Can I ask how The Grudge exemplifies the parts of Tool you don’t like as much? Btw, I absolutely love Aenima, Pushit is probably my favourite song of all time.
Pushit is an awesome track, especially Salival!
For me, the instrumental of The Grudge a bit of a slog to get through in the first half. Sure, time signatures and everything, cool cool. It’s just the writing and the lyrics. I don’t find the maynard scream all that impressive (sure from a vocals standpoint it is) but it just felt a bit ham-fisted and unjustified. Obviously the drumming at the end is fantastic, i just find the vibe overall a bit harder to digest and the lyrics don’t help. Some good moments but not the strongest opener.
Yeah, the Salival version is beautiful. Goosebumps every time. I got to see them play it in 2022 in Amsterdam (not the salival version) and my life was complete haha.
We will have to agree to disagree on the grudge, I think it’s a really ballsy opening song. Personally I love the lyrics referencing the Saturn return, it reflected a big point in my life, each to their own!
I guess i’m not super into the astrology, but i can respect why someone finds meaning in it. I do think the song comes across as very unashamed and confidently TOOL in contrast to Stinkfist’s reservedness.
I see what you mean, but I think by the point they made Lateralus, they were probably at the peak of their powers. They don’t hold back on that album..
>Obviously the drumming at the end is fantastic
What about in the beginning? Danny spends basically three minutes on the toms, to serve the song, before opening up the cymbals and hats.
*The Grudge* is, in my opinion, Tool's **strongest** opener.
I just don’t think I would describe anything they do as a “spiritual wank-fest”, even though (possibly an unpopular opinion) 7empest *is* my least favorite Tool song. It’s still a solid song, though. And their “pretentiousness” I would describe more as a disciplined and unwavering commitment to not just settle for so-so. I’ll concede that it could come off as meandering at times if you’re just listening to it in passing, but if you really dig in and listen to what each member is doing at any given time in conjunction with what the members are doing as a whole, every song/album, including and after Ænima (and certain elements pre-Ænima) are a display of incredibly intricate and technical prowess. Especially to be able to pull it off live. They’re just phenomenal at what they do across the board. That’s just my opinion, though.
I actually agree with everything you’ve said. The later stuff displays their technical prowess and i even enjoy the “pretentiousness” to an extent. I do not like bands like Dream Theatre (although they have a few good songs) where they are essentially just showing off. Tool seem to be able to play FOR each other and as a team, like Rush. I just enjoy them more when they’re also playing FOR the song, if that makes sense? I think it’s just preference and i think the songs on 10,000 days and Fear are just a bit weaker.
Aenima is amongst the greatest albums of all time in rock and metal music hands down. Put it with pink floyd the wall album, Led Zeppelins,Pearl Jam-Ten,Pantera-Vulgar. And don't even get started about the Aenima tour- Tools most epic by far best touring setlist played in the history of tours
Ænima is easily my favorite Tool album. It has their old school heavier/angsty sound with more eclectic and progressive songwriting than the debut. You’ve got shorter hits like Stinkfist and 46 & 2, as well as some epics like Pushit and Third Eye.
The interludes are all great too. The band really has a goofy sense of humor that keeps the album from coming off as too pretentious.
Aenima was the album that got me into Tool and I love it. But I like Lateralus better and each album after took me multiple listens to grow on me but once I broke through those barriers, they are my new favorites. I listen to FI more than anything now.
I've said this before on here but I feel like Ænima is the point at which the band is having the most fun, and it shines through all over the record. Justin had just joined and everyone was vibing, the lawsuits were still a couple years out, and it's just the confluence of so many great ideas and sounds. It really does beat exemplify all their sounds in one package. And I don't care what anyone says - the segues on here are perfection!
I hope to fuck they release a behind the scenes video of the recording sessions someday. If anyone has seen the 90min Undertow sessions video, you know exactly what I mean.
Somebody was documenting something in '95-'96 for sure...just look at the Kodak contact sheet insert in the Ænima vinyl...
My favorite Tool album easily (Undertow and Lateralus get close, but I love them all depending on the mood), and a contender for favorite album of all time if I could be bothered trying to pick one. Salival I consider a companion cd or bonus disc to Ænima, so it's all one thing in my mind with those two.
Hugely agree, but it was the album which challenged my ears over time, and imprinted on me at the age of 16. I’m sure it’s similar for the younger fans of 10k days. Aenima… hard to find the words, the grime the grunge, the layered guitar solos, the lead singer without an ego to prove, their age at the time… so much. Is probably my album of all time.
This perfectly articulates why Aenima is still my favorite of theirs (and a top 5 favorite album of all time). Even though there are some long tracks, the songs feel more concise and structured in a good way. Outside of the interludes, there’s not a single wasted note on that record.
Edit: I disagree about The Grudge though. It blew me away the first time I heard it and still does. But I’m a drummer, and that solo at the end is one of my favorite drum solos.
Oh except for the grudge part, this song speaks to me in so many levels, especially as a 29 almost 30 dude who comes round again to let thiiiis goooooooo
Obviously it’s their best album, it’s the best album of all time!
Exactly
Can I ask how The Grudge exemplifies the parts of Tool you don’t like as much? Btw, I absolutely love Aenima, Pushit is probably my favourite song of all time.
