Tool - Opiate
|
Our Price: $11.98 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $5.82 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Opiate
Free Music Review: A Significant Debut
Hit: 4 Stars
One of two great rock debuts from 1992 - the other one being the Rage Against The Machine ("RATM") debut - this EP came out a year after the grunge movement threatened to make all rock not from Seattle irrelevant. Yet this band was not grunge, and like RATM they were from So. Cal. The songs were unlike any other band, in that they seemed to concoct a new version of intelligent angst with Sabbath-influenced rock, played by a highly disciplined group of musicians who played more tightly as a unit than any other band this side of thrash. Another difference between Tool and grunge, however, was that there was an element of progessive, experimental music here, which the band would flesh out in their subsequent releases.
Arguably, the most unique thing about Tool on this record was their singer, Maynard James Keenan. He had an ability to convey self-loathing, angry, socially aware, generation X lyrics in a way that seemed fresh. He also had a crystal-clear, ferocious voice. Indeed, the live tracks, "Cold and Ugly" and "Jerk-off" were testament to Maynard's competance as a live singer. A new rock god was born.
This was a significant debut from the band that forged the way for alternative metal/prog rock. Most subsequent metal bands were influenced by these guys. The live tracks, in particular, are reason to pick up this EP as they represent the band's "Live at Leeds" moment.
Free Music Review: The Roots of Tool
Hit: 5 Stars
Tool is a band that with each release takes not only time, but also effort to create something awesome. Although Opiate is just an EP with only 6 songs for its listeners, it still manages to satisfy. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just a metalhead it has much to offer so early in their career. This is what helped gain Tool's early fan base before losing a few as well as gaining many more fans during the release of ?nima and Lateralus. For me though, I love every release they have done. I have so much respect for each album and I think that they are all perfect in their own ways. I have taken the liberty of rating the songs below.
1. Sweat - 10/10
2. Hush - 10/10
3. Part Of Me - 9/10
4. Cold And Ugly (Live) - 9.5/10
5. Jerk-off (Live) - 9/10
6. Opiate - 10/10
Overall: 95% A-
If you don't have this album yet or are new to the band and already like their newer stuff I would recommend purchasing this. That is if you desire to hear the roots of the band known as Tool.
Free Music Review: an angrier, less complex side of tool.
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is for Tool pretty much the same thing that 'adrenaline' was for the Deftones. This album is a pre-mature display of raw fury. There are hardly any progressive hooks or colorful contrasts in this recording, but that is not what this album is about. This album is about being pissed off, and is a must have for any die-hard tool fan. More casual fans of Aenima, Lateralus, or 10,000 Days may not enjoy, but to fans of Undertow, this album is well worth every last dollar.Free Music Review: Not totally needed, but not bad
Hit: 3 Stars
'Opiate' is probably only necessary for Tool completists, but it isn't too bad of a listen. As many will tell you, this EP is pretty far removed from latter-day Tool, and is really nothing more than some fairly run of the mill early 90's alt-metal. Only 6 real songs here, none of them bad but none of them particularly remarkable either. The opener 'Sweat' is one of the best ones, great vocals, effectively driving bass, nice mix of melodic and more aggressive sections. Not a great song, but a pretty good one. The very best song here is probably 'Cold & Ugly'. It's a bit underwritten, actually, with like four different lines, but that main riff is just awesome. One of the best they've ever written. 'Jerk-Off' is also notable, not because it's a particularly great song, it's pretty average, but it has one fantastic scream which makes it worth listening too. One of the best screams of all time, easy. Then you close with the title track (well, not counting the stupid hidden track.) Again, not a brilliant song, but pretty good and a bit more dense and staid, pointing in the direction they would head shortly.
Yeah, that's it, Not a great EP, by any means, but of interest to Tool fans, anyway.
Free Music Review: Great start
Hit: 4 Stars
For being Tool's first CD, it's a really good piece of work. Not something that is way out there, or epic like most of their later stuff. Just something that introduces to you basic ideas of where they come from artistically and mentally, with a taste of what's ahead with the last track, Opiate.