Track Listing
1. Sweat 2. Hush 3. Part of me 4. Cold and ugly (Live) 5. Jerk off (Live) 6. Opiate Year: 1992 Label: Volcano Entertainment - Official Site |
Tool - 'Opiate' - By M. Freeman
It is safe to say that, like a fine wine, Tool are a much acquired taste, and for me, this debut EP tastes sweet. Recorded near to the end of 1991 and containing just 6 tracks Tool were the biggest prog-alternative-rock band to come out of America at this time with their highly original and dynamic sound. There are just four studio tracks featured on here and a further two tracks, both recorded live in Hollywood for the New Years Eve prior to it's release. Opening track 'Sweat' has an all-round raw sound to the music which is present throughout the record, the sleak vocals from Maynard James Keenan are smoothe and fit effectively with the music. The moral of this seems to be that of nostalgia caused by Keenan's previous drug problems, but with the mystique of the man, it is unlikely many but himself know the real meaning of the track. Paul D'amour's bass lines are a pivotal part of 'Hush' and with Danny Carey's sublime double-kick drumming it sets the track off a treat. Unlike many of Tool's pieces, the morals are pretty self-explanatory on here, 'I can say what I want to, even if I'm not serious...' indicates the problems that Tool have had with censorship through the media in much of their work in the band's beginning. Next up is 'Part Of Me', although not a very in your face piece, something about it seems eerie and holds a dark glow in the bass work in particular. D'amour used to be a lead guitarist with previous bands, but it shows on Tool's debut that he adjusted well to work with a bass. The drum beat thumps along relentlessly and the catchy riffs draw the listener in with intrigue. The first of the two live tracks on the EP, 'Cold And Ugly', begins with a scream from Keenan and the collective guitar and bass riffs from Adam Jones and Paul D'amour, respectively, keeps the track on it's feet well. This song's about hiding under a shell of the real person inside, and being frightened of what's on the outside, more dark lyrics hold continuous depth to the track. Another live piece comes in the shape of 'Jerk Off', slightly more listener friendly than the last, but with all the trademark distinctions of Tools early material, Keenan's vocal range is ever-present from his melodic cries to haunting shrills of 'I should play god, and just shoot you myself!' blasting out towards the final moments of the track. Final track proper is the title track of the album, 'Opiate' starts off with yet more infectious singing from Keenan, the drumming is perhaps the most prominent part of this track, but, as ever, the bass pick-ups, guitars, and utterly superb vocals all combine excellently. A dark message lies beneath 'Opiate', just like with the other tracks, this one is about those who religiously follow rules set by cults or their religion. If not taken too seriously, an amusing hidden track is to be found post-'Opiate' which really needn't be there, but I'm sure Keenan has a reason for such lunacy! The messages within Tool's music are, and always will be an important factor of their work, they have evolved tremendously since this early release which focuses almost completely on chilling aspects of life but a lot of their material contains such dark passages of work. All in all, a well-rounded debut from the experimental prog-rockers. Not everyone will like this disc, it is, as stated, an acquired taste, but one piece of advice for those who do appreciate 'Opiate's quality; delve deeper into the world of Tool... Metal Obsessive Grade: 75% |