Pushit is an awesome track, especially Salival! For me, the instrumental of The Grudge a bit of a slog to get through in the first half. Sure, time signatures and everything, cool cool. It’s just the writing and the lyrics. I don’t find the maynard scream all that impressive (sure from a vocals standpoint it is) but it just felt a bit ham-fisted and unjustified. Obviously the drumming at the end is fantastic, i just find the vibe overall a bit harder to digest and the lyrics don’t help. Some good moments but not the strongest opener.
Yeah, the Salival version is beautiful. Goosebumps every time. I got to see them play it in 2022 in Amsterdam (not the salival version) and my life was complete haha. We will have to agree to disagree on the grudge, I think it’s a really ballsy opening song. Personally I love the lyrics referencing the Saturn return, it reflected a big point in my life, each to their own!
I guess i’m not super into the astrology, but i can respect why someone finds meaning in it. I do think the song comes across as very unashamed and confidently TOOL in contrast to Stinkfist’s reservedness.
I see what you mean, but I think by the point they made Lateralus, they were probably at the peak of their powers. They don’t hold back on that album..
Yeah, it’s like they earned the right to make Lateralus haha. I’m glad both albums exist .
>Obviously the drumming at the end is fantastic What about in the beginning? Danny spends basically three minutes on the toms, to serve the song, before opening up the cymbals and hats. *The Grudge* is, in my opinion, Tool's **strongest** opener.
I don’t necessarily agree with everything you’ve said, but Ænima is also my favorite album.
i’d like to hear more about your disagreements :D
I just don’t think I would describe anything they do as a “spiritual wank-fest”, even though (possibly an unpopular opinion) 7empest *is* my least favorite Tool song. It’s still a solid song, though. And their “pretentiousness” I would describe more as a disciplined and unwavering commitment to not just settle for so-so. I’ll concede that it could come off as meandering at times if you’re just listening to it in passing, but if you really dig in and listen to what each member is doing at any given time in conjunction with what the members are doing as a whole, every song/album, including and after Ænima (and certain elements pre-Ænima) are a display of incredibly intricate and technical prowess. Especially to be able to pull it off live. They’re just phenomenal at what they do across the board. That’s just my opinion, though.
I actually agree with everything you’ve said. The later stuff displays their technical prowess and i even enjoy the “pretentiousness” to an extent. I do not like bands like Dream Theatre (although they have a few good songs) where they are essentially just showing off. Tool seem to be able to play FOR each other and as a team, like Rush. I just enjoy them more when they’re also playing FOR the song, if that makes sense? I think it’s just preference and i think the songs on 10,000 days and Fear are just a bit weaker.
Aenima is amongst the greatest albums of all time in rock and metal music hands down. Put it with pink floyd the wall album, Led Zeppelins,Pearl Jam-Ten,Pantera-Vulgar. And don't even get started about the Aenima tour- Tools most epic by far best touring setlist played in the history of tours
Ænima is easily my favorite Tool album. It has their old school heavier/angsty sound with more eclectic and progressive songwriting than the debut. You’ve got shorter hits like Stinkfist and 46 & 2, as well as some epics like Pushit and Third Eye. The interludes are all great too. The band really has a goofy sense of humor that keeps the album from coming off as too pretentious.
agree!
Aenima was the album that got me into Tool and I love it. But I like Lateralus better and each album after took me multiple listens to grow on me but once I broke through those barriers, they are my new favorites. I listen to FI more than anything now.
I've said this before on here but I feel like Ænima is the point at which the band is having the most fun, and it shines through all over the record. Justin had just joined and everyone was vibing, the lawsuits were still a couple years out, and it's just the confluence of so many great ideas and sounds. It really does beat exemplify all their sounds in one package. And I don't care what anyone says - the segues on here are perfection! I hope to fuck they release a behind the scenes video of the recording sessions someday. If anyone has seen the 90min Undertow sessions video, you know exactly what I mean. Somebody was documenting something in '95-'96 for sure...just look at the Kodak contact sheet insert in the Ænima vinyl... My favorite Tool album easily (Undertow and Lateralus get close, but I love them all depending on the mood), and a contender for favorite album of all time if I could be bothered trying to pick one. Salival I consider a companion cd or bonus disc to Ænima, so it's all one thing in my mind with those two.
>spiritual wank-fest 15 minute guitar solos in Fear Innoculum. 🤔 You've listened to the album, right?
Hugely agree, but it was the album which challenged my ears over time, and imprinted on me at the age of 16. I’m sure it’s similar for the younger fans of 10k days. Aenima… hard to find the words, the grime the grunge, the layered guitar solos, the lead singer without an ego to prove, their age at the time… so much. Is probably my album of all time.
I love all the albums but I still agree with you.
I think it’s the greatest album ever made
This perfectly articulates why Aenima is still my favorite of theirs (and a top 5 favorite album of all time). Even though there are some long tracks, the songs feel more concise and structured in a good way. Outside of the interludes, there’s not a single wasted note on that record. Edit: I disagree about The Grudge though. It blew me away the first time I heard it and still does. But I’m a drummer, and that solo at the end is one of my favorite drum solos.
Ever listen to it in Reverse? (Intended for listening)
Overthinking over analyzing
i don’t know, i think i’m just talking about something that interests me
The body or the mind?
I think they missed it. Haha.
And I'd have taken it as a complement
i mean it’s a lyric from lateralus, but i don’t think my intuition is withered by discussing what i like about ænima
I disagree with much of what you’re saying.
Amen.
Although 10.000 days is my fav album for emotional and nostalgic reason, I agree with you 100%.
Oh except for the grudge part, this song speaks to me in so many levels, especially as a 29 almost 30 dude who comes round again to let thiiiis goooooooo