6:02)
9. Flood (7:45)
10. Disgustipated (15:47)

Duration 68:04

LineUp

- Maynard James Keenan - lead vocals
- Adam Jones - guitar, sitar (4)
- Paul D'Amour - bass
- Danny Carey - drums

With:
- Henry Rollins - vocals (4)