Opiate is an EP released in '92 consisting of 6 of Tool's heaviest songs. What fans of the Tool around now will first realize with this is that it's pretty different
Lateralus era material. While details of their later work is sometimes hinted at, this is just pure angry metal. None of those fancy songs longer than eight minutes or super complex sounding . Just good metal.
Ater ten seconds of silence,
Opiate starts off with
Sweat. A nice riff from Adam and some good hat work from Danny provide a backdrop for Maynard's great vocals. "Seems like I've been here before/Seems so familiar/Seems like I'm slipping into a dream within a dream" says Maynard, half shouting. Then he softens a big, with a melodic break which is a change of pace from the angry sounding chorus. Another verse and then into the chorus, which is louder this time with Maynard screaming. A break comes next, but then bursts into double bass and a heavy riff. Some tom rolls and then back into the chorus, with the melodic part again. Then a guitar note fades out and ends the song.
Hush opens with a bassline from Paul and quarter notes on the hats. Then guitar comes in and Maynard screams "Fuck you!!" It slows up a bit with a verse saying "I can't say what I want to/Even if I'm not serious," obviously referring to censorship. Then the vocals get angrier with a scream in there for good measure. Another verse, this time of "People tell me what to say/What to think and what to play" with a chorus following. A prolonged scream this time leads into somewhat of a break, with Maynard's various verbal abuse going from side to side, ending in another profanity filled scream. Verse, then a breakdown with the lines of "Just kidding" end the song on a happy note.
The next song,
Part of Me, starts with a clear "Yeah ready." But if you have it loud enough and listen carefully, you can hear Maynard saying "I was having fun sitting down having a cup of coffee, but
now I have to sing." Guitar screeches in and is shortly followed with some drums. Bass follows suit and adds to the mix. Then there's a great riff, which is fairly short and changes to another riff. The bass continues the guitar riff for the verse. Things change a bit now with Mr. Keenan repeating "You are just a part of me" which then turns into a scream with a deeper version in the background. Adam plays a short little solo here, and then it's back to versing. Some shouting from Maynard with "I know you best, better than anyone/I know you better than i know myself" followed by some heavy riffing and then "A part of me!" end the track.
"Throw that Bob Marley wannabe motherfucker outta here!" begins
Cold and Ugly [Live]. It's the first of the two live tracks, as you could hear for yourself by the crowd's random shouts. Then a heavy, heavy riff kicks in, courtesy Mr. Jones. Then Maynard screams something and they rock out a little. The riff changes a bit and leads into the verse. The guitar gets heavier and the vocals do too. Verse time, which is similar to the last one, with a nice scream at the end. Then there's more screaming and a breakdown of sorts. "Wide awake and keeping distance from my soul" lead into some bass action and then back into the band. There's an interesting solo with what sounds like.. the phone ringing. Back to bass 'n' drums with vocals that lead into screaming and heavy guitar. The screaming of "I am frightened" and then some double bass end the song with applause and cheering.
This leads directly into
Jerk-Off [Live]. Maynard's rather nasal voice says "Used to be a bunch of assholes that lived in this part of the building here. But we've systematically removed them like you would any kind of termite or roach" which leads into the starting guitar lick. Bass 'n' drums for the verse again, which is followed by the guitar coming back in and then the chorus. Another verse and then the line of "Maybe it's just bullshit/I should play God and shoot you myself" with the last word being screamed. Another scream and then a break with the previous line being repeated and then frenzied playing by the band. Maynard's now screamin' away for a good while. It reminds me of the one in the Grudge, only not as good. "Shoot you in your fucking head!!" and applause end the song.
"Choices always were a problem for you/What you need is someone strong to guide you" begin the title track,
Opiate. A nice bass/drum verse with guitar following into the chorus is next, with a break. The drums and guitars grow more and more menacing as Maynards almost whispers the vocals. "Jesus Christ won't you come save my life now/Open my eyes blind me with your light now" lead into another break featuring the opening bass notes. Guitar comes back then it goes strait into almost shouting and heavier riffs. The first break is repeating but this time the last line is stretched in a good scream. Then they jam a little and.. more phones ringing. If you're not careful, it'll trick you into thinking your own phone is ringing. The track goes out with some tom hits and a fading guitar tone.
It would seem this is the end of the EP, but that's not the case. Six minutes and six seconds into the sixth track called
The Gaping Lotus Experience. This is an odd track to say the least. It's one of those you shouldn't give away and just let people experience for themself. So go.. experience.
Opiate as a metal album fairs well. Fans of Tool's later, more complex works should approach with caution. It's a good effort, nonetheless, and fans of metal in general should find at least a track or two to enjoy.
[+] Pros
(+)It's good metal
(+)Easy to listen through multiple times
(+)Good vocals and screams throughout
[-] Cons
(-)Might be too heavy for fans of Tool's later efforts
(-)Lacks the complexity of later works
(-)It's an EP
[?] Perplexing
(?)Why does that priest have six arms? You tryin' to tell us something?
Tracklist
1. Sweat -3:49 (All songs written by Tool)
2. Hush -2:50
3. Part of Me -3:19
4. Cold and Ugly [Live] -4:11
5. Jerk-Off [Live] -4:26
6. Opiate -8:28
SCRUPLES
