Album Rating: 5.0

I think a Tool noob should definitely listen to their discography in chronological order. It’s not like it’s a massive 12 album discog or something. The progression over the years is pretty interesting to watch. And they have no duds.

Album Rating: 3.4

This is probably the closest to my thoughts of any of our Sputnik reviews.

Album Rating: 1.0

Yeah, same

mmhmm, tool aging album is an aging tool album.

Album Rating: 3.4

I definitely don't think it's a '1', though. Probably a '3'. I've only given it a few chances, though.

Album Rating: 3.0

I mean, I'm not against listening to it chronologically. I just don't think it's mandatory. I know far too many people who started with Aenima, Lateralus, or even 10k days, loved it and then decided to go back and listen to their whole discog. Personally, I think Aenima is a perfect introduction to their music.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Whoa nice motorpsycho avi

Thanks. Classic album, classic band. ^

Album Rating: 2.5

@Larkinhill well, I can still listen to their discog in chronological order and see the progression.

let me put this in other words: if this album only works when people have already listened to their previous works as kind of a requirement, then this album is not good. of course there are exception in cases of story or thematic based writing but since this is not given here, it is not necessary.

Album Rating: 2.5

@hexfix: thank you! did they really say that about 7empest? haha nice. I don't know much about this band aside from the vocalist and the concept behind Lateralus (was intrigued by the math)

Album Rating: 5.0

"it is clearly lacking details and depths" NOOOOOOOO Eclipse.

Album Rating: 2.5

please give me an example. genuinely asking.

Album Rating: 5.0

My impression on the album after hours of listening to it showed me that there's absolutely no repetition to it. Nothing is played twice the same way, or without layering another soundscape/ feature (drums, riff itself, vocals, electronics etc...). It may have a monotonous vibe to it and it may not be your thing, and surely they're not the common progressive metal band in terms on technicality or constant shift as we know. They trust more in an esoteric crescendo vibe and an unique sound. This album though is all about the details, for who is willing to enjoy it.

The fact it is a mature release, made much specifically for Tool fans also don't make it a bad album...just puts their work into retrospective...I agree its not the best one to start with...I would rec you Aenima because its a more direct piece, with many more hooks, catchiness and explosion. This is a tame piece from mid 50s guys I came to enjoy.

If you asked genuinely, you could also give the band a genuine chance, beside superficiality and ego choices. But...it is OK if don't want to loose time with it because it didn't grab you in the first place. That happens to me all the time.



The big issue here was to write this big rev without really dive into the album...but I kinda got the exercise you made here, so I didn't neg it.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

As someone who isn't huge on Tool and only recently listened to 10K Days for the first time, this is probably the absolute worst album to start on. All of the annyoing noodling with the most mixed reception of an album in the band's career (rightfully so). Lateralus is probably the best to start from if you actually know what you're getting into.



Pretty good review and pretty much my opinions exactly.

Album Rating: 5.0

If you listen to Lateralus only once you ll get pretty much the same (prob a bit better) impression. But its my fave.

Album Rating: 2.5

@DDDeftoneDDD: first of all, I hope that it is perfectly clear that I didn't mean offense in any kind. Just in case my words came up not the way they were intended. I deeply respect you, bro.

besides, you raise some really good points. It is a rather superficial review, yeah, I admit that. Maybe I should have listened to it 2 or 3 times, but like you already said, that's a lot of effort with a record this long.

however, your points make me think about some general questions in terms of reviewing:

1) is it necessary to know the predecessors to properly review a piece of music?

2) furthermore is necessary to have enjoyed those predecessors in a certain order?

3) is it necessary to know the context (e.g. the age of the artists) to properly review a piece of music?



1) I am not sure about this, though I would rather say it is not. Yes, it can help to put some elements into order or something, but in my opinion it should not influence the overall score of it unless it is clearly some kind of concept album that refers to the others. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is not the case with Fear Inoculum. So I don't see any reason why a record should not be judged by what it is in an isolated state (or as isolated as it can get).

2) certainly not. on the contrary I see the risk of being too biased.

3) also certainly not. I mean, you can get some props when doing a kickass record in your 70s or something, but for a review it is not something I am advised to look after when judging a record. It's the same thing for younger age. For example I mostly despise Billie Eilish's lyrics but I dig the music. However, I can see where these unmature lyrics come from (her being 17) but that should not make her album better than it really is.



but then again, you can answer these question in another way and that's fine. this is just the way I see it.

oh and btw: I never said Tool in general is bad (I actually never said this album is bad, it is just average), I still plan to listen to their other stuff

Album Rating: 5.0

You see it right bro...it was just a manner of explaining some context, cause sometimes we enter albums with certain expectations, that eventually end up to be defrauded and with Tool its a common mistake, as they are not exactly a normal prog band, not even a normal rock band (weather ppl enjoy them or not)...also this album is really tame, soft and with no explosion of any kind, besides some little climaxes, lyrically or instrumental, that are built with further listens. For what its worth, the vocalist said this one required patience...in my view is like almost an ode against immediacy. It can also be very beautiful, if you are into their aesthetic.

Although all of their albums are the so called "growers", the first 2 ones have a more immediate factor, while subsequent releases require to let them sink in.

Mind Lateralus is their magnum opus.

Album Rating: 2.5

sweet that we are on common ground there. totally understand you.

tbh this album has a huge psychedelic touch with a little stoner flavor

Album Rating: 3.0

Yeah you definitely don't have to know the rest of their albums to like this. That doesn't really even make sense lol. It's not uncommon to jump into the middle of a band's discog, or hear their newest album and then go back and listen to the rest. As long as one doesn't mind the song lengths, nothing wrong with starting here. I wouldn't suggest it only because I like their other albums better, but that's just a personal preference.



I think you should check Aenima and Lateralus though. Certainly won't change your mind about this record but you might enjoy those.

Album Rating: 3.0

Oh and yeah he did say that haha, I read it in an interview with Maynard the other day. Actually, more than just that riff was written.

"There are riffs on the new album that Adam had before I was even in the band,” he offers. “The last track, ‘7empest’ [pronounced Tempest], the main body of the first chunk of the song is a verse and then a really heavy recurring riff, something I came up with in [the time signature of] 21.



We’d been trying to find [another riff that goes with it], and it ended up being something we’d tried on several albums, with different ideas, and it just never clicked. And then all of a sudden there it is and it works, and it totally is the complete thing that the other riff needed. I think Adam had that riff when we were trying to write for [1996’s] Aenima album. It just kept getting brought up and put on the side."

Kind of surprised they couldn't find the right song for it tbh, would've fit perfectly on Aenima or the two albums after it.